Michigan Truck Accident Laws – How an Auto Accident Lawyer Can Help You Win Your Case – Guest Post

Truck accidents are among the most devastating and legally complex motor vehicle accidents. Due to the weight and dimensions of commercial trucks, truck accidents result in serious injury, property damage, and death. Apart from physical and emotional pain, the victims are also exposed to economic loss in the form of medical expenses, lost wages, and future rehabilitation costs.

Truck crashes are distinct from the usual car crashes in that they entail multiple truck accident liability, which must be unraveled by experienced counsel in the matrix of state and federal trucking law.

In this article, we detail why the trucking accident is not your run-of-the-mill car accident and why victims require the assistance of an attorney. We discuss the complexity of truck accident liability, how an experienced truck accident lawyer Michigan can help you maximize the amount of compensation you will receive, and provide tips on how to find the best auto accident lawyer in Michigan for your case.

How Truck Accidents Differ from Car Accidents

Truck accidents are significantly different from car accidents in terms of complexity, severity, and exposure to the law. While car accidents typically involve two solo drivers, commercial truck accidents involve multiple levels of liability, typically trucking firms, manufacturers, and insurers.

The Gravity of Commercial Trucking Collisions

Due to their massive weight and size, trucks cause much more damage than cars. It is not rare to find an 80,000-pound tractor-trailer full of freight, and a collision with other cars is catastrophic. Traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, and fatality are the usual injuries in truck accidents.

Liability in Truck Accidents is More Complicated

Truck accident faults differ from typical car accidents. It can be shared by several parties, such as:

The Truck Driver

The truck driver is typically the first person to be interrogated in case of a mishap. Truck crashes are typically caused by driver fatigue, distractions, speeding, and driving under the influence. A Michigan truck accident lawyer can examine logbooks, drug test results, and dash cam footage to determine liability.

The Trucking Company

Truck companies are liable if they fail to enforce safety procedures, provide drivers with improper training, or actively promote the breaking of federal regulations. Companies make the drivers deliver the commodities within a very short period of time, which can compel them to break hours-of-service laws.

Further, if the company fails to properly check the background of the driver or hires an incompetent driver knowing it, then the company is liable for the accident. Lawyers typically subpoena company records to determine whether or not corporate negligence caused the accident.

The Truck’s Manufacturer

Where the accident is the result of a mechanical breakdown, the manufacturer of the truck or the manufacturers of the truck parts are responsible. Faulty brakes, tire failure, failure of the transmission, or a faulty steering system can all result in fatal accidents.

The manufacturers have the duty to design safe products, and the instant it is found that the cause of an accident is a defect, the victims can file semi-truck injury claims against the manufacturers.

Maintenance Contractors

Commercial trucks also require regular maintenance to be in working condition. Trucking companies attempt to outsource maintenance work to third-party contractors who might attempt to save money by skimping or neglecting significant issues.

 If brakes fail or tires blow out due to wear, for instance, and an accident occurs, then the maintenance contractor would be at fault. Your Michigan truck accident lawyer will review maintenance records to determine negligence.

Cargo Loaders

Illegally loaded freight can create dangerous driving conditions such as rollovers, jackknife crashes, or spilling of freight. Overloading a tractor-trailer can impact the braking and maneuverability of the truck. If a collision occurs due to a shift or a loss of balance in the freight, the loader of the truck can be held liable. Lawyers collaborate with accident reconstruction specialists to determine whether cargo loading standards contributed to an accident.

With these facts, it is a requirement to engage a Michigan truck accident lawyer in a bid to bring all the culprits to book.

Why You Need a Michigan Truck Accident Lawyer

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Only an experienced attorney specializing in personal injury law in Michigan can guide you through intricate trucking regulations and secure the compensation you deserve. Trucking accidents require professional management of state and federal regulations, including compliance with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

Handling Insurance and Trucking Firms

Business trucking company insurers are proactive in fighting claims in order to minimize their financial exposure. These companies employ experienced adjusters and attorneys to fight claims, typically trying to lowball or deny legitimate payment. A Michigan truck accident lawyer can:

• Obtain and maintain vital evidence, such as electronic logging device (ELD) records and the history of the truck’s maintenance.
• Negotiate on your behalf for a fair truck accident settlement process.
• Represent you in court if necessary
• Maximizing Your Semi-Truck Injury Claim

Semi-truck crash victims usually have medical expenses, lost wages, and a longer recovery. An attorney helps you to maximize your semi-truck injury claim by placing a number on overall damages, including:

• Future doctor bills and doctor expenses
• Loss of wages and earning potential
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Property damage

How to Choose the Best Auto Accident Lawyer in Michigan

Choosing a qualified Michigan truck accident lawyer is crucial. Consider the following:

Experience and Specialization in Personal Injury Law

Find a lawyer who specializes in commercial truck accidents. A lawyer with experience in truck accident cases ensures that they are knowledgeable about federal regulations, liability regulations, and the common defense strategies of trucking companies.

Verified Record of Judgments and Settlements

Review past case results to determine if the lawyer has been effective at obtaining truck accident verdicts and settlements in the past. An excellent record demonstrates they are capable of obtaining the maximum compensation for clients.

Client Feedback and Testimonials

Review client feedback to determine if past clients are happy. Favorable comments regarding communication, professionalism, and outcomes of the case can be an indication of a lawyer’s competence and reliability.

Contingency Fee Basis

A truck accident lawyer who has experience in handling such cases will take your case on a contingency fee, meaning that you don’t pay anything upfront and only pay them if they successfully win your case.

What to Do After a Truck Accident

If you are a victim of a commercial truck accident, taking immediate action is essential to protecting your legal rights.

Consult a Doctor

Your safety comes first. Even if you’re okay, get it checked out by a doctor because there are traumas, like concussions and internal bleeding, which don’t always present symptoms.

Call Law Enforcement

Report the accident to the police. The police will have an official accident report prepared, which may prove to be excellent evidence for your case.

Gather evidence at the Crime Scene

If practicable, record the accident site by:

• Documenting the damage to the vehicles, the highway, and any visible injuries
• Gathering witness contact details
• Getting the details of the truck driver, including employer and insurance details

Do not apologize or mention liability on the website. Even an apology can be interpreted as an acknowledgment of fault and can be utilized against you in a claim.

Contact a Michigan Truck Accident Attorney Right Away

The sooner you consult a Michigan truck accident lawyer, the stronger your case. Your lawyer will take care of the collection of evidence, negotiation with insurance companies, and presentation of your case in a court of law if required.

Take Action Today

If you or someone you care about were injured in a Michigan truck accident, get the excellent legal help you deserve. Our compassionate, skilled Vehicle Accident Lawyers in Michigan are here to guide you through the legal process and ensure your rights are protected. Make an appointment today and let us help you pursue the compensation you deserve.

We can walk you through your case, demonstrate why we are among Michigan’s best truck accident lawyers, and walk you through commercial vehicle claims. Call us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.

Our contingency fee basis means we only get paid if we win your case, so there is no financial risk to you to get started. Call our law firm today.

Disclaimer: The information provided is general and not for legal advice. The blogs are not intended to provide legal counsel, and neither is an attorney-client relationship created nor intended.