Truck accidents result in devastating injuries and fatalities due to the immense weight and size of commercial vehicles. If you’re a truck accident victim, you may experience financial burdens as you try to recover from the injury.
You deserve compensation if you suffered an injury in a truck accident caused by someone else’s negligence. Unfortunately, the negligent party’s insurer may reject your claim or blame you.
Our Ann Arbor truck accident attorneys at Michigan Injury Lawyers understand the impact of injuries and are ready to fight for a fair settlement for your losses.
Why Choose Us
You’ll likely face stiff resistance from the negligent party who caused the truck accident and injuries. You can level the playing field by working with our Ann Arbor truck accident attorneys, who can prove the extent of your losses in an insurance claim or lawsuit.
Our Ann Arbor truck accident lawyers have represented injured victims since 2008. We also have a positive reputation with our clients, so they keep referring us to their friends.
Compensation for Truck Accidents
You can seek compensation for injury-related losses resulting from a truck accident.
Here are the applicable damages in a truck accident claim:
Medical Expenses
One of the most significant aspects of compensation in a truck accident case is the recovery of medical expenses incurred during treatment.
Here is a list of medical expenses you can receive in your claim:
- Hospitalization charges
- Medication
- Physician bill
- Emergency room charges
- Ambulance fees
Receiving compensation for medical expenses can ease the financial burden and ensure you get the necessary care to support your recovery. Our truck accident attorney can use medical records to prove and pursue compensation for medical expenses.
Lost Income
If your injuries from a truck accident prevent you from working, you may be entitled to compensation for lost income. Lost earnings compensate you for salary, tips, bonuses, commissions, and vacation benefits you’d have earned were it not for the accident.
Whether temporary disability or permanent inability to work, receiving financial support for your missed income can improve your recovery and future stability.
Our truck accident attorneys can use pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, and a letter from your employer to prove a claim for lost income.
Out-of-Pocket Expenses
You may also incur other out-of-pocket expenses due to a truck accident. These can include transportation costs for medical appointments, over-the-counter medications, home or vehicle modifications due to permanent disability, or even household help if you cannot perform daily tasks.
Compensating for these expenses can help maintain your quality of life as you recover from the injury.
Pain and Suffering
You may be entitled to pain and suffering damages for the physical and emotional pain. Pain and suffering damages compensate you for the pain, anguish, discomfort, inconvenience, and emotional anguish caused by the injury.
If your injury is severe, you may endure pain for weeks, months, years, or the rest of your life. Our truck accident lawyers can use a doctor’s record or a therapist’s notes to prove a pain and suffering claim.
Emotional Anguish
If the events leading to the truck accident were traumatic, you may suffer post-traumatic stress disorder. Learning you’ll be permanently disabled or disfigured can trigger depression, anxiety, or social phobia.
Seeking compensation for emotional anguish can help seek treatment or cope with the psychological effects of the accident.
Loss of Companionship
In cases where a truck accident results in the loss of a loved one, compensation for loss of companionship may be applicable. In other instances, an injury may prevent you from providing your spouse the same level of companionship.
Loss of companionship compensates the victim for losing support, care, and services.
Our Ann Arbor truck accident lawyers may use the following factors when establishing the value of your losses:
- The stability of the marriage before the accident
- Changes in the marital relationship after the accident
- Reduction in the life expectancy of the victim
- The victim’s financial contribution to the marriage
Loss of Enjoyment of Life
After a truck accident, you may find that your ability to enjoy activities and hobbies you once loved has been compromised. For instance, a limb loss may limit your ability to participate in volleyball, a favorite sport.
Compensation for loss of enjoyment of life recognizes the restrictions placed on your lifestyle due to the accident. They also provide financial support to help cope with these losses.
Permanent Disfigurement/Disability
In cases where a truck accident results in permanent disfigurement or disability, compensation may be necessary to provide for ongoing care and quality of life adjustments. A permanent disability can prevent you from working, socializing, or participating in enjoyable activities.
These damages address the long-term impact of your injuries and ensure you have the resources to adapt to a new reality.
Punitive Damages
In some instances, punitive damages may be awarded if the at-fault party’s actions are deemed reckless or negligent. These damages go beyond compensating for losses and aim to punish the responsible party for their behavior and deter similar actions in the future.
Our truck accident lawyer can gather compelling evidence to increase your chances of receiving punitive damages for your losses.
Where Do Accidents Occur in Ann Arbor
Although truck accidents can happen in any part of Ann Arbor, road users are vulnerable in certain areas.
Here are areas where accidents occur in Ann Arbor:
- I-94: This major highway running through Ann Arbor sees a high volume of truck traffic, making it a hot spot for accidents. The sheer number of vehicles on this route increases the likelihood of collisions involving trucks.
- US-23: Another risky highway in the area, US-23 is known for significant truck traffic, especially during peak hours. With multiple lanes and intersections, truck accidents are common on this road.
- State Street: As one of Ann Arbor’s main thoroughfares, State Street is a prime location for truck accidents. The mix of commercial and residential areas along this road creates a challenging environment for large vehicles.
- Plymouth Road: This arterial road in Ann Arbor is frequently traveled by trucks delivering goods to businesses. The combination of heavy traffic and diverse road users makes Plymouth Road a potential trouble spot for truck accidents.
Ann Arbor Truck Accident Lawyer
If you’ve suffered an injury in a truck accident, you can rely on our experienced truck accident attorneys for legal support.
Our truck accident attorneys can support your compensation claim in any of the following incidents:
- Rear-End Collisions: In cases where a truck rear-ends another vehicle, our truck accident attorney can help prove liability and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
- Jackknife Accidents: These accidents can be complex, but our truck accident lawyers have the skills to investigate the circumstances and build a strong case on your behalf.
- Blind Spot Accidents: Our truck accident attorney will work to establish negligence when a truck driver fails to check blind spots, leading to a collision.
- Wide Turn Accidents: Our truck accident lawyer can fight for your rights and seek fair compensation if you suffered an injury in a wide turn accident involving a commercial truck.
- Head-On Collisions: When facing the devastating impact of a head-on collision with a truck, our truck accident attorney can provide guidance and legal representation to help recover.
- Rollover Accidents: These accidents often result in severe injuries, but our experienced truck accident lawyers can assist in pursuing a claim to recover your injury-related losses.
- Underride Accidents: Our truck accident attorney will work tirelessly to prove fault in cases where a vehicle slides under the back or side of a truck, resulting in catastrophic injuries.
We also represent truck accident victims for various injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Burn injuries
- Whiplash
- Chest injuries
- Limb loss
- Broken bones
- Lacerations
- Neck injuries
Fighting the Insurance Company
Insurance adjusters work hard to minimize the financial liability of their employers. Further, insurance companies employ a team of attorneys who make it difficult for injured victims to obtain compensation for their losses.
You can enhance your chances of success by hiring our truck accident lawyers.
Here’s how our Ann Arbor truck accident lawyers can benefit your case:
- Investigating the Cause of the Crash: Our experienced truck accident attorney will thoroughly evaluate the circumstances of the accident to determine liability. They will gather evidence, such as police reports, witness statements, and accident reconstruction reports, to build a strong case in your favor.
- Negotiating With Insurance Providers: Many insurers try to shift the blame or make low settlement offers that don’t cover your losses. Our skilled truck accident lawyer will evaluate all settlement offers and negotiate for a better deal that covers your losses.
- Representing You in Court: If a fair settlement cannot be reached through negotiations, our truck accident attorney will be prepared to take your case to court. They will represent you in litigation, presenting evidence and arguments to advocate for your rights before a judge and jury.
What to Do after a Truck Accident
Your actions after a truck accident can enhance your wellness and protect your rights as an injured victim.
Here are the steps to take after a truck accident:
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
You should seek immediate medical attention even if you don’t feel any severe pain or visible injuries. Some injuries, like whiplash or internal bleeding, may not manifest symptoms immediately but can have severe long-term consequences if left untreated.
A healthcare provider will initiate a treatment plan and document your injuries after the accident.
Medical records from a healthcare professional can provide details on who’s liable for your injuries and damages. Our truck accident attorney can use medical records to establish a clear link between the accident and your injuries, strengthening your case.
An insurer may also question the severity of your injury if you delay seeking medical attention.
File a Police Accident Report
You should notify a law enforcement officer after being injured in a truck accident. A police officer will generate a police accident report detailing what contributed to the crash. Drivers must notify the police about a crash resulting in injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000.
Inform Your Insurer About the Crash
You should also notify your insurance provider about the crash. Many insurers require policyholders to inform them about the crash within a specific timeline. Your underinsurance/uninsured coverage can cover you for the losses if the at-fault party holds no or low insurance coverage.
Do not sign an agreement or negotiate a settlement with an insurer without the support of our truck accident lawyers. Our truck accident attorney will evaluate the offers and advise you whether to accept, reject, or push for a higher settlement value.
Consult With Our Truck Accident Attorneys
You should also speak with our Ann Arbor truck accident lawyer after being injured in a truck accident. Many legal cases, including truck accidents, must adhere to legal deadlines and timelines. For instance, the statute of limitations requires injured victims to initiate a lawsuit within three years.
Our truck accident lawyers understand the applicable deadlines in your claim and will file the documents on time to avoid losing your right to compensation.
Our truck accident attorney will guide you in making suitable decisions that preserve your interests as an injured victim. Most importantly, you can count on our Ann Arbor personal injury lawyer to handle the legal aspects as you focus on recovery.
Let Our Ann Arbor Truck Accident Attorney Fight for the Compensation You Deserve
You may miss work for an extended period if you suffered an injury in a truck accident. In other instances, you may return to work but at a reduced capacity, affecting your ability to pay your home bills.
While you may be entitled to compensation for the above losses, you must demonstrate fault of the at-fault party. Our truck accident attorneys at Michigan Injury Lawyers can investigate the crash, gather evidence, and make a compelling claim or lawsuit against the at-fault party.
Contact us at (313) 438-4357 for a free case evaluation.