Causes of Truck Rollovers and Sideswipe Crashes in Michigan

Large commercial trucks are a common sight on Michigan roads, and most drivers pass these large vehicles without issue. However, it is important to know the causes of truck rollovers and sideswipe crashes in Michigan. Whenever a commercial truck is involved in a crash with smaller vehicles, the results can be devastating, and those involved need to know their legal options. You should hire a skilled truck accident lawyer to help you prove the cause of your recent truck accident.

Causes of Truck Rollovers and Sideswipe Crashes in Michigan

Large commercial trucks are longer, heavier, and less maneuverable than smaller passenger vehicles, so rollover accidents are more likely to happen in certain situations. These accidents can occur when a truck is off-balance or if the truck driver takes a turn too sharply. Cargo must be loaded and secured correctly so the weight of the truck is properly distributed, and truck drivers must exercise caution when driving at higher speeds, especially around turns. Violations of commercial truck weight and axle load limits can also increase the risk of rollovers, as improper weight distribution or overloaded axles make trucks harder to control.

Sideswipe crashes can happen for similar reasons, or when other drivers near a truck are too close, or if the truck fails to navigate around a turn correctly. These accidents can also happen if a truck driver performs an illegal turn across adjacent lanes of traffic. Ultimately, rollover and sideswipe accidents involving commercial trucks can be incredibly destructive, and these accidents are most often the result of driver negligence.

According to the Michigan State Police in their 2024 Statewide Traffic Crash Summary, there were 16,678 trucks and buses involved in crashes throughout the state in 2024. There were 1,235 tractor-trailers, 5,605 tractors with semi-trailers, and 455 other heavy trucks involved in fatal crashes throughout the state that year.

The National Safety Council reported that in 2023, there were 114,552 large trucks involved in accidents resulting in nonfatal injuries and 5,375 large trucks involved in fatal crashes throughout the United States. The victims of these accidents were mostly occupants of smaller passenger vehicles. Rollover and sideswipe accidents involving other vehicles have a very high chance of resulting in devastating injuries.

Ultimately, truck rollovers and sideswipe accidents may result from one party’s negligence behind the wheel, but in some cases, trucking companies and other employers are vicariously liable for the actions of their employees. If your case reveals that a trucking company failed to enforce applicable regulations and this contributed to your accident, the company can face shared responsibility for your damages as well as other penalties.

Recovering From a Truck Accident in Michigan

If you are hurt in a truck accident in Michigan, it’s natural to have lots of difficult questions about your legal options in this situation. Michigan upholds a no-fault rule for most vehicle accidents, meaning an injured driver must file a claim against their own no-fault insurance policy if they are hurt in an accident, regardless of who was at fault. However, under certain conditions, an injured driver may have grounds for further legal recourse.

Truck accidents in Michigan can potentially cause life-changing injuries, expensive economic losses, and severe pain and suffering for those involved. You need to hire a truck accident lawyer who can help you make sense of your recovery options if you believe another party is responsible for causing such an accident to you or a family member. Reach out to Wigod & Falzon if you need legal counsel you trust to assist you with this type of case.

FAQs

Who Is Liable for a Truck Rollover or Sideswipe Accident in Michigan?

Liability for a truck rollover or sideswipe accident in Michigan could fall to the truck driver if they were negligent and the negligence allowed the accident to happen. It is also possible for the accident to have resulted from another party’s negligence or misconduct. You may need to prove fault for your accident if you intend to pursue compensation outside of a no-fault insurance claim, so it’s crucial to hire a truck accident lawyer at your first opportunity after your accident.

How Much Compensation Can I Claim for a Truck Accident?

The amount of compensation you can claim for a truck accident depends on the overall severity of your injuries. It’s possible to claim compensation for economic and non-economic damages from your no-fault insurance policy, but you can only expect compensation up to the coverage limits of the policy. If you have grounds to file a personal injury case, you could potentially recover greater compensation than what your insurance policy can provide.

Why Should I Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer?

You should hire a truck accident lawyer because resolving the legal aftermath of this type of accident will be very difficult without legal counsel on your side. Truck accidents can not only entail significant damages, but they can also raise very complex questions of liability, and you may have multiple recovery options available to you. To have the greatest chance of reaching a positive conclusion to your case, you need to hire a truck accident lawyer you trust.

What Does It Cost to Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer in Michigan?

The cost to hire a truck accident lawyer in Michigan depends on the final outcome of your case if you choose Wigod & Falzon to represent you. Under our contingency fee policy, we will only charge you a fee if and when we win compensation for you, and this contingency fee is a percentage of the total amount recovered for your damages. If there is no recovery, you pay no fee, so there is no risk in hiring our team to represent you in a truck accident case.

Knowing the potential causes of truck rollovers and sideswipe crashes in Michigan can possibly help you remain alert and avoid dangerous situations, but it is still crucial to know what you should do after any truck accident. The right attorney can be a valuable asset to your recovery, and the team at Wigod & Falzon is ready to assist you. Contact us today and schedule a free consultation with our team to learn how we can help with your case.