Pursuing compensation after a truck accident can be an overwhelming and difficult legal process without the help of an attorney – far more than for a case involving only small passenger vehicles. This is because truck collisions involve multiple attorneys, insurance companies and defendants, as well as various regulations at both the state and federal level.
Jay Trucks and Associates talk about collisions involving trucks, including why the injuries may be more serious, laws that apply and why your no-fault insurance may not be enough to cover your damages.
Having a qualified attorney fighting for your legal rights can help to ensure you get the most compensation possible for your injuries and other losses. Learn if you may have a valid case in a free, no-obligation legal consultation with one of our experienced truck accident attorneys in Flint.
Truck Accidents Often Result in Serious Injuries
Truck collisions often result in injuries that are more severe and require longer recovery times. The sheer size and weight of a semi-truck, big rig or 18-wheeler can cause a lot of destruction in a matter of seconds.
When a trucker violates safe driving laws, such as speeding, operating distracted or impaired, or driving while drowsy, the risk of causing a serious or fatal crash increases significantly because trucks:
- Are bigger and weigh more: Drivers need more time and distance to avoid an accident
- Are prone to tipping: One careless turn can cause smaller vehicles to be crushed underneath
- Cause more damage: Severe or fatal injuries are more likely
Truck drivers and their employers carry significantly higher liability limits on their insurance policies to help offset these risks. However, just because liability limits are higher, you should not expect that an insurance company will quickly hand-over any large sum of money.
Even if an insurer offers what sounds like a large sum to an injured victim, it will almost certainly be a lowball offer that will not have taken your current or future needs into account.
Different Laws Apply to Truck Accidents
Every motorist is required to follow state driving laws and has a duty of care to take reasonable steps to avoid causing harm to other drivers and passengers on the road. However, truck drivers, trucking companies, and other facets of the trucking industry have a greater responsibility to maintaining safety on the road, and so they also must adhere to Federal Motor Safety Carrier Association (FMCSA) laws, such as those that regulate:
- The maximum allowed size and weight for a truck
- Permitted hours of service regulations
- How much insurance the trucking company, driver and others in the trucking industry must carry
- The types of logs/records a driver and trucking company must keep – and how long they must store those records
- Passenger carrier regulations
These are just a few of the laws a truck driver must follow. To an injured victim trying to recover, the legal process is confusing, at best.
Your No-Fault Insurance May Not Be Enough
Your no-fault personal injury protection (PIP) insurance covers medical expenses up to the limit of your policy, along with lost wages and replacement services for up to three years after the date of your accident. However, that may not be enough if you suffered severe, life-altering injuries in a truck accident. Additionally, if you selected lower PIP coverage or fully opted out under Michigan’s new auto insurance reform law, your PIP coverage could run out more quickly and you could be facing some significant financial difficulties.
In Michigan, the law allows severely injured victims who meet the state’s injury threshold to pursue additional compensation not included in your no-fault benefits, such as excess damages and non-economic damages.
How a Qualified Attorney May Benefit Your Claim
An attorney familiar with handling truck accident claims understands the many complexities involved with this type of case and will also have extensive experience with:
- The many federal and state laws that may apply
- Investigating and gathering the evidence that supports your claim
- Determining the full compensation you need, taking into consideration both your current recovery costs and long-term needs
- Using other resources, as needed, to strengthen your case, including medical experts or accident reconstruction specialists
Our Firm is Prepared to Fight For Maximum Compensation
At Jay Trucks and Associates, we are prepared to not only pursue the maximum possible compensation for the damages you sustained, but we are also dedicated to holding negligent parties accountable for actions that caused you serious harm. We have been representing injured victims in Michigan for decades and have recovered millions in compensation for our clients.
Call our firm to schedule an initial consultation with one of our licensed attorneys. There is no cost or obligation for this meeting. It is an opportunity to discuss the unique circumstances of your accident, get answers to your questions and learn about your potential legal options. If we represent you, there is nothing to pay us up front or unless we obtain compensation for you.
