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Rochester Truck Accident Lawyer
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A truck crash in Rochester changes everything fast. The community sits in Oakland County, built around commutes on I-75 and M-59, and a wreck with a commercial truck or semi on those roads often leaves injuries far worse than a typical car crash because of the mass and force involved.
Then the calls start. The trucking company’s insurer sends representatives out quickly, key evidence like black box data and driver logs begin to disappear, and medical bills arrive before you have caught your breath. Many people are not sure which insurer to call first or whether to give a statement.
We handle commercial vehicle cases across Michigan, and we know the state’s no-fault system from both sides. Talking with a Rochester truck accident lawyer early helps protect your claim, and our 22% fee means more of any recovery stays with you.
Why Choose Matz Injury Law for Your Rochester Truck Accident Case
Commercial truck cases move fast on the defense side. You need a firm that handles these cases personally and understands Michigan’s no-fault system from both the PIP and third-party sides, because those are separate fights that do not move on the same timeline.
Steven J. Matz founded Matz Injury Law in 1977 and has spent nearly five decades litigating personal injury cases across Michigan. Jared Matz joined in 2016. Together, they have recovered over $300 million in compensation for injury victims.
Our fee is 22%, not 33 1/3%, so on a $1 million recovery, that difference leaves about $113,000 more with you. We travel to clients across Michigan, including Rochester, Rochester Hills, and the rest of Oakland County.
Our Truck Accident Case Results
Our truck and commercial vehicle results from across Michigan include:
- $3.45 million settlement against a cement company after its truck crossed the center line in Genesee County
- $1 million settlement for a driver rear-ended by a gravel truck
- $825,000 settlement for a peroneal nerve injury in an automobile and truck collision in Jackson County
- $750,000 settlement for the family of a young driver rear-ended by a semi in Lapeer County
Past results do not predict future outcomes, but they show the kind of cases we take on.
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.
Rochester Truck Accident Attorneys
Why Truck Crashes in Rochester Are Different from Car Accidents
Truck crashes on I-75, M-59, and Rochester Road in Oakland County carry a layer of federal regulation that a standard car crash does not. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration sets the rules for driver hours of service, vehicle inspections, cargo loading, and drug and alcohol testing. When a carrier ignores those rules, the violation becomes part of the claim, which is why our truck accident attorneys look closely at compliance records from the start.
Liability also rarely ends with the driver. The trucking company, the cargo loader, the maintenance provider, and the vehicle owner may each share responsibility, and the evidence proving their roles does not remain available for long. Black box data, driver logs, and maintenance records can disappear, so a preservation letter sent in the first days after a crash can change what the case looks like later.
What Compensation Can a Rochester Truck Crash Victim Recover
Two kinds of damages are usually in play after a Rochester truck crash.
Economic Damages
Economic damages cover the financial losses the crash creates, including:
- Medical bills, surgeries, physical therapy, and prescriptions
- Medical equipment and related out-of-pocket costs
- Lost wages and future earning capacity if the injury is permanent
Michigan’s no-fault personal injury protection (PIP) coverage pays a portion of your medical costs through your own carrier first, though limits apply based on the PIP level you chose.
Non-Economic Damages
Michigan does not cap pain and suffering damages in truck crash cases. To bring a non-economic claim, your injuries must meet one of three thresholds: death, serious permanent disfigurement, or serious impairment of an important body function that is objectively identified and affects how you live.
Serious impairment is the most common threshold in these cases, and proving and framing it is a core litigation task that should not be taken on alone. How a lawyer documents your pain and suffering claim can shape the outcome.
How Michigan’s No-Fault Law Applies to Your Truck Crash Claim
Most Rochester drivers carry personal injury protection as part of their auto insurance. Under Michigan’s no-fault insurance system, your insurer pays first regardless of fault, covering medical bills and up to three years of lost wages at 85% of your pre-tax income, and that wage payment is not taxable. How far your PIP coverage reaches depends on the level you selected when you bought the policy.
If your insurer delays, denies, or cuts off your PIP benefits, that is a separate fight from the trucking company claim, and it is not one you have to accept. The facts of your case determine your rights if a defense medical exam (DME) is scheduled.
If you were not more than 50% at fault and your injuries met one of the thresholds above, you can also pursue a third-party claim for pain and suffering against the driver and the trucking company on top of your PIP benefits instead of them. Michigan gives most injury victims three years from the crash to file a lawsuit, and the deadline to notify your insurer about PIP benefits is shorter.
What Causes Truck Accidents in Rochester, Michigan
The 2023 Michigan Traffic Crash Facts recorded 15,852 crashes involving heavy trucks and buses across the state, including 2,774 that caused injuries. Oakland County’s commercial corridors carry steady, heavy-truck traffic, and the most common causes in these crashes include:
- Fatigued driving: FMCSA hours-of-service rules cap driving time, but tight delivery schedules push drivers past the limit
- Distracted driving: Texting, GPS navigation, and eating behind the wheel
- Speeding: Time-pressured routes on Oakland County’s interstates and the M-59 corridor
- Poor cargo loading: Overloaded or improperly secured cargo raises rollover and debris risks
- Mechanical failure: Deferred maintenance on brakes, tires, and lights
- Impaired driving: Federal law requires post-crash drug and alcohol testing, and violations go straight to the liability question
How Do You Know If You Have a Rochester Truck Accident Case
Beyond the PIP benefits your own insurer owes you, one of the biggest factors in whether you can also pursue the trucking company is how serious your injury is. The more severe and lasting the harm, the stronger that part of the claim tends to be.
Certain injuries clear Michigan’s serious impairment bar far more often than others after a truck crash:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Fractures that require surgery
- Permanent nerve damage
These injuries tend to change how you work, move, and live, which is what the threshold measures. Whether your specific injury qualifies is a fact-specific call, and getting it wrong early can quietly narrow your claim. That is one of the main reasons an injured person needs a Michigan truck accident lawyer to review the facts before deciding how to proceed.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rochester Truck Accident Claims
How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Claim in Michigan?
Most truck crash victims have three years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. For PIP no-fault benefits, you generally need to notify your insurer within one year. Acting quickly also protects evidence like driver logs and black box data, which can disappear early on.
What If the Trucking Company’s Insurer Contacts Me Right Away?
Trucking companies often send claims adjusters out quickly after a crash. Try to avoid giving a recorded statement or signing anything before you have legal representation. Commercial carriers usually make early offers that are far below what an injured person is actually entitled to recover.
Can I Sue the Trucking Company, Not Just the Driver?
In many cases, yes. A trucking company may share liability if its drivers violate FMCSA hours-of-service rules, if it poorly maintains its vehicles, or if it improperly loads cargo. A lawyer investigates every responsible party, not just the driver.
How Much Does a Rochester Truck Accident Lawyer Cost?
We work on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we recover for you. Our fee is 22%, not the 33 1/3% standard that most Michigan injury firms charge, which keeps more of any recovery with you.
Ready to Talk About Your Rochester Truck Crash Case?
Accident victims are entitled to receive compensation. At Matz Injury Law, as your legal representation, we will fight for you or your loved one to receive the settlement or verdict you deserve for your suffering. Since 1977, Matz Injury Law has been advocating for Rochester personal injury victims. To date, our team has recovered more than $300 million in compensation for our clients.
If we don’t win your case, you don’t pay a fee. When our personal injury attorneys win accident cases, we do not collect the industry standard 33% fee, just 22%. If you’re ready to discuss your case, call our law office at 866-226-6833 or complete our online contact form to request 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.
