Petoskey Truck Accident Attorney

One of the worst accidents a person can suffer is colliding into a semi-truck, tractor-trailer, or another big rig. When a passenger vehicle is hit by a truck driver, it can cause massive damage, serious injuries, or wrongful death, leaving the family distraught and in turmoil. Injuries may be incredibly difficult to recover from and the emotional trauma is not easy either.

If you or a loved one were injured in a truck accident in Petoskey, you should call a Michigan personal injury attorney right away to see if you are eligible for compensation to cover the cost of your injuries and property damage. The compassionate and caring truck accident attorneys at Matz Injury Law promise to stand with you every step of the way. Call our law office at [phone number] to speak with a member of our legal team.

What Are Some Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Michigan?

Contributing factors to motor vehicle accidents often involve human error, negligence, or reckless behaviors. While some accidents are difficult to prevent, sadly, many are completely preventable. Common types of truck accidents in Petoskey include:

Reckless Driving

Reckless behavior, such DWI, speeding, illegal passing, tailgating, and other dangerous actions can quickly lead to injury.

Distracted Driving

With smartphones becoming more advanced, distracted driving has become a public safety issue. Furthermore, due to long commutes, truck drivers find themselves multitasking while driving. Top distractions commercial truck drivers engage in can include texting, web searches, GPS inputs, dialing calls, grooming, and eating/drinking.

Road Conditions

Poor road maintenance can lead to a truck accident, especially if construction, potholes, confusing traffic signals, or unexpected detours are present.

Weather

As you know, Petoskey weather, especially during winter months, is often hazardous. Unmaintained, unplowed, or unsalted roads are dangerous, and most large commercial vehicles cannot stop quickly if they hit ice or slippery spots.

Poor Cargo Loading

Improperly loaded cargo can spill out onto roadways as truckers are moving at high speed. As a result, trucks can tip, and cargo can spill onto the road. The latter is extremely dangerous because flying debris can hit other cars or leave obstacles on the road that drivers cannot maneuver.

Unrealistic Time Constraints

Drivers these days are often put under high pressure by trucking companies to do more in less time. As a result, they clock longer hours (sometimes illegally breaking federal rules), speed, or drive erratically when they become fatigued.

Additionally, equipment failure in trucks is another cause if the truck’s owner or driver has not properly performed maintenance, increasing the probability malfunctions may occur or manufacturer defects missed.

Is There a Statute of Limitations for Truck Accidents in Petoskey, Michigan?

In Michigan personal injury law, accident victims have three years from the date of the accident. In wrongful death cases, the time begins on the date the victim died. As a no-fault insurance state, Michigan law dictates that if you are involved in an accident, you must first file with your own insurance company within one year.

What Are Some Common Injuries from Truck Accidents in Petoskey?

Due to the massive size and weight of trucks, it is difficult for them to quickly stop or make proper turns. As a result, they may not spot cars, motorcycles, or pedestrians in their path. Common truck accident-related injuries include:

Wrongful Death

Large truck collisions are ten times more likely to result in wrongful death than car crashes.

Spinal Injuries

Spinal cord injuries sustained by truck accident victims can lead to partial or complete paralysis.

Broken Bones and Fractures

The impact of a truck hitting a vehicle is so intense that it is common for drivers and passengers to suffer broken bones and fractures throughout their bodies.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

TBI is a serious injury often misunderstood due to symptoms not immediately apparent. It could be days, weeks, or even months before the extent of a TBI is visible. In many circumstances, TBIs are life-altering because the brain is never exactly the same as it used to be.

Other common injuries in truck crashes include internal injuries, disfigurement, burns, whiplash, and lacerations.

What Type of Damages Are Payable in Petoskey, Michigan Truck Accidents?

Michigan permits accident victims to pursue two types of damages in personal injury claims: economic and non-economic.

Economic Damages

These damages are losses that are easily calculated and include medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation, surgery, and property damages. If your losses exceed insurance coverage, you can file a lawsuit claim against a negligent party.

Non-Economic Damages

These damages include losses that are not easily calculated, such as pain and suffering. The physical and emotional trauma that can occur after a devastating accident can be life-altering.

By connecting with experienced injury lawyers, you can obtain the compensation you need to help you cover the expenses associated with your losses, including any pain and suffering.

Should I Speak With the Insurance Adjuster?

At Matz Injury Law, we prefer our clients to allow us to speak to insurance adjusters. While it is perfectly legal for you to speak with them, they are not going to advocate in your best interests and may even offer you an incredibly low settlement. Having an attorney who has experienced this hundreds of times before can help you get the settlement amount you deserve.

Matz Injury Law’s primary concern IS YOU. As your accident lawyer, we will act as the go-between between you and insurance companies so they do not take advantage of you and try to diminish your suffering, medical needs, or any other expenses you have endured because of the truck accident.

Why Should I Hire an Attorney for a Truck Accident Case in Petoskey?

Anytime you are involved in a car accident or truck accident, it is a good idea to contact a personal injury attorney. Truck accident claims can be complex and, when factoring in insurance companies, it can quickly become stressful and complicated. When you are injured, you do not need any additional stress, and we wholeheartedly understand this. An attorney can sort out the details, gather evidence, and put together a case for you. We can help settle with insurance companies and prepare to pursue a trial, if necessary.

Do Not Throw Away The Compensation You Are Owed

Matz Injury Law has been proactively helping accident victims in Michigan for decades. As a premier law office, the Matz team has helped numerous Petoskey car, truck, and motorcycle accident victims obtain compensation for their losses. To date, our attorneys have recovered more than $300 million for our clients in personal injury cases.

Our fee is 22%, not 33%, of any recovery or settlement we obtain for you. To learn more about our law firm’s legal approach to accident cases, or to learn more about our practice areas, call us at 866-226-6833 or fill out our online contact form to obtain a free consultation or legal advice.