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We’ll Focus on the Fight
We’ll Focus on the Fight
Farmington Hills Truck Accident Lawyer
The difference between a truck and a car is about 80,000 pounds. Because of this size difference, these are some of the most devastating accidents a person can be involved in. These accidents often involve life-changing injuries that can have a life-lasting impact on a person and their family. These accidents require the attention of an experienced Michigan truck accident attorney who knows how to get maximum compensation for a person and their loved ones.
Types of Injuries After a Truck Crash in Michigan
While all car accidents can result in serious injuries, truck accidents are unique in their destructive power. Some common injuries that people experience when injured in a truck crash can be:
- Death
- Traumatic brain injury
- Herniated discs
- Spinal cord injuries
- Whiplash
- Catastrophic injuries, including paralysis
- Fractured bones
- Wrongful death
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Truck accidents along I-96, I-275, the Lodge Freeway, and throughout Michigan are fairly common, often leading to significant injuries or even fatalities. At Davis Law Center, we understand the complexities of truck accident claims and are here to help victims recover the compensation they deserve. We have found that these are some of the more common causes of truck accidents in the Metro Detroit area:
- Driver Fatigue: Long hours on the road without adequate rest can lead to fatigue, making it difficult for truck drivers to stay alert and respond promptly to changing road conditions.
- Improper Loading: Overloaded or unevenly loaded trucks can make the vehicle unstable, increasing the risk of rollovers or loss of control.
- Equipment Failure: Poor maintenance can cause critical failures, such as brake malfunctions or tire blowouts, resulting in serious accidents.
- Speeding and Reckless Driving: Speeding is a common cause of truck accidents, as the high speed can significantly reduce a driver’s ability to stop the vehicle safely.
- Inadequate Training: Truck drivers without proper training may not be equipped to handle the complex challenges of operating large vehicles, leading to mistakes on the road.
- Distracted Driving: Using a mobile phone or other distractions while driving can cause drivers to miss critical changes in traffic flow or road conditions.
- Poor Weather Conditions: Rain, snow, or fog can impair visibility and make roads treacherous for all vehicles, particularly large trucks.
How To Prove Negligence – Understanding Trucking Regulations
We believe that to successfully win a truck accident case, the lawyer needs to understand the various trucking regulations that may apply. These rules are administered by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and aim to ensure the safety of all drivers on the road. Some of the more common regulations that are violated include:
Hours of Service
For instance, hours-of-service requirements are intended to prevent a trucker from driving too many hours at once, as excessive hours can lead to sleep deprivation and impairment behind the wheel. Truckers are required to keep a log of all hours driven. Unfortunately, many truckers are pressured by their employers to deliver their loads as quickly as possible, even at the expense of other drivers’ safety. In these cases, we will subpoena the Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) to check for “Hours of Service” violations and obtain the “Black Box: (Event Data Records) data before it is wiped.
Weight Regulations
Another important regulation is the weight of a given truck. Again, because larger loads mean more products can be delivered, some trucking companies push the limits and force their drivers to carry unsafe loads. Because a heavier vehicle requires a greater distance to stop, even carrying slightly more weight can be the difference between a serious injury and a close call.
Davis Law Center Holds Trucking Companies Accountable
If a trucking company is skirting the rules, they must be held responsible for your injuries. Flagrant rule violations can greatly increase a person’s chance of receiving compensation for the injury and for holding the trucking company responsible for the accident. Any rule violations are kept in a national database, and we will find any violations a trucking company may have on its record. If a company has been cited for many flagrant violations or if a trucker has a history of ignoring hours of service requirements, it can greatly bolster an injured person’s case.
Truck Accident FAQs
1. Who is liable for a truck accident in Michigan?
Liability in a commercial truck crash is often shared by multiple parties. While the driver may have been negligent, the trucking company (the carrier) can often be held vicariously liable and responsible for poor hiring practices or forcing drivers to exceed ‘Hours of Service’ limits. Additionally, the cargo loading company or the manufacturer of a defective truck part (like brakes or tires) may also share fault. At the Davis Law Center, we investigate every layer of the supply chain to ensure all responsible parties are held accountable.
What is ‘Black Box’ data, and why is it critical?
Most modern commercial trucks are equipped with an Event Data Recorder (EDR), or ‘Black Box.’ This device records crucial data in the seconds leading up to a crash, including the truck’s speed, steering inputs, and exactly when the driver applied the brakes. However, this data is often overwritten every 30 days. It is essential to have an attorney send a ‘Spoliation Letter’ immediately to the trucking company to legally prevent them from destroying this evidence.
How does the Michigan No-Fault ‘Threshold’ apply to trucks?
Because trucks are significantly larger and more dangerous than passenger vehicles, the injuries are often catastrophic. To sue the trucking company for ‘pain and suffering’ (non-economic damages), your injury must result in death, permanent serious disfigurement or meet the Michigan legal threshold of a ‘serious impairment of body function.‘ We specialize in documenting the long-term impact of these injuries to prove your case meets and exceeds this threshold, allowing you to seek maximum compensation beyond basic No-Fault benefits.
Contact Davis Law Center for a FREE Consultation
If you have been injured in a truck accident, contact us at the Davis Law Center. We represent victims with serious injuries who need our help. Being highly selective also means that we can offer personalized care that is not found at larger law firms. We seek to understand each client, to communicate openly with them, and learn how the injury has changed his or her life. This can help us tell their story to a jury or insurance adjuster, ensuring that the injured person will have their fair day in court and receive the compensation they deserve.
Davis Law Center: your trusted partner for truck accident cases. Serving Detroit, Farmington Hills, Southfield, Macomb County, and all of Michigan.
Our Location
We are located in Farmington Hills, Michigan and serve clients throughout the metropolitan Detroit area, including Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Livingston, Genesee and Washtenaw counties.
Get in Touch
Fill out the contact form or call us at (248) 865-7740 to schedule your free consultation.
