The last thing any driver should worry about is colliding with a large, heavy vehicle. Unfortunately, however, commercial trucking activity represents a significant portion of Detroit’s economy, and crashes with these vehicles occur regularly.
Truck collisions can cause significant injuries and disabilities for victims. If you feel overwhelmed by medical bills and other expenses, we will help you and your family access compensation. Our law firm is here to help you handle the legal aftermath of the crash. Call our Detroit personal injury lawyers to benefit from a free legal consultation.
Who Can Be Liable for Truck Accidents in Detroit
Naming at-fault parties in the wake of a truck crash can be a tricky process. It’s easy to try and blame the collision on the commercial truck driver’s negligence. In reality, however, they may be represented by a company with the right to take their place in court. It’s the job of a Detroit, MI, truck accident lawyer to help you assign fault accordingly.
Truck Driver
A truck driver can be held liable for a collision if they were found to be negligent or careless in their driving behavior. This may include factors such as
- Driver fatigue
- Sleep deprivation
- Poorly-monitored blind spots
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
Establishing liability depends on an at-fault truck driver’s role when the crash occurred and other contributing factors. For example, on-duty, full-time employees tend to benefit from corporate protection. Comparatively, independent truck drivers often find themselves representing themselves in court.
While most auto accidents are caused by driver negligence, these cases can still be difficult to prove. Work with a truck accident lawyer in Detroit with the resources to conduct an in-depth investigation of the incident. Our legal team will analyze the accident scene and use all available evidence to build a strong case against the at-fault party.
Trucking Company
Truck companies are legally bound to adhere to state and federal vehicle maintenance and operation regulations. They must also practice responsible hiring and employee training. Failure to comply with these regulations exposes them to liability for a truck accident. The primary factors that typically render a trucking company responsible are:
- Failure to renew appropriate licensure
- Inexperienced drivers behind the wheel
- Failure to ensure the truck driver followed state and federal regulations
- Failure to properly inspect and maintain the vehicle
- Encourage the overloading of a vehicle beyond its weight capacity
Determining liability in a devastating accident involving a truck company like UPS, Amazon or FedEx can be complex and often requires a skilled truck accident attorney in Detroit. Do not face a large corporation alone; seek legal representation to protect your rights.
Other At-Fault Parties
Alternatively, there might be other parties at fault for your losses. These parties can include government officials, construction crews, and other motorists. Michigan’s comparative negligence policy may even see you hold multiple parties responsible for damages. Work with our truck accident lawyers to identify all liable parties in your injury claim.
Your Fight Is Our Fight
How to Establish Liability for Truck Accident Losses
If you decide to take legal action, you must correctly identify the at-fault party or parties and have strong evidence of their negligence. This way, you can demand fair compensation from the responsible parties more effectively.
Civil courts throughout Detroit are more likely to move your case forward if you have effective means to back up your assertions of fault. With that in mind, work with an experienced personal injury lawyer to bring together truck crash data, including:
- Black box recordings
- Video or photo footage from dashcams, street lights, and storefronts
- Bystander testimonies
- Expert witness testimonies
- Statements from your insurance company
- Police reports
- Related semi-truck accident medical bills
When securing the financial compensation you deserve for your losses at the hands of the trucking industry, rely on our legal representation to build you a tight case. Your trucking accident claim will benefit from reasonably-collected and well-analyzed evidence.
Establishing liability for truck crash losses requires an experienced attorney with a comprehensive knowledge of traffic laws, industry regulations, and the investigation process.
An effective approach includes data collection from the vehicles involved, interviews with witnesses and the drivers, and a full review of insurance policies. A skilled legal professional can make a comprehensive case for liability and damages associated with the accident.
We know how to get our clients the results they need in the toughest legal arenas.
Available Compensation for Detroit Truck Accident Claims
Victims of truck accidents in and around Detroit may be entitled to various types of compensation. While no two cases are identical, our legal team regularly secures compensatory damages for truck accident victims. However, depending on your case, you might access further financial assistance.
Our attorneys will discuss the economic value of your commercial truck accident claim during an initial case consultation. Moreover, we ensure that insurance adjusters don’t attempt to undervalue your case in negotiations or a traditional trial setting.
Compensatory Damages
These are awarded to the plaintiff (injured party) based on the financial losses sustained due to the negligence of another. Compensatory damages attempt to make the plaintiff whole again after the incident. These further subdivide into economic and non-economic damages to address different aspects of your losses.
The tangible losses you suffered after the crash are covered under economic damages. These are calculated by adding up your bills, including any future expenses that are reasonably anticipated.
In a truck accident case, economic damages can be substantial due to the size and weight of commercial trucks and the high potential for severe injuries or fatalities. Tangible losses include:
- The cost of medical care
- Future medical expenses
- Wage loss in cases of disability
- Future loss of earnings
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses
Non-economic damages refer to intangible losses you suffered. These address the physical, emotional, and psychological impact of the collision. Non-economic damages may include:
- Pain and suffering damages
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
Intangible losses are challenging to quantify, as they are subjective and vary widely based on your unique circumstances. However, they are just as significant as economic damages, as they have a long-lasting impact on your quality of life.
Our experienced truck accident lawyers in Detroit will guide you through the legal process. We will use a wide range of documents (like medical records) and other evidence to translate how the crash changed your life.
Punitive Damages
Unlike compensatory damages, these are not intended to compensate the plaintiff for their losses but to punish the negligent party for their reckless or egregious behavior. Punitive damages are awarded in rare cases where the defendant’s conduct was particularly egregious or showed a willful disregard for the safety of others.
Your Detroit truck accident case may qualify for punitive damages if the negligent truck driver or trucking company engaged in particularly reckless or negligent behavior. The award can be substantial and is designed to deter similar conduct in the future. An experienced Detroit truck accident lawyer will determine your eligibility for punitive damages.
We understand that you may be going through a difficult situation and we are ready to help however we can.
Why Hire a Detroit Truck Accident Lawyer?
After sustaining a truck accident injury, you need an experienced personal injury attorney by your side who is not afraid to stand up to aggressive insurance carriers. Our legal team is here to help:
- We bring over 60 years of combined legal experience to every accident case and have a track record of successful case results.
- We never back down from a challenge, and we will never settle for less than what your case is worth.
- We have recovered more than $1 billion in verdicts and settlements for our clients.
- We take all Detroit truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning that our clients do not pay any legal fees until we secure the compensation they need.
- We are a full-service law firm that handles all legal aspects of your case.
- So far, we have served over 30K clients and continue to fight alongside injured people.
You can learn more about our available services during an initial consultation. Once you have a trucking accident case appointment on our books, we will determine whether or not our personal injury attorneys are a good fit for your case.
You will always work directly with your attorney throughout your case.
A Statistical Overview of Truck Accidents in Detroit
When we turn to the Michigan Traffic Reporting System, we see that there were more than 6,000 total crashes involving heavy trucks across the state during the latest year of data. Out of these incidents, there were more than 60 fatal crashes and more than 1,200 injury crashes.
The reality is that large commercial trucks inflict significant damage and cause serious injuries in an accident. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), a tractor-trailer can reach 75 feet in length and weigh as much as 80,000 pounds when fully loaded.
Survivors often suffer from catastrophic injuries like:
- Broken or dislocated bones
- Neck injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries or open head wounds
- Spinal cord injuries with paralysis
- Crush injuries or amputations
- Internal bleeding
- Severe lacerations or puncture wounds
If you were involved in a crash, seek immediate medical attention. An early diagnosis and targeted treatment plan can speed up your recovery process and dampen the financial impact of your medical expenses.
Let Our Detroit Truck Accident Lawyers Help You
Do not hesitate to seek legal assistance if you or a loved one have been injured due to the negligent actions of a truck driver or trucking company. We know that being involved in a truck accident can be devastating; that’s why our experienced lawyers work diligently to help you seek justice.
At White Law PLLC, our qualified and experienced Detroit personal injury lawyers have the resources to conduct a complete investigation into your case to obtain maximum compensation. We understand the unique challenges of truck accident cases, from unfair insurance practices to legal complexities, so we skillfully assess your case and develop sound strategies to win.
When you need a Detroit truck accident attorney, contact us for a free consultation of your case by reaching out online or calling our team.
We’re Experienced. We Care.
We Exceed Client Expectations.
