Detroit Truck Accident Lawyer

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Truck Accident Attorney in Detroit, MI

Key Takeaways

  • Truck accidents in Detroit often cause severe or fatal injuries due to the size and force of commercial trucks.
  • Michigan is a no-fault state, but you may sue the negligent driver if your damages exceed policy limits.
  • You can recover economic damages and, if thresholds are met, non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
  • Non-economic damages are only available for serious disfigurement, death, or severe impairment.
  • Motor vehicle damage claims in injury cases are limited to $3,000 if not covered by insurance.
  • Key causes of truck crashes include distracted driving, fatigue, mechanical issues, and blind spots.

Even when drivers take the proper precautions, accidents can happen, which can be shocking and even life-changing. Truck accidents can be severe, resulting in serious injuries and lasting impacts. If you have fallen victim to a truck accident in the Detroit area, a skilled Detroit truck accident lawyer from Wigod & Falzon can help you get the compensation you are entitled to.

The legal team at Wigod & Falzon is aware of the emotional, financial, and physical toll that a truck accident can have on victims and their loved ones. Therefore, we are devoted to fighting for our clients, helping them optimize each step of the claims process, and serving as sound negotiators and fierce advocates on their behalf.

A Detroit truck accident lawyer from our firm can add your case to our list of successful outcomes by using a compassionate and customized legal strategy to secure your just compensation.

experienced detroit truck accident attorney

Why Should I Hire a Detroit Truck Accident Lawyer From Wigod & Falzon?

Hiring a truck accident lawyer from our firm to represent your case can produce several benefits. We can help ensure that you have the financial compensation you need after your accident to cover the expenses associated with it, such as medical bills and lost wages. A talented attorney from Wigod & Falzon can calculate the adequate compensation amount to cover not only past and current expenses but also future costs, such as at-home care services and long-term physical rehabilitation.

The legal team at Wigod & Falzon is solely dedicated to supporting clients with personal injury cases. Therefore, we have collective decades of experience supporting truck accident victims in Detroit and the surrounding areas. We have a strong record of helping clients win optimal outcomes. We do this, in part, by easing the complexity of the associated legal and bureaucratic processes while keeping clients informed about case updates and upcoming deadlines.

How a Detroit Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help My Case

If you have suffered truck accident injuries in Detroit, then you are likely feeling defeated and unsure about what to do next. Due to the sheer size of trucks and the force they can exert upon impact, the resulting injuries tend to be more severe for truck crashes than other crashes that do not involve these vehicles. In fact, truck accidents are more likely to be fatal.

Consulting a car accident lawyer can provide you with the guidance and support you need during this challenging time. It’s important to work with lawyers who know what they’re doing and can get you the compensation you need. For insight into the time a truck accident settlement takes and the settlement process, reach out to a knowledgeable lawyer from our firm. We can help you with the following:

  • Compassion and Understanding: A truck accident is one of the most devastating events that can occur in a person’s life. Having an individual who can create a safe and compassionate space for you to explain what happened, including the details of the accident and your subsequent losses, can be cathartic for victims. Our legal team can use your case description as the foundation of your legal argument, working to present the truth of what happened.
  • Investigating the Accident: Based on your accounts, our legal team can investigate how the crash occurred and who the main liable parties were. We can work with professionals, such as crash analysts, safety analysts, truck driver trainers, engineers, and mechanics, to determine how the accident was caused.
  • Collecting Evidence: As part of the accident investigation, our firm can work to collect evidence that supports your story and demonstrates the liability of the other parties. We can help collect photos and videos of the crash scene, show electronic data recorder information from the black box of the truck, phone, and messaging records, the BAC results from the truck driver, and the truck driver’s criminal and/or traffic records.
  • Negotiating Settlements: Our legal team can bring forward your strong, evidence-based case to negotiate a comprehensive settlement. This is often done with aninsurance provider. We can make sure that your settlement covers all your key needs, including lost wages and medical expenses.
  • Pursuing Legal Action: If a truck accident attorney from our team cannot reach a reasonable settlement with the involved parties outside of court, then we do not hesitate to pursue a trial to get the compensation you deserve. While Michigan is a no-fault state, you can file a claim against the negligent driver if the damages exceed your policy limits.
  • Preserving Evidence: We can ensure that all evidence is preserved and included, even filing legal motions to get certain evidence from the trucking company if they refuse to comply and the evidence is critical to the case.
  • Navigating Trials: A trial and its associated legal processes can be complex and overwhelming. Therefore, it is advised to work with an experienced lawyer who can guide you through it, notifying you of upcoming deadlines and key events, such as court hearings and trial preparations.
  • Bold Representation: A truck accident lawyer from our team can work to represent you fiercely in the courtroom, providing and bringing forward key evidence to back your case. We can optimally present eyewitnesses, professional testimony, and other concrete evidence to support our strong legal arguments. Through this process, we can work to convince the jury or judge of your case.
  • Facilitating Appeals: If you are not satisfied with the outcome of your trial, we can help you pursue further options to get the compensation you are entitled to. For example, if there are grounds to believe that your trial was conducted unfairly, we can help you file an appeal to possibly redo the trial completely.

The personal injury team at Wigod & Falzon is committed to making sure that clients are not taken advantage of by insurance companies. From the beginning of your claims process through its end, we can work hard to support your case, providing you with clear explanations of the process and integrating your feedback into our legal strategy.

By working with a dedicated and caring Detroit personal injury lawyer from Wigod & Falzon, you can optimize your chances of getting a strong compensation package that truly covers your accident damages.

What to Do After a Detroit Truck Accident

Getting into a commercial truck accident can be devastating—especially because you can never see them coming. As per commercial truck accident statistics, when you least expect it, your life can be changed in seconds, resulting in temporary or even permanent disability and serious property damages. To protect yourself in the aftermath of an accident, it’s important to be aware of the general steps to take, which include the following:

  • Ensuring Safety: If possible, make sure you get to a safe place directly after the accident. Get out of the way of oncoming traffic or moving objects that could seriously endanger you. Ensure you are far removed from fires or destroyed objects that could potentially catch fire or explode.
  • Checking for Life-Threatening Injuries: Make sure that you do not have a life-threatening injury and that no one around you has an injury that requires immediate attention. Life-threatening injuries include those involving a severe impact to the head or excessive bleeding.
  • Calling Law Enforcement: Call 911 and alert them that the accident has happened. You will need to inform them of the location of the accident and whether there are any severe injuries or other medical issues that need attention.
  • Sharing Contact Information: It is critical to get the name of the truck driver who hit you, their trucking company, and their insurance information. You then need to get the contact information of the driver and their trucking company as well. If there were witnesses, it’s important to take their contact information so that they can testify on your behalf later by explaining what happened during the accident.
  • Collecting Information on the Truck and Its Driver: Get the license plate number of the truck as well as the driver’s license number of the truck driver. Take pictures of the truck, and jot down any noticeable features of the vehicle.
  • Working With Law Enforcement: After arriving on the scene, police might ask you for information about what happened during the accident. If a person is injured or there is a certain amount of damage, they then need to file a report. Ask for the officer’s name, the case number, and a copy of the police report for your records.
  • Collecting Evidence: Take pictures and videos of the crash scene, including detailed evidence of the resulting damages from the crash. Note the time, place, and location of the crash, the parties involved, and key details that you remember from before, during, and after the crash.
  • Seeing a Medical Professional: Even if you don’t believe that you have suffered injuries after your truck accident, it is critical to see a medical professional. They can make sure that you do not have any underlying conditions that do not yet have symptoms. They can also help monitor your condition to ensure that nothing develops.

By proactively collecting copies of records that show damages to physical property as well as medical damages, you can ensure that you have the foundation for an insurance claim or a strong personal injury case. It’s critical to note that you should not discuss what happened during the accident with the truck driver, the trucking company, or anyone at the site, as this could implicate certain liability on your behalf.

What Damages Can I Recover From a Detroit Truck Accident?

There are a variety of damages that you can suffer because of a truck accident, such as financial losses, physical trauma, and emotional distress. An experienced and knowledgeable attorney from Wigod & Falzon can help you work to get the compensation you need to cover the associated damages from your truck accident.

In Michigan, you can be compensated for both economic damages and non-economic damages in a personal injury claim after a truck accident. However, you must meet the liability threshold to claim non-economic damages. Those responsible can only be held liable for non-economic damages if the plaintiff suffered permanent serious disfigurement, death, or severe impairment of their bodily functions.

To recover economic damages to your vehicle in a personal injury claim, you must have damages that are not covered by your insurance. You can only claim up to $3,000 in damages to your motor vehicle.

Economic damages include those that can be directly measured in terms of financial losses. They also have receipts as evidence, such as medical bills or vehicle repair estimates. Non-economic damages, including damages such as pain and suffering, are harder to value. If you meet the prerequisites, a compassionate attorney from our firm can help you get compensation for the following:

  • Lost Wages and Benefits: If you are temporarily out of work due to your truck accident injuries and can’t work as a result, you may be able to get compensation for associated lost wages and benefits.
  • Mental Suffering: Truck accident victims commonly have emotional or mental challenges after a truck accident due to the trauma of the experience. An attorney from our firm can help you get compensation for the associated damages and costs, such as therapy and mental anguish.
  • Medical Costs: There are a variety of medical expenses that are associated with truck accident injuries, such as prescription medications, surgery fees, medical visits, transportation to and from medical visits, diagnostic tests, hospital bills, medical devices, physical therapy, and more. A dedicated lawyer from Wigod & Falzon can help you get the coverage you need for such expenses.
  • Scarring or Disfigurement: If you are facing permanent scarring or the disfigurement of your body, you may be entitled to compensation for such non-economic damages in the state of Michigan.
  • Care Services: After suffering a truck accident, you might need at-home care services if your injuries are severe. A truck accident settlement can cover the costs associated with general care and household services, such as cooking, cleaning, and driving.
  • Modification of Facilities: If your truck accident injuries resulted in a permanent or temporary disability that makes it difficult to use your home and vehicle as you did before, then you might need to get modifications, such as ramps or walk-in showers. Such modifications can be expensive, but they can be covered in a truck accident settlement.

An experienced and knowledgeable lawyer from Wigod & Falzon can evaluate the economic and non-economic damages associated with your case and come up with a comprehensive settlement goal that encompasses your losses. We have collective decades of experience in valuing non-economic losses such as pain and suffering and helping victims optimize their settlement outcomes. We are ready to fight for you to get the compensation you’re entitled to today.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Detroit

Truck accidents happen when we least expect them to, and they tend to result in severe injuries, with some even being fatal. Because large trucks can potentially be extremely dangerous, there are a myriad of rules and regulations regarding truck driving in Michigan and across the country. Even the most experienced semi-truck drivers may have difficulty avoiding a truck accident in Michigan, with the most common causes being:

  • Distracted Driving: The leading cause of motor vehicle crashes in Michigan and the United States is distracted driving, which can particularly be an issue for truck drivers. Any activity that keeps drivers from fully focusing on the road, such as eating, talking on the phone, changing the radio, or looking up directions, is a distraction. It is considered to be dangerous if a driver is engaged in distracting behavior while operating their vehicle.
  • Mechanical Breakdowns: Mechanical breakdowns or design flaws can result in truck accidents. Faulty brakes, overheated engines, and weak fasteners can lead to failures that cause fires, explosions, or other conditions that prevent drivers from being able to safely operate their vehicles.
  • Driving Times: To avoid crashes that result from truck drivers being on the road for too long without rest, the U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has implemented federal safety regulations. However, despite such regulations, exhausted drivers who need rest can cause accidents due to the lower sense of alertness associated with fatigue.
  • Blind Spots: There are a greater number of blind spots on a large commercial vehicle than on a smaller vehicle, such as a car. If another vehicle is in a truck’s blind spot, and they are not aware of their presence on the road, they could hit them and cause an accident.
  • Drunk Driving: Drivers who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs are some of the main causes of truck crashes. Alcohol can reduce a person’s inhibitions, causing them to drive recklessly. It can also decrease their alertness, causing them to overlook other people on the road and trigger an accident.
  • Truck Cargo Problems: Cargo in a truck must be loaded adequately to avoid issues that could lead to a crash. For example, if a truck is not loaded properly or if it is overweight or unbalanced, this can result in spills, leaks, and other unfit circumstances for passenger vehicles. Drivers can avoid truck accidents by receiving proper training and taking the time to properly load their trucks.
  • Poor Conditions: Subpar weather conditions, such as dark skies and wet or icy roads, can cause drivers to crash easily. A loss of visibility may mean that truck drivers are not able to see the people on the road around them well, leading to unexpected crashes.

By working with a compassionate and experienced truck accident lawyer from Wigod & Falzon, you can be sure that your case is being handled by a professional.

We can identify the cause of your truck accident, communicate with your insurer, and work to collect evidence to prove the liability of the truck driver or another party, such as a government agency or truck parts manufacturing company, if you can file a personal injury claim. Together, we can hold the right people accountable and get you the compensation you are entitled to.

Understanding Detroit Accident Risks

Detroit’s roadways are major transportation corridors for commercial trucking. Interstates like I-75 and I-94 see heavy freight traffic every day, and truck crashes in Michigan have accounted for thousands of injuries and dozens of fatalities in recent years.

These risks are tied to common cases of truck accidents, like distracted driving, mechanical failures, blind spot collisions, and driver fatigue, all of which are issues addressed under truck accident laws that govern liability and responsibility.

With Detroit’s high-traffic corridors carrying both commuter and commercial traffic, drivers face serious injury risks if a crash occurs near major exit ramps or busy intersections. In these situations, our seasoned Detroit truck accident attorneys can investigate the complex liability issues that revolve around truck drivers, trucking companies, and insurance companies.

Successful Outcomes for Detroit Injury Victims

When you’re choosing a legal team after a truck accident, results matter. Past performance doesn’t guarantee future outcomes, but demonstrated success can show a law firm’s ability to manage complicated litigation, negotiate aggressively, and stand firm against powerful insurance companies.

$765,000

Settlement in an auto accident injury case

$1,000,000

No-fault attendant care settlement

$1.24 Million

Settlement for breach of contract in an injury case

$625,000

Settlement in a motor vehicle accident case

$220,000

No-fault settlement

$225,000

Settlement in a premises liability case

At Wigod & Falzon, our record of compensation reflects decades of experience representing Michigan injury victims in high-stakes litigation. Whether we’re negotiating a settlement or preparing for trial, our team understands how to strategically position a truck accident case so that you can get a fair outcome under Michigan law.

Commercial truck accident cases often involve layered insurance coverage, corporate defendants, and intricate truck accident laws, and navigating those complexities requires the steady guidance of a seasoned Detroit truck accident attorney.

While every injury claim is unique, our results demonstrate our ability to secure meaningful compensation for clients who are facing overwhelming medical expenses, lost wages, and long-term recovery challenges. Our Detroit truck accident attorneys evaluate the full scope of damages to make sure no detail is overlooked.

When you choose the team at Wigod & Falzon, you get to work with a dedicated Detroit truck accident attorney who understands what’s truly at stake and one who prepares every case as though it might go to trial. This preparation strengthens your settlement negotiations and helps make sure that insurance companies take your claim seriously. Our legal team approaches every truck accident case with personal attention, thorough investigation, and unwavering advocacy.

Awards and Professional Recognition

When you’re selecting legal representation after a truck accident, credibility and professional standing matter. Awards and recognition, however, aren’t just decorative distinctions; they reflect the respect of our peers, client satisfaction, and a sustained commitment to excellence in personal injury advocacy.

For those who need to pursue a truck accident case, these distinctions can provide added confidence that your legal team has earned the trust of both clients and the broader legal community.

At Wigod & Falzon, our professional recognition is built on decades of service to Michigan injury victims. Handling cases that could involve catastrophic injuries while navigating intricate truck accident laws requires both legal knowledge and practical courtroom experience. A seasoned Detroit truck accident attorney needs to be prepared to challenge insurance companies, work with professional witnesses, and litigate aggressively when necessary.

Wigod & Falzon’s work has earned consistent positive recognition that matters to injury victims pursuing justice in Detroit, including:

  • Over 25 years of professional experience
  • Hundreds of five-star Google reviews
  • Top 40 Under 40 award from The National Trial Lawyers
  • Top Attorneys of North America
  • Martindale-Hubbell Top Rated Lawyer Award for litigation
  • The American Society of Legal Advocates
  • AV Preeminent Highest Possible Rating in Both Legal Ability and Ethical Standards
  • American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys Top Ten Attorneys Award
  • America’s Most Honored Professionals

These awards and recognitions give Detroit injury victims important confidence in our ability to handle truck accident laws and pursue full compensation. Client reviews don’t just show wins, but a compassionate approach that supports people through recovery.

Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer: Why Detroit Injury Victims Choose Wigod & Falzon

A key reason why so many Detroit residents turn to Wigod & Falzon after a truck accident is our commitment to clear communication and trial readiness. Firm founders Gerald E. Wigod and Lawrence Falzon approach every truck accident case with extensive experience in Michigan’s legal landscape, including how truck accident laws function in Wayne County and throughout the state.

Gerald Wigod has more than 50 years of trial experience, having litigated throughout Michigan courts, including at the state appellate and supreme court levels, giving clients confidence that their case is in seasoned hands.

Lawrence Falzon’s long career in no-fault insurance and negligence law means that clients benefit from a nuanced understanding of Michigan’s legal requirements and how to navigate truck accident laws that often involve multiple insurers, corporate defendants, and federal trucking regulations.

When you hire a truck accident lawyer at Wigod & Falzon, you can expect prompt communication, personalized legal strategy, and unwavering advocacy, whether negotiating with insurers or preparing for trial.

How a Detroit Truck Accident Attorney Can Help

A truck accident case often involves multiple parties, corporate insurers, and detailed truck accident laws that are difficult to navigate without the help of an experienced Detroit truck accident attorney. Because trucking companies move quickly to limit their financial exposure, having a knowledgeable advocate by your side helps your truck accident case get handled with strength and precision from day one.

Truck collisions are often more damaging than motor vehicle impacts due to the sheer size and force of commercial vehicles. Our Detroit truck accident attorneys can:

  • Thoroughly investigate how the crash occurred and who is liable
  • Collect critical evidence, including black box and accident reconstruction data
  • Work with medical and vocational professionals to value your full damages
  • Handle negotiations with insurers to pursue a fair settlement or take your case to trial

The right Detroit truck accident attorney can provide more than just legal guidance; they offer protection and direction when it matters most. At Wigod & Falzon, we can thoroughly assess all damages and prepare every truck accident case to secure a fair outcome.

How Much Does a Detroit Truck Accident Lawyer Cost?

The cost of a Detroit truck accident lawyer can vary based on certain factors, including the:

  • Location of the law firm
  • Amount of experience the attorney has
  • Complexity of the case
  • Willingness of parties involved to collaborate
  • Extent of the damages
  • Strength of the associated evidence

It’s critical to work with a truck accident attorney who is upfront about their pricing and the costs that they charge for their services. If you suspect that an attorney is not adequately disclosing all the relevant financial details, you should consider working with another legal professional.

Truck accident lawyers may charge a lump sum before they start working on your case, or they may bill hourly. It is common for personal injury lawyers to charge a contingency fee, which is a percentage of your final settlement amount. The personal injury team at Wigod & Falzon works on a contingency fee, meaning that our team does not receive legal fees unless we obtain compensation for you. Therefore, you can rest assured that if we take on your case, we have full confidence in our ability to get your desired outcome.

Can I Get Compensation for Pain and Suffering After My Detroit Truck Accident?

In the state of Michigan, truck accident victims are entitled to compensation for the pain and suffering that they endure because of the crash. However, they can only file a personal injury claim to recover these damages if they are seriously and permanently disfigured or if their bodily functions are severely impaired. Pain and suffering is also recoverable in wrongful death claims.

Unlike economic damages, pain and suffering is a form of non-economic damage that cannot be directly evaluated. However, an experienced and knowledgeable truck accident lawyer from Wigod & Falzon can evaluate your case and come up with a number that equates to your non-economic losses. From there, they can fight to get you the compensation you deserve.

Together, we can build a custom plan that reflects your ideal case outcomes and work to pursue adequate compensation for your case.

Start Working Toward Your Detroit Truck Accident Settlement Today

If you have fallen victim to a truck accident in Detroit, you do not have to bear the weight of the accident aftermath alone. A supportive and knowledgeable personal injury lawyer from Wigod & Falzon can provide a safe and compassionate space for you to voice your grief and explain what happened.

Our team can listen attentively to understand your legal needs, actively address your questions and concerns, and cultivate a strong custom strategy to help you get the compensation you are entitled to for your losses. Reach out to a member of our firm today to get started.

Meet Our Attorney Team

Gerald E. Wigod

Gerald E. Wigod

Personal Injury Specialist

 

Lawrence Falzon

Lawrence Falzon

No-Fault Law Attorney

 

James R. Ekleberry

James R. Ekleberry

Personal Injury Attorney

 

Richard G. Brewer

Richard G. Brewer

Complex Claims Attorney

 

Douglas Haraszkiewicz

Douglas Haraszkiewicz

Insurance Defense Specialist

 

Joseph Falzon

Joseph Falzon

Personal Injury Attorney

 

Jessica Connarn

Jessica Connarn

Family Law Attorney

 

About Detroit, MI:

Detroit, known for its legendary automotive history, Motown sound, and thriving arts scene, welcomes millions of visitors every year. But as a major transportation hub, the city also faces serious truck accident risks.

In 2023, Michigan saw nearly 288,000 crashes, many involving commercial trucks—especially along busy corridors like I-94 and I-75. Due to their size and weight, truck accidents often result in severe injuries or fatalities, commonly caused by speeding, distracted driving, and mechanical issues. Safety experts stress the importance of defensive driving, regular maintenance, and proper braking techniques for truckers.

To help prevent crashes, Michigan enforces strict rules: truck drivers must perform pre-trip inspections, avoid handheld phones under the 2023 distracted driving law, and follow the “Move Over” law when passing emergency vehicles. Violations carry fines and license points.

Through these efforts and ongoing safety campaigns, Detroit is striving to make roads safer for everyone—residents and visitors alike.

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