Most individuals never anticipate being in a collision with a big truck. You might have been taking your kids to school, commuting to work, or grocery shopping when a terrifying truck accident suddenly occurred. Your life transforms in an instant.
You must now balance growing medical expenses and doctor's appointments and take time off work to recover. Attempting to meet your financial obligations causes you to feel overwhelmed, nervous, and unhappy. At Christopher Trainor and Associates, we want you to know you do not have to go through this ordeal alone. An experienced Grand Rapids truck accident lawyer can support you during this trying time.
We understand how overwhelmed you likely feel right now, and we want to help. Our legal team has stood up for the rights of people injured in motor vehicle accidents for many years. We have a proven track record of helping harmed people navigate this difficult procedure. We're committed to providing our clients with a special blend of understanding, expertise, and experience.
We can support you throughout this difficult period, and it all starts with these three easy steps:
We at the Law Offices of Christopher Trainor & Associates think you should be fully compensated for the damages you suffered. We can assist you in resolving your dispute. To begin, give us a call at 248-886-8650 or send us an email.
A commercial vehicle accident poses special risks for other drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. Semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, and other large vehicles often cause fatalities, catastrophic injuries, and extensive property damage when they collide. In addition, these complex types of personal injury claims require knowledgeable legal counsel.
In only one recent year, large trucks and buses were involved in 4,998 fatal incidents, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These numbers demonstrate how much greater safety awareness is required. Here are some startling figures and facts:
The causes of truck crashes provide insight into the necessity for ongoing efforts to raise the standard of driving safety.
Truck crashes are very different from car crashes in many aspects. The following is an outline of the key differences between the two:
The distinctions between truck and auto accidents highlight the difficulties that motor vehicle accident cases entail. Because of the serious consequences and several parties involved in these collisions, plaintiffs will need the assistance of an experienced Grand Rapids truck accident lawyer to successfully resolve a personal injury claim.
In 2021, commercial trucks were responsible for 155,000 injuries nationwide, according to the National Safety Council. These incidents in Grand Rapids have the same causes as incidents across the country. The primary causes of these terrible collisions are as follows:
Large tractor-trailers are a threat to traffic safety. Large commercial trucks often cause incidents that may have been prevented in many cases.
Now, let's examine the most common traffic accidents involving trucks:
Smaller vehicle occupants sometimes suffer both deadly and non-fatal injuries as a result of the enormous size and weight of a semi-truck. Get in touch with the Law Offices of Christopher Trainor & Associates if you or a loved one has been involved in any of these accidents. We can defend your legal rights and hold careless parties responsible.
The victims of truck accidents often have to endure excruciating bodily wounds and psychological distress. The following injuries are frequently among the consequences of these incidents:
The injuries that alter lives don't end there. In addition, internal organ damage and even amputations are common concerns for victims of truck accidents. Unfortunately, others don't make it at all. In the case of a fatality occurring in a truck accident, the surviving loved ones should consider filing a wrongful death case.
After a truck collision, there are some important steps you can take to ensure your wellbeing and protect your right to make a claim.
Inform the operator of any known injuries. An officer will arrive at the scene to provide support and create a police report. The report details the incident, the people involved, and any possible violations. It helps with lawsuits and insurance claims filing.
It is always advisable to see a healthcare professional for a checkup, even if you think everything is fine. It is possible to have severe or catastrophic injuries that show no symptoms for days or weeks after the accident. The initial pain is often masked by adrenaline. Having a doctor evaluate you can protect you from internal injuries going untreated, and it will also create a medical record to correlate your injuries to the truck accident.
Collect evidence if your health permits it. Photograph the cars, any visible injuries, traffic signs, road conditions, and the scene as a whole. Take pictures or videos of everything. This documentation aids in determining the accident's cause and can provide valuable evidence for your claim should you need to file one.
Get contact information from all parties involved and any witnesses that may be in the area. These witnesses could provide valuable testimony in a future truck accident case.
Let your insurance company know about the truck collision. When you assist them in their inquiry, provide them with the facts. Before signing any papers or accepting settlement offers, however, speak to a Grand Rapids truck accident lawyer.
At Christopher Trainor and Associates, we provide free consultations to those injured in truck accidents. It is recommended that you set up this consultation so that we can assess your situation, outline your legal choices, and explain your rights.
Following a truck accident, it will likely be a chaotic and stressful time. Taking appropriate action after the accident can help protect your right to compensation.
Michigan's no-fault insurance system impacts commercial truck crashes. Under this system, anyone involved in a semi-truck accident can claim benefits from their insurance provider, regardless of who is at fault. These benefits cover the following:
An accident involving a commercial truck can be more complex due to higher insurance requirements set by federal regulations. Commercial trucking companies are generally required to carry significant insurance coverage, often starting at $750,000, to cover potential damages in accidents involving their vehicles.
In addition to personal injury protection (PIP) benefits provided by one's insurer, individuals involved in truck accidents may also pursue a personal injury lawsuit. If the truck driver or company was negligent, this legal option allows the victim to seek compensation for pain, suffering, and other non-economic losses.
Insurance companies' main goal is to increase profits, and one way they might achieve this is by paying out smaller claims settlements to customers whenever possible. You may not receive the fair compensation you are entitled to if you speak with insurance representatives without first seeking legal advice. When conversing with adjusters, steer clear of the following statements.
An experienced truck lawyer can find out your lawsuit's true worth. Your lawyer can use this information to bargain with the insurance company for the best possible settlement.
Truck accident cases are rarely straightforward. Apart from the laws at the state, federal, and business levels, determining who is responsible is difficult. In truck accidents, multiple people are frequently at blame. Any of the following individuals could face consequences:
A skilled attorney specializing in truck accidents can guide you through the complex web of federal trucking regulations, laws, and insurance paperwork. Working with such an attorney protects your legal rights and financial interests, making you feel much more at ease.
The goal of a lawsuit is to get the victim justice. To do so, negligence must be established. Here are the elements that need to be proven in order to show negligence:
A truck driver, a trucking company, a parts manufacturer, a third party, or any combination of those mentioned above could be defendants in a truck accident. Due to the complexity of these situations, having the representation of a Grand Rapids truck accident lawyer is essential to a successful resolution.
Comparative negligence is a legal notion that is observed in Michigan. This legal doctrine recognizes circumstances in which the plaintiff—the accident victim who filed the lawsuit—was partially responsible for the incident. The victim is attributed a certain percentage of negligence under the law. Based on that percentage, a plaintiff's compensation award is lowered.
Here's an illustration:
Grayson collided with a semi-truck at the US-131 and Wealthy Street intersection. It turns out that the truck driver had fallen asleep. According to the evidence, Grayson could have prevented the crash by paying attention instead of glancing down at his smartphone. Both motorists contributed to the incident.
The court concludes that Julie is entitled to $100,000 in damages in this case. Nonetheless, Grayson is partially responsible for the collision (30%). His total award is reduced to $70,000 in the end.
Your compensation is impacted by comparative negligence. It goes without saying that insurance firms take full advantage of this legal idea to reduce their compensation whenever possible. Considering this added layer of complexity, it’s in your best interest to seek legal counsel if you were hurt in a trucking accident.
The lives of those injured in a truck accident are upended, no doubt about it. Emotional strains, rigorous physical therapy, and financial difficulties all occur to most people injured in truck accidents. Fortunately, accident victims may pursue compensation under Michigan's personal injury statutes. If an out-of-court settlement cannot be achieved, one option for restitution is to launch a lawsuit. The steps in filing a lawsuit against a negligent person are listed below.
A lawsuit necessitates several actions. It takes a lot of work to get from filing an official complaint to getting a positive result. A truck accident lawyer in Grand Rapids is qualified to negotiate a settlement that best meets your needs.
A claim for wrongful death is made when someone dies as a result of the wrongdoing, carelessness, or negligence of another. Sadly, truck accidents frequently result in these kinds of catastrophes because of the enormous size of commercial trucks. Who can file a lawsuit in these situations? According to Michigan law, only the victim's estate executor or representative. The beneficiaries of any proceeds from the case will be distributed according to the deceased’s will, unless there is no will, in which case the judge will determine who the beneficiaries are according to established statutes. These beneficiaries typically include immediate family members.
A wrongful death lawsuit may award damages for a variety of losses. Among them are:
In these situations, a precise assessment of damages is essential. A skilled lawyer can make sure that the surviving family members cover all the bases so they can get the most money possible to compensate them for their losses.
Timing matters in every type of personal injury case, particularly situations involving wrongful death. Wrongful death cases must be brought in Michigan within three years after the date of the death, according to state law. In order to create a strong case, this amount of time allows for the thorough gathering of evidence, including accident reports, witness accounts, and expert testimonies.
Your loved one cannot be replaced by money. But in the midst of a painful loss, a wrongful death claim provides a sense of justice. It is a means of making those who are at fault answerable. A sympathetic attorney will handle all legal matters while you concentrate on grieving.
Victims of truck accidents suffer from emotional anguish, property destruction, and physical harm. The victims and their families may have long-term effects from this fallout. You may be able to recover damages for both your monetary and non-monetary losses if you experienced this event. Here are some of the most common damages that are recoverable.
These damages cover the monetary impact the collision has on your life.
The cost of an emergency ambulance for hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy, and any required prescription medications or medical supplies is included in the category of medical costs. Also:
These damages primarily address the intangible or emotional effects of the collision.
Lives are destroyed in tractor-trailer collisions. The victims are left with the task of attempting to reconstruct their lives. Your best ally in the healing process may be a truck accident lawyer. They offer you a comprehensive range of legal services, such as the following:
You could find yourself in a legal maze following a truck accident. A Grand Rapids truck accident lawyer can guide you through understanding everything, including your legal rights, and determining who is at fault.
Insurance companies don't try to safeguard your future financial stability. Profit maximization is the aim, even if it means underpaying for your settlement. An experienced lawyer knows the "insider tactics" insurance companies employ to delay, deny, or minimize truck accident claims. They are skilled at planning a counteroffer to tip the scales in your favor.
Your lawyer considers all of the pertinent losses you have experienced. These consist of lost wages, medical expenses, property damage, and mental distress. They make sure you receive the most money possible that aids your financial security.
A truck accident injury requires a physical as well as an emotional recovery. An understanding Grand Rapids truck accident lawyer is aware of the range of emotions that victims of accidents go through. Your attorney can offer support, encouragement, and sincere care.
Experienced truck accident attorneys have the skills, resources, and abilities to manage any court case. You don't need to take on this battle alone. Let your lawyer do the grunt work while you concentrate on getting your life back.
Have you ever been in a catastrophic truck accident? Do you feel helpless? Do you believe the insurance company will deny you a fair and just settlement?
Following a devastating truck accident, you find yourself in a predicament. You're at a loss for what to do. Don’t lose hope! Our goal at the Law Offices of Christopher Trainor & Associates is to help you reach your goal. Our legal team is committed to getting you the outcome you are due.
For many years, our law firm has successfully represented Grand Rapids truck accident victims like you. Settlements and verdicts totaling $250 million have been awarded to our clients. Put our hard-working and skilled Grand Rapids truck accident lawyers to work for you.
Get the legal support you need right away. For a free, no-obligation consultation, contact us by email or at 248 886-8650.
