If you’ve suffered serious injuries in a truck accident in Southfield, MI, the lawyer you choose can significantly impact the outcome of your case. An experienced attorney will know how to find who’s at fault, uncover hidden insurance or assets, and get you the most money as fast as possible.
Michigan Auto Law is an auto crash law firm with lawyers representing victims injured in truck accidents in Southfield and throughout the state. We act fast, holding negligent parties accountable and aggressively pursuing the full compensation you deserve while you focus on healing—at no cost unless we win.
Specialization matters when hiring an attorney for your crash case because these cases involve complex state laws and federal regulations on driver logs, vehicle maintenance, and hours of service. An attorney who knows these regulations can spot violations that may have caused the crash.

Hiring a truck accident lawyer early for your Southfield, MI crash case is crucial because transportation companies have significant resources to defend claims. An attorney can quickly send preservation letters to protect crucial evidence like black box data, driver logs, and maintenance records, while also gathering police reports, witness statements, and accident scene photos to build a strong case.
Another reason to hire an attorney for your semi crash case is because they play a key role in negotiating with insurance companies, which often aim to minimize payouts. An experienced attorney ensures your rights are protected and works to secure fair and maximum compensation for your injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.
Another key benefit of hiring a truck accident lawyer for your Southfield, MI crash case is their ability to handle complex litigation, which often involves multiple parties such as the semi driver, transportation company, and insurance providers. An experienced attorney coordinates claims, manages legal strategy, and ensures all responsible parties are held accountable.
At Michigan Auto Law, we offer the best truck accident lawyers to handle yourSouthfield, MI case. With over 50 years focused only on vehicle accidents, we have more million-dollar wins than any other Michigan law firm. Our clients agree—our reputation shows in our over 3,000 five-star reviews.
If you’ve been hurt in a crash with a semi, contact us today. Your first consultation is free, and you pay nothing up front. We also offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee!
The Best Southfield Truck Accident Lawyers Near You Are At Michigan Auto Law
Michigan Auto Law is widely regarded as a top semi crash law firm. 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 big rig 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 Southfield, MI crash case.
- We have secured more million-dollar settlements and verdicts from big rig crash cases than any other law firm in the state. We’ve won more million-dollar tractor trailer crash settlements and verdicts than any other firm in Michigan. We also secured the largest tractor trailer 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 with more than one lawyer holding Board Certification in Truck Accident Law from the National Board of Trial Advocacy, giving you a distinct advantage in handling your Southfield, MI crash case and maximizing your potential recovery. Our law firm is one of just three law firms in the entire U.S. with multiple board-certified attorneys in this area of law.
- 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 Southfield, 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 3,000 five-star reviews.
- Most awarded – The state’s most awarded attorneys, consistently recognized as “Best Lawyers”, part of “Best Law Firms”, and ranked among “Super Lawyers”, including two attorneys listed in Michigan’s top 50 out of over 60,000 attorneys statewide.
If you want an experienced and specialized truck accident lawyer to get you the biggest possible settlement in the shortest possible time for your Southfield, MI crash case, look no further than Michigan Auto Law.
What Should I Do If I’ve Been In A Crash With A Semi?
Our experienced Southfield truck accident lawyers advise that there are several steps you should take if you or a family member have been involved in a semi crash:
- Move to a place of safety
- Get immediate medical attention for yourself and others
- Contact the police
- Report and document all of your injuries
- Refrain from signing any legal documents if you are not represented by counsel
- Submit your No-Fault benefits application as soon as possible
- Check your insurance policy and be sure to comply with all notification requirements
- Attend all doctor appointments and follow up with diagnostic testing, procedures, etc.
- Keep detailed records
- Hire an experienced attorney right away!
Who Can A Lawyer Hold Responsible For My Truck Accident In Southfield, MI?
Many parties may share blame. A skilled truck accident lawyer can find who is responsible in your Southfield, MI crash case:
- The semi driver, for speeding, tired or distracted driving, or not following laws
- The transportation company, if they hired poorly, failed to train drivers, or ignored safety rules
- The vehicle owner, if a different company owns the commercial vehicle
- The trailer owner, for bad trailers or maintenance
- A manufacturer, if faulty parts played a role
- The maintenance company, if services failed
- The leasing company, if they leased unsafe commercial vehicles
- The shipping company, if they mishandled loading or instructions
- The load broker, if the load was unsafe or improper
- The cargo loader, if loading was done badly or overloaded
What Damages Can You Recover From A Semi Crash?
If you or a loved one was involved in a crash with a semi, you can recover damages that include:
- Medical costs
- Past and future lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Fright and shock
- Embarrassment, humiliation, or mortification
- Denial of social pleasures and enjoyments
- Wrongful death – If a loved one has died in the accident, compensation for funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and financial support may be available.
State and Federal Regulations
Commercial vehicle crashes are far more complicated than typical car crashes due to the complex regulations set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which oversees the entire transportation industry. Michigan mostly follows these rules covering driver hours, training, hiring, weight limits, inspections, and maintenance. These rules often matter in commercial vehicle crash cases.
Many truck accident lawyers don’t fully understand these rules, but at Michigan Auto Law, we know them thoroughly, and when we take your Southfield, MI case, we carefully check:
- The semi’s “black box” data – This device records critical information such as speed, braking patterns, and other metrics that can reveal if the semi was being operated unsafely.
- The semi’s inspection and maintenance history – We review maintenance records to determine if the semi was properly maintained or if any mechanical issues contributed to the accident.
- The semi driver’s drug and alcohol testing records – We check to see if the driver passed his or her mandatory drug and alcohol screenings to determine whether impaired driving caused or was a factor in the crash.
- The driver’s employment file, driving history, and phone records – This helps us assess if the driver had a history of violations or was distracted at the time of the crash.
Rapid Response Teams and the Importance Of Timely Crash Investigation
Waiting too long to hire a truck accident lawyer can hurt your Southfield, MI crash case and cost you money. Transportation companies send out “rapid response teams” right after a crash to shape the story and control the facts.
If you hire Michigan Auto Law early, we launch our own investigation right away. We preserve evidence, talk to witnesses and police, and protect your rights. This fast start gives you a strong case from the start.
What Evidence Is Most Important for a Lawyer Handling My Truck Accident in Southfield, MI?
Our attorneys understand that the most important evidence in your tractor-trailer crash case includes:
- Information from the semi’s Event Data Record (EDR) or “black box” – This device records key data such as speed, braking patterns, and other critical information that can help establish how the crash occurred.
- Information from the semi’s “electronic logging device” (ELD) – The ELD tracks the driver’s hours-of-service, ensuring that he or she stayed within the legal limits for driving time. This is essential in cases involving tired driving.
- The results of the semi driver’s mandatory alcohol and drug screening – Drug and alcohol testing is required after a crash, and the results of the driver’s post-crash toxicology test may show that impaired driving led to the crash.
- Crash scene photos and videos – Detailed photos and videos of the crash scene, vehicle damage, and surrounding area can help with crash reconstruction and strengthen your case.
- Surveillance videos – Security camera footage from intersections or nearby businesses can provide additional evidence showing how the crash unfolded.
- Dash cam videos – Many semis are equipped with dash cams that record video of the road, which can offer a first-hand look at the crash.
- Witness statements – Eyewitness accounts can provide important details about what happened before, during, and after the crash.
- The police report – The official police report will contain details of the crash, including any citations issued, witness accounts, and the officer’s conclusions about fault.
- The semi driver’s cell phone records, driving history, and employment file – Reviewing these records can help identify any past violations or patterns of unsafe driving behavior that may have contributed to the crash.
- Safety records – The semi driver’s and the transportation company’s safety records will show if they have a history of unsafe driving practices
- Maintenance records – These records will show whether the semi was being properly inspected, maintained and repaired prior to the crash.
Big Rig Crash Statistics
In 2023, there were 15,852 big rig crashes in Michigan, which resulted in 103 deaths and 3,677 injuries, according to the most recent data available from Michigan Traffic Crash Facts.
What Are The Most Common Causes of Semi Crashes?
According to our experienced lawyers, the most common causes of truck accidents in Southfield include:
- Fatigue, when drivers ignore hours rules
- Impaired driving from alcohol or drugs
- Distracted driving, like texting or eating behind the wheel
- Speeding, due to tight delivery schedules
- Aggressive driving, such as tailgating or weaving
- Poor training or inexperience
- Mechanical failure from poor maintenance
- Improper or overloaded cargo, causing rollovers or loss of control