The aftermath of a truck accident can be overwhelming, and getting compensation is likely only one of your worries. Christensen Law can handle your claim so you can focus on what is most important — your health and family.
Our Shelby, MI truck accident lawyers have fought for the injured since 1991. When you work with us, you know an experienced legal ally will be in your corner, working tirelessly to protect you and secure your future. To learn more about how we seek damages for a commercial vehicle collision, contact us online or call today for a free consultation.
Our Shelby, MI Truck Accident Lawyers Will Stand Up for You
We work for you. Not the insurance companies. We know how important getting full and fair compensation is to getting back on your feet and moving on with your life after a truck accident. You can rest assured that our Shelby, MI personal injury lawyers will aggressively seek all of your losses and will not settle for less.
Aside from securing the money you deserve, we have one goal — to support you every step of the way. Our clients and their needs are at the center of everything we do. You have been through a stressful experience and may face a long physical recovery. You have a story to tell, and we want to hear it. The more we understand who you are and what you are going through, the better we will tailor our legal services to suit your needs.
After an accident, your health and economic stability may be at stake. We will safeguard your future by fighting for the maximum compensation possible. Our proven negotiation skills have led to multimillion-dollar settlements for our clients. In addition, when you allow us to be your voice, we will stand up to bad-faith tactics, protect you from undue pressure, and ensure you do not accidentally say or do something opposing parties could use against you.
We will put our firm’s full resources behind your claim. We prepare every case for civil court and will represent you at trial if that is what it takes to secure your losses. We are interested in getting justice, not in settling cases quickly for less than our clients are owed.
How to Seek Compensation for a Michigan Truck Accident
In most cases, seeking compensation after a motor vehicle accident in Michigan begins with a claim with your No-Fault insurance provider. You can pursue personal injury protection (PIP) benefits for medical expenses, a portion of your lost wages, and replacement services up to your policy limit.
Because commercial motor vehicles are larger and heavier than passenger cars, the force of impact in a collision can cause those in the smaller vehicle to suffer severe injuries. If you have medical costs that exceed your PIP coverage, you may qualify to step outside the No-Fault insurance system. Our truck accident lawyers serving Shelby, MI can help you with a claim or lawsuit against a liable party.
You have a limited time to take action. You should file auto liability insurance claims and notify your PIP provider immediately. We will take legal action if necessary, but we must file your personal injury lawsuit with the Oceana County Courthouse within the three-year statute of limitations established by Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. § 600.5805. If we must sue for PIP benefits, we have one year to file, according to Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. § 500.3145.
We Have Won Record-Setting Truck Accident Awards
Our legal team will seek to recover as much compensation as possible with a first-party claim with your No-Fault insurer. We will also fight to recover maximum compensation with a third-party claim against those at fault for the crash. We will not allow a negligent party’s mistakes to leave you paying out of pocket.
Our firm’s tenacity and experience have produced significant case results, including Michigan’s largest-ever personal injury verdict. We achieved this record-setting $17.8 million judgment for a truck accident victim who was rear-ended by a negligent cement truck driver. This award gave our client the resources to care for herself after suffering life-altering injuries, including multiple bone fractures, a spinal injury, and a traumatic brain injury.
To learn more about your legal options and how Christensen Law can pursue your truck accident damages, contact us online or call 24/7 for a free consultation.
Recoverable Truck Accident Damages for Shelby Accident Victims
Your recoverable truck accident damages will depend on the facts of your case. In general, personal injury compensation may include:
- Medical expenses: Medical damages for a severe injury can be expensive. We will seek compensation for your current and future treatment, including emergency medical services and hospital stays at Spectrum Health Butterworth or a similar hospital, physical therapy and rehabilitation, medical devices and equipment, long-term nursing, and attendant care.
- Lost income: We will seek compensation for the time missed at work. If you have an injury that interferes with your work capabilities, we will pursue awards for future lost wages and the loss of your earning potential.
- Pain and suffering: We will pursue compensation for physical pain, loss of mobility, permanent and disabling injuries, scarring, disfigurement, stress, depression, anxiety, and reduced quality of life.
- Wrongful death of a loved one: If your loved one sustained a fatal truck accident injury, you may qualify for wrongful death compensation. Damages may include medical bills, funeral and burial expenses, lost income and future financial support, loss of your loved one’s services and intangible benefits, and your loved one’s conscious pain and suffering.
Common Causes of Commercial Motor Vehicle Accidents
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), nearly 90 percent of truck accidents happen because of a commercial vehicle driver’s error. The FMCSA found that some of the most common mistakes include:
- Driver fatigue/falling asleep at the wheel
- Driver inattention and driving distracted
- Speeding or driving too fast for current conditions
- Tailgating
- Overcompensating while steering
In addition, the FMCSA identifies three major critical events that cause a majority of truck accidents:
- Running out of the travel lane: Whether into another lane or off the road, this error accounts for 32 percent of large truck collisions.
- Vehicle loss of control: Speeding, road or weather conditions, and shifting cargo lead to around 29 percent of truck crashes.
- Rear-end collisions: Trucks colliding with the vehicle in front of them represent 22 percent of truck accidents.
Our Shelby, MI Truck Accident Attorneys Will Prove Negligence Caused the Collision
The stronger your case, the more likely the insurance company and other opposing parties will settle and offer you fair compensation. Our Shelby, MI truck accident lawyers will build a solid case demonstrating that a negligent party or parties are responsible for your injuries and crash damages. Our legal team will:
- Identify liable parties: Depending on the circumstances of the collision, liable parties may include the truck driver, the trucking company, a cargo company, a mechanic or vehicle service provider, or a public or private roadway owner.
- Collect case evidence: We will visit the accident site, collect physical evidence, document the scene, interview eyewitnesses, and obtain police reports and medical records.
- Send spoliation letters: We will also send a spoliation letter demanding the trucking company turn over evidence it possesses, like driver’s logs and the truck’s “black box” data recorder.
- Consult with experts: In addition, we will call on experts, including medical professionals and crash reconstructionists, when needed.
- Pursue all of your losses: We will use the evidence we collect to establish your claim for compensation. In addition, we will use bills, receipts, and estimates to prove your losses and ensure we do not leave money on the table.
What to Do After a Michigan Truck Accident
Sadly, the Michigan Truck Safety Commission reports that truck accidents in the state caused just over 2,600 injuries and 100 fatalities in 2022. If you or someone you love was in a collision, the following “do’s and don’ts” can guide you as you move forward with your personal injury case:
- Do see a doctor immediately if you do not receive treatment at the scene. Getting treated will ensure you do not have undiagnosed or worsening injuries and produce a medical record that will be vital for your claim.
- Do save records of your treatment, records of any accident-related expenses, and any other evidence in your possession.
- Do keep a daily journal detailing your physical, mental, and emotional state for pain and suffering claims.
- Do contact our firm to discuss your options during a free consultation.
- Do not engage in activities that could aggravate your injuries.
- Do not post about your accident or injuries on social media.
- Do not admit fault to the insurance companies. If an insurance agent contacts you, do not go into detail about your claim, do not agree to give a recorded statement, and do not accept a settlement offer without consulting us first.
Contact Christensen Law for Truck Accident Legal Assistance in Shelby
Christiansen Law is here to serve you with compassion, integrity, teamwork, and excellence. Our Shelby, MI truck accident lawyers will provide you with personalized attention and aggressive legal advocacy.
Contact us online or call 24/7 for a free case evaluation and get started down the road to financial recovery.
