When you have suffered a serious injury after a semi truck accident in Michigan, one of the most important things you can do is hire the best and most experienced lawyer near you from a reputable law firm who understands the law. These types of big rig crashes are very different from one involving a passenger motor vehicle, and having an attorney that can show the federal and state safety rules and regulations that were violated can help get you the best possible settlement for your injuries and losses.
To find out what your case may be worth, please check out our Settlement Calculator.
What To Do After A Crash With A Semi
- Contact police and seek medical attention
- Document all injuries
- Retain and experienced attorney quickly
- Notify your auto insurance company quickly
- File an application for No-Fault benefits
- Check insurance policy for notification requirements
- Check insurance policy for uncoordinated benefits
- Never give statements of sign releases
Semi Crash Statistics
In 2022, there were 2,759 semi-trailers involved in the 51,066 personal injury-related motor vehicle crashes in the state which resulted in 3,632 people being injured.
What Are The Types Of Semi Truck Accidents That Your Michigan Lawyers Handle?
In Michigan, there are many types of semi truck accidents that our lawyers have handled, but the most common include: (1) head-on collisions; (2) rear-end crashes; (3) broadside crashes; (4) a jack-knifed tractor-trailer; (5) roll overs; and (6) underride crashes (where a passenger vehicle slides underneath the big rig’s trailer).
Remember That Our State Has Unique Liability Laws
Our state’s crash liability laws for these types of vehicles are different from all other states. Damages recoverable from an experienced Michigan semi truck accident lawyer for an injury after a tractor trailer crash will include first-party claims (victim’s insurance), such as medical bills, wage loss, replacement services, attendant care and medical mileage. Third-party auto negligence tort claims (negligent driver’s insurance) involve personal injury and excess economic loss. All auto insurance policies sold in our state include some limited coverage for vehicle damage, property damage and pain and suffering compensation for physical and emotional injuries.
What Causes Most Tractor Trailer Crashes?
The most common cause of semi crashes involve driver error. However, as every commercial motor carrier has a non-delegable duty to safely train, supervise, and monitor their drivers, even cases involving driver error usually involve a larger failure in the safety system of the motor carrier company itself.
Other examples of failures in safety systems that the Michigan semi truck accident lawyers from our law firm have found include: (1) motor carrier companies negligent hiring of unqualified and unsafe drivers; (2) motor carrier drivers driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs; (3) dangerous out-of-service-vehicles; (4) chameleon carriers; (5) driver fatigue; (6) no punitive damages; (7) bad weather; (8) speeding; (9) failing to yield; and (10) improper lane usage.
Legal Rights To Pain And Suffering Compensation
After a crash with a tractor-trailer, you or a loved one may be able to recover pain and suffering compensation from the at-fault driver, the owner of the big rig, the motor carrier and other responsible parties. An experienced Michigan semi truck accident lawyer will need to prove the motor carrier driver was negligent and was at-fault for the crash.
Legal Rights To Wrongful Death Compensation
If you have lost a loved one in a semi truck accident in Michigan, then you and your family can hire an experienced lawyer to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit against the driver, the owner of the big rig and other responsible parties.
In most states, a wrongful death lawsuit allows you and your family to recover damages for: (1) medical, hospital, funeral, and burial expenses; (2) pain and suffering compensation; and (3) loss of the deceased’s financial support, society and companionship.
How Do Lawsuits Work?
The stages of a lawsuit include: (1) investigating the crash scene; (2) preserving key evidence; (3) interviewing witnesses; (4) hiring expert witnesses; (5) identifying the liable parties; (6) filing the lawsuit; (7) conducting discovery; (8) negotiating a settlement; and/or (10) going to trial. a
Who Can A Lawyer Sue After A Semi Truck Accident In Michigan?
An experienced Michigan semi truck accident lawyer can help you sue the following parties after a crash: (1) the driver who caused the crash; (2) the maintenance company; (3) the shipping company; (4) the load broker; (5) the leasing agent; (6) the trailer owner, if different from the owner of the tractor; (7) the loading company; and (8) the vehicle manufacturer.
What Is The Average Settlement For A Tractor Trailer Crash?
In Michigan, the average settlement amount that a lawyer can help you recover after a semi truck accident will depend on the liability coverage limits of the motor carrier driver and motor carrier company involved. Federal law requires interstate big rigs to have a minimum of $750,000 to cover bodily injury and property damage.
Tractor trailers that are hauling hazardous materials and large buses may be required by federal law to carry a minimum of $5 million in liability coverage.
Other factors that may affect the amount of your settlement after a crash with a big rig include your injuries, medical needs (present and future), work disability and the experience and track record of your attorney.
Legal Rights To No-Fault Benefits
According to state law, when you have been injured in a crash with a tractor trailer, you are entitled to collect No-Fault PIP benefits from the responsible auto insurance company to help pay for your medical bills, lost wages, transportation costs for medical appointments, and attendant care services.
To protect your right to recover No-Fault insurance benefits, you must file an application for No-Fault benefits – which is also called a “written notice of injury” – with the responsible auto insurance company within one (1) year after your crash. (MCL 500.3145(1) and (4))
Generally, the insurance company that is responsible for paying your No-Fault insurance benefits will be your insurer or the insurer of your spouse or a relative living in your home. If no coverage is available through those sources, then you will need to apply for No-Fault benefits through the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan.
If you do not file your application on time, then the auto insurance company will use this to deny your claim and refuse to pay any and all of the No-Fault benefits you would have otherwise been entitled to.
Do Semi Truck Accidents Cases Go To Trial In Michigan?
In Michigan, semi truck accident cases can go to trial if a settlement cannot be reached through negotiation or alternative dispute methods. When a case goes to trial, it means that the parties involved were unable to reach a mutually satisfactory settlement, and the case is presented before a judge or jury.
Going to trial is often considered a last resort when all other attempts to settle the case have failed. The decision to go to trial depends on various factors, including the complexity of the case, the extent of the damages, the strength of the evidence, and the willingness of the parties to negotiate. It’s important to note that the majority of personal injury cases, including tractor trailer crash cases, are settled out of court. However, in cases where liability is heavily contested or the damages are substantial, having an experienced Michigan semi truck accident lawyer take the case to trial may be necessary to seek a fair resolution.
Arguably The Best Semi Truck Accident Lawyers In Michigan
The semi truck accident lawyers at Michigan Auto Law are arguably the best in the state having an extensive record of success, including recovering the highest recorded tractor trailer crash jury verdicts and settlements over multiple years, according to year-end compilations of settlements and trial verdicts by Michigan Lawyers Weekly.
For more than 50 years, the attorneys at Michigan Auto Law have been helping people like you who have been injured in commercial tractor-trailer crashes and big rig crash wrongful death cases get the best possible settlement for their case. Our attorneys understand the physical, emotional and psychological hardships you are experiencing. We can help.
Crash Resources
Suffering From An Injury After A Semi Truck Accident In Michigan And Need A Lawyer? Call Now For A Free Consultation!
If you suffered an injury after a semi crash in Michigan, call now (800) 968-1001 for a free consultation with an experienced truck accident lawyer near you. There is no cost or obligation. You can also visit our contact page or use the chat feature on our website. Our attorneys can help you better understand your legal rights to sue for pain and suffering compensation as well as other non economic and economic damages.
Our law firm specializes in tractor-trailer crash cases and receives referrals from attorneys all over the state and the U.S. Our attorneys have spoken at nearly 300 seminars and legal education programs throughout the country, educating other personal injury attorneys on how to handle these unique types of cases. Attorney Steven Gursten is a past-president of the American Association for Justice Truck Accident Litigation Group. Our law firm is also the only law firm in the state that has national board certification in big rig crash law.