Key Takeaways
- Immediate legal support is crucial: After a truck accident in Michigan, securing skilled legal representation promptly can significantly impact the outcome of your compensation claim.
- Statute of limitations: Acting swiftly is important as Michigan law limits filing a truck accident claim to three years.
- Comprehensive legal strategy: From cutting through insurance company tactics to managing all aspects of your case, Matz Injury Law provides a comprehensive legal strategy tailored to the specifics of your truck accident case.
The Harsh Realities of Truck Accident Injuries
When you or someone close to you is injured in a motor vehicle accident involving an 18-wheeler or other large commercial vehicle, it turns your entire life upside down in an instant. Truck accidents are on the rise despite new laws and stricter federal regulations on the trucking industry.
You deserve compensation for the serious injuries you’ve suffered, but everyone is passing the buck. Nobody is willing to own up and take responsibility for what’s happened to you. Everyone, from the truck driver to the trucking company and down to the parts manufacturers, seems involved somehow.
Meanwhile, your pain from your Michigan truck accident is worsening, your medical bills and the costs of attendant care are piling up, and you have an insurance adjuster pushing you to accept a lowball offer while threatening you with nothing if you refuse. A Michigan truck accident lawyer can help you recover the compensation you deserve.
Michigan Injury Victims of Truck Accidents Choose Matz Injury Law
It’s essential to have a personal injury lawyer in your corner for your truck accident who can identify the responsible parties and hold them accountable. At Matz Injury Law, we understand a truck accident’s profound impact on your life and the importance of securing a positive outcome to support your recovery.
Our goal is to help you receive the compensation you deserve for medical expenses, pain and suffering, wrongful death, and other serious injuries. From traumatic brain injuries to spinal cord injuries, broken bones, and even wrongful death, as well as depression, pain and suffering, and loss of consortium, our truck accident lawyers are here to help victims of all personal injury cases get the compensation they deserve.
Recent Successful Truck Accident Injury Claim Results
$3.45 Million Settlement In Genesee County
$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 over available insurance.
$1.3 Million Settlement In Monroe County
$1.3 million Federal District Court settlement for a mother and daughter in a car/truck collision. Mom suffered a pancreas injury but returned to full-time employment within six months; her eight-year-old daughter sustained an aggravation of a pre-existing learning disability as well as a ruptured spleen.
Matz Injury Law Is a Highly Decorated Truck Accident Injury Law Firm In Southfield Michigan
Matz Injury Law received several awards throughout the years, including:
- Super Lawyers rating for 10 years
- Peer-rated AV Preeminent for the Highest Level of Professional Excellence
- 10.0 Superb rating from Avvo
- The National Trial Lawyers Top 100
- Expertise.com Best Car Accident Lawyers
- Michigan’s Top Attorneys
Areas Our Truck Accident Lawyers Serve In Michigan
Matz Injury Law has proudly served clients across the great state of Michigan for decades. Our team of truck accident attorneys fights diligently to recover damages you deserve. Don’t suffer alone as a result of your injuries caused by another driver. Contact our office in Michigan for a free consultation.
Who is Eligible to File a Truck Accident Injury Claim?
Anyone who suffers injuries or family members of a person killed in a truck accident can file a truck accident injury claim as long as another person’s or entity’s actions or inactions were negligent. A personal injury law firm can help determine if you suffered losses due to negligence.
How Much Is a Michigan Truck Accident Settlement Worth?
Without a thorough assessment by experienced personal injury attorneys, estimating the exact compensation amount you may recover after a truck accident is difficult. Several factors figure into compensation for semi-truck accident victims, including:
- The severity of injuries
- Fault
- Whether only the driver or others are liable for your injuries and losses
- Your actions after the accident
- The amount of property damage caused by the accident, including your vehicle
- Insurance coverage
How Long After a Truck Accident Are You Able to Sue for Compensation?
In most cases, the Michigan statute of limitations provides up to three years for you to take legal action for an auto accident. The wrongful death statute of limitations is also three years. Michigan also provides for two exceptions to the three-year statute of limitations:
- If you were under 18 when the accident happened, you have one year from the accident date to take legal action.
- The at-fault party left the state. This may happen if the at-fault party is not a resident of Michigan – you may have some extra time to locate the driver. However, do not wait to contact a Michigan truck accident attorney, even if you know the driver lives out of state or out of the country.
After your Michigan truck accident, usually, within a few days, you will likely get a call from one or more insurance adjusters. These will represent the truck accident company, the driver, the cargo company, the maintenance crew, or any other parties in the trucking company. They will act very friendly as if they genuinely care about you and your family. They will claim they want to help by getting the situation resolved quickly.
Do You Have To Speak To Insurance Companies After A Truck Accident?
Here’s the secret those insurance companies don’t want you to know: You don’t have to even speak to them. You can tell them to talk to your truck accident lawyer. Even if you have not yet called Matz Injury Law, you can still say, “My accident lawyer will be in touch,” and then call a Michigan truck accident lawyer to review your case.
Do You Have to Accept The Insurance Companies Settlement Offer After A Truck Accident In Michigan?
No, you do not have to accept the initial insurance settlement offer after an accident. They will likely offer you a very meager settlement. If you refuse this offer, their demeanor will change quickly. They will attempt to convince you to sign off by tricking you, bullying, or threatening that you will not receive compensation if you don’t sign their offer.
This is why you will want to involve experienced truck accident lawyers in your case. Insurance adjusters will try to blur the lines of truth in your case. They may use legal jargon like “Michigan no-fault law” and “statute of limitations” to make the injury claim process from your truck accident seem even more complicated.
Insurance companies know the law and have lawyers ready to try to get them out of paying your large truck accident claim. Having an accident lawyer in your corner is the best shot to get compensation for your injuries.
What Should You Do After a Trucking Accident in Michigan?
The damage caused by truck accidents with other passenger vehicles is nothing short of catastrophic because of these vehicles’ sheer size and momentum. The impact from a big rig is almost always far more severe than that in any other type of car accident. If you were seriously injured in an auto accident with a commercial truck caused by a careless driver, you deserve to be compensated. It’s important, however, to take the right steps.
Steps to take after a truck accident:
- Contact emergency services
- Move vehicles off the road
- Take photos and gather evidence
- File a police report
- Speak to a personal injury lawyer
What To Do at the Scene
The first thing to do at the scene of a tractor-trailer truck accident is to call for first responders and emergency help. Likely, someone is seriously hurt after a truck accident of this sort, and it’s vital to make sure all truck accident victims who need medical attention receive it. Even if you do not feel like you are injured, make sure you get evaluated. It could be important to your truck accident case as we move forward.
Next, move any motor vehicles off the road that can be moved to prevent further accidents. If you can, take detailed notes and snap all the photos you can of the truck accident scene. The more records you can gain from the accident site, the better off we will be when it comes time to build your Michigan truck accident case later.
File A Police Report and Exchange Information
Additionally, file a police report. It can be an important resource to recall the details of the accident when you have to repeat your story in the future to determine driver error.
Then, exchange information with the truck driver and get the names and contact information of any witnesses you can. Above all else, keep your head and wits about you. This can be the trickiest part of the truck accident scene, but it is vital. If you get angry, you may say something which can be used against you later. Likewise, when you report the accident to your insurance company, stick to the hard facts. Do not editorialize the events of the situation.
Who Is Responsible for a Michigan Truck Accident?
The truck driver is not the only one who may be liable for the damages and losses you suffered in a truck accident. In addition to the driver, others who may share liability include:
- The trucking company that owns or leases the trucks
- Truck manufacturers
- Truck part manufacturers
- Truck mechanics
- Inspectors
- Third-party dispatchers
- Third-party shippers and cargo-loading companies
- Governmental agencies, for example, those who are responsible for maintaining roads and traffic signals
- Other vehicles on the road
State of Michigan No-Fault Laws and Federal Law Factors In Truck Injury Cases
Michigan no-fault laws mean that regardless of who was at fault for the truck accident, all parties can file an insurance claim for damages. To seek compensation for a Michigan truck accident, our truck accident lawyers must prove negligence by the defendants in the case. This means that, as attorneys representing injury victims, we have to prove three factors:
1: Establishing Duty of Care in Truck Accidents
First, we must demonstrate that the defendants had a duty of care to avoid putting you or other drivers in undue danger. Every driver on the road shares this same duty of care. This principle mandates that all drivers, including those operating commercial trucks, must act to prevent harm to other road users.
2: Proving Negligence of The Commercial Driver
Our second step focuses on evidencing the breach of this duty. We illustrate how the defendant’s actions—or lack thereof—violated the standards of responsible driving, as defined by the “reasonable person standard.” We aim to solidify your claim through investigations and testimonies by proving that the defendant’s actions were negligent and directly led to the accident.
3: Linking Negligence to Your Injuries
Finally, we have to prove that not only were their acts the direct or proximate cause of the Michigan truck accident but that you were injured as a direct result of this truck accident.
When dealing with truck accident cases, we deal with state and federal laws and regulations on the trucking industry by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Violations of FMCSA regulations can contribute to your Michigan truck accident case. They can include truck drivers violating the maximum hours allowed to drive at one stretch, their alcohol and drug use history, driving record, the truck’s maintenance schedule, and how much training the driver had.
Ready to hold those who harmed you accountable? Contact the experienced Michigan truck accident lawyers at Matz Injury Law.
How Much Does a Truck Accident Lawyer Cost?
Most attorneys traditionally charge 33-1/3 percent of your settlement or award. However, at Matz Injury Law, our contingency fee is 22 percent.
How Our Truck Accident Lawyers Help
Truck accident attorneys play integral roles in truck crash cases. As attorneys we can:
- Investigate the case to determine whether you have a valid claim.
- Gather evidence for your claim, including going to the accident scene, reviewing photos and police reports, contacting witnesses, evaluating vehicle damage, and reviewing medical records and expenses.
- Build a case based on your damages and losses.
- Send demand letters to initiate a case.
- Negotiate with insurance companies.
- Prepare complaints and other documents for litigation.
- Initiate the discovery process.
- Provide representation at trial should the case go to litigation.
Cities Our Michigan Truck Accident Lawyers Serve Clients
- Ann Arbor
- Battle Creek
- Escanaba
- Flint
- Houghton
- Kalamazoo
- Midland
- Muskegon
- Petoskey
- Saginaw
- Traverse City
- Grand Rapids
- Jackson
- Lansing
- Port Huron
- Portage
- Rochester
- Sterling Heights
- Warren
Matz Injury Law’s Recent Client Testimonials
“My family is grateful for Steve Matz’s professional handling of our case. Steve was very thorough, candid, responsive, and strategic in his approach throughout our legal proceedings. If ever in a situation again like my family has experienced over the past year, we would immediately retain Matz Injury Law to represent our interests. Thank you Steve.” – John P.
“I reached out to Steve after my car accident and even without paying him he was there for me. Offered me advice and told me everything I needed to know about what my insurance company owed me. He cares about people and it shows!” – Kyanna W.
“Steve was very professional and stayed on top of the process , I would recommend him very highly” – Cindy H.
Contact The Experienced Truck Accident Lawyers at Matz Injury Law In Michigan Today
After a truck accident in Michigan, it’s essential to understand that time is essential when pursuing legal action. The accident lawyers at Matz Injury Law can help you file within this time limit to preserve your rights and gain maximum compensation.
Our Michigan truck accident lawyers can provide invaluable assistance in these early stages. We can help to gather evidence, speak to witnesses, and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf. The earlier a truck accident lawyer gets involved in your case, the more time we have to file a robust truck accident lawsuit on your behalf.
Ready to get started? View testimonials from satisfied clients, and call us at 866-226-6833. Alternatively, you can fill out our online contact form to speak with an experienced truck accident attorney at Matz Injury Law today.
Frequently Asked Questions
After a truck accident in Michigan, ensure your safety and that of others by calling emergency services. Document the accident scene with photos and notes, exchange information with the truck driver, file a police report, and seek medical attention even if injuries are not immediately apparent. It’s crucial to contact a skilled Michigan truck accident lawyer to protect your rights and begin seeking compensation.
Additionally, file a police report. Above all else, keep your head and wits about you. If you get angry, you may say something which can be used against you later. Likewise, when you report the accident to your insurance company, instruct them to call your attorney. The only information you should give them is your name, your attorney’s name, and the date and location of the wreck.
A few of the common causes of truck accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Truck driver fatigue
- Bad weather or dangerous conditions on roadways
- Driving while impaired
- Poorly balanced cargo that shifts and causes the trucker to lose control
- Faulty parts that have a manufacturing defect
- Poor maintenance
- Speeding
- Failure to abide by street signs
- Failure to check blind spots
- Failure to check blind spotsSimple irresponsibility or reckless behavior
Some of the common injuries you could sustain in a Michigan truck accident include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Compound and simple fractures
- Cuts, scratches and bruises
- Head, neck and shoulder injuries
- Face and eye injuries
- Strain, sprains, and other soft tissue injuries
Never, ever apologize for anything at the crash site. Don’t even utter “I’m sorry” in any context when talking to other motorists. The insurance company will use it against you. Don’t talk about your injuries to the truck driver. There will be time for all that, but don’t try to litigate the scene alone.
Finally, never rely on the insurance company to help you. The insurance company is not your friend, no matter how nice, friendly, or compassionate they seem. They do not want to help you and your family pay your medical bills, and they do not think you deserve compensation. They have one goal and one goal only: to get out of paying your bills.
While any truck can get into an accident, big rigs are by far the most common type of truck involved in accidents. Other types of trucks commonly involved in accidents include:
- Cement trucks
- Shipping vans
- Fire trucks
- Ambulances
- Car carriers
- Flatbeds
While ambulances and firetrucks may not look big, they are bulky, heavy vehicles. Like big tractor-trailer trucks, loaders can place unbalanced loads on the trailer, neglect worn tie straps, or even incorrectly strap down large items.
If the truck driver has insufficient or no insurance, you can bring a claim against the driver and your uninsured motorist coverage. You must have underinsured motorist / uninsured motorist coverage to bring a claim against your own insurance company.
When locating your attorney, you should visit at least three firms. The free consultation benefits the attorney and can also benefit you if you ask the correct questions. Some common questions you should ask attorney – and then compare their answers before making a decision, include:
- How can you prove who was responsible for the accident?
- How many truck accident cases like mine have you won?
- How much are your fees?
- How much are “hard costs,” such as copies, expert witnesses, depositions, arbitration, or mediation?
- How many cases have you had to take to court, and of those, how many did you win?
- What do I need to provide to you?
- What is the average length of time to complete a case like mine?
- Do you have samples of truck accident cases you won in the past?
- How will you keep me informed about my case?
- How do you determine what is fair compensation for my case?
- Does anyone on your team hold a CDL?
- What is your average monthly case volume?
In Michigan, a victim of a truck accident has three years from the date of the accident, or in the case of fatalities in a wrongful death case, from the date of death. The term “statute of limitations” is a scary term that insurance companies often use to make you think you cannot receive compensation. Call a Michigan truck accident lawyer even if you think you’re past the deadline. You may well still have options.
Yes. Insurance companies often offer low settlements to resolve claims quickly. However, accepting this offer can prevent you from receiving the full compensation you deserve. A Michigan truck accident lawyer can negotiate to secure a fair settlement covering your economic expenses.
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