Michigan Cargo Truck Accident Lawyer: You Don't Pay Unless We Win!

If you have been injured in or if you have lost a loved one in an accident with a cargo truck, one of the first things you should do is hire an experienced lawyer. An attorney who specializes exclusively in this area of the law will have the skills and the “know how” to get you the full and fair compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses.

At Michigan Auto Law, our lawyers specialize exclusively in large commercial vehicle crash cases, including cargo truck accidents. In fact, we are the only law firm in the state that has a national board certification in truck crash law. And attorney Steven Gursten is one of only three attorneys in the United States to be voted into the Hall of Fame for his trucking litigation. But perhaps most importantly, our law firm has an extensive record of success winning million-dollar verdicts and settlements for our clients. 

The experienced cargo truck accident lawyers at Michigan Auto Law can help you.  

To find out what your cargo truck accident case may be worth, please check out our Settlement Calculator or call now for a free consultation with an experienced Michigan lawyer.

The key elements that constitute a cargo truck are: cab and single chassis; open or closed load space; varying capacity; and loading and unloading capability.

• Cab & Single Chassis: These types of vehicles have a single chassis, meaning they come in one piece, with a driver’s cab at the front of the vehicle with an integrated storage compartment.
• Open or Closed Load Space: These types of vehicles have a dedicated load space where goods are stored for transport. The load space can be open or closed, depending on the type of shipment.
• Varying Capacity: The capacity or “payload” for these vehicles varies based on the size and classification of the vehicle. Sizes range from light-duty to heavy-duty.  
• Loading and Unloading Capability: These types of vehicles are designed for the frequent loading and unloading of goods. As such, they typically have rear doors and specialized loading equipment.

Our Michigan lawyers know the most common cause of cargo truck accidents is driver error, which can take any of the following forms:

• Speeding
• Distracted driving
• Violating traffic laws
• Driver fatigue
• Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs and/or prescription medication
• Reckless or careless driving
• Driver inexperience
• Failure to properly secure the vehicle that is being towed

Other causes for crashes with these large vehicles that involve people other than the driver include:

• Failure by the commercial vehicle owner or the driver’s employer to maintain, inspect and repair the vehicle
• Failure of the driver’s employer to properly and adequately train the driver

When determining who a lawyer can hold liable for your cargo truck accident in Michigan, the top three people to consider are: (1) the driver, (2) the vehicle owner, and (3) the employer of the commercial semi driver.

The driver of the commercial vehicle is the first person to consider when identifying who is at fault for your crash because it is the driver who was actually behind the wheel at the time of the crash that injured you or took the life of your loved one. 

Depending on the laws of the state where the crash occurred, the commercial vehicle owner may also be deemed to be at-fault if the state has an “owner liability” law. In Michigan, the “owner liability” statute provides that the “owner of a motor vehicle is liable for an injury caused by the negligent operation of the motor vehicle whether the negligence consists of a violation of a statute of this state or the ordinary care standard required by common law.” (MCL 257.401(1))

Additionally, a lawyer may be able to hold the cargo truck’s employer liable for the accident under a legal theory called respondeat superior where an employer can be held liable for the injuries caused by an employee’s negligence. Under our state law, as interpreted by the Michigan Supreme Court in Hamed v. Wayne County, the “doctrine of respondeat superior” provides that an “employer is generally liable for the torts its employees commit within the scope of their employment.” The Hamed court explained that “within the scope of employment” means the employee’s negligence occurred while he or she was “engaged in the service of his master, or while about his master’s business” or while acting “in furtherance, or the interest, of the employer’s business.”

Getting to the bottom of the liability issue requires a thorough investigation by the authorities, the insurance companies, and the attorneys. It is important to speak with an experienced Michigan cargo truck accident lawyer who can help you navigate this complicated and confusing endeavor.

The types of injuries that may be compensable after you have been injured in a crash include: 

• Traumatic brain injuries 
• Concussions 
• Internal injuries/organ damage
• Broken bones
• Neck injuries 
• Back injuries
• Spinal cord injuries 
• Amputations
• Burns 
• Emotional trauma
• PTSD
• Wrongful death

If you have been injured in a cargo truck accident in Michigan, there are several factors that a lawyer will consider when determining what your case may be worth:

1. Injury severity – The nature and extent of your personal injuries
2. Medical needs – Your current and future medical needs
3. Ability to work – Whether you were able to return to work or whether you are partially or fully disabled from working, including any physician-imposed restrictions and whether you have reached MMI (i.e., maximum medical improvement)
4. Were you disabled – Whether you were disabled from engaging in other important non-work-related pre-crash activities
5. Liability insurance – The liability insurance limits and collectible personal assets of the at-fault commercial semi driver, the driver’s employer and the commercial semi vehicle’s owner
6. Attorney – The experience, track record and reputation of your Michigan cargo truck accident lawyer (attorneys who are known for going to trial can settle cases for more money and often much faster)
7. Venue – The county or legal venue in which your case will be litigated.

Check out our Settlement Calculator to find out how much your case may be worth.

Pursuing this type of motor vehicle crash case is a complicated endeavor. Dealing with the at-fault parties, the insurance companies, and their attorneys, requires the skills and “know how” of an experienced cargo truck accident lawyer who specialize exclusively in handling these types of cases.

A lawyer who specializes in cargo truck accident litigation can help you by:

• Fighting to get you a bigger settlement, faster
• Stopping the destruction of key evidence once the mandatory retention periods have passed
• Identifying the negligent actions that led to your crash
• Finding the top experts to prove the various aspects of your case
• Identifying and holding all responsible parties fully accountable

Choosing our law firm puts you in the hands of the state’s most specialized and awarded attorneys. With over 50 years of exclusive focus on big rig crashes, Michigan Auto Law has secured more million-dollar settlements and verdicts than any other firm—including the largest tractor-trailer crash settlement in state history. You’ll get expert guidance through our state’s complex laws and federal regulations, aggressive advocacy to hold all responsible parties accountable, and compassionate support every step of the way—all backed by thousands of 5-star client reviews and a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

In Michigan, when searching for a lawyer for your cargo truck accident, prioritize attorneys who specialize in commercial vehicle and big rig crash cases rather than general personal injury law. The best attorneys will have a strong track record of successful settlements and verdicts, as well as positive client reviews. Look for firms with the resources to conduct thorough investigations, including hiring crash reconstruction experts and handling complex cases involving multiple parties. It’s also important to choose an attorney who works on a contingency fee basis, so you only pay if they win your case. Finally, select someone you feel comfortable communicating with and who demonstrates a genuine commitment to your needs and recovery.

If you were injured in a cargo truck accident in Michigan, call now (800) 968-1001 for a free consultation with an experienced lawyer. 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.

The lawyers at Michigan Auto Law law firm specialize in all commercial vehicle crash cases, including cargo truck accidents, and receive referrals from attorneys all over the state and the U.S. The Michigan attorneys at our law firm have spoken at nearly 300 seminars and legal education programs throughout the country, educating other personal injury attorneys on how to handle big rig and commercial vehicle crash cases. Attorney Steven Gursten is a past-president of the American Association for Justice’s Truck Accident Litigation Group and has been voted into the Hall of Fame, one of only three semi crash attorneys in the entire country to have won this award. Our is also the only law firm in the state that has a national board certification in big rig crash law. 

Our law firm has an extensive record of success, including recovering the highest recorded big rig crash jury verdicts and settlements over multiple years, according to year-end compilations of settlements and trial verdicts by Michigan Lawyers Weekly. These include:

• $34.5 Million – Our attorney and his team secured the largest-reported tractor-trailer crash settlement in the U.S. for the year of this crash. It is the largest tractor trailer crash settlement to date by any Michigan attorney or law firm. The defense’s “final offer” before trial was $14 million. The case settled for $34.5 million in trial.
• $14.3 Million – Our attorneys won this big rig crash verdict in Clinton County in a case involving a traumatic brain injury, extensive economic damages and loss of consortium. The defense’s final pre-trial settlement offer was $25,000. This was the largest-reported motor vehicle trial verdict in the state for that year.
• $13.5 Million – Our attorneys settled a case for a victim in a car vs. tractor trailer crash who suffered major burn injuries. 
• $10.5 Million – A Michigan Auto Law attorney obtained this recovery for a woman who was seriously injured when a semi crashed into her vehicle.
• $9 Million – Our attorneys obtained this recovery for a man who lost both of his legs in a rear-end collision. This was the largest pain and suffering big rig crash settlement of the preceding decade for a rear-end crash in the state. The insurance company for the transportation company attempted to settle this case for $1 million with the client’s previous attorney, who had urged the client to take this offer before a Michigan Auto Law attorney got involved in the case.
• $6.2 million – This confidential out of state tractor trailer crash death case was settled by one of our attorneys who was brought in to try the case by another attorney after the insurance company made a “final” offer of $1 million dollars to the widow of the man who was killed. 

For more than 50 years, the Michigan truck accident lawyers at our law firm have been helping people like you who have been injured in cargo vehicle crashes and death cases. Our attorneys understand the physical, emotional and psychological hardships you are experiencing. We can help.