Every day millions of drivers in Michigan share the road with large commercial trucks transporting goods across the state. These trucks are operated by professional drivers, trained and licensed to handle the big rigs that they are driving.
Unfortunately, even with advanced certifications and training, accidents involving large commercial trucks still happen. When a truck loses control and hits a smaller vehicle, serious damage can occur. The occupants of the smaller vehicle are often the ones left with serious injuries. If you have been hurt in an accident with a truck, and believe the other driver was at fault, you should speak with the our Saginaw truck accident lawyers as soon as you can to learn more about your legal options.
Call our Saginaw personal injury attorneys at Michigan Injury Lawyers for your free initial consultation.
Car Insurance Coverage after a Saginaw Truck Accident
After a truck accident, you may be concerned about how you are going to be able to cover your accident-related losses. Michigan is one of several states that uses a no-fault auto insurance system under which victims generally make a claim on their own policies, regardless of whose fault an accident was. Known as personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, this type of coverage allows truck accident victims to recover compensation for their economic losses, like their lost income and medical expenses.
Notably, PIP coverage does not cover victims’ non-economic losses like pain and suffering or lost quality of life. Fortunately, however, in cases involving serious impairment of bodily function, victims can file a third-party liability claim or a personal injury lawsuit to recover for these kinds of losses. To find out whether you can file a claim outside of PIP, you should discuss your case with an experienced lawyer.
NOTE: In July of 2020, Michigan insurance requirements are going to substantially change, providing consumers with more options than under the previous system. Our lawyers are closely watching how these changes will affect truck accident cases and will be able to get our clients the full value of their claims under the new system.
Common Causes of Saginaw Truck Accidents
Accidents involving large commercial trucks are not uncommon and always involve the risk of injury to every person involved.
Although every accident is unique, common causes of truck accidents include:
- Inexperienced truck drivers - Professional truck drivers must go through a series of training. Depending upon the company, a driver is working for however, training is not always as rigorous as it should be. Truck drivers who do not have the proper training are more likely to cause serious and dangerous accidents. Even well-trained drivers are a risk if they lack experience.
- Fatigued or exhausted truck drivers - Professional truck drivers are in charge of moving cargo from one place to another in a safe and timely manner. The faster that they can deliver, the more productive and profitable their work can be. Because of this, truckers will push themselves to drive for long stretches of time, sacrificing rest and sleep for quicker delivery runs. An exhausted driver is more likely to make mistakes, miss seeing other vehicles, and even fall asleep at the wheel.
- Distracted truck drivers - Distracted driving refers to the act of operating a vehicle without the driver giving the task their full attention, a common cause of accidents. You have probably drivers swerving across lanes or driving at a very different speed from the rest of traffic, all the while paying more attention to their phone than the road. Distracted driving causes serious injuries and even fatalities. When the distracted driver is operating a large commercial truck, the results can be even more disastrous and deadly. It is best to avoid commercial trucks if you suspect that the driver is distracted, even if it means exiting the road.
- Driving in adverse weather conditions - Truck drivers must operate their vehicles in all kinds of weather. Snow, ice, and rain can all lead to slippery roads and poor visibility. Even an experienced truck driver will find it difficult to suddenly stop a multi-ton commercial truck on an icy road, which can lead to a seriously dangerous accident involving multiple vehicles.
Proving Fault in a Saginaw Truck Accident
If you were in an accident involving a commercial truck, and you have reason to believe that the other driver was at fault, you should speak with an experienced Saginaw truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. One of the first steps your attorney will take is to establish who was at fault for the accident. Establishing fault will be important for determining who is to pay damages after the accident.
If you are involved in an accident with a large truck and suffer serious injuries, there is a good chance that you are entitled to compensation for your losses. The compensation can help cover the cost of medical bills, ongoing physical therapy and treatment, repairs to your vehicles, and missed wages due to time off work for recovery. The insurance companies have a team of lawyers who will be working to minimize the value of your claim. You should have a team of attorneys working equally as hard on your behalf.
Call a Saginaw Truck Accident Attorney Today
Truck accidents are one of the most dangerous risks on the road and can result in serious, long term injuries. The experienced Saginaw truck accident attorneys at Michigan Injury Lawyers can help you manage the legal process after a truck accident so that you can focus on healing from your injuries and getting your life back to normal.
For a free initial consultation, contact us online or call us today at (989) 297-3420. We are dedicated to fighting for our clients’ right to just compensation. We understand how frustrating and stressful this time can be, and we are here to help.