Commercial vehicles have massive weight and height, which is why they cause devastating injuries and fatalities when they collide with passenger vehicles. Injured victims endure physical and emotional injuries.
You may be entitled to compensation if you suffered an injury in a truck accident caused by someone else’s negligence. Even so, you may face resistance from an insurance adjuster who works hard to minimize the financial liability of their employer.
You should, therefore, speak with a legal professional who can guide you in the aftermath of a truck accident. Our truck accident lawyers at Michigan Injury Lawyers can explain your legal rights, investigate the crash, and pursue compensation from the at-fault party.
Why Choose Us
Although many injured victims receive compensation from the insurer of the negligent party, some cope without financial support. However, working with our truck accident attorneys can enhance your chances of receiving compensation for your losses.
At Michigan Injury Lawyers, we believe in compassionate support. We understand how overwhelming and stressful it can be to deal with the aftermath of a truck accident. Our truck accident attorneys provide compassionate support and guidance throughout the legal process, providing support and guidance throughout the claim process.
Compensation for a Truck Accident
You can initiate a personal injury claim or lawsuit to obtain compensation for your injury-related losses.
Some of the damages you can receive in a truck accident include:
Medical Expenses
You may incur medical expenses after sustaining an injury in a motorcycle accident. Medical costs are a primary reason injured victims seek compensation for their losses.
Medical expenses damages can cover different expenses, including medication, physicians’ bills, emergency room visits, ambulance charges, diagnostic charges, and physical therapy.
You should compile your medical records to prove the extent of your losses and support your compensation claim.
Lost Income
If you cannot work due to your injuries from the truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation for lost income. These damages include income lost during recovery and potential future income if your injuries prevent you from returning to work.
Lost income includes regular salary, tips, commissions, bonuses, overtime, vacation, and other benefits you could have earned.
Our Detroit truck accident attorneys can use the following sources of income to prove lost income:
- Pay stubs
- Tax returns
- Bank statements
- Invoices
- Profit and loss statement
- A letter from your employer
Out-of-Pocket Expenses
You may also incur out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident. These damages can include transportation costs for medical appointments, over-the-counter medications, home healthcare services, childcare, or modifications to your home to accommodate any disabilities caused by the accident.
Our truck accident lawyers can use medical records, bank statements, and credit card statements to prove out-of-pocket expenses.
Pain and Suffering
A truck accident can cause significant physical pain and emotional suffering. Compensation for pain and suffering aims to repair the physical pain, discomfort, distress, and inconvenience you have endured due to the accident.
For example, as a pedestrian, you’re involved in a motorcycle accident in Detroit and suffer a severe leg injury that requires multiple surgeries and extensive physical therapy. As a result, you experienced excruciating pain, had to endure long periods of immobility, and were unable to participate in activities you once enjoyed.
The physical pain, coupled with the emotional toll of facing a long road to recovery, contributes to your pain and suffering damages.
Loss of Companionship
If the truck accident has resulted in the loss of a loved one or a significant impact on your relationships, you may be entitled to compensation for loss of companionship. The losses can include the loss of support, care, and guidance from the injured victim.
For example, a motorcyclist tragically loses their life in a collision caused by a reckless truck driver. In such a situation, the surviving family members, such as a spouse or children, may experience profound emotional distress and a void in their lives due to the absence of their loved ones.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life
Serious injuries from a truck accident can impact your ability to enjoy life as you did before. Compensation for loss of enjoyment of life aims to address the limitations that the accident has placed.
For example, if you were in a truck accident that left you unable to do things you enjoyed with your partner, you may be entitled to loss of enjoyment of life damages.
These damages compensate you for the emotional toll that the accident has taken on your relationship and the activities you used to do together, like going on trips, outdoor activities, or simply spending quality time together.
Emotional Anguish
The emotional toll of a truck accident can be long-lasting and debilitating. Compensation for emotional anguish seeks to provide financial relief for the psychological distress and mental anguish you have experienced as a result of the accident.
The trauma of being involved in a collision with a large commercial truck can be overwhelming. The sound of screeching tires, the feeling of impact, and the fear can lead to lasting emotional scars.
You may experience anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and even a fear of driving, which can all result from such a traumatic event. Compensation for emotional anguish can allow you to pay for programs that improve your mental health.
Permanent Disability/Disfigurement
If the truck accident has left you with permanent disabilities or disfigurement, you may be entitled to compensation for the long-term impact on your quality of life. These damages can include compensation for the loss of mobility, function and the emotional toll of living with a permanent disability.
You may also be entitled to compensation if a permanent injury limits your ability to work or earn a living.
Punitive Damages
A judge or jury may award you punitive damages if a truck driver or the trucking company was egregious or reckless. These damages are intended to punish the at-fault party and deter similar actions in the future.
Our truck accident lawyers can use evidence to demonstrate the extent of your losses to increase your chances of receiving punitive damages.
Where Do Truck Accidents Occur in Detroit
Although truck accidents can occur in any part of Detroit, road users are vulnerable in specific zones.
Here are specific roads where truck accidents occur in Detroit:
- Interstate 75 (I-75): As one of the busiest highways in Detroit, I-75 is a major thoroughfare for commercial trucks transporting goods across the state. The high volume of truck traffic on I-75 increases the likelihood of accidents, especially during peak travel times.
- Interstate 94 (I-94): Another main highway in Detroit, I-94, sees heavy truck traffic due to its proximity to industrial areas and distribution centers. The interaction of passenger vehicles and big rigs on I-94 can lead to collisions and other road hazards.
- Michigan Avenue: Michigan Avenue runs through the heart of Detroit, a popular route for truckers traveling in and out of the city. The narrow lanes and congested traffic along Michigan Avenue make it a hotspot for truck accidents, particularly at intersections and entrance ramps.
- Jefferson Avenue: Known for its scenic waterfront views, it is also a popular route for trucks transporting cargo to and from the Detroit River. The mix of commercial vehicles and local traffic on Jefferson Avenue can result in accidents caused by speeding, improper lane changes, or distracted driving.
Our truck accident lawyers can protect your right to compensation if you sustain an injury on any of the above roads.
Fighting the Insurance Company
Dealing with insurance companies after a truck accident can be overwhelming and frustrating. The good news is that our skilled truck accident attorneys at Michigan Injury Lawyers have the knowledge and experience to deal with insurers.
Here are three powerful ways our truck accident lawyers can take on the insurer on your behalf:
- Investigation and Documentation: Our truck accident lawyers will investigate the crash to gather evidence that supports your claim. They will obtain police reports, talk to witnesses, analyze medical records, and obtain video evidence. The detailed approach helps us build a strong case against the insurance company’s attempts to diminish your claim.
- Negotiation Skills: Insurance companies are notorious for offering low settlements in hopes that accident victims will accept them out of desperation. Our truck accident attorneys are skilled negotiators who understand the tactics used by insurers to undervalue claims. We will leverage our experience to negotiate aggressively on your behalf, pushing back against any unfair offers and advocating for a settlement that reflects the full extent of your damages.
- Litigation Experience: Our truck accident lawyers are prepared to take your case to court if you can’t reach an agreement with an insurer. We have extensive experience litigating truck accident cases and are ready to fight for your rights in the courtroom. By presenting a compelling case backed by solid evidence and legal arguments, we aim to secure the maximum compensation possible for our clients.
You can count on our truck accident attorneys to communicate and negotiate with insurers as you focus on recovery.
What to Do After a Truck Accident
Although being injured in a truck accident is a devastating experience, your actions after the crash can enhance your wellness and protect your legal rights.
Here’s what to do after the crash:
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
You should seek immediate medical attention after a truck accident. Even if you feel fine initially, some injuries, like whiplash or internal bleeding, may not present symptoms right away. By delaying medical treatment, you risk exacerbating injuries and complicating your recovery process.
A healthcare provider can discover hidden injuries and initiate a treatment plan. Further, they will document your injuries, diagnosis, and treatment method. Our truck accident lawyers can use medical records to prove the extent of your injury and support your compensation claim.
Without timely medical records, insurance companies may question the severity or even the existence of your injuries, jeopardizing your case.
Notify the Police About the Crash
After a truck accident, one of the first steps you should take is to notify the police. Having an official police report documenting the details of the accident can tilt the legal proceedings that follow in your favor.
A police crash report serves as an unbiased account of the incident and can help determine fault in the eyes of the law. A law enforcement officer can also secure the accident scene, gather witness statements, and collect different sources of evidence that can strengthen your case if you decide to pursue legal action.
Consult Our Detroit Truck Accident Attorneys
You should also seek legal representation after sustaining an injury in a truck accident. Our truck accident attorneys can evaluate the facts and circumstances of the crash and determine if you have a case against the at-fault party.
Further, they will explain your legal options, including filing a personal injury claim or lawsuit against the at-fault party. Our truck accident lawyers can also provide legal advice so you can make appropriate decisions that protect your legal rights.
All legal cases, including truck accident claims, must adhere to legal deadlines. For example, the personal injury statute of limitations in Detroit, MI, requires injured victims to file a compensation lawsuit against the at-fault party within three years.
You can lose your right to compensation if you fail to file a lawsuit within a three-year timeline. Our truck accident lawyers understand the applicable legal timelines and initiate a timely claim to preserve your compensation claim.
Protect Your Rights After a Truck Accident
Your quality of life is likely to worsen after being injured in a truck accident. For example, a traumatic brain injury can prevent you from participating in favorite activities like dancing or nature walks.
You, therefore, deserve representation from a legal professional who’ll aggressively fight for your right to compensation. Our Detroit truck accident attorneys at Michigan Injury Lawyers are highly experienced and understand the impact of injury-related losses.
We will use evidence to negotiate with the insurer for a higher settlement value that matches your losses. Contact us online or call us at (313) 438-4357 for a free case evaluation.