Grand Rapids Construction Truck Accident Lawyer

Grand Rapids is home to busy roadways filled with vehicles going about their day and construction trucks heading to building sites. These trucks are massive in size and heavy, making them potentially dangerous for other drivers. If these trucks make a simple mistake, there could be serious accidents caused by other smaller vehicles on the road.

If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident, you must do what’s necessary in the eyes of the law to obtain compensation for your injuries. Speaking with a Grand Rapids construction truck accident lawyer is a great step in the right direction. A Grand Rapids truck accident lawyer at White Law PLLC will fight for your best interests, no matter the circumstances.

Truck Laws in Michigan that Could Affect Your Claim

In Michigan, trucks follow state and federal laws. This means that in each state a driver drives through, they will follow specific state laws and federal laws. Specifically in Michigan, the Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) require specific insurance requirements for companies and drivers:

• Trucks that are transporting household items must have no less than $300,000 in insurance coverage
• Trucks transporting general freight will need to have $750,000 or more in coverage
• Oil that is being transported requires a truck to have no less than one million worth of coverage
• Trucks transporting hazardous materials will have five million or more worth of insurance coverage

With strict trucking regulations in Michigan, it’s normal for trucking companies to try and get out of paying the full damages owed to a victim. A personal injury lawyer in Grand Rapids, MI, can help ensure that these large truck companies and their insurance companies pay fair compensation.

Filing a Construction Truck Accident In Michigan

If you are involved in the misfortunes of a construction truck accident, you will likely be able to file a claim with the help of a construction truck accident lawyer in Grand Rapids, MI. However, before beginning your claim, there are a few things that must be taken into consideration.

Your Grand Rapids construction truck accident lawyer will need to prove four basic elements of negligence. They will speak with witnesses, look at extensive evidence from your accident, and view your losses. From there, our team at White Law PLLC will look at the four elements for securing compensation before moving forward with your claim.

• A truck driver, the trucking company, and other liable parties have a basic duty of care that is owed. This duty of care is established to prevent others from harm. The driver or trucking company must act right in order not to cause injuries.
• If this basic duty of care was breached with careless actions or negligent behavior, you can assume the given party is liable.
• With this party’s break of duty in care and reckless actions, your injuries were caused. Here, your construction truck accident lawyer in Grand Rapids, MI, will need to directly link the responsible parties’ negligence with your injuries and the accident that occurred.
• Due to this accident, you must have sustained large injuries and hefty losses from the accident. These losses can be medical bills, ongoing therapy, loss of income, or vehicle damage.

Determining Liability for Injuries Sustained in a Construction Truck Accident

A truck accident claim requires detailed investigations filled with extensive proof and losses. White Law PLLC can find the right party to be held accountable for the accident and determine who will be responsible for paying the given compensation. Because these claims are sometimes complex, there are various parties that can be held liable for injuries. The following parties include:

• The truck driver: Likely, the driver will be at fault for accidents caused if they were careless while driving. If the driver was tailgating, speeding, driving while distracted, or even under the influence, they will be held fully accountable. 
• The owner of the truck: Sometimes, the person who owns the truck could be considered negligent if there was maintenance that was overlooked. The owner of the truck is responsible for ensuring their vehicles are safe for road use, so if an accident is caused by something maintenance-related, they will be held liable as well.
• The trucking company: As with any company, trucking companies are fully responsible for their trucks and drivers. If they negligently hire drivers with little experience or a negative track record, then they can be held liable for an accident caused by a bad driver. 
• The truck manufacturer or a parts manufacturer: If a truck underwent maintenance and the parts added were not working properly, an accident can be caused. Let’s say the brakes go out or there is a steering failure. The parts manufacturer could be liable for injuries directly caused by this. 
• The loading company or cargo loaders: Carries will work with shipyards or other cargo centers and are responsible for loading and securing cargo in a truck. If this cargo is not properly set on a truck, and an accident is caused by loose cargo, they will be held liable for injuries. 

Determining what party is most responsible for your injuries will require sufficient proof, witness statements, and accurate damages calculations. For help with this, a Grand Rapids construction truck accident attorney can support you and ensure your claim is filed in the appropriate amount of time.

Construction Truck Accident Damages You Can Collect

Construction truck accident claims will vary based on the severity of the accident, fault, and the losses or injuries you have sustained. However, there are generally two categories of damages you can receive: economic damages and non-economic damages.

• Economic damages are all tangible losses that have a value established on them. They will include things like medical bills, vehicle damage, lost wages, ongoing medical treatment, surgeries, and rehabilitation.
• Non-economic damages are all other losses that have no tangible value associated with them. Their value will be established before a settlement or will be decided in a court of law. These damages are things like pain and suffering, mental anguish, or loss of quality of life.

Protect Your Rights After Every Accident

At White Law PLLC, we have a long track record of successful results across various areas of law. We will handle your legal matters with our top-notch skills and personalized services. Our lawyers will act as your guide to make sure that we find the best solution to fit your unique needs.

To determine your unique needs, we offer free consultations. Contact a Grand Rapids construction truck accident lawyer today to schedule your free consultation and get started on your truck accident claim.