If you were seriously injured or lost a family member in a semi crash in Flint, MI you need our experienced and trusted truck accident lawyers to protect your legal rights and get you and your family the compensation you deserve, including payment for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
The Best Flint Truck Accident Lawyer Near You is at Michigan Auto Law
The lawyers at Michigan Auto Law are widely regarded as one of the top truck accident law firms for semi crash cases in Flint, MI. Here’s why:
- Our law firm has decades of experience in tractor trailer litigation. We have more than 50 years of experience with semi crashes throughout the state. We’ve seen it all.
- We specialize exclusively in large commercial vehicle crashes. This is our sole focus, which means our truck accident lawyers have the in-depth knowledge and expertise to handle any challenge that may arise in your Flint, MI crash case.
- We have secured more million-dollar settlements and verdicts from commercial vehicle crash cases than any other law firm in the state. We’ve won more million-dollar commercial vehicle crash settlements and verdicts than any other firm in Michigan. We also secured the largest commercial vehicle crash settlement in the state’s history—and the largest in the nation that year.
- Board certification. Michigan Auto Law is the only law firm in the state whose lawyers hold a board certification in Truck Accident Law from the National Board of Trial Advocacy, giving you a distinct advantage in handling your Flint, MI crash case and maximizing your potential recovery. No other attorney or law firm in the state is board certified.
- Hall of Fame – Steven M. Gursten of Michigan Auto Law is one of only three lawyers in the country named to the American Association for Justice Trucking Litigation Group “Hall of Fame” for his truck accident litigation, giving you unmatched expertise for your Flint, MI crash case.
- Every transportation company, insurance adjuster, and insurance defense attorney in Michigan knows we don’t settle for less than the full value of a case. They also know we’re ready to take a case to trial if necessary. Our reputation in the courtroom means we often settle cases for more money and in less time than other attorneys or law firms.
- We are known for our ethics and compassion. We return calls and emails promptly and treat every client with care and respect. Thanks to the exceptional service we provide, we have earned more than 2,500 five-star reviews.
What’s the Difference Between a Car Crash and a Commercial Truck Crash?
Our attorneys know that semi crashes are far more complicated than other types of car crash cases. They involve strict federal and state safety laws about hours of service, weight limits, hiring and training of drivers, and maintenance of vehicles. These rules and regulations, which do not come into play in car crash cases, will help identify the negligent conduct that caused your crash. Semi crash cases involve many potentially responsible parties, whereas car crash cases typically involve only the negligent driver.
With multiple responsible parties in truck accident cases, our lawyers know that there are also multiple liability insurance policies that may apply in your Flint, MI case – not to mention the multiple layers of coverage that motor carrier companies frequently carry.
Finally, unlike car crash cases, key evidence in a semi case can be legally destroyed within just weeks or months after the crash—unless you have an experienced attorney who knows how to act quickly to preserve it.
Because there is so much at stake for you and your family, you should only entrust your Flint, MI truck accident case to an experienced lawyer who specializes in this area of the law. It could mean the difference between winning a settlement that reflects the full and true value of your case and getting pressured into accepting a low-ball settlement that is significantly below what your case is actually worth.
What Should I Do After a Crash With a Commercial Truck?
If you’re injured in a truck accident case in Flint, MI our lawyers recommend you should do the following:
- Seek medical attention immediately for yourself
- Seek medical attention immediately for others
- Report and document all of your injuries
- Contact police
- Move to a safe area if possible
- Refrain from making any statements or signing any releases, waivers or settlement offers
- File an application for No-Fault benefits
- Comply with notification requirements in your auto insurance policy
- Retain our experienced and trusted truck accident lawyers for your Flint, MI semi crash case as soon as you are able
- Obtain a copy of your police report
- Attend all medical appointments
- Keep detailed records
Who Can Be Held Responsible For My Commercial Truck Crash?
Our lawyers know the multiple parties who may be legally responsible for your truck accident in Flint, MI may include:
The semi driver – The semi driver almost always plays some role in the crash, and it’s usually because of irresponsible behavior behind the wheel, such as speeding, reckless driving, impaired driving, fatigued driving, etc.
The semi and/or trailer owner – Large commercial vehicles like semis have both a tractor and a trailer. The owner of the semi and/or trailer (which is sometimes the same entity) can be held liable based on a state’s “owner liability” law, or the owner’s failure to inspect, repair and maintain the semi in a safe condition.
The transportation company – The transportation company might be held liable because it owns the tractor and/or trailer involved in the crash (it is required to properly inspect and/or maintain the semi or trailer). A transportation company may also be liable because it is responsible for the actions of its employee (the semi driver). Motor carrier companies are required to ensure their drivers have good driving records and are properly trained. They’re also required to supervise their drivers.
The manufacturer of the tractor, trailer, or equipment –Our lawyers may be able to hold the manufacturer liable for your truck accident in Flint, MI if its defective tractor, trailer, product, part, or equipment was a factor in the crash. Defective equipment can result in truck tire blowouts, brake failures, steering malfunctions, etc.
The maintenance company – The company responsible for keeping the commercial vehicle in good working condition can be held liable if it was negligent in inspecting, servicing, or repairing the vehicle.
The shipping company – This company (sometimes known as the “shipper”) is responsible for hiring a qualified semi driver and motor carrier company to haul its cargo.
The load broker – Sometimes known as a “middleman,” this company is hired by the shipper or some other company that wants to ship its goods and products, and is responsible for hiring qualified commercial semi drivers and transportation companies that will transport the cargo to the specified destination.
The loading company – The loading company is responsible for loading cargo onto the semi in a safe way. Overloading and improperly loading cargo is often a factor in a semi crash.
The leasing agent – The leasing agent leases its commercial tractor and trailer to a driver, motor carrier company, or shipping company so that it can transport cargo.
How Can an Experienced Commercial Truck Accident Lawyer Help After a Crash in Flint, MI?
An experienced lawyer who specializes in truck accident litigation can help you after being injured in a crash in Flint, MI by:
Winning bigger settlements in less time – Hiring an inexperienced personal injury lawyer who doesn’t specialize in commercial vehicle crashes can cost you dearly, often resulting in low-ball settlements far below the true value of your case. Our specialized truck accident attorneys in Flint, MI, know the complexities of commercial vehicle litigation and use that knowledge to maximize your results—and do it faster. In fact, the insurance industry’s own research shows that crash victims represented by skilled, proven attorneys recover up to four times more than those without.
Stopping the transportation company from destroying key evidence – After a commercial semi crash, critical evidence that proves negligence can be legally destroyed as early as 90 to 120 days if the motor carrier isn’t formally notified to preserve it. Once gone, that evidence is lost forever—and it could weaken or even ruin your case, leading to a settlement far lower than you deserve. Our experienced attorneys act quickly to protect your rights. We send the required “preservation of evidence” or spoliation letters, and when necessary, go to court to obtain restraining orders that force the trucking company to preserve the proof you need to win your case.
Identifying violations of federal and state safety regulations – Many semi crashes are caused by drivers and transportation companies who ignore critical safety rules. Our attorneys have litigated hundreds of these cases and know the federal and state regulations inside and out. We use that knowledge to pinpoint every violation that contributed to your crash—evidence that can make the difference in proving fault and maximizing your recovery.
Bringing in the nation’s top experts to prove your case – Our Flint truck accident lawyers work with some of the leading experts in the country to build the strongest case possible. Depending on your crash, we may bring in crash reconstruction specialists, safety regulation experts, driver training professionals, mechanics, toxicologists, and life care planners. These experts provide powerful testimony—explaining how the crash happened, whether laws were broken, and what your future medical and financial needs will be—so we can secure the maximum compensation for you.
Holding every negligent party accountable – Transportation companies and corporations often set up complex business structures to hide their role in serious crashes, making it harder for victims to access the full insurance coverage and assets available. Our Flint truck accident lawyers know how to cut through these tactics. We investigate every lead, uncover the responsible parties, and make sure they are held legally accountable. Missing even one liable party could cost crash victims millions in additional insurance coverage—money that should be there to protect you and your family after a tragedy.
Maximizing your settlement through insurance and assets – To recover the full value of your case, it’s critical to identify every financial resource available from the parties at fault. Our Flint truck accident lawyers know how to uncover not only the obvious insurance policies the defendants disclose, but also hidden corporate and umbrella policies they hope you’ll never find. We also conduct thorough asset checks on responsible parties—often large corporations with deep pockets—to ensure your settlement or verdict reflects the true value of your injuries, even beyond what insurance covers.
Making sure the jury hears the full story of negligence – Transportation companies and their attorneys often try to hide damaging evidence by suddenly admitting fault right before trial. Their goal is to keep the jury from learning about the reckless conduct of the driver or company—and their disregard for safety rules that protect everyone on the road. Our Flint truck accident lawyers know how to stop this tactic. Through depositions and discovery, we lock the company into its original position that it “did nothing wrong.” If they later admit negligence, they contradict themselves—opening the door for us to present the full truth. At trial, we fight to ensure the jury hears all of the evidence about how the company’s violations caused your crash. In cases where their actions were especially reckless or malicious, we may also pursue exemplary damages to hold them fully accountable.
What Compensation and Damages Can A Truck Accident Lawyer Recover For a Crash in Flint, MI?
Compensation and money damages that a lawyer may be able to recover for your commercial truck accident in Flint, MI 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
- Wrongful death damages – If a truck accident in Flint, MI took the life of your loved one, an experienced 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 Evidence Will Be Needed to Prove Commercial Semi Crash Case?
An experienced attorney will preserve the evidence you will need to prove your crash case against the semi driver, the transportation company and other negligent parties. This is one of the most important reasons why you need to hire our experienced truck accident lawyers for your Flint, MI crash.
The evidence our lawyers will need to preserve for your truck accident case in Flint, MI includes:
- Event Data Recorder (an EDR is also commonly known as a “black box”) downloads – If liability is being contested or if the semi driver or the attorneys are trying to blame you in part for the crash, this evidence can often reveal critical information on the semi driver’s actions in the moments before the crash.
- The driver’s cell phone records
- Electronic recordings
- All video and audio of the onboard cameras (Video Event Data Recorders)
- The driver’s “electronic logging device” (ELD) records showing hours-of-service (i.e., driving hours and resting hours)
- All inspection records
- All maintenance records
- The driver’s qualification file
- Photos of the crash scene
- Video surveillance of the crash scene
- Witness names, contact information and statements
- All law enforcement reports
- All reports from EMS, fire and other first responders
- The semi driver’s and transportation company’s safety record
- The results of the driver’s post-crash toxicology test (to determine if he or she was under the influence at the time of the crash)