You cannot change the fact that a trucking driver was negligent and slammed their vehicle into yours. Regardless, you may be eligible to pursue damages from the at-fault party. To find out if this is an option, it may be beneficial to discuss your case with a Westland personal injury lawyer.
At White Law PLLC, we fight for our clients. A Westland truck accident lawyer is available to review your case. To get started, contact us today.
Trucking Regulations
Michigan has rules in place for truckers. These regulations help ensure truckers and their employers keep the roads safe. Some of the rules and guidelines in place for truck operators and businesses include:
- Ban on Handheld Cell Phones: It is against the law for a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) driver to text or use a handheld mobile phone while they are working.
- Movement of Oversized or Overweight Vehicles and Loads: Special permits are required to transport large loads over Michigan highways.
- Maximum Legal Truck Loadings and Dimensions: There are height, length, and other requirements for trucks.
There are times when truckers or their employers violate state or federal regulations. At any of these times, you may be able to pursue damages as part of a personal injury claim. A truck accident attorney in Westland can help you determine if you have a viable case.
Your Fight Is Our Fight
Truck Crash Liability
When you have an experienced legal team at your side, you can get insights into your trucking crash case. This team may help you figure out who may be liable. Defendants in truck accident cases may include:
- Trucking business
- Truck driver
- Truck manufacturer
- Shipping company
The team at White Law PLLC can help you determine who is responsible for your trucking collision. A truck accident lawyer in Westland can evaluate your claim and help you figure out who was negligent and caused your crash to happen. To learn more, get in touch with us.
We know how to get our clients the results they need in the toughest legal arenas.
Proving Negligence in a Trucking Accident
Some of the common types of truck accidents include head-on collisions and sideswipe crashes. Regardless of why your accident happened, you are responsible for showing an at-fault party was negligent. To succeed, you must prove the following elements of negligence were present when your collision occurred:
- Duty of Care: An at-fault party was legally obligated to avoid careless and reckless acts that could put you and others in danger.
- Breach of Duty of Care: The party ignored their legal obligation and chose to act in a careless or reckless manner.
- Causation: Since the party decided to breach their duty of care, they caused your accident.
- Damages: You are dealing with economic and non-economic losses after your accident.
A Westland truck accident attorney understands the elements of negligence. They can help you determine if someone else’s negligence contributed to your collision. If an at-fault party was negligent, your attorney may encourage you to pursue the most damages possible from them.
We know how to get our clients the results they need in the toughest legal arenas.
Truck Crash Damages
The personal injury damages you can receive in Michigan may be significant. A truck accident lawyer in Westland can help you calculate your losses. They may urge you to ask for economic and non-economic compensation for several reasons, such as:
- Damage to your car
- Lost wages
- Medical bills
- Pain and suffering
Economic damages may be awarded for quantifiable losses, and non-economic compensation may be provided for subjective ones. A truck accident attorney in Westland can learn about all of your losses. They can help you submit a request for a reasonable amount of damages.
You will always work directly with your attorney throughout your case.
Truck Accident Claim Statute of Limitations
There is a three-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases in Michigan. Following your trucking accident, you may have up to three years to submit a claim for compensation. If you do not file a claim within this window, you may be solely responsible for your crash-related losses.
Your attorney may help you with your claim. They may submit your request for damages as soon as they can following your accident. No matter how long it takes to resolve your claim, your lawyer will provide legal support every step of the way.
In a trucking collision case, your own auto insurance company may cover your losses. This is due to the fact that motorists must have no-fault insurance in Michigan. If your insurance policy does not cover 100% of your accident-related losses, you may want to sue an at-fault party.
Trucking Collision Evidence
Hiring a Westland truck accident attorney who has helped clients achieve their desired case results is key. This lawyer may help you collect a wide range of evidence to support your claim. Pieces of proof you may use in your trucking collision case include:
- Black box from a truck
- Driver logbooks
- Truck maintenance records
- Trucker’s cell phone records
Your proof may influence a judge or jury’s decision to award you damages. At the same time, a defendant’s body of evidence may hurt your chances of getting compensation. By partnering with a lawyer, you may be able to gather enough evidence to compel a judge or jury to rule in your favor.
Truck Accident Settlement
You may be unsure about how long a personal injury lawsuit takes in Michigan. The answer depends on the facts of your case and other factors. In a trucking collision case, you may have the option to settle without going to trial.
The defendant in your case may propose a settlement before your trial date. If this happens, you may want to review the offer with your attorney. This may help you decide if it is in your best interests to accept the proposal.
Your attorney will be honest with you about a settlement offer. If your Westland truck accident lawyer does not believe a settlement proposal is fair, they will let you know. No matter what your attorney says, you make the final decision on an offer and can approve, decline, or counter the proposal.
Submit Your Trucking Accident Claim
White Law PLLC provides top-notch legal representation in personal injury cases. Our trucking accident lawyer is here to help you out with your case. To schedule a free consultation, contact us today.
We’re Experienced. We Care.
We Exceed Client Expectations.
