Dearborn Heights Truck Accident Lawyer
If you were seriously hurt or lost a loved one in a truck accident in Dearborn Heights, one of the first calls you need to make is to an experienced truck accident lawyer who specializes in these cases. These cases are highly complex, so you need an attorney who knows how to get you the compensation you are legally entitled to. Pain and suffering, medical expenses, and lost wages are just some of the damages you can recover.
The best truck accident lawyer near you for your Dearborn Heights case is at Michigan Auto Law, the largest law firm in the state specializing exclusively in helping truck crash victims like and your family. Helping people who have been injured or lost the life of a loved one in a truck crash is what we do, and it’s what we have been doing for 50 years. And over this time period, we’ve secured more million-dollar verdicts and settlements than any Michigan attorney or law firm, including the largest truck crash settlement in state history. We know truck crash law and how to use it to hold negligent truck drivers and trucking companies and at-fault parties accountable for the injuries, harms and damages they have caused.
The best truck accident lawyer near you for your Dearborn Heights case is at Michigan Auto Law, the largest law firm in the state specializing exclusively in helping truck crash victims like and your family. Helping people who have been injured or lost the life of a loved one in a truck crash is what we do, and it’s what we have been doing for 50 years. And over this time period, we’ve secured more million-dollar verdicts and settlements than any Michigan attorney or law firm, including the largest truck crash settlement in state history. We know truck crash law and how to use it to hold negligent truck drivers and trucking companies and at-fault parties accountable for the injuries, harms and damages they have caused.
Truck crashes are different from other motor vehicle accident cases, with more victims, more negligent parties, and a lot more rules, laws, and state and federal regulations. Trucking companies are required to follow strict regulations when it comes to truck weight and inspection and maintenance requirements, as well as the hiring and training of drivers and the limit on the amount of time a driver may drive his or her truck each day. Truck drivers and trucking companies are well aware of these regulations, yet they continue to break the rules and cause accidents. A skilled truck accident lawyer with a track record of success – like the ones at Michigan Auto Law – knows how to keep them honest and hold them accountable for your crash in Dearborn Heights, MI.
We are Michigan’s largest and most successful truck accident law firm. For more than 50 years we have been handling motor vehicle crash cases, and we have more million-dollar verdicts and settlements than any other attorney in the state. We are here to answer any questions you may have about your crash or your legal rights. Call now (800) 968-1001 at and let us help you!
Don’t let them get away with injuring you or a loved one. Call one of our experienced Dearborn Heights truck accident lawyers right now (800) 968-1001.
What Are The Different Types Of Trucks Involved In Crashes?
- Semi-trucks
- Tractor-trailers
- Construction trucks
- Commercial trucks
- Big Rigs
- 18-wheelers
- Log trucks
- Box trucks
- Cargo trucks
- Tankers
- Flat beds
- Dump trucks
- Garbage trucks
- Tow trucks
- Bucket trucks
- Delivery trucks
- Delivery vans
- Fedex Trucks
- Swift Trucks
- Amazon trucks
What Damages Can You Recover From A Truck Crash?
According to our experienced truck accident lawyers, you can usually recover the following damages in a Dearborn Heights truck crash case:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages and earning potential
- Physical pain and suffering
- Fright and shock
- Mental anguish
- Denial of social pleasure and enjoyments
- Embarrassment, humiliation or mortification
- Wrongful death (if you lost a loved one in the accident)
Who Can Be Held Responsible For My Truck Crash?
Truck crash cases often have more than one negligent party. Potentially responsible parties that a truck accident lawyer can hold liable for your Dearborn Heights case include:
- The truck driver – Truck drivers who break the law by speeding, being distracted, being under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or just being tired are often the primary cause of a serious truck accident.
- The trucking company – Trucking companies sometimes own the tractor and/or the trailer, and if their failure to inspect or maintain either of them results in a crash in Dearborn Heights, a truck accident lawyer can hold them liable. They can also be held liable based on their employment of the truck driver. Trucking companies are required to ensure their drivers have good driving records and proper training and supervision.
- The truck and/or trailer owner – Sometimes a tractor or trailer is owned by some other organization that can also be held liable, likely based on its failure to inspect or repair, or on a state’s “owner liability” law.
- The maintenance company – If a truck is not in proper working condition and a truck accident occurs in Dearborn Heights, a lawyer can hold the company charged with maintaining it accountable.
- The manufacturer of the truck, trailer, or equipment – If a truck, trailer, or any part or equipment fails, causing an accident, the manufacturer can be held liable (depending on the state where the crash occurred).
- The shipping company – If the shipper negligently hires an unqualified driver or trucking company, and that negligence results in a crash in Dearborn Heights, a truck accident lawyer can hold them liable.
- The load broker – Similarly, the load broker or “middleman” must not be negligent in its duty to ensure the safe transportation of goods and products.
- The loading company – Overloading and improper loading of cargo is often a factor in a truck crash, and the loading company is typically at fault.
- The leasing agent – If a truck is leased to a truck driver or trucking company, the leasing agent bears a great deal of responsibility for ensuring its safe operation.
Why Choose A Dearborn Heights Truck Accident Lawyer From Michigan Auto Law?
When it comes to handling a truck accident case, there is no substitute for experience. Plus, our truck accident lawyers specialize exclusively in handling these cases in Dearborn Heights and throughout Michigan, which means they’re not distracted by divorce or traffic or property dispute cases. We understand trucking litigation and all that it entails, and we have the results to prove it. We regularly top the list of largest verdicts and settlements in Michigan, thanks to the skill, hard work, and dedication of our attorneys.
Another big reason we’re so successful is because of our reputation for integrity and ethics, as well as our reputation for treating our clients with the utmost kindness and compassion. We do it right. And this is reflected in our more than 2,500 5-star reviews from satisfied clients.
When you hire a truck accident lawyer from Michigan Auto Law you can rest assured that your Dearborn Heights, MI case will be handled thoroughly and your settlement or verdict will be the maximum you can get under the law. We protect you from the start, investigating your case, ensuring the preservation of critical evidence, and uncovering all at-fault parties, insurance policies, and financial assets. No stone is left unturned. We will get you everything you deserve.
State and Federal Trucking Regulations
Trucking companies and the trucking industry in general are heavily regulated. State and federal rules, law, and regulations dictate what those in the industry can and cannot do. The key set of federal regulations is the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), a set of complex rules and laws that controls multiple aspects of trucking, including weight limits, hours of service caps, truck inspection and maintenance, driver requirements, and much more. The state of Michigan has adopted the FMCSA in almost its entirety.
Few other legal professionals understand these regulations as well as the attorneys at Michigan Auto Law. Our specialization in truck accident cases allows our lawyers to focus all our time and energy on digging up mistakes and violations made by truck drivers, trucking companies, and other responsible parties in your Dearborn Heights case. In addition to conducting a thorough investigation of all FMCSA violations, we review the truck’s inspection and maintenance history, weight at the time of the crash, and any data from its “black box,” also known as its electronic data recorder. We also carefully review the truck driver’s driving record, training history, driving logs, and employment file, along with obtaining the results of his or her mandatory drug and alcohol screening. We use all this information to build your case and get you every penny to which you are entitled.
Trucking Rapid Response Teams and the Importance Of Timely Accident Investigation
One of the biggest challenges facing truck crash victims is the rise of the trucking companies’ use of “rapid response teams.” These are teams that spring into action as soon as a truck accident happens by heading to the scene and doing everything in their power to control the narrative and reduce liability. The way it works is like this – as soon as the accident occurs, the truck driver calls the dispatcher, who calls the risk manager, who connects with the defense attorney. The two of them (the risk manager and the defense attorney) head to the scene (no matter what time it is) and get down to business, claiming work privilege for everything they do. Sometimes evidence is “lost,” and the police report contains only one side of the story.
The good news is that you can fight back by hiring an experienced Dearborn Heights truck accident lawyer right away. If you hire an attorney from Michigan Auto Law, we have our own process that is designed to combat these rapid response teams. We, too, head to the scene, looking for and documenting skid marks, and gathering and preserving key evidence. We also send preservation letters or file motions precluding the defense from destroying evidence, and handing over what we need. We speak with the police to ensure a fair description of the crash has been given. And we connect with our experts, who are the best in the nation. All of this to build your case and get you the compensation you deserve. Let our truck accident lawyers protect you, fight for you, and win your Dearborn Heights case!
Michigan Truck Crash Statistics
In 2023, there were 15,802 truck crashes in Michigan, which resulted in 105 deaths and 3,632 injuries, according to the most recent data available from Michigan Traffic Crash Facts.
What Are The Most Common Causes Of Trucking Crashes
Our truck accident lawyers have noted that the most common causes of trucking accidents in Dearborn Heights are:
- Driver error, such as failure to properly check blind spots
- Failure to adjust to driving conditions, such as ice, snow, rain, etc.
- Impaired driving (being under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol)
- Distracted driving (talking, texting, etc.)
- Fatigued driving (failing to abide by hours-of-service limits)
- Reckless driving, careless driving, aggressive driving, speeding, etc.
- Improper loading or overloading of cargo
- Truck malfunctions (caused by improper or inadequate inspection, maintenance and repair)
- The trucking company’s negligent hiring, training and retention of unsafe truck drivers
- The trucking company’s use of unsafe trucks
What Is Considered Important Evidence In A Truck Accident Case?
Your case is only as good as your evidence. As such, a truck accident lawyer gathering and preserving key evidence as soon as possible after your Dearborn Heights crash can be the difference between winning and losing. The types of evidence that can be used to win your case include:
- Witness statements
- Crash scene photos and/or videos
- The police report
- Dash cam and/or surveillance videos
- Medical records
- Expert opinions
- The results of the truck driver’s post-crash toxicology test
- The truck driver’s cell phone records
- The truck driver’s employee file
- The truck driver’s electronic logging device (ELD) data (showing his or her “hours-of-service”)
- The truck driver’s and trucking company’s safety record
- The truck’s inspection and maintenance history
- The “black box” or “electronic control modules” (ECMs) data which contain data about the truck’s operation, such as speed and braking