Truck Accident Lawyers in Dearborn, MI

The roads of Dearborn, Michigan, are full of motor vehicles. Dearborn car drivers might feel intimidated traveling with huge, fast-moving trucks on the highway. And with good reason, since trucks were involved in some 15,539 Michigan accidents in 2018.

A fender-bender is a minor collision between two vehicles. A Dearborn commercial vehicle might weigh more than 80,000 pounds as regulated by Michigan truck weight law. They may travel at speeds of up to 65 mph on Michigan highways. A crash with one of these vehicles is rarely a fender-bender; it is often devastating.

We welcome you to browse this important law guide regarding Dearborn, MI, truck accidents. Proudly serving the Dearborn, Michigan, community, Mike Morse Law Firm’s personal injury lawyers rely on our professional expertise to fight injustice. Our attorneys draw on over 25 years of law experience in Michigan investigating truck accidents and giving legal advice.

How Mike Morse Law Firm Michigan Accident Attorneys Investigate Dearborn Truck Accidents

No driver is perfect all the time. Yet, when a Michigan truck driver makes a mistake, the aftermath can be disastrous. Of the 15,539 truck and bus accidents statewide mentioned earlier, 113 were fatal.

Our accident lawyers look at the details of Dearborn vehicle accidents to find out not only what happened, but also why. The cause of the accident plays a large role in whether Michigan law will recognize your legal personal injury claim.

Overloading

In Dearborn, MI, federal and local law regulates trucking weight. In general, fully loaded trucks must keep their weight under 80,000 pounds. Still, you might see heavier trucks on Michigan highways. Logging, steel, construction, and other industries might need to transport loads that exceed the national standard.

Companies pay extra taxes and fees for the right to bear heavier loads of up to 164,000 pounds. Weight law is enforced by the Michigan State Police and local weighmasters.

Unfortunately, not every trucking business follows the law. Some companies may overload their trucks hoping that they will not get caught on the Michigan freeways. But when an accident occurs, Dearborn victims suffer the consequences of dishonesty. Negligent companies should be held accountable for their actions. If you were injured in connection with an overloaded truck in Dearborn, contact a personal injury lawyer at 855-MIKE-WINS.

Disobeying Michigan truck route law

The Michigan vehicle law protects pedestrians and auto drivers by regulating traffic on Dearborn streets and highways. Trucks are restricted to specific roads at certain times.

Commercial vehicles wear out Michigan roads, contributing to potholes and bumps. So this Michigan law also helps preserve Dearborn roads, keeping them safe for other vehicles.

A Michigan law attorney can determine if the truck that hit you was on an approved Dearborn trucking route. Fill out our quick contact form, and a representative of Mike Morse Law Firm will call you within 2 hours to let you know if you have a case.

Speeding

Along Dearborn freeways including Michigan Avenue (US-12), you might notice speed limit signs with a second limit written under the first one. The first limit is for Dearborn automobiles. The second limit applies to trucks. In certain areas of Dearborn, Michigan, the law sets lower speed limits for commercial vehicles.

Trucks and buses must never exceed 65 mph according to Michigan law. Extreme speeds combined with heavy weight is a dangerous combination. A research report links 33,000 deaths over the course of 20 years to legal speed limit increases.

The conclusion is clear; a trucker who exceeds the Michigan speed limit is putting lives at risk. If the driver who hit you might have been speeding, inform a Dearborn personal injury lawyer. He or she can investigate if the trucker broke the law and what that might mean for your case.

Inadequate maintenance

Like any other vehicle, Michigan trucks need regular maintenance to operate properly. Federal law sets maintenance standards that every trucking company must follow. Dearborn trucking companies should regularly inspect:

• Brakes
• Coupling devices (moveable joints)
• Fluids
• Lights
• Steering
• Tires

If a problem is found, Michigan trucking companies should make repairs or replacements right away. Improperly maintained trucks are hazardous. Almost everyone who has traveled on a Dearborn highway will understand this when they see large pieces of tires littering the roads. When a tire blows out, the driver can lose control of the vehicle.

Tires explode for many reasons, including:

• Underinflation – If a tire does not have enough air pressure, it can’t bear weight properly. A blowout happens when the tire walls expand beyond their limits under the weight of the vehicle.
• Heat – Tires are more prone to blowouts in hot weather. Because Michigan load-carrying trucks tend to travel at high speeds for long distances, they are susceptible to blowouts.
• Poor condition – The older the tire, the more likely it is to blowout. Tractor-trailers carrying heavy loads put a lot of wear and tear on their tires.
• Road conditions – Potholes and bumps might damage a tire enough, eventually leading to a blowout.

Maintaining a commercial vehicle properly in Michigan costs a lot of money. To save resources, trucking companies may put off necessary repairs or try to fix parts that should be replaced. These negligent practices can be a recipe for disaster.

If a blowout or other maintenance-related issues cause property damage or injuries, call a personal injury lawyer at 855-MIKE-WINS. During a free consultation, an accident attorney can explain how you can hold companies and drivers responsible for their negligence under Michigan law.

Unsafe driving practices for Dearborn, MI

A good driver is always aware of MI road conditions. He or she might need to slow down or adjust the course. To illustrate, a truck driver might be driving at the legal posted speed limit. Yet, how should he or she adjust if Michigan roads are snowy or icy?

AAA shares some winter weather safe practices:

• Slow down gradually to account for lower traction
• Increase your following distance to allow yourself more time to stop if necessary
• Brake with firm, steady pressure
• Take extra caution on hills

Varying weather and road conditions require different skills. Michigan truckers undergo extensive training to learn how to drive safely. If a driver fails to operate his motor vehicle in a safe manner, a Michigan court might take away his driving privileges and force him to pay personal injury damages.

Driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol in Dearborn, MI

One of the most negligent choices a driver can make is to drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol. In Michigan, drivers with a commercial driver’s license (CDL) can be charged with:

• OUIL – Operating under the influence of liquor
• OWI – Operating while impaired
• UBAL – Operating with an unlawful body alcohol level
• OUID – Operating under the influence of drugs

Since Michigan truckers are responsible for such potentially dangerous vehicles, their legal alcohol blood level limit is less than for the general population. When truckers are convicted of a violation or refuse a chemical test, Michigan can suspend or revoke their CDL licenses.

If you suspect alcohol factored into your Michigan car accident, a personal injury attorney can seek justice for you. Schedule a free consultation today to discuss your legal options.

Distracted driving in Dearborn, MI

According to the Safe Roads Alliance, “distracted driving involves any activity that takes the driver’s attention away from the primary task of driving.” The 3 types of distracted driving are:

• Visual – Looking away from the driving task to do something (e.g. reading a text message or consulting a Dearborn road map)
• Manual – Taking one or both hands from the wheel to do something (e.g. changing the radio station or eating)
• Cognitive – Letting your mind wander or focus on something other than driving (e.g. daydreaming)

Regardless of what type of vehicle you are operating, distracted driving is risky behavior that can harm or kill someone. In 2017, over 3,100 people died in distraction-related crashes, while another 434,000 were injured.

Many other factors, including some not mentioned here, might have contributed to your Michigan accident. If you reach out to us, a personal injury attorney will investigate the likely cause of your crash. His or her focus will be on determining if you have the legal right to recover financial compensation under Michigan law. If you do, we can start fighting to get you every penny you deserve.