Dearborn, MI, Truck Accident Lawyers

Truck Accidents

Truck accidents can be devastating for all parties involved. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, there were over 4,000 fatal accidents involving large trucks in 2018 alone. Dearborn, Michigan, a city in Wayne County, is no stranger to truck accidents. The bustling city is home to several major highways and interstates, including I-94, I-96, and I-275, which can be particularly hazardous for large commercial trucks.

Hiring an experienced Dearborn, MI, truck accident lawyer from Goodman Acker, P.C., can be crucial when facing a legal matter, whether it involves a personal injury claim, a business dispute, or any other legal issue. A skilled attorney can provide invaluable guidance, support, and representation, ensuring your rights are protected and your best interests are served throughout the legal process.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Dearborn

Truck accidents in Dearborn can occur for a multitude of reasons, with some of the most prevalent causes encompassing the following factors:

• Driver fatigue: Commercial truck drivers often work long hours and cover extensive distances, which can result in insufficient rest between shifts. This lack of rest can lead to driver fatigue, a condition that significantly impairs driving abilities, slows reaction times, and increases the likelihood of an accident.
• Distracted driving: In today’s technologically driven world, truck drivers may be easily distracted by cell phones, radios, GPS systems, or other in-cab technology. Engaging with these devices while driving can divert the driver’s attention from the road, potentially leading to a loss of vehicle control and subsequent accidents.
• Improper maintenance: Trucking companies are responsible for maintaining their vehicles to meet safety standards and regulations. However, some companies may neglect this responsibility, resulting in poorly maintained vehicles with mechanical failures that can contribute to accidents. Examples of such failures include brake malfunction, tire blowouts, or faulty steering systems.
• Overloaded or improperly loaded cargo: When a truck’s cargo is either overloaded or improperly loaded, it can create instability in the vehicle’s handling and weight distribution. This makes it more difficult for drivers to maintain control of their trucks, particularly during maneuvers such as turning or braking. In some cases, improperly secured cargo can also shift during transit, compromising the vehicle’s stability and increasing the risk of an accident.
• Speeding: Commercial trucks are significantly larger and heavier than most other vehicles. As a result, they require more distance and time to come to a complete stop or to make sudden maneuvers to avoid an accident. When truck drivers exceed the posted speed limits or drive too fast for the current road conditions, it becomes increasingly difficult for them to react appropriately to potential hazards, resulting in a higher likelihood of accidents.

Typical Injuries Sustained by Victims

Unfortunately, truck accidents are common on the roads, often leading to severe injuries or even fatalities. The massive size and weight of commercial trucks make collisions especially dangerous for the occupants of smaller vehicles involved in such accidents. Some of the most frequent injuries sustained by victims of truck accidents in Dearborn, Michigan, are as follows:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): Traumatic brain injuries can occur when a victim experiences a forceful impact on the head, such as during a truck collision. TBIs range in severity from mild concussions to severe brain damage, and they can result in long-term impairments in cognitive function, memory, speech, and motor skills. In some cases, victims may require ongoing therapy and rehabilitation to cope with the lasting effects of a TBI.
• Spinal cord injuries: Spinal cord injuries are another common consequence of truck accidents. These injuries can occur when the spinal cord is damaged by a sudden impact or compression, leading to paralysis, loss of sensation, or diminished mobility. Depending on the location and extent of the injury, victims may experience varying degrees of impairment, with some requiring lifelong care and assistance.
• Internal injuries: Truck accidents can also result in internal injuries, which involve damage to organs, blood vessels, or other internal structures. These injuries can be particularly serious, as they may not be immediately apparent and can lead to serious complications if left untreated. Some examples of internal injuries include internal bleeding, organ damage, and internal bruising. Prompt medical evaluation and treatment are crucial for victims with suspected internal injuries.
• Broken bones: The force of a truck collision can cause victims to suffer from fractures or broken bones. These injuries range from minor to more severe, compound, or comminuted fractures requiring extensive medical intervention. Depending on the location and severity of the break, victims may require surgery, immobilization, and rehabilitation to regain full function and mobility.
• Burns: In a truck accident involving a fire or explosion, victims may sustain severe burns. These injuries can be incredibly painful and disfiguring and require extensive medical treatment, including skin grafts, debridement, and specialized wound care. Additionally, burn victims may face a long recovery process involving physical therapy and potential reconstructive surgery.

The aftermath of a truck accident can be devastating for victims as they grapple with the physical, emotional, and financial consequences of their injuries. Victims must seek immediate medical attention, even if they believe their injuries to be minor, to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment. In addition, victims should consider consulting with a Dearborn, MI, truck accident attorney to understand their rights and pursue compensation for their injuries and other damages.

Victim’s Rights

If you have been involved in a truck accident in Dearborn, it is important to understand that you have legal rights that protect you and help you navigate the difficult aftermath of such an incident. These rights allow you to seek compensation for damages incurred due to the accident, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Furthermore, they grant you the ability to hold the negligent party accountable for their actions, ensuring that justice is served.

Medical Bills

Truck accident victims often face substantial medical expenses when undergoing necessary treatments, surgeries, and rehabilitation. These costs include emergency room visits, hospital stays, medication, physical therapy, and ongoing medical care. You have the right to pursue compensation for these expenses, which can help alleviate financial stress as you focus on recovery.

Lost Wages

Injuries sustained in a truck accident may leave you unable to work, temporarily or permanently. This loss of income can create significant financial hardships for you and your family. Your legal rights allow you to seek compensation for lost wages, including future earnings, if your injuries have diminished your living ability.

Pain And Suffering

Beyond the financial losses, truck accident victims often endure considerable physical pain and emotional distress. You have the right to seek compensation for the pain and suffering you have experienced due to the accident. This can include compensation for emotional distress, mental anguish, and the negative impact on your quality of life.

Holding The Negligent Party Responsible

Various factors, including driver negligence, improper vehicle maintenance, and defective equipment, can cause truck accidents. Your legal rights enable you to hold the responsible party accountable for their actions, whether the truck driver, the trucking company, or a third-party entity. Doing so will not only secure compensation for your damages but also help deter future negligence and improve overall road safety.

To effectively exercise your legal rights, it is essential to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney who specializes in truck accident cases. A skilled attorney can help you understand your rights, gather necessary evidence, and build a strong case on your behalf. They can also guide you through the complex legal process and negotiate with insurance companies to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

Working with Insurance Companies

Dealing with insurance companies can be a major hurdle in any personal injury case, and truck accident cases are no exception. Insurance companies have a vested interest in minimizing payouts, and they often employ various tactics to achieve this goal. Understanding these tactics and negotiating a fair settlement is crucial for resolving your truck accident claim.

• Delaying tactics: Insurance companies may attempt to drag out the claims process, hoping that claimants will become impatient or desperate and accept a lower settlement. They may request additional documentation, repeatedly reschedule meetings, or delay responding to your communications. To counter this tactic, be patient and persistent, and maintain open communication with your attorney, who can help you navigate these delays and ensure your claim is handled promptly.
• Denying liability: Another common tactic used by insurance companies is to outright deny their client’s liability for the accident. They may argue that the truck driver or trucking company was not responsible for the accident or that your actions contributed to it. To counter this argument, work with your attorney to gather strong evidence supporting your claims, such as accident reports, witness statements, and expert testimony.
• Minimizing injuries: Insurance companies may try to downplay the severity of your injuries to reduce the compensation they have to pay. They may request that you undergo an independent medical examination (IME) by a doctor of their choosing or argue that your injuries were pre-existing. To counter this tactic, obtain detailed medical documentation of your injuries from your treating physicians and consider enlisting the help of medical experts who can attest to the severity and cause of your injuries.
• Offering a low initial settlement: Insurance companies often present claimants with an initial lowball settlement offer, hoping they will accept it without fully understanding the true value of their claim. To counter this tactic, work with your attorney to calculate a fair estimate of your damages, including medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses. Be prepared to negotiate and consult your attorney before accepting the first offer.
• Shifting blame to the victim: Insurance companies may try to shift blame onto the victim, arguing that your actions contributed to the accident or that you failed to mitigate your damages (e.g., by not seeking prompt medical treatment). To counter this tactic, gather evidence demonstrating the truck driver’s or trucking company’s negligence and thoroughly document your efforts to mitigate your damages.

Legal Challenges

Truck accident cases can be particularly complex and challenging to navigate due to several factors that set them apart from standard automobile accident cases. The involvement of multiple parties, each with their interests and potential liability, can make pursuing a claim more intricate and demanding. These parties may include the truck driver, the trucking company, and the manufacturer of the truck or its components, among others. Additionally, these parties are often backed by powerful insurance companies and skilled legal teams, further complicating the process of pursuing a just outcome for your claim.

Multiple Parties

The investigation of a truck accident case may reveal that various parties share responsibility for the incident. This can include the truck driver (for negligence or driver error), the trucking company (for inadequate maintenance or lax hiring practices), or the manufacturer of the truck or its parts (for producing or installing defective components). Each party may attempt to shift blame to others, making it more difficult to establish liability and secure appropriate compensation.

Powerful Insurance Companies

Trucking companies and manufacturers typically carry large insurance policies to protect themselves from liability in case of accidents. These insurance companies have a vested interest in minimizing the payouts they make to claimants, and they often employ aggressive tactics to deny or reduce claims. As a result, truck accident victims may face formidable opposition when seeking compensation for their injuries and damages.

Skilled Legal Teams

The parties involved in a truck accident case may also be represented by experienced legal teams specializing in defending their clients against such claims. These attorneys are well-versed in trucking regulations, accident investigations, and tactics to minimize their clients’ liability, making it more challenging for victims to prove negligence and secure a favorable outcome.

Complex Regulations

Trucking is a heavily regulated industry, with various federal and state laws governing aspects such as driver qualifications, hours of service, and vehicle maintenance. Navigating these regulations and understanding how they apply to a specific accident case can be daunting, particularly for those unfamiliar with the legal intricacies of the trucking industry.

Given the complexities and challenges associated with truck accident cases, victims must seek the assistance of an experienced personal injury attorney specializing in this law area. A skilled attorney will have a thorough understanding of the regulations governing the trucking industry and possess the resources and expertise to investigate the accident, identify all potentially liable parties, and build a strong case on the victim’s behalf. By enlisting the help of a knowledgeable legal professional, truck accident victims can level the playing field against powerful adversaries and improve their chances of obtaining the compensation they deserve for their injuries and losses.

How A Lawyer Can Help

Hiring an experienced truck accident lawyer to assist you throughout the complex legal process is paramount. A knowledgeable attorney specializing in truck accidents will be well-equipped to handle the unique challenges these cases present and can provide invaluable guidance and support. Some of the essential services an experienced truck accident lawyer in Dearborn, MI, can provide include the following:

• Thorough investigation: A skilled attorney will comprehensively investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident. This may involve examining police reports, reviewing driver logs, inspecting the truck’s maintenance records, and analyzing data from onboard devices such as electronic logging devices (ELDs) or event data recorders (EDRs). This in-depth investigation can help establish the cause of the accident and determine the liable parties.
• Gathering evidence: Besides investigating the accident, an experienced truck accident lawyer will gather crucial evidence to support your claim. This may include obtaining photographic or video evidence from the accident scene, securing witness statements, consulting with expert witnesses such as accident reconstruction specialists or medical professionals, and gathering pertinent documents such as medical records and bills.
• Negotiating with insurance companies: Truck accident attorneys are well-versed in dealing with insurance companies and their tactics to minimize payouts. Dearborn, MI, truck accident lawyers will negotiate on your behalf, ensuring your rights are protected and you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries and damages. They will handle all communication with the insurance companies, allowing you to focus on your recovery.
• Filing and managing your claim: A truck accident lawyer will ensure that all necessary paperwork is filed correctly and within the required timeframes, adhering to the various statutes of limitations that apply to truck accident cases. They will also manage your claim throughout the process, keeping you informed of any developments and ensuring that your interests are represented.
• Representing you in court: While many truck accident cases are settled out of court, some may proceed to trial. If this occurs, your attorney will provide skilled representation in court, presenting your case and advocating to ensure that you receive a fair outcome.
• Maximizing compensation: An experienced truck accident lawyer will work diligently to maximize your compensation for your injuries and damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses. They will use their expertise and knowledge of the law to build a strong case supporting your claim and justifying the compensation you seek.

Hiring an experienced truck accident lawyer in Dearborn can increase your chances of obtaining a favorable outcome in your case. Their expertise and guidance will be invaluable as they navigate the complex legal process on your behalf, ensuring your rights are protected, and you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses.

Contact Goodman Acker, P.C., for A Dearborn Truck Accident Lawyer

By hiring an experienced Dearborn truck accident lawyer from Goodman Acker, P.C., you can benefit from their knowledge, expertise, and resources, which can significantly improve your chances of a favorable outcome in your case. Whether you are dealing with a personal injury claim, a business dispute, or any other legal issue, partnering with a skilled attorney can be a wise investment in your future and provide much-needed peace of mind during a challenging time.

Contact us today at 248-286-8100.

LEGALLY REVIEWED BY BARRY J. GOODMAN

Barry J. Goodman has devoted his professional life to keeping courthouse doors open for victims seeking justice. Always a tireless advocate for his own clients, Goodman sees his responsibility as a Detroit personal injury attorney in a broader sense as well. [ Attorney Bio ]