The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reports that an estimated 82,000 crashes occurred in 2014 that involved large commercial trucks. Many victims of these accidents sustain serious injuries and exercise their rights to seek compensation from the trucking company, the truck driver, or any other responsible parties. This involves filing a claim alleging personal injury with the civil courts in Michigan.
When you think of court cases, you likely think of a trial in front of a jury and a judge, in which attorneys are dramatically arguing with one another. However, very few cases actually go to trial and most are instead resolved long before a trial date arrives.
Insurance Claims
Michigan has no-fault insurance in auto accident cases and the law requires that every driver has no-fault insurance. Sometimes, you can obtain enough insurance money to cover your medical bills and lost income, especially if your injuries are relatively minor.
Settlement Negotiations
If you cannot receive enough from insurance and you do file a claim, your attorney will engage in settlement negotiations with the trucking company and its legal team. Your attorney will present arguments and evidence of truck driver liability to incite the trucking company to voluntarily pay you a fair amount without the need for a time-consuming trial.
If Your Case Does Go to Trial
In the event that the trucking company refuses to concede liability for your accident, you may need to initiate a lawsuit in order to recover compensation. Filing a personal injury suit is a complicated legal matter, and attempting to represent yourself in a trucking case could jeopardize your right to recover compensation. An attorney will present evidence on your behalf that supports the assertion that the trucker or trucking company was responsible for the accident.
Call Michigan Injury Lawyers Today to Learn More
If you have been hurt in a truck accident, you should contact an attorney as soon possible. This is true whether your case is contested or not, as an attorney will protect your rights and make sure that you receive the full and fair value of your claim. At Michigan Injury Lawyers, you can consult with an experienced attorney at no cost to you. In addition, we will not collect any legal fees unless we successfully recover compensation on your behalf. To learn more about how we can help you, call our office today at 313-GET-HELP or contact us online.
1http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/59000/59100/59189/2016_Pocket_Guide_to_Large_Truck_and_Bus_Statistics.pdf
2http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(m3q33ecmvezg1ta3rb41lzgy))/mileg.aspx?page=getobject&objectname=mcl-500-3101