Whether a big rig or commercial vehicle, truck accidents can cause serious injuries that leave victims facing hospitalization, surgery, long-term care, and rehabilitation. In 2021, nearly 6,000 people died in large truck crashes. 72% of those fatalities were occupants of the other vehicle.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, whether in Michigan or any other part of the U.S., Fieger Law can offer support. Our truck accident attorneys are ready to help you hold the responsible truck driver, trucking company, or manufacturer accountable, ensuring you receive a fair settlement for your injuries.
Watch our video: America’s Truck Accident Lawyer
Common Injuries Sustained in Truck Accidents
The sheer size and weight of trucks often lead to severe and life-altering injuries in accidents. Victims should get a thorough medical check-up immediately after a crash to identify and address their injuries. Proper medical attention provides necessary care and officially records the injuries, which is vital for any legal action.
Typical injuries seen in truck accident cases include:
- Head Injuries: These can range from a slight concussion to severe brain damage, affecting your ability to think, move, or control your emotions.
- Spinal Injuries: These injuries can lead to partial or full paralysis, requiring ongoing care and equipment for mobility and daily activities.
- Broken Bones: Breaks can vary in severity but often need a long time to heal, sometimes with the help of surgery or physical therapy.
- Internal Injuries: These are injuries to your organs that can be immediately life-threatening and may lead to long-term health issues.
- Cuts and Burns: These injuries can leave scars and may require surgeries to repair. They can also be emotionally traumatic and impact your self-confidence.
- Neck and Back Injuries: Injuries like whiplash or herniated discs can cause ongoing pain and limit your ability to work or enjoy life as before.
Factors Contributing to Truck Accidents
Truck accidents often result from carelessness by the driver, their employer, or another involved party. Common causes of these semi-truck crashes include:
- Inadequate Training: Sometimes, truck drivers don’t get enough training before getting behind the wheel of a tractor-trailer, which can lead to serious mistakes.
- Driver Fatigue: Truck drivers often work long hours, making them tired and less alert, increasing the risk of accidents.
- Improperly Secured Loads: If cargo isn’t tied down correctly, it can shift or fall off, resulting in debris on the road.
- Oversized Loads: Trucks carrying too much cargo can be hard to control and might not fit properly on the road or under bridges.
- Poorly Maintained Equipment: When a truck isn’t properly maintained, issues like brake or tire failure can cause accidents. Similarly, manufacturing defects or faulty products can increase the likelihood of a collision on the road.
The Role of Federal and State Regulations in Trucking
Truck accident cases can be complex, especially when it involves multiple parties and states. With numerous state and federal laws that can often overlap or conflict, knowing who to file your truck accident claim against can be confusing.
Our firm will use all available resources to determine whether negligent hiring, operation, or maintenance practices contributed to your accident. For instance, we can examine hours of service rules and driver’s logs to prove the driver was distracted or fatigued at the time of the accident.
If the collision was due to cargo issues, we can review the cargo securement requirements and compare them to procedures by the trucking company or loaders to identify and prove fault. We can also refer to federal maintenance standards for discrepancies between the truck’s condition and maintenance performed to establish liability.
Steps to Take Immediately After a Truck Accident
In any vehicle accident, especially a semi-truck or commercial vehicle crash, you must preserve evidence and take the proper steps to get your entitled compensation. The following actions can protect your rights and maximize your claim:
- Ensure Safety: If your injuries allow, immediately move to a safe location off the road to avoid further harm and prevent secondary accidents.
- Contact Authorities: Dial 911 to report the accident to dispatch police and emergency services to the scene. They can document the incident in an official report and provide medical attention.
- Document the Scene: Capture detailed photos of the truck, your vehicle, any skid marks, road signs, and injuries. This visual evidence is vital for establishing the accident’s context and impact.
- Collect Relevant Information: Obtain the truck driver’s license, insurance details, trucking company name, vehicle identification number (VIN), and contact information of any eyewitnesses.
- Get Medical Care: Visit a hospital or doctor immediately for a full examination, as some injuries from truck accidents, like whiplash or internal trauma, may not be immediately apparent. This connects the damage to the crash, which is necessary for a successful claim.
- Keep a Detailed Diary: Start a journal to log your physical and emotional recovery, noting any pain and discomfort and how the injuries impact your daily activities. This helps quantify your damages and prove their extent in court.
- Don’t Speak to Adjusters: Avoid giving statements or accepting offers from insurance adjusters before speaking to a lawyer. They may try to get you to accept fault, reducing your claim’s value.
- Consult an Attorney: Seek the assistance of a seasoned attorney who specializes in truck accident cases to navigate the legal proceedings. At Fieger Law, our team can assist you in identifying the liable parties, filing your claim, and advocating for the highest possible compensation.
How Much is a Truck Accident Worth?
In the event of a successful lawsuit, victims of truck accidents may receive compensation to address:
- Medical Expenses: Past, present, and future, encompassing doctor’s visits, medications, surgeries, and rehabilitation
- Wage Losses: Both past and present, along with reduced future earning potential due to disability
- Out-of-Pocket Costs: Including home modifications and assistive technology for disability
- Pain and Suffering: Evaluated by courts based on injury impact and the loss of enjoyment in life
- Exemplary Damages: Awarded in cases of egregious negligence to deter similar actions in the future
Fieger Law: Nationally Recognized Semi-Truck Accident Lawyers
Geoffrey Fieger and his award-winning team of Detroit truck accident attorneys have won multi-million-dollar verdicts for truck crash victims. Our list of victories for victims of car accidents and their families is long, but highlights include two $30 million verdicts, two $15 million verdicts, one $14 million verdict, and many more.
Our lawyers have earned national recognition for their success in the courtroom and trial experience representing victims of trucking accidents. We will find out what caused your accident and help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a confidential, free consultation and begin your recovery.