Truck Accident FAQs

A lawyer can help you understand your rights after a truck accident in addition to negotiating with your insurance company and/or the negligent truck driver (as well as their employer and their insurance company) on your behalf and providing representation if your case goes to court.

Insurance companies do not want to pay you anything beyond the bare minimum and they will employ every trick that they know to protect their own interests. Experienced lawyers like those at the Mike Morse Law Firm understand how these businesses operate and will fight to make sure that you receive the compensation you deserve.

For more information on how a car accident attorney can help you, check out this article.

At the Mike Morse Law Firm, we work on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay us no money until we win your case. We only get paid when you receive your settlement check.

Take a moment to evaluate your surroundings and find a safe place away from traffic from which to call 911. Law enforcement officers are equipped to provide first aid and will arrange other emergency services if they are necessary. Try to move your vehicle away from traffic flow if it is possible and safe to do so as this will give emergency vehicles easier access to the crash site.

Take pictures and exchange necessary identifying information such as your name, address, telephone number, and insurance details with the other drivers involved. Asking for contact information of witnesses is wise as well, as they may be able to provide testimony in your case. Call your insurance company so that they can begin working with you to address the accident and the damages done as soon as possible.

See a doctor, even if you believe you are unharmed. Injuries from truck accidents don’t always appear immediately after the crash. An examination by a medical professional can identify any issues and give you peace of mind.

Call a lawyer. Having an experienced professional to guide you through the legal process is invaluable and can help you win higher compensation than the lowball offer insurance companies want you to accept.

In Michigan, you have one year to notify your no-fault insurance carrier of an accident. Depending on the exact facts of your accident you may have more or less time to notify and/or sue other parties. However, even if you have one to three years before you are required to file suit, waiting may not be advisable. Trucking companies can also legally destroy important information logs that could help your case after a certain amount of time has passed. The best way to guarantee that you are aware of the best course of action is to call a lawyer who has experience handling Michigan car accident cases as soon as possible.

There is no set timeline for truck accident lawsuits, though they tend to take between several months and a few years. Keep in mind that every case is different and the length of time is dependent on the cooperation of the insurance company, the presence of appeals, and whether the case goes to trial. Calling an experienced attorney that will move your case along at the right pace soon after the accident is the best way to receive your settlement as quickly as possible.

Truck accident settlement amounts are dictated by a variety of factors including the extent of any injuries, damage to the vehicle, pain and suffering, as well as time missed at work. To receive an estimate of what monetary damages you could be paid after your truck accident, check out our Settlement Calculator. Insurance companies will often offer you much less than what you may be entitled to. It is essential that you speak with an attorney in order to be sure you are getting the settlement you deserve.

Whiplash, concussion, broken bones, herniated discs, skin lacerations, burns, and joint issues are all common in victims of truck accidents. In addition to physical injuries, those who have been involved in crashes often suffer from anxiety and other mental health troubles as a result of the accident.

If you were injured in a truck accident, it is wise to seek medical attention. A healthcare provider will be able to both care and a report of your injuries that can be used if you choose to pursue legal action.

Contacting a lawyer after a truck accident, even if no one was injured, is very often a wise course of action. Lawyers can help you deal with insurance and trucking companies who don’t want to pay you what you’re owed as well as create documentation that can help you protect yourself if another party decides to file a lawsuit. Additionally, if your vehicle was damaged in an accident, a lawyer can help you navigate suing for property damage.

Pain and suffering damages are a type of non-economic damages meant to address an injured person’s physical and emotional suffering. Those with serious injuries that were not at-fault for their accident may be entitled to compensation for their pain and suffering. Insurance companies do not want to pay victims for this intangible damage. Hiring an experienced lawyer that will gather medical documentation and witness testimony is vital in building your case.

It is highly advisable to call local law enforcement after a car accident in Michigan. In addition to providing first aid and other forms or practical help, police will file a report of the accident. A police report contains identifying information and a description of the crash that may be helpful if you decided to file a lawsuit. Additionally, in some cases you may be legally obligated to report the accident.

You should call your insurance company immediately after a truck accident to report any damage to your vehicle or injuries to your person. Reporting any injuries early is essential if you intend to apply for no-fault benefits, as insurance companies may try to deny the existence of any injuries not reported in a timely manner. Your insurance company may also be able to help you arrange repairs for your vehicle. It is important to remember, however, that your insurance company wants to pay you the lowest amount of damages possible and to be careful with how you approach them. An auto accident attorney can help guide you through these interactions and safeguard your rights.

When an insurance adjuster contacts you, make sure you clarify what company they represent. Talking to your own no-fault provider or a property damage adjuster is usually fine, but you should never speak with the insurance adjuster of the at-fault driver. They are simply looking for a way out of paying a settlement and may use your words against you if you speak with them. If you are not sure who you are talking to or are uncomfortable with the questions you are asking, you are always best off talking to an attorney before answering questions.

It is very common for injuries not to show up immediately after a truck accident. The rush of adrenaline a victim experiences after being hit can block out pain only for it to arise later. If you are experiencing pain due to a truck accident, seeing a healthcare professional is the best way to receive proper treatment. Michigan law allows those injured in a truck accident three years to file a claim. Even if it has been a while since your accident, if you are suffering from an injury sustained in a truck crash, you should call an experienced lawyer as you may have a case.

Losing a loved one to an unjust, preventable death is a great tragedy that can often be compounded by medical and funeral bills as well as loss of income. A Michigan wrongful death attorney can make sure that your family is informed of your rights and options as well as assist you in your pursuit of justice. Nothing can ever make a wrongful death right, but at the very least compensation can help ease the financial stress that often accompanies death.

More information on your options after losing a loved one to a wrongful death can be found in this article.

Depending on the circumstances of your accident, the trucking company, the truck manufacturer, and or a third-party contractor may be liable.

Trucking companies are frequently liable for the negligence of their employees under Michigan law. You may additionally be able to sue the trucking company for poor maintenance, inadequate training, or falsifying information in order to let the driver drive longer than they should without a break or sleep.

If the accident was caused by a mechanical failure in the truck, the company may be at-fault for not having the truck properly inspected. The manufacturer of the part that failed may also be liable.

An experienced Michigan truck accident attorney can help you identify all the parties that are potentially liable in your suit in order to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

Trucking companies and their drivers are responsible for securing their cargo safely in the vehicle or bed. If you were in an accident caused by fallen cargo–whether it caused you to swerve into another vehicle or the cargo hit you directly–the trucking company may be liable for damages.

How are truck accidents different from car accidents?

Truck accidents are incredibly dangerous due to the size and weight of the commercial vehicle involved. In these crashes, the cost of medical bills and property damage tend to be higher than in a typical car accident. Truckers also have the backing of big companies with larger insurance policies.

Federal law requires commercial trucks involved in interstate commerce to carry $750,000 of insurance for bodily injury and property damage. Many companies have even higher coverage and the insurance companies will do everything in their power to keep from paying it. Having a lawyer to help you deal with them can make the process less stressful and lead to a higher payout.

Truck underride accidents occur when a car or other vehicle crashes into the trailer of a truck and slides underneath it. While the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration requires truck trailers to have rear-guards in order to prevent these dangerous collisions, aging or poorly maintained guards can still fail in an accident. Smaller vehicles can also slide under the side of a truck trailer when the truck is making a turn.