Matz Injury Law Truck Accident Lawyers In Kalamazoo MI

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.

Get Experienced Legal Guidance From The Kalamazoo MI Truck Accident Lawyers At Matz Injury Law

If you or a loved one suffered injuries due to the negligence of 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. A Kalamazoo truck accident lawyer at Matz Injury Law has years of experience representing accident victims in injury claims and lawsuits. We can help you get the compensation you deserve. If you are in such a situation, you can reach out to us by calling 866-226-6833 or by completing our online contact form.

Examples of Truck Accident Settlements Matz Injury Law Has Won

Some examples of truck accident settlements include:

• $3,450,000 for a family who lost loved ones due to the negligence of a cement truck driver
• $200,000 for a St. Clare County truck/pedestrian collision that resulted in the death of a four-year-old
• $3.45 million in an accident where a cement truck crossed the center line and caused three deaths

Truck Accident Statistics in Michigan

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Michigan saw 4,983 wrecks involving large trucks in 2024. Large trucks may include tractor-trailer trucks, cement trucks, car haulers, fire trucks, and other large vehicles. Of those:

• 88 vehicles were involved in fatal crashes, with 93 fatalities in 80 crashes
• 1,065 vehicles were involved in injury crashes, with 1,301 injuries in 1,012 crashes

The Process of Claiming Compensation After a Truck Accident in Kalamazoo

Truck accident claims have several steps, including the initial case evaluation by an experienced Kalamazoo personal injury attorney.

Step One: Initial Consultation

When you first contact Matz Injury Law, we will set up an initial free consultation to meet you. Even if you are still in the hospital, you should contact an experienced truck accident attorney. We can do the initial consultation by phone, video conference, or by visiting you in the hospital.

Step Two: Case Evaluation

Once you retain a Kalamazoo personal injury lawyer at Matz Injury Law, we will investigate your case by gathering any evidence you have in addition to evidence you may not have, such as police reports and medical records. If needed, we will also hire expert witnesses, such as forensic accident reconstructionists and medical experts, to investigate the case. Once we obtain the evidence, we can start working on a case strategy and draft the initial demand letter.

Step Three: Negotiation and Settlement

The demand letter starts the negotiations with the insurance companies. Negotiations could take days, weeks, or even a few months, depending on the complexity of the case, including:

• The severity of your injuries
• The amount of property damage
• The number of insurance companies involved
• The amount you are asking for

Step Four: Trial Representation

Should the insurance company or companies refuse a fair and reasonable settlement, you have the option of litigating your case instead of taking their undervalued offer. When you work with an experienced truck accident lawyer, he or she will already have most of what he or she needs to start preparing for trial.

Trials take considerably longer than settlements. The length of time depends on most of the above-mentioned factors, plus scheduling between the courts, your attorney, and the attorneys for the defendants, as well as the length of time it takes for everyone to respond to the discovery process.

What Can A Kalamazoo Truck Accident Lawyer Do for You?

A Kalamazoo truck accident can help you recover the compensation you deserve by taking several steps, including:

Investigating Your Case and Collecting Evidence

Some accidents are not cut-and-dried. They need additional investigation. An experienced injury attorney with the resources that Matz Injury Law has can hire forensic accident reconstructionists to investigate the accident, which can come in handy if you believe the police report is incorrect, the defendant’s recollection of the incident is incorrect, the insurance companies refuse to believe your version of the incident, and other factors.

An experienced law firm can also question witnesses under oath (depositions), gather evidence you may not be able to obtain, and more to get ready for settlement negotiations or litigation.

Dealing With Insurance Company Representatives

Insurance companies are in business to make money. That means the less they pay, the better off they are—for themselves. Your accident injury attorney knows all of the tricks insurance companies use to “develop” reasons to deny your case or offer you a pittance. It is much less stressful for the attorney to deal with insurance companies than it is for you. Instead, you can concentrate on recovering.

Negotiating a Fair Settlement

Insurance companies can respond to an initial demand letter in three ways:

• Deny your claim
• Accept your claim and pay what you are asking for
• Forward a counter-demand to your attorney

In most cases, the insurance companies forward a counter-demand letter. You have the option to continue negotiations or go right to litigation.

Representing You in Court

If you do not like the offer the insurance company sends, you can discuss moving forward to litigation. Your attorney will advise you on what they think is best for your case, though it is ultimately your decision.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Kalamazoo?

As mentioned above, some semi-truck accidents are the result of unsafe driving by others on the road, not the truckers involved in the crashes. Truck drivers can also be responsible for collisions, of course, for a variety of reasons, including:

• Reckless driving: Michigan law defines “reckless driving” as the operation of a motor vehicle “in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.” In Kalamazoo truck accident cases, “reckless driving” includes a wide range of unsafe acts like speeding, running red lights or stop signs, and trying to pass another vehicle unlawfully.
• Distracted driving: Michigan prohibits texting and other uses of handheld mobile devices while driving. Even before cell phones, though, distracted drivers caused auto accidents. Truck drivers are no different. They can take their eyes or minds off the road to do things like look at a smartphone or tune a radio.
• Road conditions: Debris on the road and inadequate road maintenance can cause motor vehicle accidents.
• Weather: Rain, snow, sleet, and even bright sun can cause visibility issues.
• Poor cargo loading: Inadequately secured cargo and improperly balanced cargo can cause the driver to lose control, causing severe auto accidents.
• Unrealistic time constraints: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has enacted hours-of-service regulations for commercial truck drivers that limit the total amount of time they may drive before they must rest. Unfortunately, many trucking companies and drivers ignore these rules.

Common Commercial Truck Accident Injuries

All accidents have the potential to cause injuries such as cuts, scrapes, scratches, bruises, soft tissue injuries, sprains, and strains. However, you have a higher risk of suffering from more severe injuries in a truck accident because of the size and weight of a truck. Commercial trucks generally weigh 26,000 pounds and up—empty. A loaded tractor-trailer truck can weigh 80,000 pounds.

Accident injuries, in addition to the above-mentioned, can include:

• Road rash
• Simple and compound fractures
• Face and eye injuries
• Ear injuries
• Head, neck, and shoulder injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Internal injuries
• Back and spinal cord injuries
• Amputations
• Chemical, friction, and electrical burns

What Type of Damages Are Payable in Kalamazoo, 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. Both are types of “compensatory damages” since their purpose is to compensate you for the losses you have suffered.

Exemplary Damages In Truck Accidents

In some cases, victims can also be awarded exemplary damages in which additional compensation can be recovered based on the outrageous conduct of the at-fault party. Most Kalamazoo truck accident cases involve negligence. However, Michigan law only allows plaintiffs to claim exemplary damages for injuries that result from a defendant’s “malicious,” “willful,” or “wanton” conduct.

Economic Damages

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
• 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 Kalamazoo accident victims for the effects their injuries have had on their quality of life. Non-economic damages can include:

• Pain and suffering, including emotional distress
• Loss of quality of life
• Loss of companionship and/or consortium
• Inconvenience
• Excessive scarring or disfigurement
• Amputations

What to Do After a Truck Accident in Kalamazoo

In many truck accident crashes, people are too injured to take action at the accident scene. However, if you are able to move around without causing additional damage, you can significantly help your personal injury claim by taking the following actions:

• Call first responders and check others involved for injuries.
• Allow first responders to check you over when they get there. This is the first step in documenting your accident case.
• Gather evidence by taking photos of the accident scene. Be sure to include property damage to the roads, your vehicle, and others’ property.
• Obtain the other drivers’ information. For commercial vehicles, also ask for the name of the company the driver works for and take a photo of the driver’s CDL license in addition to his regular license.
• Obtain contact information from witnesses.
• Seek medical attention as soon as you are released from the scene.
• Contact a Kalamazoo personal injury attorney.

Why Clients Partner With Matz Injury Law

Our clients work with us because we listen to them and apply our experience to their unique cases. You are not just another file number to us. We create custom solutions for our clients.

Testimonials

“I had an amazing experience working with Steve and his practice.  Whenever I needed any help, he was right there to help.  He even came to my house to discuss my case with me when I was bedridden!  His dedication, professionalism, truly made a difference.  One of the best parts is he takes 22% not 33%!!  I would highly recommend Matz Injury Law to anyone in need of legal assistance. Thanks again to Steve and his practice you truly made this process simple and stress free for me!” – Grant B.

“If you’re looking for an attorney to handle your automobile accident/injury claims, then I highly recommend Steve Matz and his team! When I fractured my skull, he helped me settle my bodily injury claim in a timely manner! He was very attentive, professional, and cordial. It was easy to reach him if I had any questions.” – Alicia C.

“I would highly recommend Mr. Steve Matz and the Matz Injury law firm. I called and search a lot of law firms to pursue issues and receive advice from, but this firm was by far the best i have dealt with.  I appreciate the hardwork and dedication.” – Byron B.

Were You Injured In A Kalamazoo Truck Accident? Speak To The Personal Injury Lawyers At Matz Injury Law.

Truck accidents can cause severe and debilitating injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, disfigurement, and more. You need a law firm with extensive experience helping 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.