A collision with a large commercial truck can change your life in an instant, leaving you with painful injuries, mounting medical bills, and uncertainty about your future. At Christensen Law, we understand how devastating truck accidents can be, and we are committed to helping victims seek full financial recovery.
Our truck accident lawyers in Detroit have the skill, resources, and determination to take on powerful trucking companies and their insurers. We will fight to help you recover compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages you’ve suffered.
Call Christensen Law today for a free consultation. Our Detroit personal injury lawyers have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars and are ready to get to work for you.
Why Truck Accident Victims in Detroit Choose Christensen Law
At Christensen Law, advocating for accident victims isn’t just what we do; it’s what drives us. Our firm is dedicated to holding negligent parties accountable and helping injured individuals across Michigan rebuild their lives after devastating truck accidents.
When you hire Christensen Law, you’re not just hiring a lawyer; you’re gaining a legal team that genuinely cares about your recovery. As our client, you will:
- Be heard: We apply the guiding principle of, “Listen, Protect, Win,” to every case we handle, and we execute on it flawlessly. You will be heard, considered, protected, and fought for when you hire a Detroit truck accident lawyer from Christensen Law.
- Receive honest advice and clear answers: The lawyer-client relationship is built on honesty and trust. We remain transparent and authentic throughout your case. You’ll never feel like you’re getting the run-around, and we’ll provide you with expert advice about your case.
- Have the full financial and legal support of Christensen Law: We have multiple attorneys and a robust staff to support your case. We will also provide total financial support by covering all case-related expenses. We only charge a fee if we win your case.
We are Michiganders serving Michiganders – not out-of-state, big-box firms who don’t know and aren’t engaged with the communities and people here. When you need a truck accident lawyer in Detroit, choose Christensen Law. Our experience and record will be the foundation for the success of your case.
Compensation for a Truck Accident Victim in Detroit
The Christensen Law team has recovered hundreds of millions in settlements and verdicts for our clients. We’ve handled thousands of cases, giving us a firm understanding of how costly truck accidents can be.
You can review our case results, including many 7- and 8-figure awards, to see how we’ve served Michiganders throughout the years.
You may be entitled to recover significant compensation for injuries you’ve suffered and for the damages you have incurred as a result of a truck accident, such as:
- Past and future medical expenses: These costs may stem from hospital stays, surgery, doctors’ office visits, prescription medication, physical and occupational therapy, mobility equipment, and long-term personal care.
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity: If your injuries cause you to miss time from work, the Christensen Law team will evaluate your professional damages. Your injuries may prevent you from returning to your job and require you to take a job where you earn less money than you did before the accident.
- Pain and suffering: This may include physical pain, lost enjoyment or quality of life, disfigurement, disability, and the inability to participate in activities you previously enjoyed. You may also be unable to perform the tasks of daily living.
- Wrongful death damages: Family members can be compensated for their loss of society and companionship with the deceased relative. Our Detroit wrongful death lawyers are here to provide compassion and support during this difficult time.
Why Truck Accidents in Detroit Are More Complicated
Truck accident claims are far more complicated than ordinary car accident cases. They often involve:
- More evidence to gather: While car accident claims usually rely on photos, repair reports, police reports, and witness statements, truck accidents require far more investigation. Our team will review drivers’ logs, load manifests, GPS data, maintenance records and more to uncover the full story.
- More parties may be liable: Truck accidents often involve multiple responsible parties – not just the driver, but also the trucking company, safety inspectors, cargo loaders, or even maintenance crews.
- More serious injuries and higher damages: The sheer size of commercial trucks means greater potential for life-altering injuries. Victims often face long-term treatment, ongoing medical costs, lost income, and significant pain and suffering, which complicates the process.
- Liability is often disputed: With so much at stake financially, at-fault parties frequently deny responsibility or attempt to shift blame. Our lawyers are prepared to fight back and hold them accountable.
Christensen Law is ready to meet and defeat these challenges. Check out our client testimonials to learn how we’ve delivered results for other truck accident victims.
Who Can Be Held Responsible After a Truck Crash?
The Christensen Law team will lead your case from start to finish, serving as your voice throughout the legal process. One of our responsibilities is identifying those who owe you compensation for your damages in Detroit.
Multiple parties and companies are responsible for making the trucking industry function. Any one of these parties can commit an act or omission that leads to a truck crash. Potentially liable parties in truck accident claims include:
- The truck driver: Most truck accidents are caused by a truck driver’s negligence. When that is the case, the negligent truck driver can be held responsible for the crash.
- The trucking company: The trucking company may be held responsible if it employs a driver whose actions cause a crash. The trucking company might also be held responsible for its own direct negligence.
- The truck‘s owner: If the truck is owned by someone other than the truck driver or trucking company, the owner may be liable.
- The loading company: The company that loaded the trailer may be responsible if an improper or unsafe load causes an accident. Shifting loads are a common cause of truck accidents.
- The truck‘s mechanic: The mechanic may be negligent if the accident is caused by negligent maintenance of the truck.
Who Is Liable After a Drunk Driving Truck Accident?
There may be multiple liable parties involved in your case if a drunk truck driver has injured you.
While the truck driver will certainly bear fault for the crash, the trucking company may also be partially liable if they were not adequately monitoring the driver or if they did not properly screen the driver before hiring them (e.g., if they ignored or failed to see that the driver had been charged with drunk driving previously).
You may also have a claim against the restaurant or bar that sold alcohol to the truck driver. This is called Michigan’s Dram Shop Law and is another possible way to obtain compensation after the accident.
Truck Accidents Are a Serious Risk on Detroit Roads
Detroit’s role as a major transportation hub means our city sees more than its fair share of large commercial vehicles. Highways like I-75, I-94, and the Lodge Freeway are critical freight routes, but they also present significant dangers for everyday drivers.
Accident data from the City of Detroit shows that commercial vehicle accidents accounted for nearly 7% of crashes in 2023. These busy roadways, along with intersections like Gratiot Avenue at 8 Mile and stretches of Michigan Avenue, are known trouble spots for truck crashes.
Whether you were injured on a city street, near the Ambassador Bridge, or on one of Detroit’s major highways, Christensen Law knows how to investigate these challenging accidents and fight for your rights. We’ve helped Detroit residents take legal action after truck accidents, and we’re ready to help you, too.
Common Causes of Truck Traffic Collisions in Detroit, MI
Truck accidents, like all other motor vehicle accidents, have a wide variety of potential causes. Common causes of truck accidents in Detroit include:
- Speeding, since a truck driver with a heavy trailer will be unable to stop quickly
- Unsafe lane changes, often caused by a failure to use turn signals or check mirrors and blind spots
- Unsafe turns caused by failure to use turn signals, check mirrors, or yield to traffic or pedestrians in an intersection or crosswalk
- Following too closely, also known as tailgating
- Fatigued driving, which can impair a driver’s reflexes and judgment
- Distracted driving, caused by cell phone use; radio or entertainment system use; and reading, eating, or drinking
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Inexperienced drivers who may not know how to properly control a large truck, especially in tight spaces or emergency situations
Besides the truck driver’s negligence, other causes of truck accidents include excessive or unsafe truck loads, poor road conditions, low lighting, and poor judgment in bad weather.
Remember, you have a limited amount of time to file a claim under the Michigan statute of limitations. Our truck and car accident lawyers are here to work with you as soon as the accident happens – call us today to speak with us for free.
Common Injuries Caused by Detroit Truck Accidents
Truck accidents often result in serious injuries to the occupants of the other vehicle. A large commercial truck exerts a far greater force than a smaller vehicle. Common injuries suffered in truck accidents include:
- Death
- Broken bones
- Soft-tissue injuries such as sprains and tears of tendons, ligaments, and muscles
- Neck and back injuries, including spinal disc herniations and ruptures
- Organ damage
- Internal bleeding
- Burns, if the semi-truck accident results in a fire
- Amputations
- Spinal cord injuries, which can result in temporary or permanent paralysis
- Head injuries, including eye trauma
- Traumatic brain injuries
Our Detroit Attorneys Can Answer Your Truck Accident FAQs
Christensen Law is here to answer your questions about truck accidents. If you don’t see the answer to your personal injury question here, call us to learn more.
Can I Still Seek Compensation if I Was Partially at Fault for the Accident?
Yes. Michigan uses a modified comparative negligence rule (Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. § 600.2959), which means you can still pursue compensation even if you were partly responsible for the accident. However, your compensation may be reduced based on your percentage of fault.
If you are found more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover non-economic damages for pain and suffering, but you may still be eligible to get lost wages and medical expenses from your personal injury protection (PIP) benefits.
These fault determinations can be challenging, and insurance companies often try to shift more blame onto victims to limit payouts. An experienced Detroit truck accident lawyer can protect your rights, ensure fault is assigned fairly, and fight to maximize the compensation you receive.
What Should I Do After a Truck Accident?
If you’ve been involved in a truck accident, take these important steps to protect yourself:
- Call 911: Report the car accident immediately, especially if anyone is hurt. The police will prepare an official accident report.
- Request the police report: Ask how to obtain a copy of the report for your records.
- Gather information: Get the truck driver’s name, their employer’s name, and insurance company contact details.
- Take photos or videos: If it’s safe, document the car accident scene, vehicle damage, road conditions, and any visible injuries.
- See a doctor promptly: Some injuries may not show up right away. A medical exam helps identify and document your injuries.
- Contact a Detroit truck accident lawyer: Speak with a Detroit car crash attorney as soon as possible to understand your legal rights and options for seeking compensation.
How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit After a Truck Accident?
Under Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. § 600.5805, you have three years from the date of your truck accident to file a lawsuit over your injuries and damages. If you fail to meet that deadline, the court can permanently dismiss your case.
That means you will lose your right to seek monetary compensation from those responsible for your car accident and injuries.
What Should I Do if a Trucking Company Contacts Me After a Motor Vehicle Collision in Detroit?
If a trucking company contacts you after a semi-truck accident in Detroit, avoid giving any statements or accepting a settlement without legal advice.
Any statement you provide will only be used to the company’s advantage. Instead of talking to the insurer, have the company call us. We will make sure they only receive the details they absolutely need.
These companies often act quickly to limit their liability and are only looking out for their own interests. Instead, speak with a Detroit truck accident lawyer at Christensen Law who can communicate on your behalf and protect your claim from being undervalued.
What Evidence Is Important in a Detroit Truck Accident Case?
Critical evidence in a Detroit truck accident case includes the driver’s logbooks, black box data, maintenance records, crash scene photos, and witness statements. This information can be difficult to obtain without legal help.
Christensen Law’s Detroit truck accident lawyers act quickly to secure and preserve key evidence to support your case.
How Does Michigan’s No-Fault Insurance Apply to Truck Accidents?
Michigan’s No-Fault insurance system covers medical expenses and some lost wages after a semi-truck accident, regardless of fault.
However, with catastrophic injuries – which are common in truck accidents – you may also be entitled to pursue additional compensation through a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver, trucking company, or other liable parties.
Christensen Law is here to fight the insurance company and recover full compensation for your personal injuries, damages, and losses.
What if the Truck That Hit Me Was From Another State or Country?
Detroit’s proximity to the Canadian border and its role as a major trade route mean many trucks passing through are from out of state or even out of the country.
This can complicate jurisdiction and liability, but the team of Detroit personal injury attorneys at Christensen Law has the experience to handle these cross-border and interstate trucking cases.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer in Detroit?
At Christensen Law, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing up front. We only get paid if we win your case. Our goal is to make high-quality legal representation accessible to all truck accident victims in Detroit.
Get a Free Consultation With an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney in Detroit Today
At Christensen Law, we know how overwhelming and life-changing a truck accident can be, and we are dedicated to protecting your rights from the very first conversation.
Our team of truck accident lawyers in Detroit brings deep experience, relentless preparation, and a client-focused approach to every case, ensuring you have strong advocates fighting for the compensation you need to move forward.
You can reach out to us 24/7 for a free consultation, and we will take the time to listen, answer your questions, and map out the next steps with clarity and confidence.
To learn even more about the claims process, your legal options, and what to expect, be sure to visit our FAQ page.
