Lansing Truck Accident Attorney

Truck Accidents in Metro Detroit & Throughout Michigan

For victims, the road to recovery can be long, complicated, and paved with many challenges—but you don’t have to go it alone. At Bahrie Law, we have been representing victims of serious truck accidents in Lansing & Metro Detroit, and the entire state of Michigan for more than 40 years.

Throughout our decades in practice, we have successfully secured millions of dollars on behalf of the injured and the surviving families of those wrongfully killed. We understand what you are going through and are here to provide the compassionate, dedicated, and personalized guidance you need.

To learn more, contact our Detroit truck accident attorneys at (800) 785-9924 and request a free consultation. We do not collect any fees unless we win your case.

Every year, accidents involving semi-trucks, big rigs, 18-wheelers, delivery trucks, and other massive commercial vehicles injure and kill thousands of Americans. According to the Michigan State Police, there were 15,539 crashes involving large trucks and buses in the state in 2018 (the latest year with recorded data). Of these crashes, 113 were fatal and 2,662 resulted in bodily injury.

How Do Large Truck Accidents Happen?

Although the majority of truck drivers are highly skilled, extensively trained professionals, they can still make the same mistakes as any other motorist on the road. Truck drivers are also not immune from acting negligently or recklessly behind the wheel. But truck driver negligence is not the only cause of commercial vehicle accidents. In fact, third-party negligence frequently plays a role in these collisions.

Some of the leading causes of large truck and commercial vehicle accidents include:

• Truck Driver Error and Negligence: Examples of truck driver error and negligence include distracted driving, drunk or drugged driving, road rage, and traffic law violations.
• Hours-of-Service Violations: When truckers drive beyond the legally permitted number of hours, they are at risk of driving fatigued or falling asleep at the wheel.
• Cargo Problems: Overloaded and improperly loaded trucks can lead to fishtailing, jackknifing, and other serious truck accidents.
• Poor Truck Maintenance: Improper or inadequate truck maintenance (including reporting issues for repair) can have disastrous consequences.
• Vehicle/Road Defects: Truck defects, such as defective tires or braking systems, as well as poorly designed or constructed roads can lead to serious accidents.
• Negligent Trucking Company Practices: Examples of negligent trucking company practices include failure to conduct background checks, inadequate training, and more.
• Third-Party Negligence: Sometimes, the careless or wrongful conduct of another motorist or third party contributes to or causes a truck accident.

Depending on the specific details of your situation, you may be able to recover compensation after an accident through your own no-fault coverage, or you may be entitled to file a lawsuit against the truck driver, the trucking company, a parts manufacturer, or another third party. Our Lansing and Metro Detroit truck accident lawyers can help you understand your legal rights and options.

How Do Truck Accident Claims Work in Michigan?

Generally speaking, truck accident cases are far more complex than standard car accident claims. Specifically, the state’s no-fault system can quickly become very complicated when the accident for which you are seeking compensation involved a commercial entity.

Because all drivers in Michigan are required to carry personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, truck accident victims can often seek financial restitution for their damages, such as medical bills and lost income, by filing a claim with their own insurance providers.

However, it may also be possible/appropriate to file a third-party truck accident claim against a negligent party. Third-party claims are essentially personal injury claims that are filed against those liable for your damages.

To file a third-party claim, you will need to prove several elements, including but possibly not limited to the following:

• Another person or party owed you a duty of care
• That person or party breached the duty of care
• The breach of the duty of care was the proximate cause of your injuries
• You suffered damages, including excess medical losses and/or non-economic damages

Determining who is liable for your damages in a third-party truck accident claim can be very difficult. The truck driver may have caused the accident but his or her employer, the trucking company may be liable. If the truck driver was classified as an independent contractor rather than an employee, they may be individually liable. In some cases, a manufacturer, another motorist, or some other third party could be partially or solely responsible for your damages.

Should You Hire an Attorney for a Truck Accident?

Due to the immense complexity of these types of cases, it is critical that you work with an experienced truck accident attorney. In addition to helping you navigate the no-fault system, determine liability, and/or file a third-party claim, your attorney can evaluate the true, full cost of your injuries, including the extent of your pain and suffering, future medical care needs, and lifetime lost income. From there, your attorney can build a powerful case aimed at securing maximum compensation for you.

At Bahrie Law, we fight tirelessly for victims of serious truck accidents and commercial vehicle collisions in and around Lansing & Metro Detroit, Traverse City, and the Upper Peninsula. We are well-versed in state and federal trucking regulations, as well as the local court system. Our team is highly respected for our commitment to our clients, along with our compassionate-yet-aggressive approach to advocacy.

Our Lansing Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help!

Your time to file a truck accident lawsuit in Michigan is limited to three years from the date of the crash (or the date of death if filing a wrongful death claim). Do not wait until it is too late to seek compensation! Reach out to our Lansing & Metro Detroit truck accident lawyers at Bahrie Law today to learn how we can help you get back on your feet and fight for the justice you deserve.

Call us at (800) 785-9924 or submit a free online case evaluation form to get started.