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Muskegon Truck Accident Attorneys
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A collision with a semi or commercial truck on US-31 or I-96 near Muskegon leaves most people with injuries and questions they never expected. The crash was not your fault, yet the medical bills climb while the income you counted on has stopped.
The trucking company’s adjusters may already be reviewing the driver’s logs and shaping a version of events that protects the company. Michigan’s no-fault benefits reach you no matter who caused the crash, but those benefits have limits, and a separate claim against the trucking company must clear a legal threshold that its lawyers will fight.
A Muskegon truck accident lawyer who has spent years on these cases can even the odds. At Matz Injury Law, we have handled Michigan truck accident claims for decades, and we know how trucking companies and their insurers defend them. We negotiate with the insurance company, and if the insurer will not offer a fair settlement, we are ready to take your case to trial.
Why Injured Muskegon Drivers Trust Matz Injury Law
It is hard to trust someone with a truck accident case when you are hurt and facing a company that already has its own lawyers. What matters most is a firm that has handled cases like yours and treats your case like it counts. That is the work we have done in Michigan for decades.
Steven Matz established Matz Injury Law in 1977, and since then our clients across the state have recovered more than $300 million.
What Makes Matz Injury Law Different
Our fee structure is simple: 22, not 33. We charge a 22% contingency fee instead of the standard 33⅓% through every stage of your case, including trial. That means roughly a third less in fees comes out of your recovery.
The difference is real money. Across our cases, that lower rate has kept more than $10 million with our clients instead of going to legal fees. Jared Matz and Steven Matz handle every case themselves at that same 22% rate, and we travel to clients throughout Michigan.
Client Testimonials
“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.
“Steve Matz deserves more than 5 stars! He went above and beyond to help me with my automobile accident/lawsuit, and stayed in constant contact with me. He cared about me as a person and how I was feeling or doing.” — Grant B.
“Many thanks to Jared and the staff at Matz law! You definitely helped ease a very stressful situation. I really didn’t have to do anything, you folks did it all, which I appreciated very much.” — Linda N.
Muskegon Truck Accident Attorneys
Why Truck Accidents in Muskegon Are More Complicated
Freight moves through Muskegon every day. When a commercial truck causes a crash on US-31 or I-96, the resulting truck accident claim becomes a different kind of case, one that turns on factors a car accident never raises.
Trucking cases involve evidence that car accident claims do not. Federal hours-of-service rules require commercial drivers to log their driving time, maintenance files can show whether the brakes were kept in safe condition, and the carrier’s insurance can stack several layers of coverage. A semi-truck accident lawyer in Muskegon needs to move quickly, because that evidence does not stay available for long.
Who Is Liable for a Muskegon Truck Accident?
Fault in a truck crash rarely stops with the driver. Several parties can share responsibility for what happened, and any of the following may carry part of it:
- The truck driver, for speeding, distraction, or driving past safe hours
- The trucking company or motor carrier, for hiring, training, scheduling, or supervision
- A cargo loader or shipper, when an unsecured or unbalanced load contributes to the crash
- A maintenance or repair contractor, when poor upkeep plays a role
- An equipment or parts manufacturer, when a defective component fails
It pays to identify every responsible party early, because the driver logs, maintenance files, and carrier insurance layers are what establish who covers your losses.
What Injuries Do Muskegon Truck Accident Victims Face
A fully loaded semi can weigh 80,000 pounds, roughly 20 times the weight of an average car. When that force hits a passenger vehicle in a commercial truck accident in Michigan, the injuries tend to be severe and lasting. These are among the most common:
- Traumatic brain injuries, which can affect memory, mood, and the ability to work
- Spinal cord damage, ranging from herniated discs to partial or complete paralysis
- Broken bones that often need surgery and months of recovery
- Internal injuries, which may not show symptoms right away
Michigan law weighs the lasting effect of these injuries when deciding whether you can pursue truck accident compensation for pain and suffering.
How Michigan’s No-Fault Law Applies to Truck Accidents
Under Michigan’s no-fault system, the benefits after a truck crash usually come first from your own auto insurance. That coverage is called personal injury protection (PIP).
PIP can pay your crash-related medical care, 85% of your lost pre-tax wages for up to three years, help with household tasks a doctor says you need, and mileage to your appointments. Those benefits are available regardless of fault, though the amount depends on the coverage level on your policy.
A claim against the at-fault trucking company is separate, and it covers the pain and suffering that PIP does not. Michigan law allows that claim only when your injury meets a specific legal threshold.
How to Know If You Have a Truck Accident Case in Michigan
Whether you have a case usually comes down to a few questions. A Michigan truck accident claim generally fits when:
- You were injured in the crash
- You were 50% or less at fault for what happened
- Your injury meets one of Michigan’s thresholds: serious impairment of an important body function, permanent serious disfigurement, or the death of a loved one
- You are still inside the three-year window the state gives for most injury claims
One uncertain item does not always end the conversation. A free consultation can tell you quickly where you stand.
How to Choose a Truck Accident Lawyer in Muskegon
Not every Muskegon personal injury lawyer handles commercial truck cases the same way, and the differences matter for yours. Before you hire anyone, look for a truck accident attorney with:
- A caseload that regularly includes commercial truck claims
- Hands-on involvement from the lawyer handling your file, with regular updates
- A written fee agreement that spells out costs through trial
- Plain-language answers about how Michigan law applies to your case
The right fit is the lawyer who can show you all four, then explain what each one means for your claim.
Frequently Asked Questions About Muskegon Truck Accident Cases
How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Claim in Michigan?
In most cases, you have three years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit in Michigan, and that deadline is firm. Truck case evidence, such as driver logs, the data recorder, and maintenance records, can disappear much sooner, so early action protects your claim.
Can I Still Make a Claim If the Truck Driver Was from Out of State?
Yes. Michigan law governs a crash that happens in Michigan, so where the trucking company or driver is based does not block your claim. You can pursue the carrier and its insurer here, which matters given the interstate freight that moves through Muskegon.
What If the Trucking Company’s Insurer Contacts Me First?
It often does, sometimes within days. Adjusters for commercial carriers work to protect the company, and the insurer can use an early recorded statement to reduce or deny your claim later. Talk with a lawyer before giving any statement or signing anything.
Contact a Muskegon Truck Accident Lawyer Today
A truck crash leaves you with injuries to heal from and a company already working to limit what it pays. Matz Injury Law handles Muskegon truck accident claims directly, and the sooner we start, the more evidence we can preserve before it disappears. Call 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.
