Sharing the road with big trucks, semi-trucks, and 18-wheelers is the responsibility of all drivers. Everyone must follow the rules of the road to ensure everyone is safe in getting to their destination. But if a truck driver is negligent in causing a crash and injuries, the Southfield truck accident lawyers at the Lee Steinberg Law Firm, P.C. are here to answer your questions and get justice.
Our Michigan truck accident lawyers have been handling these complicated and important cases for almost 50 years. We understand the seriousness of these crashes, the impact it has on the injured person and their family, the financial turmoil caused, and the life-lasting change. That is why our experience and results are important in choosing the right law firm to take on a truck company.
Southfield Truck Accident Lawyers Who Make Sure the Responsible Parties Pay
When an accident involves a commercial truck, there are multiple potential defendants. Cases involving an 18-wheeler or semi-truck are complicated and involve more parties than just the driver. For example, some of the defendants who may be responsible for paying compensation after a truck accident include:
- The at-fault driver
- The trucking company
- The truck owner
- The employer of the driver
- The company responsible for the maintenance of the semi-truck
- The freight broker
- The cargo company
A good Southfield truck accident lawyer must investigate all entities involved in the crash. A detailed review of what the truck driver was doing when the crash happened, and who he or she was doing the delivery for, can reveal other responsible defendants. This can increase the value of a case because each defendant’s insurance will need to pay for the harms and losses caused by the crash.
How Our Southfield Truck Accident Lawyers Can Win Your Case
Because of the large insurance policies involved, trucking companies are aggressive in defending these cases. That is why you need an aggressive Southfield truck accident law firm that fights back and never backs down.
The Lee Steinberg Law Firm has helped people injured by a trucker’s negligence for five decades. We have obtained hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients. Our firm has been able to do this because we have a dedicated team of truck driver lawyers who have the skill, knowledge, and experience to get you the most compensation.
When a truck accident occurs, you also need a Michigan personal injury law firm that has actually handled truck accident cases and understands the applicable government regulations, Michigan rules, and federal regulations.
When you work with our Southfield truck accident lawyers, we do the following:
- We take the burden off you so you can focus on getting better.
- We never charge any fees or costs until we win your case. That is our promise and it starts from the very first telephone call or email.
- We will keep you updated on the case and answer your questions.
- We will prepare you for your deposition and educate you on the entire litigation process.
- We work to calculate damages and hit the trucking company’s pain points so we can get you the most compensation.
Who Pays My Medical Bills and Lost Wages?
Under the Michigan No-Fault Law, your own auto insurance may be responsible for paying the medical bills and lost wages from a crash. This is true even if you did not cause the accident and injuries. However, the amount of medical bills and lost wages the car insurance company must pay can depend on the policy. It also depends on the type of health insurance a person has.
Even if you do not have car insurance, in most situations a passenger injured in a truck accident can still obtain first-party benefits, like the payment of medical bills and lost wages.
However, if you were on the job at the time and within the scope of your employment, then usually worker’s compensation carrier for your employer is primary for the payment of medical bills and lost wages.
The insurance company responsible for paying medical bills and lost wages can be confusing after a crash. Our trusted Southfield truck accident lawyers can answer your questions and make sure your bills and lost earnings get paid.
How I Get Pain and Suffering After a Truck Accident
A person injured due to the negligence of a truck driver is almost always entitled to pain and suffering compensation. This is accomplished through medical documentation highlighting the injuries and disabilities caused by the crash. In addition, testimony from friends and family helps paint a clearer picture of how the crash has changed the life of the injured person.
A good Southfield truck accident law firm will also retain experts to help prove their client’s case. For example, an accident reconstruction expert can provide how and why the truck driver was negligent by analyzing the black box data and other information, like driving logs and inspection reports. A medical expert can explain the severity of the injuries and how it is expected to cause future ailments, like additional surgeries, pain, and arthritis.
Pain and suffering are non-economic damage and are not easily quantifiable like a medical bill. However, this type of damage is very important in every big truck accident case. Pain and suffering come in different forms, including:
- Emotional distress
- Anxiety and depression
- Mental pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of society
- Scarring and disfigurement
What Are Important Pieces of Evidence in a Truck Accident Crash
When a truck accident occurs, many pieces of evidence must be preserved and reviewed. A good Southfield truck accident lawyer will immediately send a “spoilation letter” or preservation letter to the trucking company asking them to preserve the truck, any video surveillance, vehicle maintenance reports, and a host of other items.
A big piece of evidence is video footage. With more and more cameras outfitted on semi-truck trailers and 18-wheelers, as well as Dash Cam video used by drivers, video footage is essential to proving the truth. Our office has used video surveillance to shut down excuses and ridiculous defenses made up by the defendant and their insurance team.
In addition, your attorneys need to request and obtain:
- Driver’s qualification file and driver logs
- Daily inspection reports
- Annual inspection reports
- Inspection, maintenance, and repair records
- The black box or electronic control module “ECM” data
- Policies and procedure manuals or training documents
- DOT safety audits and MDOT documentation
These items are just a start. The FMCSA maintains company safety profiles for carriers at http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov.
Our Southfield Truck Accident Lawyers Handle Commercial Crashes
Besides semi-truck accidents, the Lee Steinberg Law Firm also handles other types of commercial truck accident cases. These include flatbed truck accidents, garbage trucks, cargo spill accidents, blind spot crashes, underride accidents, delivery truck accidents, and jackknife crashes.
Each type of commercial vehicle crash is different. There are federal regulations that mandate safety rules for each vehicle and their drivers. Understanding these regulations and proving how a violation of the regulations led to the terrible crash is so important in every Michigan truck accident lawsuit.
What Are Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Southfield
Many commercial truckers are professionals who drive safely and follow state and federal rules and regulations. However, some drivers are careful. Some of the common causes of Southfield truck accidents include:
- Driver fatigue
- Maintenance issues
- Making an illegal turn
- Running a red light or yield sign
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Unfamiliarity with the roadway
- Defective tires and wheels
- Texting and driving
- Mechanical failure
The Most Common Injuries Following a Southfield Truck Accident
Because of the size of many big trucks, in particular semi-trucks and 18-wheelers, the injuries they cause can be catastrophic and life-changing. Even an 18-wheeler driving at a slow rate of speed can deliver a force powerful enough to cause serious personal injuries. Some of the common injuries following a truck collision include:
- Broken bones. Broken bones are common truck accident injuries and can require physical therapy, surgery, and a long recovery time.
- Spinal cord injury. A severe injury to the spinal cord can cause paralysis, loss of muscle use, and loss of use of extremities.
- Low back pain and lumbar herniation. Injury to the lower back can cause a tear to the discs between the vertebrae, leading to an impingement of the spinal cord. This can cause numbness and tingling down the hip and legs to the feet.
- Neck pain. Neck injuries can create severe neck stiffness, pain in the shoulders, burning, and numbness in the arms and hands. Treatment of neck pain can be extensive, including physical therapy and a neck fusion.
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) or closed head injury. Injuries to the head like a concussion can result in life-changing events. Symptoms include cognitive impairment, memory loss, migraine headaches, mood swings, and sensitivity to light and sound.
- Torn ligaments. Tears to the ligaments and tendons can also result in surgery. Examples include a torn ACL, meniscus, Achilles Tendon, or ulnar nerve injury.
- Facial injuries. A broken jaw, broken nose, black eyes, and scarring are common injuries in a bad truck accident.
How Do Road Conditions Affect Truck Accidents
The weather and road conditions can be a major reason why a truck accident occurs.
1. Construction Zones. Construction zones cause quick stopping and back-ups. They also lead to rear-end crashes. When a large commercial truck rear-ends a normal car, the results can be catastrophic. It is important to obey the speed limit in a construction zone and drive with extra caution.
2. Inclement Weather. Whether it is snow, ice, or rain, the weather has a big impact on driving. Snow and ice dramatically increase the stopping distance for all vehicles, in particular semi-trucks, and large commercial trucks. Rain decreases road visibility and makes a regular situation very dangerous.
3. Heavy Traffic. When there is a lot of traffic, people like to quickly stop, speed ahead, and change lanes. If a driver darts out in front of an oncoming car or truck, that person may be negligent in causing the collision. We all hate sitting in traffic. But making sure you and everyone else around you get to their destination safely is more important.
What are the Most Dangerous Roads for Drivers in Southfield
Southfield and surrounding communities have many roads that cause severe truck accidents. Some of the most dangerous are:
- Telegraph Rd. at 696
- Southfield Rd. and 12 Mile Rd
- Telegraph and 12 Mile Rd
- 10 Mile Rd. and Evergreen
- 8 Mile Rd.
Our Southfield, MI Truck Accident Lawyers Are Ready to Fight For You
When you or a family member has suffered injuries due to a truck driver’s negligence, it is important to find the best representation. Let us put our years of experience and expertise to work for you.
The attorneys at the Lee Steinberg Law Firm will meet with you and be with you throughout your case. We will fight for the monetary compensation you deserve by law.
Call us for a free consultation at 1-800-533-3733, or fill out a contact form with us today.
