Truck accident
Truck Accident Attorneys in Detroit, Michigan
The firms in this guide
1. Michigan Auto Law
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, semi-truck collisions, 18-wheeler accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, car accidents, motorcycle accidents, bus accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, brain injuries
Case Types Handled: Jackknife accidents, rollover accidents, underride accidents, override accidents, rear-end collisions with trucks, head-on truck collisions, cargo spill accidents, brake failure accidents, tire blowout accidents, driver fatigue accidents, overloaded truck accidents
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) compliance investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, hours of service violation investigation, electronic logging device (ELD) data analysis, black box data retrieval, insurance claim negotiation, Michigan No-Fault benefits claims, third-party negligence litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, catastrophic injury claims
Background: Steven M. Gursten is the lead truck accident attorney. Michigan Auto Law is the only law firm in Michigan with attorneys holding Board Certification in Truck Accident Law from the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Steven M. Gursten is one of only three lawyers in the country named to the American Association for Justice Trucking Litigation Group Hall of Fame for truck accident litigation. Firm has over 50 years of experience in truck accident cases. Specializes 100% in auto and truck accidents. Has secured more million-dollar commercial vehicle crash settlements and verdicts than any other firm in Michigan, including the largest truck accident settlement in state history. Over 2,500 five-star client reviews.
Location: Offices in Farmington Hills, Sterling Heights, Detroit, Flint, Ann Arbor, Traverse City, and Grand Rapids, Michigan
Contact: (800) 968-1001 | https://www.michiganautolaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement
2. Christensen Law
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, semi-truck collisions, commercial vehicle accidents, car accidents, motorcycle accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, personal injury
Case Types Handled: Tractor-trailer accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, commercial truck collisions, delivery truck accidents, rollover accidents, jackknife accidents, rear-end truck collisions, intersection truck accidents
Legal Services: Trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence investigation, federal regulation violation investigation, Michigan No-Fault PIP claims, third-party negligence claims, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims
Background: Christensen Law has a team of multiple attorneys and robust support staff dedicated to truck accident cases. Firm philosophy is “LISTEN PROTECT WIN.” Handles cases throughout Michigan with an office in Detroit. Covers all case-related expenses with contingency fee arrangement. Known for compassionate client service and detailed case preparation. Team approach ensures comprehensive investigation and strong legal strategy for each case.
Location: Detroit, Michigan
Contact: https://davidchristensenlaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee (no fee unless case is won), full financial and legal support provided
3. Goodman Acker P.C.
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, car accidents, motorcycle accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, brain injuries, No-Fault insurance claims, personal injury
Case Types Handled: Semi-truck collisions, tractor-trailer accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, commercial truck accidents, delivery truck accidents, rollover accidents, rear-end truck collisions, distracted driving truck accidents
Legal Services: Trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence investigation, Michigan No-Fault benefits claims, third-party negligence litigation, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, lost wage recovery, medical expense claims, pain and suffering damages
Background: Goodman Acker has over 150 years of combined experience handling personal injury cases. The firm maintains a 99% success rate. Available 24/7 for client emergencies. Has handled complex truck accident cases including a $2 million recovery for a client who was run over by a truck driven by a distracted driver. Trusted and respected throughout Detroit and Michigan for handling high-stakes trucking injury cases. Firm understands Michigan’s unique No-Fault insurance system and how to maximize compensation through both No-Fault claims and third-party litigation.
Location: Detroit, Michigan (serves Wayne County, Oakland County, Macomb County, and throughout Eastern Michigan)
Contact: https://www.goodmanacker.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement
4. Ravid & Associates, P.C.
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, car accidents, motorcycle accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, personal injury
Case Types Handled: Semi-truck collisions, 18-wheeler accidents, commercial truck accidents, delivery truck accidents, tanker truck accidents, rollover accidents, jackknife accidents, rear-end truck collisions
Legal Services: Trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence investigation, federal regulation violation analysis, Michigan No-Fault benefits claims, third-party negligence litigation, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, arbitration, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, long-term care compensation
Background: Ravid & Associates has over 180 years of combined experience among their personal injury trial attorneys. The firm has represented thousands of Michigan families in trucking accident cases. Known as a national leader in truck accident law. Personal injury trial lawyers with qualifications to cross-examine witnesses and effectively prosecute cases at trial. Deep knowledge of Michigan law including No-Fault system. Team approach with personalized client attention.
Location: Detroit, Michigan (serves throughout Michigan)
Contact: (248) 948-9696 | https://ravidandassociates.com
Consultation: Free consultation (no charge), contingency fee arrangement (no fee unless case is won)
5. Sinas Dramis Law Firm
Practice Focus: Car accidents, semi-truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle collisions, personal injury
Case Types Handled: Motor vehicle accidents, semi-truck accidents, motorcycle crashes, bicycle collisions
Legal Services: Personal injury claims and litigation, guidance for injured people and families on their rights and options
Background: Sinas Dramis describes itself as Michigan’s advocates for the injured for 75 years. It has offices in Lansing, Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor and a Metro Detroit office in St. Clair Shores.
Location: 24825 Little Mack Ave., Suite 200, St. Clair Shores, MI 48080 (Metro Detroit)
Contact: 313-202-2000 | https://sinasdramis.com/
Consultation: Contact the firm by phone, visit or email to discuss a case
Federal Truck Coverage, Driving Limits and Several Liability in Detroit Truck Crash Claims
For a Detroit truck crash, federal rules set the weight line for a commercial motor vehicle, the carrier’s minimum coverage and the hours its driver may drive. Michigan law then applies its no-fault threshold and 50 percent bar, and keeps the carrier answerable for its own employee’s driving.
Which Trucks the Federal Rules Reach and Their Coverage
Under 49 CFR 390.5, a commercial motor vehicle includes a vehicle used on a highway in interstate commerce with a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating, or actual gross weight, of 10,001 pounds or more, whichever is greater. Under 49 CFR 387.9, a for-hire carrier hauling nonhazardous property in interstate or foreign commerce in a vehicle rated 10,001 pounds or more must carry at least $750,000, and under 387.7 it may not operate until that coverage is in effect.
The Daily Driving Window and Post-Crash Testing
Except as otherwise provided in 49 CFR 395.1, 49 CFR 395.3(a) requires a property-carrying driver to have 10 consecutive hours off duty before driving, limits driving to 11 hours, bars driving after the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty, and bars driving once more than 8 hours of driving time have passed without a consecutive 30-minute interruption. Under 382.303, a fatal crash requires alcohol and drug testing of the surviving driver, and an injury or tow-away crash requires it when the commercial driver is cited for a moving violation arising from the crash within 8 hours (alcohol) or 32 hours (drugs).
Several Liability and the Employer
Under MCL 600.2956, except as provided in 600.6304, each defendant’s liability is several only and not joint, but the section does not abolish an employer’s vicarious liability for an act or omission of its employee.
The No-Fault Threshold and the 50 Percent Bar
Under MCL 500.3135(1) and (2)(b), tort liability for noneconomic loss from a motor vehicle requires death, serious impairment of body function or permanent serious disfigurement, damages are assessed on comparative fault, and no damages are assessed in favor of a party more than 50 percent at fault.
Detroit Truck Accident Questions
How long do I have to sue the trucking company?
Three years after the death or injury, under MCL 600.5805(2), for an action to recover damages for death or for injury to a person or property. A truck owned by a governmental agency falls under MCL 691.1405, which keeps the agency liable for its employee’s negligent driving.
Can I recover if I was partly at fault?
Yes, if you are not more than 50 percent at fault. For example, imagine $350,000 in damages and 30 percent of the fault on the injured driver: under MCL 500.3135(2)(b) and 600.2959 the recovery would be $245,000.
Who can recover in a wrongful death action after a truck crash?
Under MCL 600.2922, the personal representative brings the action for the deceased’s spouse, children, descendants, parents, grandparents and siblings, or if none survive, the heirs under intestate succession, along with the spouse’s children and devisees under the will.