Large commercial trucks, such as semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, and big rigs, are an important part of our nation’s economy. Without these vehicles and the people who drive them, our state would literally stop functioning. However, truck drivers and commercial drivers must operate their vehicles in a safe and prudent manner. When they fail to do this, a horrible crash or collision can happen, resulting in life-changing injuries.
The Livonia truck accident lawyers at the Lee Steinberg Law Firm, P.C. have represented drivers and passengers injured by large trucks for over 50 years. Contact our experienced legal team with your truck accident questions and get full justice and compensation.
Why Choose the Lee Steinberg Law Firm?
- We focus only on personal injury law, and our clients are only the injured and their families.
- We understand the complexities of truck accident cases, the defenses insurance companies come up with, and how to get the most for your pain and suffering.
- Our Livonia truck accident attorneys have been selected as Michigan “Super Lawyers” numerous times and specialize in truck accident litigation.
- We have recovered numerous seven-figure settlements for our clients.
Families who have lost loved ones due to the negligence of commercial drivers in catastrophic accidents turn to the Lee Steinberg Law Firm to pursue their legal interests.
You Don’t Pay Anything Until We Win Your Case
We take over cases on a contingency fee basis. This means there are no upfront legal fees or costs. In fact, you do not pay anything until we win your case. That is our guarantee, and it has provided access to justice for our clients for the past 50 years.
What Compensation Do Our Livonia Truck Lawyers Get For Our Clients?
There 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 Livonia 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
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 Livonia 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.
What are the Michigan Hours of Service Rules for Truck Drivers?
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has set rules for how long a truck driver can operate a commercial vehicle over a set period of time. A violation of these rules can lead to penalties and fines. This is because a fatigued or tired driver can become a dangerous driver. Many commercial vehicle crashes are the result of fatigued drivers who violates the hours-of-service rules.
Hours of service rules are covered under Part 395 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR). Under these federal regulations, a driver must comply with the following driving time hours:
- 11-Hour Rule – Drivers are allowed to drive for 11 hours following 10 consecutive hours off-duty
- 14-Hour Rule – A motor carrier cannot allow a driver to drive after 14 consecutive hours since the driver’s last 10 consecutive hours off-duty.
- 30 Minute Breaks – Except for short hauls drivers, a driver cannot drive for more than 8 hours without taking a 30-minute break.
- 60 and 70 Hour Rules – A motor carrier cannot allow a driver to drive after a total of 60 hours on duty in 7 consecutive days, or 70 hours on duty in 8 consecutive days. This includes time from multiple jobs or employers.
There are numerous rules for truck drivers and their hours of service. Failing to abide by these rules is evidence of negligence. The corporation that employs the negligent driver can also be held responsible for injuries caused by the tired driver.
Potential Defendants in a Livonia Commercial Truck Accident
When an accident involves a commercial truck, there are multiple potential defendants. Cases involving an 18-wheeler or semi-truck are complicated and involve more parties than just the driver. For example, some of the defendants who may be responsible for paying compensation after a truck accident include:
- The at-fault driver
- 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 Livonia 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, can reveal 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.
The Most Common Injuries Following a Livonia 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.
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. 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 decreases road visibility and makes a regular situation very dangerous.
3. Heavy Traffic. When there is a lot of traffic, people like to quickly stop, speed ahead, and change lanes. If a 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.
Our Livonia, MI Truck Accident Lawyers Are Ready to Fight For You
When you or a family member has suffered injuries due to a truck driver’s negligence, it is important to find the best representation. Let us put our years of experience and expertise to work for you.
The attorneys at the Lee Steinberg Law Firm will meet with you and be with you throughout your case. We will fight for the monetary compensation you deserve by law.
Call us for a free consultation at 1-800-533-3733, or fill out a contact form with us today.