Novi Truck Accident Lawyer

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Truck Accident Attorney in Novi, MI

novi truck accident lawyer

Motorists injured in truck collisions face impacts of another magnitude, from catastrophic injuries to complex insurance issues and federal safety regulations. A consultation with a skilled Novi truck accident lawyer at Wigod & Falzon can help you clarify liability, preserve important evidence, and ensure Michigan personal injury and commercial trucking rules are applied to your case.

We work with clients who have been injured in crashes along I-96, Beck Road, Grand River Avenue, Novi Road, and other local streets and highways to ensure that police, medical, and carrier records are established before insurance companies solidify their accounts of events.

Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer

At Wigod & Falzon, our attorneys have decades of combined experience with catastrophic crash claims throughout metro Detroit, including cases against commercial carriers, freight carriers, and local delivery fleets. Trucking accidents demand quick investigation, because driving logs, dash camera recordings, and vehicle maintenance data can be overwritten or otherwise lost.

We are familiar with current trends in Michigan trucking litigation and federal compliance requirements, so our clients can rest assured they are receiving advice that is informed by hard-won trial experience, a meticulous approach to case development, and a focus on their long-term recovery. When injuries affect multiple areas of life, families can also benefit from the broader perspective an experienced Novi personal injury lawyer brings to long-term planning and compensation.

Michigan Investigation of Commercial Truck Crashes

Truck crashes also require a rapid investigation, because important evidence can be easily erased. Preserving and reviewing police reports, drivers’ logs, black box data, and vehicle maintenance records can help to reconstruct the events leading up to the collision. Statewide discussions of major causes of big-rig and 18-wheeler crashes in Michigan highlight just how often preventable issues are involved.

In 2024, there were 110 fatalities in large truck crashes, according to Michigan State Crash Data. Preservation letters can be sent out early in the case to prevent records from being deleted or otherwise destroyed. Skid marks, vehicle damage, and the data on electronic logging devices can provide insight into the cause of the crash and protect your legal rights from the outset.

Liability Issues With Commercial Vehicles

The driver, the company that employs the driver, and the entity that services and maintains the vehicle are all potentially responsible for a truck accident. Other parties, such as cargo loaders or logistics contractors, may also be liable if an improperly loaded trailer causes or contributes to a crash.

Michigan negligence claims are evaluated under the state’s comparative fault rules in MCL 600.2959, so we examine driver conduct, carrier policies, and maintenance history to establish liability. We also verify layers of insurance coverage and help identify all sources of available compensation.

Trucking cases often require early notice to the carrier and a more in-depth investigation into the business practices of a defendant, because those companies and their insurance carriers often try to act quickly to limit their liability.

Serious Injury Considerations and Future Medical Treatment

Trucks and other commercial vehicles are often involved in crashes that cause catastrophic and life-altering injuries. We collaborate with treating physicians and healthcare providers to ensure physical limitations and future medical needs are well documented. Michigan’s no-fault auto insurance system can provide personal injury protection PIP benefits to cover some or all of the costs of medical care, rehabilitation, and wage loss benefits in the first years after a serious injury.

When a catastrophic injury causes prolonged disability or future medical needs, an injured person may need to file a claim against the other driver’s insurance and, possibly, the injured person’s own insurance as well. Good medical records and ongoing treatment are the foundations of such a claim.

Recovering from a traumatic injury is difficult enough without speculation about the future. We help clients organize treatment timelines and assist them as they think through return-to-work plans and long-term recovery goals.

Insurance Issues in Trucking Claims

In Novi, trucking companies may have more than one insurance policy, such as primary and excess insurance, both of which may provide coverage depending on the facts of the case. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) promulgated regulations at 49 C.F.R. Part 392, which sets out federal safety rules for commercial drivers.

These regulations govern truck drivers’ actions on the road and provide for a wide range of operational requirements for trucking companies, such as compliance with driving time and rest limits, drug and alcohol testing, and requirements for safe vehicle operation.

Carriers that transport goods to industries that cluster in metro Detroit, such as auto manufacturing suppliers and general freight carriers, often retain corporate insurance defense teams. Careful preparation, early evidence collection, and experienced negotiation can help protect a client’s financial recovery when dealing with sophisticated insurance carriers. In the most tragic crashes, families may also need to discuss options with a skilled Novi wrongful death lawyer when a fatality occurs.

FAQs

How Do Truck Accident Claims Differ From Regular Car Accident Cases?

Commercial carriers must abide by federal safety standards, so they often have multiple insurance policies. Truck cases usually involve claims against more than one defendant. Drivers can file claims against their employers, and other negligent parties may include maintenance shops and logistics firms.

This broadens the scope of evidence that should be reviewed. Electronic logs, black box data, and employment records become key since they verify driver hours, training, maintenance, and loading activity.

What Evidence Should Be Collected After a Truck Crash in Novi?

Police crash reports, photos of the scene and vehicles, medical records, and witness contact information are needed after truck accidents, just like other car wrecks in Novi. Commercial collisions call for special attention to securing the driver logs and electronic control module data. Maintenance records and dispatch notes are also important.

Time is of the essence in preserving evidence, as trucking companies track electronic data. Incident reports can be reset after a certain period, while electronic data is often expunged.

Can I Still Recover Compensation if Multiple Trucks or Vehicles Were Involved?

Victims can still pursue financial recovery when multiple trucks or vehicles are involved, but assigning fault becomes more complicated. Michigan follows comparative fault rules, and our firm will review the actions of each driver.

Dash camera videos, if available, along with officer notes and witness statements, become even more crucial. Multi-vehicle accidents also often require the use of accident reconstruction professionals, especially when commercial carriers deny fault or attempt to shift blame.

Do Federal Trucking Regulations Affect Michigan Truck Accident Claims?

Federal trucking regulations affect Michigan cases since commercial drivers and trucking companies must adhere to operational standards. State laws are enforced, but federal rules on operating conditions apply to all Michigan claims.

Violations that contributed to a collision can help establish liability. Reviewing logbooks, safety training documentation, and compliance reports may help determine if a commercial carrier followed federal regulations and whether any easily avoidable errors occurred.

Contact a Novi Truck Accident Lawyer

Truck crashes require immediate action and professional assistance. Our attorneys at Wigod & Falzon help clients in Novi and other Oakland County communities understand Michigan laws and federal trucking regulations while pursuing their rights to compensation. We know how to litigate cases against commercial carriers with layered insurance policies and defend clients who have sustained serious injuries.

Call our firm to hire a truck accident lawyer who can help you build your case and discuss your options in a no-obligation consultation.

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