The Best Truck Accident Lawyers Near You for Your East Lansing Case
Our truck accident lawyers are the best attorneys near you for your East Lansing semi crash case. We have been specializing exclusively in these cases for more than 50 years.
The attorneys at Michigan Auto Law have litigated more semi trailer crash cases than any other personal injury law firm in the state.
We have won the largest semi crash settlement of any Michigan attorney or law firm.
Our attorneys have also recovered the top reported semi crash jury verdict and settlement for our clients for more years than any other attorney or law firm in the state.
We have more million-dollar semi crash results, including recovering the top-reported tractor trailer settlement and verdict of the year more times, than any other law firm in the state.
Michigan Auto Law is the only law firm in the state with a board certification in semi crash law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (the highest designation of skill and experience available for attorneys in America today).
The head of our firm, Steven Gursten, is one of only three semi crash attorneys in the nation that has received the Hall of Fame Award for his litigation in this area of law.
Semi Crashes vs Other Types of Motor Vehicle Crashes
Semi crash cases are very different from cases involving other types of motor vehicles. As a result, it is crucial that you only entrust your East Lansing crash case to an experienced truck accident lawyer who specializes in this area of law.
Sadly, many lawyers in East Lansing who claim they can handle a truck accident case have never had one, let alone secured a million-dollar verdict. Hiring an inexperienced attorney can mean the difference between getting a settlement that reflects the full, true value of your case and getting stuck with a settlement that could be millions of dollars under what your case is actually worth.
Talk to one of our experienced attorneys today to find how we can help you!
Why choose an East Lansing Truck Accident Lawyer From Michigan Auto Law?
There are many reasons to go with Michigan Auto Law for your tractor trailer crash case. First, no other lawyer or law firm in Michigan has handled more truck accident cases in East Lansing and throughout the state than Michigan Auto Law. We have recovered more multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements in semi crash cases than any other attorney or law firm in Michigan. Plus, our attorneys specialize exclusively in big rig crash cases. This is what we do. This is all we do.
Let us put our experience and specialized knowledge and skills to work for you and your family.
What Compensation and Money Damages Can You Recover After A Crash?
The compensation and money damages that a lawyer may be able to recover after being injured in a truck accident in East Lansing may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Mental distress
- Reduced quality of life
- Permanent and disabling injuries
- Medical expenses (past, present and future)
- Loss of current income
- Loss of potential future earnings
- Vehicle repair or replacement costs
If a semi crash in East Lansing took the life of your loved one, an experienced truck accident lawyer can help you file a wrongful death claim against the at-fault party or parties. In this type of action, you and your family can recover compensation for your loved one’s pain and suffering, as well as the loss of his or her companionship, support, services, and guidance. Wrongful death compensation also includes economic losses, such as medical bills and funeral and burial expenses.
What Do I Do If I’ve Been In a Crash Involving a Tractor Trailer?
After a truck accident in East Lansing, our lawyers recommend that you do the following:
- Seek medical attention immediately for yourself and others
- Move to a safe area if possible
- Contact police
- Obtain a copy of the police report
- Report and document all of your injuries
- Attend all medical appointments
- Keep good records
- Refrain from making any statements or signing any releases
- File an application for No-Fault benefits
- Comply with notification requirements in your auto insurance policy
- Retain an experienced truck accident lawyer for your East Lansing case as soon as possible
What Are The Most Common Causes Of Big Rig Crashes
The most common causes of big rig crashes are:
- Fatigued driving
- Distracted driving
- Impaired driving (alcohol, drugs and/or prescription medication)
- Violation of traffic laws
- Disregarding traffic signals
- Speeding
- Following too closely
- Careless driving
- Reckless driving
- Failure to use the ordinary care that a reasonably careful driver would use
- Mechanical malfunction issues caused by improper or inadequate inspection, maintenance and repair
- Failure to safely monitor and account for blind spots
- Failure to adjust to dangerous road conditions
- Overloading or improper loading of cargo
- The motor carrier company’s negligent hiring, training and retention of unsafe tractor trailer drivers
- Motor carrier companies forcing unsafe vehicles that should be kept out-of-service back onto the roads
Who Can Be Held Responsible For My Big Rig Crash?
The parties whom you may be able to sue because they are legally liable for causing or contributing to your semi crash include one or more of the following:
The driver – The semi driver almost always has at least some fault for the crash, and it’s usually due to negligent behavior, such as distracted driving, impaired driving, fatigued driving, speeding, tailgating, or some other negligent behavior.
The motor carrier company – The motor carrier company’s liability may come from its status as the owner of the tractor and trailer (if it is the owner), or its status as the employer of the semi driver who caused the crash. A truck accident lawyer may be able to hold the motor carrier company legally liable for your crash in East Lansing for the resulting injuries, deaths and damages based on the negligent supervision, training and hiring, such as when they employ a driver with driving infractions or when they pressure drivers into violating the hours-of-service requirements or neglecting inspection and vehicle maintenance requirements.
The vehicle owner – The owner of the semi (also known as the “tractor” portion of the “tractor-trailer”) may also be at fault. The owner’s liability may come from the state in which the crash occurred (if that state has an “owner liability” law), or be connected to the owner’s failure to take the necessary steps to inspect, repair and maintain the vehicle in a safe condition.
The trailer owner – The owner of the trailer which is being hauled by the tractor (the tractor and trailer owners are often not the same).
Manufacturer of the tractor, trailer, and/or equipment – A truck accident lawyer may be able to hold the manufacturer liable for your crash in East Lansing if its defective tractor, trailer, product, part, or equipment causes or contributes to the crash. Brake failures, tire blowouts, and steering malfunctions can result from defective products and equipment.
The maintenance company – This company provides regular maintenance of the vehicle to ensure it is functioning safely and properly. Its services include inspections and repairing and replacing worn-out, broken, defective, and malfunctioning parts of the tractor and trailer.
The shipping company – The shipping company (also called the “shipper”) is the company that hires the semi driver and motor carrier company to haul – i.e., ship – its products or cargo from one place to another.
The load broker – The load broker is the “middleman” or “intermediary” hired by a shipper, or a company that wants to ship its goods and products, to find and hire semi drivers and motor carrier companies that will transport the cargo to the specified destination.
The loading company – This company is hired and paid to load cargo onto a tractor trailer for transportation.
The leasing agent – A leasing agent leases its tractor and trailer to a driver, motor carrier company, or shipping company so that it can transport goods and products.