Semi-trucks are a necessary part of commerce in our modern economy, facilitating the movement of goods across vast distances. They keep the supply chain running. However, their presence on the road creates a number of dangers to other drivers due to their size, weight, blind spots, limited maneuverability, and the potential for driver fatigue and distraction during long hours on the road. Semi-trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds and obviously take longer to slow down than other vehicles, which leads to more catastrophic crashes than those involving smaller vehicles. Semi-trucks were involved in more than 5,000 crashes in Michigan during 2022, 56 of which were fatal.
Federal trucking laws set clear standards for how commercial drivers and trucking companies must operate. If a company or driver ignores these rules and causes a truck accident, the violation could become a key factor in proving liability and recovering compensation during an injury claim. Here’s an overview of some trucking regulations that might play a role in your truck accident case.
Truck drivers must follow strict hours-of-service rules that limit how long they can drive without rest. These limits aim to prevent fatigue-related crashes. If the evidence suggests that a driver stayed on the road longer than allowed or falsified their logbooks to skirt the rules, that could strengthen your claim. A lawyer can compare log data, GPS records, and fuel receipts to identify and prove HOS violations.
Federal law requires trucking companies to inspect and maintain the trucks in their fleets regularly. They must also repair known problems and keep detailed records of those repairs. If a crash occurs because of worn brakes, bald tires, or steering issues, the company’s maintenance records could prove that they failed to keep the vehicle safe. This would make it easier to hold them responsible for your injuries.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets standards for how commercial cargo must be loaded and secured. Overloaded or unbalanced trailers can cause dangerous rollovers and jackknife accidents. If investigators find that a truck’s load didn’t meet applicable weight limits or tie-down rules, that evidence could be used as proof of reckless operation and increase your potential recovery.
No-fault insurance policies in Michigan cover medical expenses and certain financial losses after a crash, no matter who caused it. These policies apply to truck accidents as well, but the claims process is often more complex because commercial vehicles follow different insurance and liability standards.
After a truck accident, your own automobile insurance company should pay for your medical care, rehabilitation needs, and income losses up to your coverage limits. These benefits (called Personal Injury Protection, or PIP benefits) apply even if you were wholly or partially at fault. However, truck accidents tend to be much more serious than most other types of collisions, so the injuries and expenses from these accidents can often exceed PIP limits.
If your injuries meet Michigan’s “threshold” for serious impairment or permanent disfigurement, you can “step outside” of the no-fault system and file a claim directly against the at-fault driver or trucking company. This type of third-party claim allows you to pursue compensation for pain and suffering, future medical needs not covered by PIP, and long-term income losses that PIP does not cover.
Trucking companies and their insurers often fight these claims aggressively. An attorney who understands both Michigan’s no-fault laws and federal trucking regulations can push back with a strategy that protects your rights and demands full compensation for your claim.
Truck accident claims are often more complex and demanding than those stemming from standard car accidents. These cases often involve several liable parties, federal safety rules, multiple layers of insurance coverage, and technical evidence that takes skill to gather and interpret. It takes a thorough understanding of how these factors overlap and how each one can affect your recovery to build a strong case for full compensation.
To complicate matters further, trucking companies typically act fast after a crash because they understand what’s at stake. Their lawyers and insurance adjusters start preparing defense arguments immediately to protect their profits and limit your financial recovery. They know how to shift the blame, minimize your injuries, and pressure you into unfair settlements.
When you have your own attorney, it levels the playing field in your favor. A skilled lawyer can secure critical evidence before it disappears, manage communication with the other side, and negotiate from a position of strength. With the right legal representation, you can rest easy knowing that your claim reflects the full impact of your injuries and that someone is fighting for your interests—not their own.
Trucking companies and their insurers often fight these claims aggressively. An attorney who understands both Michigan’s no-fault laws and federal trucking regulations can push back with a strategy that protects your rights and demands full compensation for your claim.
Trucking companies and their insurers often fight these claims aggressively. An attorney who understands both Michigan’s no-fault laws and federal trucking regulations can push back with a strategy that protects your rights and demands full compensation for your claim.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a semi-truck accident, contact the attorneys at Gruel Mills today. We have significant experience in trucking claims and will ensure that you get the best possible recovery.
To schedule a free, no-obligation evaluation of your semi-truck accident claim with one of our experienced attorneys, please contact us online or call us. We handle all accident cases on a contingency basis, which means you do not have to pay for our services unless we recover money for you.
