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Traverse City Truck Accident Attorneys
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A crash with a semi-truck changes everything in seconds. A fully loaded big rig can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, and at that scale, truck accidents leave behind serious injuries and, in the worst cases, wrongful death.
Your family absorbs the fallout while a well-funded insurance company works to limit what it pays. If a truck driver or trucking company caused your injuries through negligence, Michigan law gives you the right to pursue compensation for your losses. You do not have to take on that fight alone.
The truck accident attorneys serving Traverse City at Matz Injury Law have spent decades representing injury victims in claims and lawsuits across Michigan. Call us at 866-226-6833 for a free consultation so we can talk through what happened and what comes next.
How Does a Traverse City Truck Accident Lawyer Work to Protect Their Client’s Interests?
If you have suffered injuries in an 18-wheeler accident, dealing with insurance companies and truck accident claims is probably one of the last things on your mind. You might still be receiving medical care and worrying about how you can pay your bills after missing so much work. You might still be feeling traumatized by being involved in a car accident with a big rig, and you are in no place to try negotiating with an insurance adjuster.
You might have been too injured after the accident to gather evidence at the scene, collect contact information from witnesses, and take other steps to prepare for a personal injury claim. Even if you are feeling better now, you might not know how to start collecting evidence.
An experienced Michigan truck accident lawyer serving Traverse City victims can help you. They know how to obtain evidence like police reports, witness statements, and medical bills. They can act as the go-between for you and the insurance companies to protect your legal rights while you focus on recovering from your injuries and getting back to your life.
Truck Accident Case Results Across Michigan
These results come from truck and commercial vehicle cases we have handled for Michigan families.
- $3,450,000 settlement against a cement company after its truck crossed the center line, causing three deaths and severely injuring a 4-year-old boy. The recovery exceeded the available insurance by $450,000.
- $1,000,000 settlement for a northern Michigan woman who fractured both ankles when a gravel truck rear-ended her.
- $1,300,000 federal court settlement for a mother and daughter injured in a car and truck collision.
- $325,000 settlement for an 18-year-old hurt in a Kent County truck crash. Our 22% fee left him with $36,823 more than a standard fee would have.
Every case is different, and past results do not predict the outcome of any future case.
Client Testimonials
“I would like to say a few things about the Matz Injury Law firm. Jared Matz was very helpful and patient with me during the whole process. He always answered all my questions and concerns. He always kept me informed on what was happening with my case. I would also like to say that the 22% fee was a big help considering that it allowed me to keep more money than if I had used another attorney. I would recommend this law firm to anyone who is in need of a personal injury attorney.” – Grant B.
“I was involved in a accident not to long ago and i honestly didn’t know what to do. At that point a family member recommended Jared Matz. I am so glad they did! Jared is just wonderful. He really made me feel so comfortable and at ease about my whole situation. He worked very hard for me. I am very happy with my settlement and the 22% fee was a huge plus!! I would recommend Jared Matz to anyone that is looking for a great personal injury attorney.” – Linda N.
Truck Accident Attorneys in Traverse City
Why Are Truck Accidents in Traverse City Different From Car Crashes?
A truck crash near Traverse City is not just a bigger version of a car crash. It follows different rules from the start. A loaded commercial truck needs far more road to stop, and when it cannot, the injuries it leaves behind tend to be more severe, costlier to treat, and harder to work through.
The liability picture is also more complicated. A two-car crash typically involves two drivers and two insurers, while a truck case can have multiple liable parties. Each of those parties must follow FMCSA safety rules covering driver hours, maintenance, and inspections, and a violation by any of them can become powerful proof of negligence.
Who Can Be Held Responsible After a Traverse City Truck Accident?
Several parties may share liability after a commercial truck crash in the Traverse City area.
- The truck driver may be liable for speeding, distracted driving, hours-of-service violations, or impairment.
- The trucking company may be responsible for its driver’s conduct as the employer, or separately for negligent hiring and weak supervision.
- Cargo loaders may share liability when poorly secured or overloaded cargo contributed to the crash.
- Maintenance contractors bear responsibility when brake failures or tire blowouts trace back to poor upkeep.
- Truck or parts manufacturers may carry liability when a defective part played a role.
Multiple defendants mean multiple insurance policies, and a commercial truck accident attorney in Michigan works to identify every one of them early.
What Does Michigan’s No-Fault Law Mean for Truck Accident Victims?
A truck crash in Michigan gives you two separate claims. The first is your no-fault claim, paid by your own insurer rather than the trucking company’s. Michigan’s personal injury protection system covers your crash-related medical bills, lost wages at 85% of your pre-tax income for up to three years, and household help if a doctor deems it necessary. Under Michigan’s no-fault law, those benefits arrive no matter who caused the crash.
The second claim targets the at-fault driver and trucking company. PIP does not pay for pain and suffering, so you can pursue those losses if your injuries meet one of the state’s three thresholds: death, serious permanent disfigurement, or serious impairment of an important body function that changes how you live. When a crash is fatal, the family’s claim proceeds as a wrongful death case.
How Long Do You Have to File a Truck Accident Claim in Traverse City?
Michigan gives you three years from the date of the crash to file a third-party claim against the at-fault driver and trucking company under MCL 600.5805(2). The time limit for when you can file covers claims for pain, suffering, and other non-economic losses.
Your PIP benefits carry a separate, shorter deadline. You must give written notice to the right insurer within one year of the accident under MCL 500.3145. Courts enforce both deadlines strictly, and an insurance claim alone does not pause the clock. If you miss one, you lose that part of your claim.
Should I Speak With the Insurance Adjuster?
You can talk to the trucking company’s insurance adjuster after the accident. That is to say that no law prohibits you from speaking to one another. Remember, though, that the insurance adjuster’s job is to get you to either:
- Admit that the accident was your fault, meaning that the insurance company owes you nothing; or
- Accept a lowball settlement that does not come close to compensating you for your injuries and other damages.
Neither of these options benefits you. There is a better way to handle it.
While you and the insurance company are legally free to speak to one another, you do not have to speak to them. You will eventually have to make a statement as part of the insurance claim process, but you have time to speak to an attorney first.
If you do speak to the insurance company before you have hired a personal injury attorney, keep your comments to them simple and short. Do not apologize for your part in the accident or speculate about what might have happened. All you need to tell them is that you either have an attorney or you will be retaining one soon.
Your attorney, once you have hired them, can handle communications with the insurance company. They can present the evidence that supports your claim and negotiate with the adjuster to try to reach a settlement agreement. If they cannot come to an agreement, your lawyer will know how to proceed with a personal injury lawsuit.
Frequently Asked Questions About Truck Accidents in Traverse City
What Should I Do Immediately After a Truck Accident in Traverse City?
Seek medical attention first, even if you feel fine. Call the police and get a report number. If you can, photograph the truck, your vehicle, and your injuries, and collect the driver’s, trucking company’s, and insurance information. Avoid signing anything or giving a recorded statement before you get legal advice.
Do I Have a Truck Accident Case If I Was Partially at Fault?
Yes, if you were 50% or less at fault. Michigan’s modified comparative fault rule lets you pursue a third-party claim for pain and suffering at that level, though the court reduces your award by your share of fault. Your personal injury protection benefits apply no matter who caused the crash.
How Long Does a Truck Accident Case Take in Michigan?
There is no set timeline, because every case moves at its own pace. PIP benefits can begin quickly once you document and submit your claim, but the pain-and-suffering case depends on the severity of your injuries, the number of defendants involved, and whether the insurer settles or forces a trial. A truck accident lawyer in Michigan who starts early keeps evidence preserved and the case moving.
Can I Afford a Truck Accident Lawyer in Traverse City?
Yes. Cost should never keep you from getting legal help after a truck crash. We work on contingency, which means you pay nothing up front and owe no fee unless we recover for you. Every Traverse City truck accident attorney sets their own rate, and ours is 22% rather than the standard 33⅓%, so more of your recovery stays with you. Your consultation is also free.
Truck Accidents Can Be Devastating. Do Not Wait to Call an Attorney.
Truck accidents can cause severe and debilitating injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, disfigurement, and more. You need a law firm with extensive experience helping truck accident victims recover the maximum compensation owed to them under Michigan law. You need a truck accident lawyer who will fight for you at the negotiating table and, if necessary, in the courtroom. Matz Injury Law is the law firm that you need.
Ready to discuss your case? Talk to our personal injury lawyers by calling 866-226-6833 or complete our online contact form for us to contact you.
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.
