Michigan Truck Accident Attorneys

Assisting Victims of Big Rig Collisions and Their Families

Did you know that a person is injured or killed in a truck accident every 16 minutes? Few things are more terrifying than being involved in a collision with a semi-truck or commercial motor vehicle (CMV). These massive big rigs can weigh anywhere from 20 to 30 times more than the average passenger car vehicle, putting other drivers at far greater risks of serious injury during an accident.

When you consider that over half of all large truck crashes involve a tractor-trailer colliding with another type of car, it’s little wonder that thousands of people are killed and injured in truck accidents every year.

Trucking Rules and Regulations

The fact that large trucks can cause such catastrophic damage to other motorists in the event of an accident is not lost on policy makers. Over the years, regulations have been passed that dictate the conditions in which truckers are allowed to drive and how trucking companies must treat their employees.

The end result, truck drivers are required to follow more laws than other motor vehicles both on and off the road. One of these rules is called the hours of service regulation, which aims to prevent fatigued driving, thus the laws are aimed at ensuring that truck drivers are not overworked and get an adequate amount of rest each day. According to this law:

• Truck drivers can work a maximum of 14 hour workdays. Of these 14 hours truckers can only drive for 11 hours, with the remaining time spent on rest or meal breaks
• Truck drivers must rest for at least 10 consecutive hours before beginning a new workday
• Truck drivers are required to take days off work at regular intervals

Unfortunately, whether due to truck driver negligence or, often seen, pressure from the trucking companies these rules are not always followed which can raise the chances of an accident occurring significantly. If you or a loved one has been injured, don’t hesitate to contact our firm for help today.

Our legal team is backed by 100+ years of combined experience and we have recovered millions for our clients. Call today to arrange a free consultation.

Call (888) 211-5798 or fill out and submit an online contact form to request a free, no-obligation case evaluation today.

Why You Need an Attorney for Your Truck Accident Case

Truck accidents are typically devastating, with victims suffering life-altering, catastrophic injuries. Because special rules and laws apply to commercial carriers, it's crucial that you have an experienced Michigan truck accident attorney on your side who can thoroughly investigate the accident, determine what happened, and discover who is liable for your injuries and other losses.

At Grewal Law PLLC, we are well-versed in complicated personal injury and wrongful death claims. Our team has more than 100 years of combined legal experience and has been helped severely injured victims and their families for decades. We can help you fully understand your legal options and help you fight for the maximum compensation you are owed after a serious accident. We have recovered millions of dollars on behalf of our clients; call us to find out how we can help you with your case.

Common Causes of Big Rig Accidents

The United States Department of Transportation estimates that over 500,000 truck accidents occur every year. Much like other types of motor vehicle accidents, such as car and motorcycle accidents, large truck collisions occur for a wide variety of reasons. All too often, these devastating collisions are the result of negligence, either on the part of the truck driver, the trucking company, a manufacturer, or another party.

Some of the most common causes of big rig accidents include:

• Distracted driving, including eating or texting while driving
• Operating while intoxicated (OWI/DUI)
• Speeding
• Reckless or aggressive driving
• Failing to yield the right-of-way
• Illegal and/or dangerous driving maneuvers
• Overloaded and/or improperly loaded cargo trucks
• Violation of hours-of-service regulations
• Defective truck parts or design
• Improper truck maintenance

If negligent behavior or an irresponsible company caused your truck accident, Grewal Law can help you secure justice. Call us today at (888) 211-5798.

Truck Accident Claim FAQs

What Counts as a Commercial Motor Vehicle?

Variously called 18-wheelers, big rigs, tractor-trailers, and semi-trucks, there are a wide number of names for the largest vehicles that traverse our nation’s highways. Whether you were involved in a large-scale tanker truck accident or a smaller trailer, however, the truck will be classified as a “commercial motor vehicle” or CMV if it weighs more than 10,001 pounds. If the vehicle weighs more than 26,000 pounds, the driver is required to have a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and submit to regular alcohol and drug testing, road tests, and inspections, among other regulations. When the driver fails to meet these standards, they may be considered negligent.

Who is Liable to Cover My Injuries?

Truck accident claims are often particularly difficult to navigate, as there may be a number of liable parties. For example, if a trucking company pressures drivers to meet unrealistic quotas, truck drivers may feel as though they need to speed or skip mandatory breaks in order to stay on schedule. If an accident results, both the truck driver and the trucking company may be liable.

Why Do I Need an Investigation of My Truck Accident?

After a commercial motor vehicle crash, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration or FMCSA will look to provide a full investigation of the incident, working with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). However, these investigators are not looking for evidence related to your injuries and may miss important details for your claim.

If you work with an experienced truck accident attorney, they can hire experts or perform an investigation of their own, as well as request the driver’s qualification file (DQF) and other regulatory documents about the driver’s performance. This may improve the quality of your case by revealing a pattern of negligence or carelessness, either by the company or the driver.

What Damages Can I Seek in a Truck Accident Case?

Because of their size, a big rig accident is far more likely to result in life-altering, catastrophic injuries for all parties involved – and especially for those in smaller vehicles, such as a passenger car or a motorcycle. When you’ve been seriously injured, you don’t just need assistance with paying for medical bills. You could have many ongoing costs and bills to pay, including long-term care for any disabilities and ongoing rehabilitation therapy.

For a confidential, no-cost consultation, contact us at (888) 211-5798 or reach out to our team online.