Theories of Liability
Before you can get to liability, you must contend with your own insurance company’s no-fault coverage. You might not think you’d need a lawyer for that, but your PIP provider can fight just as hard against your claim as any at-fault party’s insurer. Let us take on that fight for you.
Then, we can deal with the multiple layers of liability in a truck versus motor vehicle accident, which may include:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- The owner of the truck
- The cargo loader
- Independent subcontractors
- A parts manufacturer
- Another motorist
Time Is Important in a Truck Accident
Experience counts regarding proving negligence and recovering compensation in a truck accident claim. The investigation process in a truck accident is far more complex when compared to investigating a car crash. When massive trucks tangle with passenger vehicles, damages are often more widespread and devastating.
The window of opportunity for preserving valuable evidence begins to close at the moment of the accident. Some evidence is generally documented at the scene in the official police report and possibly in any photographs of the crash site. Details such as the time the incident was reported, the position of the vehicles, the direction of travel, and the weather conditions are only the tip of the iceberg in a complete and thorough truck accident investigation.
Most of the valuable evidence used in proving liability belongs to the trucking company. Because federal and state regulations apply to the trucking industry, certain documentation must be retained for specific amounts of time but not forever.
Unless a plaintiff’s attorney formally requests the preservation of evidence, we may lose valuable information such as:
- GPS tracking data
- Black box information
- Dashboard cameras
- Dispatch information
- Maintenance and inspection records
- The driver’s daily logs
- Cargo loading data
Level the playing field Gruel Mills Nims & Pylman PLLC is among the most trusted legal resources in the nation. We have earned our reputation with decades of prestigious cases and complex suits. Our attorneys understand how to hold truck companies accountable. If it is not your fault, you should not pay for it.
Accident Reconstruction
Reconstruction uses an in-depth scientific approach, combining engineering and physics principles, to help determine the cause of an accident and who may be at fault.
When an accident investigator, or deconstructionist factors in the size and weight of each vehicle, combined with the weather and road conditions, we may gain valuable insight into:
- The speed at the point of impact
- At what point each vehicle accelerated or decelerated
- Steering and braking information
At Gruel Mills Nims & Pylman PLLC, we have the resources to utilize accident reconstructionists, life planning professionals, accountants, economists, and expert medical witnesses to capture the full impact of a victim’s economic and non-economic losses as we pursue maximum compensation.
Some Questions We Frequently Hear From Prospective Truck Accident Clients
How Long Do I Have to File a Tractor Trailer Accident Lawsuit?
Except in rare cases, in Michigan, the statute of limitations is three years from the date of the injury for a personal injury lawsuit, and three years from the date of death in a wrongful death claim.
The insurance carrier from the trucking company called me; what should I do?
Say nothing. You are under no obligation to give any information to the trucking company’s insurer. Anything you say the carrier may use to reduce or deny a settlement offer. Always protect your rights and have your attorney deal with the insurance company.
I might have been in the truck’s blind spot. Will that hurt my case?
Although there are significant blind spots on all sides of a tractor-trailer, the truck driver trains clear to blind spots and change lanes cautiously. Regardless of whether you were driving in a blind spot, you may have a valid claim,
A tire tread from the truck in front of me flew off and hit my windshield. I swerved off the road and was injured. May I still file a claim?
The truck driver and/or the trucking company are required to maintain the vehicle properly this includes the integrity of the tires. If the companies’ maintenance records are deficient or do not definitively indicate timely tire inspections and maintenance, yes, you may still be able to file a claim. Additionally, you may hold the tire manufacturer liable for a defective tire.
In times of adversity, our legal team is here for Grand Rapids truck accident victims and their families. When you have questions, you need answers. We are a powerful force ready to work for you.
Truck Accident Injuries Can Change Your Life
Life plans and long-term goals can irrevocably change following a truck accident.
Debilitating injuries such as spinal cord damage, brain injury, traumatic amputations, and severe burns will often leave a victim facing:
- A lifelong dependence on others
- Confinement to a wheelchair
- Impaired cognitive function
- Loss of a limb
- Permanent disfigurement
Is this happening to you because of another’s negligent actions— or a lack of action? If so, you need an experienced Grand Rapids truck injury law firm fighting for all the compensation you deserve. Call the award-winning Gruel Mills Nims & Pylman PLLC team today for your no-cost consultation.
Compensation Goes Beyond Medical Bills
There is a distinct difference between covering medical costs and compensating accident victims for the full value of their losses. Never overlook the financial impact of lost workplace opportunities and household productivity costs. An injured person will likely need help with household responsibilities like childcare, housekeeping, cooking, cleaning, and lawn maintenance.
Permanent disabilities often mean modifications to the home to accommodate medical equipment and the need for alternative means of transportation. If you cannot work for an extended period, you may miss opportunities for advancement in the workplace and lose benefits.
Predictable Causes of Truck Accidents In Grand Rapids
Despite strict federal and state regulations, the powers that be in the trucking industry are sometimes known for incentivizing the fast delivery of goods.
Some predictable causes of truck accidents include:
- Speeding.
- Distracted driving
- Aggressive driving and road rage
- Reckless driving
- Impaired driving
- Untrained drivers
- Unfamiliar routes
- Unrealistic time constraints
- Negligent hiring practices
- Fatigue
- Hours of service violations
- Mechanical failure
- Road construction
- Overloaded cargo
- Employer negligence
All Truck Accidents Are Unique
The common types of accidents are:
Rear-end accidents
A fully loaded tractor-trailer traveling at 65 miles per hour needs almost the length of two football fields to stop.
Jackknife
A truck may jackknife when it loses traction with the road surface.
A rollover
Excessive speeds in sharp turns can cause a truck to roll over.
T-bone
A T-Bone or side swipe accident is often the result of a truck driver failing to yield the right of way, running a red light, or making an improper left turn.
If You Need a Truck Accident Lawyer? Choose Gruel Mills Nims & Pylman PLLC

There are many moving parts to a truck accident. These cases can get quite complicated, and the maximum possible compensation often depends on the skill and expertise of the law firm representing the plaintiff.
At Gruel Mills Nims & Pylman PLLC, we remain focused on doing what is right for every client. Throughout our 35-plus years of practice, we have proudly earned the reputation for providing clients with attentive and personalized service.
Whether a truck accident claim settles out of court or is heard by a judge and jury ultimately remains the client’s choice. We want you to recover full compensation, and we want you to be comfortable with your decision. Our legal team is well-versed in negotiation and litigation.
After a serious truck accident, you need a local experienced Grand Rapids personal injury lawyer you can trust to ensure you receive the benefits and compensation you deserve. Our team has successfully guided thousands of Grand Rapids families through the legal process of truck accident settlements and trials. We understand the laws and regulations of the trucking industry and know how to clearly and concisely present your case to insurance adjusters, judges, and juries.
We stand firm in our dedication to transparency, integrity, and professionalism. We believe that being a lawyer is a privilege, and we take our responsibilities seriously. We are here to listen; call us and let us know how we can serve you.
Call us today at (616) 235-5500 or write to us using our contact page, and we’ll start with your free claim consultation.
Gruel Mills Nims & Pylman PLLC – Grand Rapids Office
Campau Square Plaza Building
99 Monroe Ave NW #800
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone: (616) 235-5500
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