Michigan Truck Accident Lawyers

Trucking Accident Attorneys Representing Injury Victims Across Michigan

You took the necessary precautions, yet you were still involved in an accident with a huge semi-truck. There’s only so much that motorists can do to stay safe when they’re near this type of machine. They can’t control what the driver does, or any shortcuts the trucking company may have taken regarding maintenance.

The Michigan truck accident attorneys with Penn Kestner & McEwen are incredibly skilled, and incredibly experienced. We’ve helped our clients obtain millions of dollars in compensation through the years, and we’re ready to do the same for you. If you would like to see how we can help you obtain the compensation you deserve, schedule a free review of your case by contacting us online or calling (800) 732-3070.

Michigan Truck Accident Statistics

Michigan is a big state, with a lot of people. You’d probably expect, as a result, that there would be a lot of truck accidents each year. What might surprise you is just how many accidents take place. Here’s a look at some sobering numbers regarding accidents involving trucks and other large vehicles, such as buses.

Causes of Truck Accidents in Michigan

These numbers are horrible, of course – and there are a lot of different reasons that truck accidents occur, including the following:

• Trucking company negligence. A trucking company should never allow one of their rigs to get on the road with any kind of mechanical issue. But far too many companies do just that. It’s almost unfathomable that an operator would fail to repair worn brakes, or not change tires that have seen their better days. Incredibly, that’s exactly what they do on a regular basis.
• Driver fatigue. You probably have a good idea of what it’s like to drive when you’ve had a hard day at work – but you’d never get behind the wheel if you were totally exhausted, because you’d be too big of a danger to yourself and others on the road. Truck drivers do, however, and the results are often catastrophic. They may do this to meet unreasonable deadlines, or just to make more money. Whatever the reason, this is not only unacceptable, it can also open them up to a huge lawsuit.
• Driving under the influence. As bad as fatigued driving is, impaired driving is even worse. It’s hard enough to control an 80,000-pound vehicle with a clear mind. If the driver is drunk or on drugs, the chances of an accident rise exponentially.

Common Injuries Associated with Truck Accidents

When a huge truck slams into a passenger vehicle, the injuries that often result can make it impossible for a victim to complete basic, everyday tasks, much less enjoy a high quality of life. These are some of the worst injuries that truck accidents can cause.

• Spinal cord injuries. The drivers and occupants of passenger vehicles are subject to incredibly powerful, violent forces when a truck accident occurs. This can cause spinal cord injuries that are so devastating that a victim will be totally paralyzed for the remainder of their life.
• Traumatic brain injury. Like a spinal cord injury, a TBI can render a victim helpless, unable to feed or even bathe themselves. Even when someone is “lucky” enough to suffer a mild or moderate TBI, they may not be able to express themselves, or be able to remember anything.
• Organ damage. The impact of a truck accident can subject a victim to pieces of metal and glass that can destroy internal organs.

Types of Large Trucks that Cause Accidents

Just like there are lots of different causes of truck accidents, there are also many different kinds of trucks involved in them. Here are some of the most dangerous ones on the road.

• Snowplows. A snowplow can cause an accident that involves multiple passenger vehicles at once, since all the drivers can be blinded by the snow showers they produce.
• Concrete trucks. A concrete truck is unique, in that it has a very high center of gravity. That makes it prone to instability, and puts it at a higher risk for rolling over as a result.
• Dump trucks. Dump trucks sit very high off of the ground as well, and are often carrying so much weight that the driver can have a very hard time bringing the vehicle to a stop.

Who’s Liable for My Injuries?

Truck accidents are usually more difficult to litigate because there can be more than one party to blame. This is known as “multi-party liability.” Here’s a brief example.

Multi-Party Liability in Truck Accidents

Let’s consider a scenario where a motorist suffers a catastrophic injury in an accident caused by a truck jackknifing, with the driver losing control as a result.

The driver was behind the wheel for 15 hours straight, so they were exhausted. A tire blew out, and an investigation reveals that the blowout occurred due to a manufacturer’s defect. But the cargo came loose inside the trailer, causing a shift in balance due to negligent loading. The investigation also showed the brakes failed due to a lack of maintenance on the part of the trucking company. All of these parties could be part of your lawsuit.

How Much is My Michigan Trucking Accident Case Worth?

No lawyer worth your while is going to promise that you’ll obtain a certain amount of money without first having all the facts of your case. But that amount could be significant, because truck insurance policies can be worth as much as $1 or $2 million, or even more. The reason is that truck accidents typically lead to much more severe injuries, ones that cost much more to treat.

Steps to Take After a Michigan Truck Accident

Your first priority, of course, will be to get the medical help you need, as well as anyone else who was involved in the accident. If you can take photos of the accident scene, that could be a huge help to your case. After you receive medical attention, call the Michigan truck accident attorneys with Penn Kestner & McEwen as soon as possible so we can launch an investigation and obtain the evidence you need.

Contact Penn Kestner & McEwen to Schedule a Free Case Evaluation

Schedule a free consultation by calling Penn Kestner & McEwen at (800) 732-3070 or by using our online contact form.