If you own a personal vehicle, you are likely familiar with Michigan’s insurance requirements, which dictate the type and minimum amount of insurance coverage required to own and operate your vehicle. Unlike personal automotive policies, however, the federal government regulates the insurance requirements applicable to commercial motor vehicles such as trucks and semi-trucks. Accordingly, if you have been involved in an accident with a truck or similar commercial vehicle, it is important to consult an attorney with experience handling vehicles insured pursuant to federal regulations in order to maximize your case’s potential worth.
Insurance Required by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires different classifications of commercial vehicles, such as trucks, to carry insurance policies with minimum limits ranging anywhere from 37 to 250 times greater than Michigan’s minimum liability requirements for personal vehicles. With such a vast difference in not only insurance requirements but also federal regulations, your truck accident case may be worth more than your average motor vehicle accident.
Factors to Consider in Assessing the Worth of your Truck Accident Case
Although Michigan law permits compensation for a plethora of injuries resulting from a truck accident, including lost wages and suffering, when assessing the value of your truck accident case, there are a number of important factors to consider. These include:
- The nature, severity, and permanence of your injuries
- The nature and length of the medical treatment required to treat your injuries
- The number of individuals injured in the accident
- The severity of the accident
- The extent of any contributory negligence, i.e., a court may determine that, although a commercial vehicle was liable for your injuries because it was traveling at an excessive rate of speed when your vehicle was struck in the rear, the operator of your vehicle may have been deemed partially responsible for “stopping short,” which would reduce the value of your case against the commercial insurance policy.
It is essential to note that the value of your truck accident case, although potentially greater than that of a traditional motor vehicle accident, is primarily dependent on the nature and extent of the injuries suffered.
Consult an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney to Assess the Value of your Case
The attorneys of Michigan Injury Lawyers have experience analyzing federally regulated insurance policies to ensure your truck accident case receives the unique attention necessary in order to maximize its worth. Meeting with one of our lawyers is completely free, so there is absolutely no risk associated with having an attorney review your case. To schedule a free consultation with one of our Michigan truck accident lawyers, please call our office today at 313-438-4357.
1 https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/insurance-requirements
Thomas L. Stroble
FOUNDER
Mr. Stroble is a highly accomplished graduate of Michigan State University, with degrees in both science and law. He specializes in commercial lawsuits and personal injury cases. Licensed to practice law in Michigan and even the U.S. Supreme Court, he’s a well-qualified legal expert. Besides his career in law, he loves outdoor activities and volunteers as a part-time police officer in Birmingham.
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