Michigan 18 Wheeler Accident Lawyer: No Fees Unless We Win!
An 18 wheeler accident is very different from a car accident. If you or a loved one has been injured by a truck weighing 80,000 pounds or more in Michigan, you need a specialied 18 wheeler accident lawyer who understands the law and the federal safety rules and regulations that govern these large commercial trucks. .
To find out how much our Michigan 18 wheeler accident lawyers may be able to settle your case for, please check out our Settlement Calculator.
18 wheeler accident statistics
18 wheeler crashes have been on the rise across the United States.
In 2019 (the most recent year with comprehensive data available as of this writing), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported the following statistics related to 18 wheeler accidents in the United States:
- Fatalities: There were 4,119 fatalities in crashes involving large trucks (18 wheelers) in 2019.
- Injuries: These crashes resulted in approximately 151,000 injuries in 2019.
- Crashes: There were a total of 450,000 police-reported crashes involving large trucks (including 18 wheelers) in 2019.
Our lawyer found that 18 wheeler accidents occur at a higher rate in Michigan than the national average. In part, this is because Michigan is a large manufacturing state and many of the goods and products made in the state are then transported on large trucks.
Unfortunately, more trucks on the road in Michigan also means more wrongful deaths. In 2022, 18 wheelers were involved in approximately 10% of all crashes involving a fatality in Michigan. Those fatal crashes resulted in 105 deaths.
Causes of 18 wheeler accidents
18 wheeler accidents have many of the same causes as other large commercial truck crashes. These include driver error, driver fatigue, lack of training, and speeding. However, several safety concerns are unique to 18 wheelers.
Driver error/inadequate training
Our Michigan lawyers found that the most common cause of 18 wheeler accidents is driver error, which includes distracted driving, fatigue, speeding, impaired driving, aggressive driving, lack of and/or insufficient training..
Truck driver fatigue is most likely to cause a crash involving an 18-wheeler. This safety risk is amplified by the fact that many trucking companies use financial incentives to encourage drivers to stay on the road longer than what is permitted by the federal hours-of-service regulations. Paying by the mile, instead of by the hours, is often a culprit in financially encouraging drivers to drive over their mandatory safety hours behind the wheel.
Our Michigan lawyers know that nnother common cause of accidents is the fact that many trucking companies hire drivers who are not adequately trained or experienced enough to handle an 18 wheeler. On top of that, the trucking companies fail to provide the necessary training and experience to get drivers to the level where they can reliably operate 18 wheelers safely on the nation’s roadways.
Road conditions
Our Michigan 18 wheeler accidents lawyers know that adverse weather conditions like rain, snow, ice, fog, and high winds can reduce visibility and road traction, making it more challenging to control a large truck. In addition, poorly maintained roads, construction zones, potholes, and uneven road surfaces can contribute to crashes involving 18 wheelers.
Blind spots
18 wheelers have large blind spots where smaller vehicles can be easily hidden. Failure to check blind spots can result in collisions.
Improperly loaded or secured cargo
18 wheeler accidents can be caused by improperly loaded and/or improperly secured cargo which can shift during transit and affect the truck’s stability and handling.
It is important to remember that even when the 18 wheeler driver is at fault, the company that owns the truck is also liable and legally responsible as these companies have a non-delegable duty to safely train, supervise, and monitor their drivers.
Maneuverability
The difficult and challenging maneuverability of 18 wheelers can also cause crashes for the following reasons:
- Size – 18 wheelers are much larger and longer than other vehicles, which makes it challenging to navigate tight turns and narrow streets without swinging into other lanes or obstacles.
- Blind spots – Our Michigan 18 wheeler accident lawyer know that 18 wheeler truck drivers have limited visibility, especially when it comes to blind spots around the vehicle. These blind spots exist on all sides of the truck and can make it difficult for drivers to see smaller vehicles, pedestrians, or obstacles.
- Turning radius – 18 wheelers have a much larger turning radius than other vehicles, which means they need more space to make turns.
- Weight – the sheer weight of a loaded 18 wheeler can make it challenging to slow down or stop quickly.
- Backing up – maneuvering a 18 wheeler in reverse is particularly difficult because the trailer follows a different path than the tractor. This requires skill and precision to avoid collisions with objects, pedestrians, or other vehicles.
- Traffic & road conditions – 18 wheeler drivers have to navigate all types of traffic patterns, road types, and road conditions, each of which presents unique challenges for safety. Rain, snow, ice, and high winds make it especially challenging for these drivers.
- Load shift – cargo inside the trailer can shift during transit, affecting the truck’s stability and handling.
Liability
Our specialized Michigan 18 wheeler accident lawyers know that if you have been seriously injured in an accident involving one of these large commercial transportation trucks, there are several possible parties you can sue, including (1) the trucking company; (2) the driver who caused the crash; (3) the maintenance company; and (4) the equipment manufacturer. In some states, there are also viable legal claims against the load broker who negligently selected a clearly unfit and dangerous trucking company to ship a load over a safer company.
Compensation for an 18 wheeler accident
The compensation you may recover in a settlement may include:
- Pain & Suffering Compensation: If you have been injured in a 18 wheeler accident in Michigan , you can hire a lawyer to bring a lawsuit and recover money damages for pain and suffering compensation.
- Wrongful Death Damages: If you have lost a loved one in a fatal 18 wheeler accident in Michigan, you and your family may be able to hire a lawyer to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit. This 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.
- No-Fault Benefits: If you are a Michigan resident, you may be able to recoverNo-Fault personal protection insurance (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 benefits, you must file an application with the appropriate auto insurer within one (1) year after the collision.
Settlements
The amount of your settlement will depend on how much liability insurance coverage the driver and the trucking company are carrying on the 18 wheeler involved in your crash. Your injuries and your choice of lawyer are also influential factors.
Federal law requires interstate trucks to have a minimum of $750,000 to cover bodily injury and property damage, but most trucking companies have insurance that is considerably higher than this federal minimum.
Other factors that may affect the amount of your settlement after a include: (1) your injuries; (2) your crash-related medical needs (present and future); (3) whether and for how long your injuries will disable you from working; and (4) your Michigan 18 wheeler accident lawyer’s experience and track record.
Resource and References
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
National Transportation Safety Board
Were you injured in an 18 wheeler accident in Michigan and need a lawyer? Call now for a free consultation!
Michigan Auto Law’s lawyers specializes in all truck accident cases, including 18 wheeler accidents. Our attorneys have recovered the largest truck settlement in Michigan and the largest truck crash jury verdict in the state more times than any other attorney or law firm, including the largest truck accident jury verdict ever in multiple Michigan counties.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a serious 18 wheeler accident in Michigan and you want to seek compensation, you can call an experienced and specialized semi truck accident lawyer at (800) 968-1001 for a free consultation. You can also get help from an experienced attorney by visiting our contact page or chat feature on our website.
