Sharing the road with big trucks, semi-trucks, and 18-wheelers is the responsibility of all drivers. Everyone must follow the rules of the road to ensure everyone is safe in getting to their destination. But if a truck driver is negligent in causing a crash and injuries, the Grand Rapids truck accident lawyers at the Lee Steinberg Law Firm, P.C. are here to answer your questions and get justice.
The Grand Rapids Truck Accident Experts
Our Michigan truck accident lawyers have been handling these complicated and important cases for almost 50 years. We understand the seriousness of these crashes, the impact it has on the injured person and their family, the financial turmoil caused, and the life-lasting change. That is why our experience and results are important in choosing the best Grand Rapids law firm to take on the truck company and their lawyers.
The Lee Steinberg Law Firm Knows How to Get You Justice and Compensation
Collisions involving a commercial vehicle, like an 18-wheeler or semi-truck, are very different than a normal auto accident. Due to their size, these vehicles travel with great velocity and force. Even a minor impact can cause horrible injuries to the occupants.
Commercial trucks are usually company owned and therefore have corporate insurance policies. This means there is more exposure for the insurance carrier. Because of this reality, trucking companies and their lawyers are extremely aggressive in defending these cases. They will hire people to go to the scene as soon as possible to collect evidence.
That is why it is essential to hire an experienced Grand Rapids truck accident law firm who knows how to fight these tactics. Our team of truck accident lawyers also gets on site, and does the things necessary to prove negligence on the part of the truck driver. This includes:
- Speaking to law enforcement
- Interviewing and getting witness statements
- Obtaining valuable video footage and surveillance
- Getting dash cam video
- Taking photographs of the accident scene
- Sending an email and letter to the trucking company to not destroy evidence
- Hiring experts to prove the truck driver was negligent in causing the crash and injuries
What Compensation Does Our Grand Rapids Truck Lawyers Get For Our Clients?
The are different types of compensation available to the accident victim and their family following a commercial truck crash. This can be broken down into economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
- Medical expenses, such as hospital bills and doctor bills
- Future medical expenses that will be incurred
- Lost wages and future lost income
- Transportation to and from medical appointments
- Reimbursement of out-of-pocket costs and prescriptions
- Burial and funeral costs
These economic damages are also known as Michigan no-fault benefits or first-party benefits. Under Michigan law, there are specific rules for who is responsible for paying these benefits first. Most of the time, it is not always the at-fault trucking company. That is why it is important to call a proven Grand Rapids truck accident lawyer and law firm that can get these payments going as soon as possible.
Non-Economic Damages
In addition to first-party benefits, those injured by a truck driver’s negligence can receive non-economic damages. This type of damage includes:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Depression and anxiety
- Loss of society
- Loss of consortium
- Scarring and permanent disfigurement
Who are Potential Defendants in a Large Truck Accident Case?
There are several potential defendants when a commercial driver is negligent in causing a collision. Identifying and naming these defendants in the lawsuit is very important. It can make the difference in winning or losing your case. It can also make the difference in obtaining more money for your injuries. Potential defendants include:
- The trucking company
- The truck owner
- The employer of the driver
- The company responsible for the maintenance of the semi-truck
- The freight broker
- The cargo company
A good Grand Rapids truck accident lawyer must investigate all entities involved in the crash. A detailed review of what the truck driver was doing when the crash happened, and who he or she was doing the delivery for reveals other responsible defendants. This can increase the value of a case because each defendant’s insurance will need to pay for the harms and losses caused by the crash.
What Are Important Pieces of Evidence in a Truck Accident Crash
When a truck accident occurs, many pieces of evidence must be preserved and reviewed. A good Grand Rapids truck accident lawyer will immediately send a “spoilation letter” or preservation letter to the trucking company asking them to preserve the truck, any video surveillance, vehicle maintenance reports, and a host of other items.
A big piece of evidence is video footage. With more and more cameras outfitted on semi-truck trailers and 18-wheelers, as well as Dash Cam video used by drivers, video footage is essential to proving the truth. Our office has used video surveillance to shut down excuses and ridiculous defenses made up by the defendant and their insurance team.
In addition, your attorneys need to request and obtain:
- Driver’s qualification file and driver logs
- Daily inspection reports
- Annual inspection reports
- Inspection, maintenance, and repair records
- The black box or electronic control module “ECM” data
- Policies and procedure manuals or training documents
- DOT safety audits and MDOT documentation
These items are just a start. The FMCSA maintains company safety profiles for carriers at http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov.
The Most Common Injuries Following a Grand Rapids Truck Accident
Because of the size of many big trucks, in particular semi-trucks and 18-wheelers, the injuries they cause can be catastrophic and life-changing. Even an 18-wheeler driving at a slow rate of speed can deliver a force powerful enough to cause serious personal injuries. Some of the common injuries following a truck collision include:
- Broken bones. Broken bones are common truck accident injuries and can require physical therapy, surgery, and a long recovery time.
- Spinal cord injury. A severe injury to the spinal cord can cause paralysis, loss of muscle use, and loss of use of extremities.
- Low back pain and lumbar herniation. Injury to the lower back can cause a tear to the discs between the vertebrae, leading to an impingement of the spinal cord. This can cause numbness and tingling down the hip and legs to the feet.
- Neck pain. Neck injuries can create severe neck stiffness, pain in the shoulders, burning, and numbness in the arms and hands. Treatment of neck pain can be extensive, including physical therapy and a neck fusion.
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) or closed head injury. Injuries to the head like a concussion can result in life-changing events. Symptoms include cognitive impairment, memory loss, migraine headaches, mood swings, and sensitivity to light and sound.
- Torn ligaments. Tears to the ligaments and tendons can also result in surgery. Examples include a torn ACL, meniscus, Achilles Tendon, or ulnar nerve injury.
- Facial injuries. A broken jaw, broken nose, black eyes, and scarring are common injuries in a bad truck accident.
Grand Rapids Truck Accident Wrong Death
When a truck driver and his or her company fail to follow the safety rules, a crash can cause a tragic event like a fatality or wrongful death of a friend of loved one. Wrongful death cases involving a semi-truck trailer or delivery van require sophisticated legal help because they are complex cases. Our team of dedicated Grand Rapids truck accident lawyers have the experience and know how when pursuing these significant cases.
At the outset, trucking cases that involve a fatality are covered by the Michigan wrongful death statute. This law lays out who can recover compensation. It also explains how the settlement proceeds are distributed.
Trucking companies will do whatever they can to minimize these cases. Don’t let them. The Lee Steinberg Law Firm has obtained tens of millions for our truck accident clients. We fight back and aggressively and pursue these cases in court and to trial.
How Do Road Conditions Affect Truck Accidents
The weather and road conditions can be a major reason why a truck accident occurs.
1. Construction Zones. Construction zones cause quick stopping and back-ups. They also lead to rear-end crashes. When a large commercial truck rear-ends a normal car, the results can be catastrophic. It is important to obey the speed limit in a construction zone and drive with extra caution.
2. Heavy Traffic. When there is a lot of traffic, people like to quickly stop, speed ahead, and change lanes. If a truck driver darts out in front of an oncoming car or truck, that person may be negligent in causing the collision. We all hate sitting in traffic. But making sure you and everyone else around you get to their destination safely is more important.
3. Inclement Weather. Whether it is snow, ice, or rain, the weather has a big impact on driving. Snow and ice dramatically increase the stopping distance for all vehicles, in particular semi-trucks, and large commercial trucks. Rain and snow decrease road visibility and makes a regular drive very dangerous.
What are the Most Dangerous Roads for Drivers in Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids and surrounding communities like Walker, Wyoming, Allendale, Grandville, and Hudsonville and have many dangerous roads and intersections that cause severe truck accidents. Some of the most dangerous are:
- Wealthy St. and US 131
- US 131 and I196 interchange
- I96 and 28th Street
- I96 and I196 interchange
- 28th Street SW at Burlingame Avenue SW
- Alpine Ave. NW and I96
Contact Us Today – Our Grand Rapids, MI Truck Accident Lawyers Are Ready to Represent You
When you have sustained serious injuries in an auto accident in Grand Rapids, you have a lot going on. The attorneys at the Lee Steinberg Law Firm will meet with you and protect you throughout your case. We will fight for the monetary compensation you deserve by law.
We have represented thousands of clients throughout Michigan and obtained hundreds of millions in settlements and verdicts.
Call us for a free consultation at 1-800-533-3733, or fill out a contact form today.
