Truck Accidents Attorneys in Detroit, Michigan

According to the Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center, there were 11,867 truck and/or bus accidents in the state in 2020. Nearly 100 of those accidents ended in a fatality. Semi-truck accidents are horrible tragedies that cause great pain in the victims’ lives. These accidents lead to serious injuries and expensive medical bills, and in the worst-case scenario, the death of a loved one.

Our team at Detroit Legal Group PLLC seeks to fight for victims of these accidents. We use our experience to help you receive the justice you deserve. We have the experience to aggressively advocate for your rights to hold the responsible party liable for actions. Detroit Legal Group LLC will help you seek the compensation you need for medical bills and other expenses. Our team is proud to serve clients in Detroit, Dearborn, Southfield, and Warren, Michigan.

Laws Affecting Truck Accidents

In Michigan, state laws are precise regarding what someone in an accident must do afterward, including stopping and reporting the accident. The driver has specific duties that the driver must fulfill. There are also federal laws that regulate trucking operations.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration sets the regulations that govern how trucking operations are regulated. Truck drivers cannot work more than a certain number of hours at a time or drive more than a certain number of hours in a set number of days.

If a truck driver was breaking these regulations when the accident happened (for example, if the truck driver had been on duty for 65 hours over seven consecutive days, when the limit is 60 hours), this fact will help your case. Consult with our experienced personal injury attorneys to find out how the federal regulations affect your case.

Michigan Laws

According to Michigan law, after an accident, the duties of the driver must include:

• Giving your name, address, and vehicle registration to a police officer and any individual in the accident

• Showing a driver’s license or operator’s license to a police officer and any individual in the accident

• Giving reasonable assistance in securing medical aid and arranging for or providing transportation to any injured individual

Other Michigan laws affect victims of truck accidents. To learn more about these laws, speak with our experienced personal injury attorneys.

Statute of Limitations

There is a deadline for when you can file a personal injury lawsuit, or in the worst-case scenario, a wrongful death lawsuit after an accident. In Michigan, the deadline or statute of limitations is three years after the date of the accident.

If you attempt to file the claim more than three years after the accident happened, the court may refuse to consider your case. It is preferable to file the claim soon after the accident.

Assessing Liability

To seek compensation for medical bills or other expenses, you must determine who was liable or responsible for the accident.

Who Can Be Liable?

Several different parties can be held liable for causing a truck accident. The following parties include:

• Truck driver

• Trucking company

• Truck manufacturer

• Truck parts manufacturer

• Someone who loaded the cargo

• Maintenance personnel responsible for maintaining the truck

For example, if the truck manufacturer supplied a faulty truck; or the manufacturer of the parts supplied a defective part, these companies can be held liable. Anyone who did not effectively perform duties may be held liable.

Factors in Determining Liability

It is essential to hold the person or company that caused the accident responsible for actions or neglect. Whoever caused the accident may continue to act recklessly and cause more pain if not held liable. Several factors determine who can be held liable for an accident.

• If the truck driver was fatigued or didn’t receive an appropriate amount of training, the driver or the company could be held liable.

• If the driver of another vehicle in the accident was acting carelessly or recklessly, it is possible to hold the driver liable.

• Lastly, if the road conditions were dangerous it is possible to hold the government body responsible for the roads accountable, whether it is a state department of transportation or a municipal body.

Our experienced personal injury attorneys can help you determine how the facts of your situation can affect liability in your case.

Filing a Personal Injury Claim

When filing a personal injury claim, there are several steps you must take to file a personal injury claim in Michigan.

If I’m the Victim

If you are the victim, the first step is to seek medical attention. To file a personal injury claim, you must gather evidence related to your case. Our knowledgeable personal injury attorneys can assist you with this process. It is possible to sue for economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages (to punish an extremely reckless driver or company) in a personal injury case.

If I’m Representing a Loved One

If you are representing a loved one who was incapacitated or, in the worst-case scenario, lost a life in the accident, you must first take time for yourself. This tragedy should never have happened in the first place.

If you pursue a wrongful death lawsuit, you must consult with our experienced personal injury attorneys who can help while respecting your needs during this difficult time.