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Sterling Heights Truck Accident Lawyer
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The United States Department of Transportation estimates that the average semi-truck owner-operator will drive roughly 2.6 million miles throughout their career. For many truck drivers, Michigan marks the end of a long haul. Interstate 75, in particular, ends in Michigan after going through some major cities throughout the United States.
When truck drivers reach the end of a route, they are exhausted and, unfortunately, more prone to error. This is especially true when truckers are coming off busy routes. That means that other drivers should not assume that truckers will always make the right decision while driving in Sterling Heights, Michigan. When a truck driver makes a mistake, those in passenger vehicles are left to deal with significant injuries and medical bills.
However, a truck accident does not always mean financial ruin. Instead, the personal injury lawyers at Matz Injury Law can help truck accident victims get compensation for their injuries. Our law office has helped hundreds of clients get good verdicts at trial. We have also helped victims get hundreds of thousands, even millions, in settlements to address their injuries and losses after a car accident.
Why Sterling Heights Truck Accident Victims Choose Matz Injury Law
Steven Matz founded our firm in 1977. Alongside his son Jared, he has recovered more than $300 million for Michigan clients.
Those recoveries include a $3.45 million settlement against a cement company whose truck crossed a center line and caused three deaths. We have also secured multiple $1 million-plus motor vehicle results across Michigan counties.
Steven is an AV Preeminent-rated attorney and a Michigan Lawyers Weekly Hall of Fame inductee. Jared Matz represents people injured in automobile and motorcycle crashes, with a focus on families and children injured in those crashes.
You also keep more of whatever you recover. We charge a 22% contingency fee, rather than the 33 1/3% maximum Michigan court rules permit.
Meet Our Sterling Heights Truck Accident Lawyer Who Can Handle Your Case
Our 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, 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.
“After a vehicle accident you should seek legal representation whether or not you are at fault. I contacted Matz Law Firm by leaving a message and received a return call promptly from attorney Jared Matz. We agreed that I would send accident specifics via email. Upon receipt, he contacted me immediately, offering his opinion and advice. He was very thorough and explained the financial and legal considerations for each decision. I trusted Jared Matz and all issues were reasonably and effectively resolved. Jared Matz has great communication and negotiation skills, a good understanding of the law, and broad legal experience. Attorney Jared Matz and his staff were consistently courteous, considerate and empathetic. My interactions with Jared Matz and the Matz Injury Law Firm resulted in a good outcome. Because of my positive experience with Jared Matz as my legal representative, I recommend attorney Jared Matz and Matz Injury Law Firm” – Annette L.
How to Know If You Have a Sterling Heights Truck Accident Case
Not every Sterling Heights crash involving a truck is a commercial truck case. To bring a claim under Michigan law and federal trucking regulations, three things usually need to be true:
- The truck was operating for commercial purposes, which typically places it under Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules (semi-trucks, box trucks, delivery vehicles, dump trucks, and tractor-trailers).
- Someone else’s negligence contributed to the crash, whether that is the driver, the trucking company, the cargo loader, or the maintenance contractor.
- Your injuries either meet Michigan’s serious impairment threshold under MCL 500.3135 for a third-party claim, or you have ongoing personal injury protection benefit needs that the insurer is not covering.
If any of these apply to you, a conversation with our firm may be the right next step.
How Truck Accidents Differ From Car Crashes in Sterling Heights
Car accidents and truck accidents may seem similar at first, but truck crash cases are often more serious and more complicated. Commercial trucks are much larger and harder to stop, turn, or maneuver than passenger vehicles, which can lead to devastating injuries, permanent impairment, traumatic brain injuries, and even wrongful death claims.
Truck accident cases may also involve more complex insurance issues. Trucking companies and their insurers are often prepared to respond quickly after a crash, and their policies may be different from the insurance involved in a typical car accident case. These cases can also involve multiple parties, including the truck driver, trucking company, cargo owner, loading company, maintenance provider, or other businesses connected to the truck.
The causes of truck accidents can also be different. While driver error, speeding, distraction, and failure to stop can play a role, truck crashes may also involve equipment failure, poor maintenance, improper loading, or unsafe company practices. Because of these added layers, working with a Sterling Heights truck accident attorney from Matz Injury Law can help you understand who may be responsible and what steps to take next.
Who Shares Liability in a Sterling Heights Truck Accident?
Liability in a commercial truck case often extends well beyond the driver. Each party may carry its own insurance policy, and if your attorney overlooks one, you may lose significant compensation.
Several parties may share responsibility in a commercial truck crash:
- The truck driver: Hours-of-service violations, distraction, impairment from drugs or alcohol, failure to check blind spots, speeding, and fatigue show up regularly in these cases. Post-crash toxicology tests and ELD data often reveal the violation.
- The trucking company or carrier: Under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior, a carrier is responsible for its drivers’ on-duty negligence. It can also face direct liability for negligent hiring, training, or FMCSA violations.
- Third parties: Shippers, loading contractors, maintenance contractors, and parts manufacturers may share liability when negligent cargo handling, mechanical failures, or defective components contribute to a crash.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents on Sterling Heights Roads
Many commercial crashes in the area trace back to the same causes:
- Driver fatigue and hours-of-service violations on long-haul routes
- Distracted driving from phones, in-cab screens, or navigation systems
- Improper cargo loading that shifts weight or spills freight onto the road
- Equipment failure from skipped brake, tire, or steering inspections
- Speeding or reckless operation in residential and school zones
- Carrier-level failures like negligent hiring, inadequate training, or disregard for federal safety rules
The cause of your crash, or a combination of causes, often determines who shares responsibility and which evidence is most important to your case.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Sterling Heights Truck Accident?
Under Michigan law, truck accident compensation falls into two main categories. Both commonly apply after a commercial truck crash.
- Economic damages: Current and future medical expenses, lost wages, lost earning capacity, long-term care, and property damage (Michigan’s mini-tort rule caps property damage recovery from an at-fault driver at $3,000).
- Non-economic damages: Pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium for a spouse or close family member.
If you lost a loved one in a Sterling Heights truck crash, Michigan’s wrongful death statute provides recovery for funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and survivor’s loss benefits. Michigan does not award punitive damages, though exemplary damages may apply in cases of intentional or willful misconduct.
How Does Michigan’s No-Fault Law Affect Your Truck Accident Claim?
Michigan’s no-fault system shapes every commercial truck claim in Sterling Heights. Personal injury protection benefits come first from your own auto insurer, regardless of who caused the crash, and they cover medical bills, wage loss, and other allowable benefits under Michigan no-fault rules.
To pursue the trucking company directly for pain and suffering, your injury typically has to meet Michigan’s serious impairment threshold under MCL 500.3135. If the insurer schedules a defense medical exam (DME), keep in mind that the insurer hires the examining physician, not you.
If the personal injury protection carrier delays or denies benefits, Michigan law provides remedies, including potential bad-faith claims and penalty interest for overdue payments.
How a Sterling Heights Truck Accident Attorney Can Help You
A personal injury attorney is even more valuable in truck crashes involving serious injuries. You often cannot gather information or talk to witnesses after this type of accident because of the severity of your injuries. Instead, a truck accident lawyer will do this leg work for you while you focus on recovering. They will also act as a go-between for you and the insurance companies involved in your truck accident claim.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sterling Heights Truck Accident Cases
How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Claim in Michigan?
Under Michigan law, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is three years from the date of the crash, and the same three-year window typically applies to wrongful death claims. If you miss that deadline, Michigan courts may dismiss your claim under most circumstances.
Personal injury protection benefits carry a separate one-year deadline. Evidence often disappears long before these deadlines, so you should contact a lawyer soon after the crash.
How Much Does a Sterling Heights Truck Accident Lawyer Cost?
We work on contingency at 22% of the recovery, rather than the 33 1/3% maximum Michigan court rules permit. You pay nothing upfront, owe no fee unless we win, and consultations are free.
What If the Trucking Company’s Insurance Denies My Claim?
Some insurers issue early denials in commercial truck cases as part of their internal review process. A denial typically shifts the case from negotiation to formal litigation.
Your attorney can respond with FMCSA violation evidence, black-box data, driver logs, and maintenance records that support the claim.
Can I Still Recover If I Was Partly at Fault for the Crash?
Yes, in many cases. Michigan uses a modified shared-fault rule, meaning if you are 50% or less responsible for the crash, you can still recover non-economic damages. However, the court reduces your recovery by your share of fault.
If you are more than 50% at fault, Michigan generally bars you from recovering non-economic damages. Economic damages follow a separate proportional reduction.
What Evidence Matters Most in a Commercial Truck Accident Case?
Commercial truck cases often turn on evidence that does not exist in passenger car crashes:
- The truck’s electronic control module (black box) data
- The driver’s ELD hours-of-service records
- The driver qualification file and drug and alcohol testing results
- Vehicle maintenance and inspection records
- Carrier safety ratings
- Dash cam or surveillance footage
- Witness statements and the police report
Much of this evidence often disappears quickly without a formal preservation letter.
Talk to a Sterling Heights Truck Accident Lawyer About Your Case Today
Your recovery from a Sterling Heights truck accident involves more than medical treatment. When commercial carriers and multiple insurance companies come into the picture, your rights under Michigan law can feel difficult to sort out alone.
We offer free consultations to help victims of truck accidents in Sterling Heights understand their legal options, no-fault benefits, and possible next steps. This conversation gives you a chance to ask questions, review what happened, and decide how you want to move forward.
To schedule a free consultation with our Sterling Heights truck accident attorney, call 866-226-6833 or use our online contact form.
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.
