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Grand Rapids Commercial Truck Accident Lawyers
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A semi or commercial truck crash on a Grand Rapids road can change your life in an instant, and the Grand Rapids truck accident lawyers you turn to can shape what comes next. The injuries are serious, the bills arrive fast, and the trucking company’s insurer is already working to limit what it pays.
A truck crash is not a car crash. You could be up against the trucking company, its insurer, and a legal team that started building a defense within hours, while critical evidence like black box data and driver logs can disappear in days.
We handle truck accident cases across Michigan, including the Grand Rapids area, and we know how they differ from a standard car crash claim. As Michigan truck accident lawyers who understand both the state’s no-fault system and the federal rules governing commercial carriers, we move quickly to preserve the evidence these cases turn on. Contact Matz Injury Law to schedule a free consultation.
Why Grand Rapids Truck Accident Victims Choose Matz Injury Law
A crash this serious calls for attorneys who handle it personally. That means identifying every party that may share liability and preserving evidence before it disappears.
Steven J. Matz founded Matz Injury Law in 1977, and Jared Matz joined the firm in 2016. Over decades of work for Michigan’s injured, Steven has earned an AV Preeminent rating and induction into the Michigan Lawyers Weekly Hall of Fame. When you hire us, one of them handles your case personally from start to finish, and we travel across the Upper and Lower Peninsulas to meet clients where they are.
Our Fee Is 22%, Not 33 1/3%
You won’t pay a retainer or upfront legal fees. We work on contingency, so if you do not recover compensation, neither do we.
Our fee is just 22%, compared to the 33 1/3% most Michigan firms charge. Our clients have recovered more than $300 million in compensation, and our lower fee means you keep more of your settlement.
What Our Clients Say
“I was involved in a fatal trucking accident. I reached out to Matz Injury Law and Jared was extremely helpful in explaining to me how I needed to proceed going forward. I highly recommend giving them a call if you’re in need of a personal attorney as they will answer all your questions and help you get proper compensation for your losses.” — Christian H.
“I cannot recommend Steve and his team highly enough. From the very first consultation, the team was professional, compassionate, and incredibly knowledgeable. They took the time to explain every step of the process, answered all my questions, and made sure I felt confident and supported throughout my case. Their attention to detail and dedication truly made a difference. They fought hard on my behalf and achieved a result that exceeded my expectations.” — Tifani R.
“My parents were involved in a fatal car accident, where we needed guidance dealing with the insurance company. A month after the accident the insurance agency had stopped addressing our calls and emails. Retaining Steve Matz and his team was the absolute best decision we made for my mom. He was professional from start to finish and we had a settlement quickly. Steve answered all of our calls and emails, and assured us that he would take care of our family during this time.” — Sarah M.
Grand Rapids Truck Accident Attorneys
What Makes Truck Accident Cases in Grand Rapids More Complicated
Grand Rapids sits where Interstate 96 meets US-131, two of Michigan’s busiest freight corridors, and thousands of semis share these roads with commuters daily. When one crashes, the legal picture is far more complex than a two-car accident.
A single crash can involve the driver, the motor carrier, cargo loaders, maintenance contractors, and manufacturers, each with separate insurance and its own legal team. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations layer over Michigan law, and the exposure can reach into the millions, which is why carriers respond so fast.
Who Can Be Held Liable After a Grand Rapids Truck Accident
In a commercial truck crash, liability rarely stops with the driver. Several parties can share responsibility depending on how the crash happened and who maintained or loaded the truck.
- The truck driver: Fatigue, distraction, impairment, and speeding cause many serious truck crashes. Hours-of-service violations under FMCSA rules are a recurring factor.
- The trucking company: Motor carriers can be liable for negligent hiring, poor training, or pushing drivers past legal rest limits. When a driver crashes within the scope of employment, the carrier may also face vicarious liability.
- Cargo loaders and shippers: Improperly loaded or unsecured freight can cause rollovers, jackknifes, and spills. The party responsible for loading can share liability even without touching the wheel.
- Truck manufacturers and maintenance contractors: Defective brakes, blown tires, or faulty steering can shift liability to a manufacturer or the shop responsible for keeping the truck roadworthy.
Each party may carry separate insurance, so missing one can leave money on the table.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Grand Rapids Truck Accident
Michigan’s no-fault system applies to truck crash injuries. Your personal injury protection (PIP) benefits can cover crash-related medical bills, up to three years of lost wages at 85% of pre-tax income, household help at up to $20 per day for three years if your doctor orders it, and recovery-related mileage. The amount available depends on the coverage you chose, and they apply regardless of fault.
If you were 50% or less at fault, you may also have a third-party claim for pain and suffering. Your injury must meet one of three thresholds: death, serious impairment of an important body function that is objectively manifested and affects how you live, or permanent serious disfigurement.
Economic Damages
Truck crashes create losses well beyond the first hospital stay.
- Medical expenses and future treatment
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Spinal cord and back injury treatment and rehabilitation
- Wrongful death losses, including funeral expenses
Non-Economic Damages
Serious injuries reach beyond your finances, and Michigan law treats these as compensable in a third-party claim.
- Pain and suffering, mental anguish, and PTSD
- Head and brain injury effects, both cognitive and emotional
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of consortium and enjoyment of life
What to Do After a Truck Crash in Grand Rapids
What you do after a truck crash affects your ability to recover.
- Seek medical attention right away. Injuries can surface days later, and that day’s record is important documentation.
- Document the scene if you can. Photos of the vehicles, road, and injuries are hard to dispute later.
- Get witness contact information, especially if the company disputes what happened.
- Notify your own insurance company to start your PIP benefits, but avoid discussing settlement or giving a recorded statement to the trucking company’s insurer.
- Hold off on signing anything. Have an attorney review any release before you agree to it.
- Contact an attorney as soon as you can. Electronic logging device (ELD) data, dashcam footage, logbooks, and inspection records can vanish quickly. An attorney can send a preservation letter immediately.
How Do You Know If You Have a Truck Accident Claim in Michigan?
Anyone injured in a Michigan truck crash can claim PIP benefits through their own no-fault insurance, regardless of fault. A third-party pain-and-suffering claim takes two things: being 50% or less at fault and having an injury that meets at least one Michigan threshold. Brain injuries, spinal injuries, fractures, and amputations often meet that standard. A free consultation can tell you which claims apply.
How to Choose a Truck Accident Lawyer in Grand Rapids
Not every personal injury attorney handles commercial truck cases regularly, and the difference shows in how a claim is built. As you compare options, look for a few things in particular:
- Real experience with commercial truck cases, not just car crashes
- Working knowledge of FMCSA regulations and how they shape liability
- The ability to identify every party who may share fault, from driver to carrier to cargo loader
- Genuine command of Michigan’s no-fault system
- A clear answer on whether an attorney will handle your case personally or pass it to staff
- A straight answer about the fee
Frequently Asked Questions About Grand Rapids Truck Accident Cases
How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Claim in Michigan?
You have three years from the date of the crash to file most truck accident injury claims in Michigan under MCL 600.5805, and wrongful death claims are generally subject to the same three-year limit. File after that window, and a court will almost always refuse the case, so act early.
Does Michigan No-Fault Insurance Cover Truck Accident Injuries?
Yes. If you carry Michigan no-fault coverage, your PIP benefits apply regardless of fault. How much they cover depends on the coverage level you selected, and motorcycles follow different rules under the no-fault act.
Can I Sue the Trucking Company Directly?
Often, yes. A motor carrier can be liable for its driver’s negligence and for its own failures, such as poor training, bad maintenance, or pushing drivers past federal hours-of-service limits. Several parties may share fault, each carrying separate insurance that can factor into your recovery.
What If I Was Partially at Fault for the Truck Crash?
Michigan follows a modified comparative fault rule. If you were 50% or less at fault, you can still recover damages, but they will be reduced by your share of fault. If you were more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover non-economic damages in a third-party claim.
What Is a Truck Accident Case Worth in Michigan?
There is no set figure. Case value depends on the severity of your injuries, your medical costs, lost income, and whether your injuries meet the pain-and-suffering threshold. Because trucking policies are large, a serious case can be worth well more than a typical car crash claim.
Before the Evidence Is Gone, Speak with a Grand Rapids Truck Accident Lawyer
After a serious truck crash near Grand Rapids, you are facing injuries, mounting bills, and a trucking company already building its defense. We handle these cases across Michigan and know how fast the evidence disappears. Black box data, logbooks, and inspection records can be gone within days, so the sooner you reach out, the more we can do to protect your claim. Call us at 866-226-6833 or reach us through our contact form for a free consultation.
Written By Steven Matz
Steven J. Matz is the founder of Matz Injury Law, specializing in personal injury litigation with a focus on car accident victims. With over 40 years of legal experience, Mr. Matz has achieved numerous million-dollar settlements. He holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell and has been recognized among Michigan’s Top Attorneys. Steven J. Matz is a frequent lecturer on legal ethics and personal injury law, and serves on the Michigan Attorney Discipline Board.
