If you’ve suffered serious injuries in a truck accident in Waterford, MI, the lawyer you choose can significantly impact the outcome of your case. Our experienced attorneys will know how to find out who was at fault, locate hidden insurance policies and assets, and get you the best possible settlement as quickly as possible.
Specialized attorneys get better results in semi crash cases. Legal professionals who don’t focus on big rig crashes may not know how to uncover violations of state and federal laws and regulations, hold the right people accountable, or negotiate the best settlement for you and your family.
Timing matters too for your case. Transportation companies often act fast to protect themselves. They may destroy evidence after a short time. Our truck accident lawyers will act quickly to preserve that evidence and fully investigate your Waterford, MI semi crash.
Our attorneys have decades of experience handling motor vehicle crashes, we’ve won more million-dollar verdicts and settlements than any other firm in the state. We also have over 2,500 five-star reviews from satisfied clients.
Contact an experienced and trusted truck accident lawyer from Michigan Auto Law today if you’ve been injured in a semi crash in Waterford, MI. Your consultation is free, and you won’t pay any fees upfront. Plus, we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee!
The Best Waterford Truck Accident Lawyers Near You Are 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 Waterford, MI and throughout the state. 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 Waterford, 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 Waterford, 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 Waterford, 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.
- Award-winning attorneys – Our attorneys have consistently been named by independent third-party attorney review organizations as being among the “Best Lawyers” and “Best Law Firms” in America. We have more attorneys ranked as “Super Lawyers” than any other Michigan personal injury law firm, including two attorneys ranked among Michigan’s top 50 attorneys in the state, in a review of over 60,000 Michigan attorneys of all areas of legal practice.
- Client satisfaction – We are known for our unwavering ethical standards and our compassionate approach to client care. Our truck accident lawyers treat every client in Waterford, MI and throughout the state with the respect and dignity they deserve, always returning calls and emails promptly. Thanks to the exceptional service we provide, we have earned more than 2,500 five-star reviews.
If you want an experienced and specialized truck accident lawyer to get you the biggest possible settlement in the shortest possible time for your Waterford, 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 truck accident lawyers recommend taking these steps if you or a loved one were in a crash with a semi in Waterford, MI:
- Move to a safe place
- Get medical help
- Call the police
- Report all injuries
- Don’t sign anything unless you have an attorney
- File your No-Fault benefits application right away
- Review your insurance policy and follow all reporting rules
- Go to all doctor appointments and follow up with tests or procedures
- Keep detailed records
- Hire an experienced attorney immediately
Who Can A Lawyer Hold Responsible For My Truck Accident in Waterford, MI?
Many people or companies may be at fault. Our experienced and trusted truck accident lawyers will find out who is responsible for your semi crash in Waterford, MI and make sure they pay for your damages. Possible at-fault parties include:
- The Semi Driver – If they were speeding, distracted, tired, or impaired.
- The Transportation Company – For poor hiring, training, maintenance, or pushing drivers to break safety rules.
- The Semi Owner – If the owner failed to maintain the semi.
- The Trailer Owner – If the trailer had safety issues.
- The Manufacturer – If defective parts like brakes or tires caused the crash.
- The Vehicle Maintenance Company – If the semi wasn’t properly serviced.
- The Leasing Agent – If a leased semi wasn’t safe.
- The Shipping Company – If they gave unsafe instructions.
- The Load Broker – If they arranged for an unsafe load.
- The Cargo Loading Company – If the load was unsafe or not secured.
What Damages Can A Lawyer Help Recover From A Truck Accident In Waterford, MI?
If you or a loved one was involved in a truck accident in Waterford, MI a lawyer can help you recover damages that include:
- Medical costs
- Lost wages (past and future)
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Embarrassment or humiliation
- Wrongful death – If a loved one has died in the crash, compensation for funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and financial support may be available.
State and Federal Regulations
Semi 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. These rules cover things like driver hours, training, inspections, and maintenance. Michigan follows most of these rules.
However, many attorneys aren’t fully familiar with the FMCSA regulations and may struggle to identify violations that could be important to your crash case. This is where experience and specialization make all the difference. At our law firm, every attorney is well-versed in the FMCSA rules and knows exactly where to look for potential violations.
When our truck accident lawyers take on your Waterford, MI crash case, we conduct a thorough investigation that includes examining:
- The semi’s “black box” data – Speed, braking, and driving patterns
- The semi’s inspection and maintenance history – Was the semi safe?
- The semi driver’s drug and alcohol testing records – Was the driver impaired?
- The driver’s employment file, driving history, and phone records – Was the driver distracted or had a history of violations?
Rapid Response Teams and the Importance Of Timely Crash Investigation
Hiring a truck accident lawyer right away for your Waterford, MI crash is critical. If you wait, you may lose key evidence and risk getting less compensation—or nothing at all.
Transportation companies send “rapid response teams” to the crash site immediately. These teams include lawyers and risk managers who work to protect the company, not you. They may even destroy or hide evidence.
When you hire Michigan Auto Law, we start our own investigation immediately. We collect and protect evidence, interview witnesses, work with police and make sure the transportation company doesn’t destroy records.
Fast action strengthens your case and protects your rights.
What Is Considered Important Evidence In A Semi Crash Case?
Our truck accident lawyers know that the most critical evidence in your Waterford, MI 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.
Michigan Semi Crash Statistics?
In 2024, there were 16,678 semis involved in motor vehicle crashes in Michigan, 104 semis involved in fatal crashes, and 2,706 semis involved in crashes where one or more people were injured, 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 Waterford, MI include:
- Fatigued Driving – Ignoring hours-of-service limits
- Impaired Driving – Alcohol, illegal drugs, or medications
- Distracted Driving – Texting, phone use, eating, etc.
- Speeding – To meet deadlines
- Aggressive Driving – Tailgating, weaving through traffic
- Lack of Driver Experience or Training – Inexperienced drivers making mistakes
- Equipment Failure – Poor maintenance causing brake or light issues
- Improper loading – Overloaded or unbalanced cargo
How Long Do I Have To Sue For After A Crash?
You have three (3) years from the date of the crash to file your lawsuit for pain and suffering and excess economic damages. This is known as the statute of limitations. If you don’t file within this three-year window, you will lose all of your legal rights to sue the negligent parties and hold them accountable for your injuries. Our experienced and trusted attorneys can help ensure that your lawsuit is filed on time.