Escanaba Truck Accident Lawyer

Escanaba is a relatively safe city, but as a port city with multiple highways running through, it sees its fair share of semi-trucks. This is especially true because Escanaba houses the well-respected Midwest Truck Driving School. Unfortunately, this means it also sees its fair share of truck accidents.

When semi-trucks crash, they can cause massive damage. Most commercial vehicles weigh over 30,000 pounds. A big rig can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded. With that much mass, truck accidents can cause catastrophic injuries or wrongful death. Your family can end up reeling in the fallout of such a catastrophe. If you or a loved one suffered injuries because of negligence by a truck driver or trucking company, you have the right to receive fair compensation for your losses. A well-funded insurance company, however, stands between you and your rights.

You do not have to go through this fight alone. The truck accident attorneys serving the Escanaba area at Matz Injury Law have years of experience representing accident victims in injury claims and lawsuits. We can help you get the compensation you deserve by calling 866-226-6833 or completing our online contact form.

Most Dangerous Intersections in Escanaba, Michigan

According to 2012-2022 traffic data from Michigan Traffic Crash Facts, the following intersections are the most common sites for truck accidents in Escanaba:

• Ludington Street and S. Lincoln Road
• 5th Avenue N. and S. Lincoln Road
• US Highway 41 and Willow Creek Road/N. 30th Street
• US Highway 41 and 5th Avenue N.
• US Highway 41 and 6th Avenue N.
• N. 30th Street and 1st Avenue N.
• 14th Avenue N. and N. Lincoln Road

How Do Michigan’s No-Fault Laws Work After a Truck Accident?

Under Michigan’s no-fault law, you may recover damages from your own insurance policy’s PIP coverage. This should provide you with damages to cover:

• Medical bills;
• Lost wages;
• Replacement costs for tasks that you are unable to do while you recover from your injuries; and
• Funeral expenses in wrongful death cases.

_{If your damages exceed your PIP policy limits and you meet certain other criteria, you may be able to make a claim against the at-fault motorist.}

What Type of Damages Are Payable in Escanaba, Michigan Truck Accidents?

After a truck crash in Michigan, you may be eligible to receive two types of damages, depending on your case: economic and non-economic damages. These are both types of “compensatory damages,” since their purpose is to compensate you for the losses you have suffered.

Some states also allow accident victims to recover punitive damages in order to punish a defendant for serious wrongdoing. Most truck accident cases involve negligence, however, and Michigan law does not allow punitive damages in negligence cases. It only allows plaintiffs to claim punitive damages for injuries that result from a defendant’s “malicious,” “willful,” or “wanton” conduct.

Economic Damages

Economic damages compensate you for your economic losses. You may recover many of these losses from your PIP insurance coverage. If the amount of damages exceeds your insurance policy’s PIP limits, you may be able to recover the rest from a truck driver, trucking company, or other at-fault parties.

Examples of economic damages resulting from a truck accident may include:

• Medical expenses;
• Future medical care;
• Lost wages;
• Loss of earning capacity;
• Rehabilitation and other expenses related to your injuries; and
• Funeral expenses in wrongful death cases.

You can prove economic damages fairly easily by producing documents like medical bills and wage statements.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are more subjective than economic damages. They attempt to compensate accident victims for the effects their injuries have had on their quality of life.

“Pain and suffering” is a common type of non-economic damage. It provides compensation for both physical and emotional pain resulting from truck accident injuries. Many forms of physical pain can endure long after your medical care, rehabilitation, physical therapy, and other forms of treatment are complete after an accident. You may experience emotional or psychological pain, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). An accident that caused disfigurement or scarring can cause both physical pain and psychological distress.

This kind of damage is not something you can put on a bill or invoice. Proving non-economic damages often requires the assistance of a skilled personal injury trial lawyer who can tell the jury a story about how a truck driver’s negligence caused you millions of dollars of pain and distress.

Should I Speak With the Insurance Adjuster?

You can talk to the trucking company’s insurance adjuster after the accident. That is to say that no law prohibits you from speaking to one another. Remember, though, that the insurance adjuster’s job is to get you to either:

• Admit that the accident was your fault, meaning that the insurance company owes you nothing; or
• Accept a lowball settlement that does not come close to compensating you for your injuries and other damages.

Neither of these options benefits you. There is a better way to handle it.

While you and the insurance company are legally free to speak to one another, you do not have to speak to them. You will eventually have to make a statement as part of the insurance claim process, but you have time to speak to an attorney first.

Insurance companies may use tactics to minimize payouts to accident victims by attributing more fault to them. Under Michigan law, if you’re found more than 50% at fault, they don’t have to pay. Avoid their traps by not speaking to them directly.

If you do speak to the insurance company before you have hired a personal injury attorney, keep your comments to them simple and short. Do not apologize for your part in the accident or speculate about what might have happened. All you need to tell them is that you either have an attorney or you will be retaining one soon.

Your attorney, once you have hired them, can handle communications with the insurance company. They can present the evidence that supports your claim and negotiate with the adjuster to try to reach a settlement agreement. If they cannot come to an agreement, your lawyer will know how to proceed with a personal injury lawsuit.

What Are the Benefits of Hiring an Attorney in a Truck Accident Case in Escanaba?

Hiring an attorney boasts several benefits. They can:

• Gather crucial evidence, like police reports
• Communicate with the insurance company on your behalf
• Secure compensation for medical bills and lost wages
• Collect contact information from witnesses
• Navigate the claims process for you and keep you updated throughout

If you have suffered injuries in an 18-wheeler accident, dealing with insurance companies and truck accident claims is probably one of the last things on your mind. Allow a dedicated attorney to assist you with this endeavor.

Why Our Clients Trust Matz Injury Law

• At Matz Injury Law, we believe that you deserve quality representation at a reduced price. Most law firms charge 33% of your settlement, but we only charge 22%. Keep more money with Matz.
• We are dedicated to personal, compassionate representation. At Matz Injury Law, you will always be represented by Jared or Steven Matz.
• We travel all across the state to help our clients. We have logged hundreds of miles across both peninsulas to provide the personalized care and attention that our clients deserve.

Recent Truck Accident Settlements

We have represented Michigan residents for decades. Some of our recent settlements include:

• $3.45 million settlement against a cement company whose truck crossed a center line causing three deaths and severely injuring a 4 year-old boy. The settlement was $450,000 in excess of available insurance.
• $1.3 million Federal District Court settlement on behalf of a mother and daughter in a car/truck collision. Mom suffered a pancreas injury but returned to full-time employment within six months; eight year old daughter suffered an aggravation of a pre-existing learning disability as well as a ruptured spleen.

Client Testimonial

Don’t just take our word for it. Here’s a review from one of our many satisfied clients.

“For anyone looking for an attorney please look no further than Matz Injury Law!! Not only was Jared professional, he helped me beyond what I could have asked for. I’m so thankful for you all!!! To say I’m appreciative and grateful is an understatement. There’s no need to look for any other attorneys for you auto accidents!! They are so wonderful!!! Highly recommended 10/10!!!!!” – Tessa C.

Did Your Accident Result in Serious Injury? It Is Time for You to Be Compensated.

Truck accidents can cause severe and debilitating injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, disfigurement, and more. You need a law firm with extensive experience helping Escanaba truck accident victims recover the maximum compensation owed to them under Michigan law. You need a truck accident lawyer who will fight for you at the negotiating table and, if necessary, in the courtroom. Matz Injury Law is the law firm that you need.

Ready to discuss your case? Talk to our personal injury lawyers by calling 866-226-6833 or complete our online contact form, and we’ll be in touch immediately!