A commercial truck can weigh 20 to 30 times more than the average car. When a crash happens, there’s little chance that occupants of the smaller vehicle can escape without serious injuries. The massive size difference also means large truck accidents are also more likely to be fatal. More than 4,100 people died in U.S. truck crashes in a recent year, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
If you suffered a serious injury or lost a loved one in an Ann Arbor truck accident, get help from an experienced attorney at Christensen Law today. Truck accident cases are especially complex, and you’ll benefit from straightforward advice from lawyers with a reputation for excellence.
Experience Matters
Christensen Law is a known leader in truck accident litigation in Michigan. Our law firm obtained the largest personal injury verdict in the state for a truck accident victim — $17.8 million for a woman who suffered a traumatic brain injury after being hit by a cement truck. Put us to work for you, too.
Call or contact us today for a free consultation with a skilled truck accident injury lawyer.
Common Truck Accident Injuries in Ann Arbor
Truck accident injuries can range in severity. The most common injuries suffered in truck accidents in Ann Arbor include:
- Whiplash: Also called a neck strain or neck sprain, whiplash usually happens when the head and neck are jerked suddenly forward and backward in rapid succession. The sudden, whip-like motion can damage spinal joints, discs, ligaments, cervical muscles, and nerve roots. Whiplash can be mild or lead to chronic pain and disabling symptoms, such as headaches and nerve damage.
- Spinal cord injuries (SCIs): An SCI is the result of damage to the cells and nerves of the spinal cord, an essential part of the central nervous system. Brain signals travel through the body via the spinal cord. Any trauma can disrupt the process, leading to paralysis and other complications. SCIs can be temporary or permanent.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): A traumatic brain injury may occur when the head suffers a forceful blow or when an object punctures the skull and enters brain tissue. TBIs can result in lifelong disabilities that prevent individuals from living independently.
- Internal injuries and bleeding: When an artery or vein is damaged, blood may escape from the circulatory system and collect inside the body’s tissues, organs, joints, or body cavities, such as the head, chest, and abdomen. Internal injuries can be fatal if not diagnosed and treated promptly.
- Amputation and disfigurement: Amputation may happen traumatically (at the truck accident scene) or surgically, if it is the only treatment option for a severe injury. Limb loss, disfigurement, and scarring often involve nerve damage and can cause tremendous emotional distress.
- Broken bones and orthopedic injuries: Truck accident victims often suffer traumatic orthopedic injuries, which may involve fractured bones or injured joints, muscles, and ligaments. Compound fractures may require surgery and involve long-term rehabilitation. They can also result in long-term disabilities and limited mobility.
- Burns: A fire or an explosion may occur in a truck accident due to the rig’s large fuel tank, flammable cargo, or for other reasons, potentially causing severe burn injuries to anyone nearby. Burn injuries can be intensely painful and require extensive hospitalization, skin grafts, and rehabilitation to address nerve damage.
Wrongful Death in Truck Accident Cases
Michigan law allows a truck accident victim’s personal representative (usually the executor of their estate) to file a wrongful death claim if they are killed due to another party’s negligence. Eligible family members may be able to secure compensation for:
- Medical care the loved one received before death
- The deceased’s pain and suffering
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of financial support and benefits
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of potential inheritance
Time Limit for Filing a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Ann Arbor
If you have suffered injuries caused by a truck accident in Ann Arbor, MI, it’s crucial to understand how much time you have to file a lawsuit to seek compensation for your losses. The amount of time you’re given to file a lawsuit is called the statute of limitations.
Michigan law generally requires you to file a claim within three years from the date of the truck accident. If a minor was injured, the statute of limitations is delayed for up to one year from the child’s 18th birthday.
A wrongful death claim is subject to the same three-year requirement in Michigan, only the clock starts ticking on the date of the victim’s death, not the day of the crash.
Failing to meet the statute of limitations deadline for your case will most likely result in your case being barred from court, meaning you cannot seek compensation for your losses. It’s important to talk to an attorney as soon as possible following a truck accident to understand the deadlines that apply to your case.
How Christensen Law Can Help You
The Ann Arbor truck accident attorneys at Christensen Law have decades of experience fighting for the rights of injured people throughout Michigan. Our track record speaks for itself. You can trust us to build a strong case for maximum compensation for you.
Managing a truck accident case is more complicated than a car accident claim. You could be dealing with multiple insurance companies, multiple defendants, and lawyers who are bent on paying you as little as they can get you to accept. You need a tough-nosed trial lawyer to pursue the results you deserve. That’s what we’re here for.
Let us get to work on your case while you focus on recovering from your injuries. Contact Christensen Law today for a free case review.
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