Whether a big rig or other commercial vehicle, truck accidents can cause serious injuries that leave victims facing hospitalization, surgery, long-term care, and rehabilitation.

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. We 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

How Truck Accidents Differ from Car Accidents

Truck accident cases and car accident cases can both be life-changing but are not the same. Truck accidents involve unique challenges that set them apart:

  • The major size disparity between a commercial truck and a passenger vehicle often results in catastrophic injury. A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, while the average passenger vehicle weighs only 4,000 pounds.
  • Commercial vehicles and their drivers have a much stricter set of laws to follow than other vehicle types. This means that crashes involving commercial vehicles are also more legally complex when it comes to establishing fault and getting compensation.

There’s so much complexity beyond the physical damage caused by truck crashes. These cases require specialized legal help, because they often involve multiple insurance policies, federal regulations, and corporate entities. All of these factors make them a significantly more complex process than accidents involving other types of vehicles.

Common Injuries Sustained in Truck 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 are often caused by the carelessness of 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.

Potentially Liable Parties in Truck Accident Cases

Truck accident cases often involve multiple liable parties beyond just the driver. Understanding all possible defendants is key to maximizing your compensation:

  • Trucking Companies: May be liable for negligent hiring practices, inadequate driver training, or pushing fatigued drivers to exceed their regulatory hours-of-service
  • Vehicle Maintenance Providers: Can be held responsible for improper maintenance or inspection failures that lead to mechanical issues
  • Parts Manufacturers: May be liable for defective components that contributed to the accident
  • Cargo Loading Companies: Can be responsible for not properly securing loads that cause accidents
  • Brokers and Shippers: May share liability for setting unrealistic delivery schedules or doing business with unsafe carriers

The Role of Federal and State Regulations in Trucking

Truck accident cases can be complex, especially when it involves multiple parties and states. With many 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

Frequently Asked Questions About Truck Accidents

How long does it take to resolve a truck accident case?

The timeline for resolving a truck accident case varies. It all depends on factors such as injury severity, clear liability, and insurance company cooperation. While some cases settle within months, complex cases involving multiple parties or severe injuries may take one to two years or longer to resolve fully.

Can I still file a claim if I was partially at fault?

Yes. Michigan follows a modified comparative negligence system. That means you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault, as long as you weren’t more than 50% responsible for the accident. Your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

How does no-fault insurance in Michigan apply to truck accidents?

Michigan’s no-fault insurance system applies to truck accidents and still provides Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits regardless of who caused the crash. These benefits cover medical expenses, lost wages, and replacement services. Still, you may pursue additional compensation from the at-fault parties for damages that exceed what’s covered under PIP.

What should I do if the trucking company denies liability?

If a trucking company denies liability, it’s critical that you have an experienced legal team on your side. Our attorneys can investigate the accident, gather evidence, and build a strong case to establish liability. We have decades of experience dealing with trucking companies and their insurers who consistently try to avoid responsibility.

Fieger Law: Nationally Recognized Semi-Truck Accident Lawyers

Our 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.