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Midland MI Truck Accident Attorneys
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The crash on a Midland road was over in seconds, but the questions it left behind are not. You are hurt, the medical bills have started arriving, and you cannot work the way you did a week ago. Somewhere in the mix, the trucking company’s insurance adjuster has probably already called.
That adjuster moves fast for a reason. The carrier has lawyers and investigators on this case right now, and Michigan law puts real deadlines on you, including a one-year window to start a PIP claim with your own insurer and three years to file a lawsuit. Every week that passes is a week the other side uses to shape the story.
We are a Michigan truck accident law firm that has recovered more than $300 million for injured people across the state, and we charge 22% instead of the standard 33⅓%. Steven and Jared Matz handle these cases personally, and if you cannot travel, we come to you. A Midland truck accident lawyer who knows how these cases work can take the fight with the trucking company off your shoulders.
How to Choose a Truck Accident Lawyer in Midland
Truck accident cases involve federal regulations, several liable parties, and well-funded carrier defense teams. Not every personal injury attorney has handled that combination. A few things are worth weighing:
- Truck-specific experience: There is a real difference between a firm that takes the occasional commercial vehicle claim and one that regularly goes up against carrier defense teams.
- The fee: The standard contingency rate in Michigan is 33⅓%. We charge 22% at every stage, including trial, and on a larger truck settlement, that gap is money you keep.
- Where they will meet you: We help clients all across Michigan, including Saginaw, Bay City, Mount Pleasant, and the rest of Midland County. If you cannot come to us, we can come to you.
Why Midland Truck Accident Victims Choose Matz Injury Law
Choosing a truck accident lawyer is not a small decision when you are already hurt and worried about money. Most people want answers to three questions before they sign anything: who actually handles the case, what it costs, and whether the firm has stood up to a large carrier’s legal team before.
Here is how we answer them. Steven J. Matz founded it in 1977, and for nearly five decades he has done one kind of work: representing people hurt by someone else’s negligence across Michigan. That record earned him an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, 12 consecutive years on the Michigan Super Lawyers list, and a 2025 induction into the Michigan Lawyers Weekly Hall of Fame.
Jared Matz joined the firm in 2016 after graduating magna cum laude from Thomas M. Cooley Law School, and he works these cases alongside his father. Together, they have recovered more than $300 million for Michigan clients.
The fee is part of the answer too. On a $500,000 truck settlement, a standard 33⅓% contingency fee takes about $166,667 off the top, while our 22% rate costs you $110,000, so you keep more than $56,000 extra. Consultations are free, and you owe no fee unless you recover.
Client 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 and 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.
“Jared Matz of Matz Injury Law is an excellent attorney. He is very knowledgeable, and I would highly recommend him to anyone needing assistance in matters of law. He goes above and beyond for his clients and has a wonderful caring attitude.” — Carl R.
“Mayz injury law was the best decision I have made. Steve has been so helpful through this whole process and always there for me and my husband. He made everything quick and easy! I would highly recommend Matz Injury Law.” — Linda N.
Our Midland Truck Accident Attorneys
Why Truck Accidents Are Different from Other Crashes in Michigan
A crash with a commercial truck is not handled like a two-car fender-bender. Truck accidents in Michigan pull in more parties, more insurance, and more law than an ordinary collision, and each party involved may carry separate coverage and its own legal team.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations sit on top of Michigan law, adding rules on driver hours, vehicle weight, and electronic logging. Larger coverage pools mean more money may be available, but also more resources fighting your claim. Key evidence like the truck’s electronic logging device (ELD) and event data recorder can be overwritten quickly, so it helps to involve a lawyer early.
What Causes Truck Accidents Near Midland?
Midland sits along US-10, a freight corridor connecting mid-Michigan to I-75, so commercial truck traffic is constant. Common causes of serious crashes here include:
- Driver fatigue and hours-of-service violations
- Distracted driving or impairment
- Improper cargo loading or unsecured loads
- Brake failure or deferred maintenance
- Speeding or following too closely in poor weather
- Inadequate driver training or a history of violations
What You Can Recover After a Midland Truck Crash
Michigan law gives injured truck accident victims two separate paths to recovery. The first is a claim for PIP benefits under Michigan’s no-fault system. No matter who caused the crash, your own auto insurer pays your medical bills, up to 85% of lost wages for three years, household help a doctor finds necessary, and mileage to medical appointments.
The second is a third-party claim against the truck driver and carrier for pain, suffering, and inconvenience. To bring it, you must be less than 50% at fault, and your injuries must meet one of three thresholds: death, serious permanent disfigurement, or serious impairment of an important body function. Most viable claims rest on that third threshold.
Michigan does not allow punitive damages. It does allow exemplary damages when a driver’s conduct was outrageous, usually a driver with a history of impairment-related violations.
Who Is Responsible After a Truck Accident in Michigan?
Truck accident liability can reach well beyond the driver behind the wheel. Depending on the facts, the responsible parties may include:
- The truck driver, for negligence, fatigue, impairment, or distracted driving
- The trucking company, for negligent hiring, inadequate training, or hours-of-service violations
- The cargo loading company, for improper securement or overloading
- A third-party maintenance contractor, for brake failure or mechanical defects
- The truck manufacturer, for defective parts or equipment
Because more than one party can share fault, early investigation does much of the work in a truck accident claim. ELD data, the truck’s black box, maintenance logs, and the driver’s personnel file can all show what went wrong, and that evidence can disappear if no one moves to preserve it.
How Do You Know If You Have a Truck Accident Case in Michigan?
Most truck accident claims come down to negligence: the driver or carrier owed you a duty of care, failed to meet it, and caused you real harm. On top of that, Michigan’s no-fault system applies the pain-and-suffering threshold described above. If you were less than 50% at fault and your injury affects how you live day to day, you likely have a viable third-party claim, and a Midland truck accident attorney can confirm that during a free consultation.
What to Do After a Truck Crash in Midland
The hours after a truck crash move fast, and a few early decisions can shape your claim. Here is what to keep in mind:
- Call 911. A police report creates an official record of the crash.
- Document the scene if it is safe. Photograph both vehicles, the truck’s plate, the carrier name on the cab door, road conditions, and any visible injuries.
- Get medical care, even if you feel okay. Some injuries surface slowly, and a gap in treatment can be used against you later.
- Report the crash to your own auto insurer promptly. Michigan no-fault gives you one year from the crash to notify your insurer of a PIP claim, so a delay can cost you benefits.
- Avoid giving a recorded statement to the trucking company’s insurer. Their adjuster works for the carrier, not for you.
- Contact a Midland truck accident lawyer as soon as you can. Evidence fades, and the deadlines keep running.
What Trucking Regulations Apply to Your Midland Case?
Federal trucking rules exist to prevent the kind of crashes that injure Midland families on US-10. When a carrier or driver breaks one of those rules, the violation becomes evidence of negligence in your case. Key FMCSA regulations that may apply include:
- Hours of service: Drivers may drive up to 11 hours, but only within a 14-hour window that begins after 10 consecutive hours off duty.
- Blood alcohol limit: Commercial drivers are held to a 0.04% limit, half the 0.08% limit that applies to passenger drivers.
- Electronic logging devices: Most commercial carriers must use ELDs to record driving hours automatically.
- Weight and load securement: Federal rules set maximum load weights and require cargo to be secured against shifting.
- Pre-trip inspections: Drivers must inspect and document the condition of their vehicle before each trip.
A violation does not automatically win your case, but it is strong evidence the carrier failed to meet its legal obligations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Truck Accidents in Midland
How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Michigan?
You have three years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit under MCL 600.5805. PIP benefits follow a separate, shorter clock: you generally must notify your own insurer within one year of the crash, and a one-year-back rule limits how far back unpaid benefits can be recovered. Missing these deadlines can bar your recovery, so it helps to act early.
Will My PIP Insurance Cover Injuries From a Truck Accident?
Yes. Michigan no-fault personal injury protection (PIP) pays your medical bills, 85% of lost wages for up to three years, and household help if it is medically necessary, no matter who caused the crash. The benefits apply even when the truck driver was entirely at fault, subject to the coverage level you elected on your own policy.
Can I Still Recover Compensation If the Truck Driver Says I Was Partly at Fault?
Possibly. Michigan no-fault still allows a third-party pain-and-suffering claim as long as you are less than 50% at fault and your injuries meet one of the three legal thresholds. Fault gets allocated early in a case, and a Midland truck accident attorney can help you understand where you stand.
What Evidence Matters Most in a Michigan Truck Accident Case?
The most important evidence includes ELD data, the truck’s event data recorder, driver hours-of-service logs, the police report, maintenance and inspection records, and your medical records. Some of this data can be overwritten within days or weeks of a crash, so contacting a lawyer quickly gives you the best chance of preserving it.
Does Michigan’s No-Fault Law Limit What I Can Recover From the Trucking Company?
No. Michigan no-fault pays your PIP benefits regardless of fault, and it does not cap a third-party claim against the at-fault driver or carrier. If your injuries meet the serious impairment or disfigurement threshold, you can pursue pain and suffering directly against the trucking company, on top of your PIP recovery.
Get Your Midland Truck Accident Claim Reviewed Before the Filing Deadline Passes
After a truck crash near Midland, the deadlines, the PIP paperwork, and the carrier’s adjuster can pile up fast. We handle both sides of a Michigan truck accident claim, your PIP benefits and your third-party case against the driver and carrier, for 22% instead of the standard 33⅓%. The sooner we start, the more evidence we can protect before the three-year lawsuit deadline.
Call us at 866-226-6833 or reach us through our free consultation form. There are no upfront costs and no fee unless you recover, and if you cannot come to us, we will come to you.
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.
