Royal Oak TRUCK ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
If you or someone you love has been in a truck accident in the Royal Oak area, you don’t have to face this overwhelming situation alone. An experienced truck accident lawyer can stand by your side, fighting to protect your rights and recover the compensation you need to rebuild your life. At Oak Law, we understand the pain and confusion you’re going through, and we’re here to help. Reach out to us today for a free, no-obligation case review, and let us guide you through this challenging time with the care and dedication you deserve.
Were You Injured in a Truck Accident in the Royal Oak Area?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reports that Michigan averaged nearly 5,200 crashes involving large trucks per year over a recent four-year stretch. If you’ve suddenly found yourself included in that statistic, you can seek compensation from those at fault for the crash. This compensation may include money for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and many other losses. That’s where an experienced truck accident lawyer can make all the difference.
At Oak Law, we pride ourselves on our client-centered approach. Our attorneys and support staff will take the time to listen to your story, learn your unique needs, and provide the personalized attention you deserve during this challenging time. We have represented over 1,000 and recovered more than $50 million on their behalf in verdicts and settlements. Let us put our experience and skill to work on your case, and at no upfront cost to you.
Contact us today to get started with a free consultation.
Steps to Take After a Truck Accident in Royal Oak
In the days and weeks following a truck accident, it’s essential to take proactive steps to protect your health and legal rights. If you’ve been in a truck accident in the Royal Oak area, here’s what you should do next:
- Follow through with medical treatment. See a doctor even if you received initial medical attention after the accident, attend all follow-up appointments, and adhere to your doctor’s treatment plan. This not only promotes your recovery but also helps build a clear record of your injuries and their impact on your life.
- Keep a personal injury journal. Document your daily experiences, including pain levels, emotional struggles, and any activities you’re unable to participate in due to your injuries. This information can be valuable when demonstrating the extent of your losses in an insurance claim or lawsuit.
- Gather and organize documentation. Collect all relevant paperwork related to the accident, such as medical bills, insurance correspondence, pay stubs (if you’ve missed work), vehicle repair estimates, and receipts for out-of-pocket expenses. Keep these organized and easily accessible in a file folder.
- Be cautious when communicating with insurance companies. If the trucking company’s insurer reaches out to you, be careful about what you say. They may try to use your statements against you to minimize or deny your claim. It’s best to consult with a lawyer before providing any recorded statements or signing any documents.
- Avoid discussing the accident on social media. Resist the temptation to post about the accident, your injuries, or the legal process on social media. Insurance companies and defense attorneys routinely monitor claimants’ online activity and won’t hesitate to use your posts to undermine your claim.
- Contact an experienced truck accident attorney. Facing the legal aftermath of a truck accident can be overwhelming, especially while you’re still recovering from injuries. A skilled lawyer, like those at Oak Law, can alleviate this stress and aggressively seek fair compensation on your behalf. Set up a free consultation and bring your evidence folder with you to your initial meeting to learn more about your rights and options.
Time Limit for Filing a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Royal Oak
If you or a loved one was recently in a truck accident, it’s important to be aware of the time limits for taking legal action. In Michigan, the statute of limitations usually usually allows three years from the date of the accident (Michigan Compiled Laws section 600.5805) for you to file a lawsuit.
While three years may seem like a long time, it’s in your best interest to consult with an attorney as soon as possible after a truck accident. Building a strong case takes time, and valuable evidence may be lost or destroyed if you wait too long to start the process.
At Oak Law, our experienced truck accident attorneys understand the time-sensitive nature of these cases. We’ll work efficiently to investigate your claim, gather evidence, and file necessary paperwork within the appropriate time frames. By contacting us promptly after your accident, you can focus on your recovery while we handle the legal aspects of your case.
Compensation Available in Royal Oak Truck Accident Cases
If you’ve been in a truck accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your:
- Medical expenses: This can include costs related to emergency treatment, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, and care for chronic conditions resulting from the accident.
- Lost wages and future earning capacity: If your injuries prevent you from working, you can demand money to make up for any lost income and reduction in your future earning potential.
- Pain and suffering: You may be able to seek monetary damages for the physical pain, emotional distress, and mental anguish you’ve experienced due to the accident and your injuries.
- Disfigurement and permanent impairment: If you’ve suffered scarring, disfigurement, or permanent disabilities, you may be entitled to additional compensation for the impact these injuries have on your quality of life.
- Vehicle repair or replacement: If the truck damaged or totaled your vehicle, you may deserve money for the costs of repairs or its fair market value.
The damages available in your case will depend on the unique circumstances of your accident and the extent of your losses.
Challenges in Royal Oak Truck Accident Claims
Truck accident cases often present unique challenges that can complicate the legal process. These include:
- Complex evidence: Truck accidents often involve complicated evidence, such as electronic data from the truck’s black box, hours-of-service logs, maintenance records, and cargo documentation. Obtaining and analyzing this evidence requires skill, resources, and determination.
- Multiple injured parties: A single truck accident can injure numerous victims, leading to a complex web of claims and potential delays in resolving them.
- Several liable parties: Truck accident cases may involve multiple at-fault parties, such as the truck driver, trucking company, cargo loader, or vehicle manufacturer. These parties may attempt to shift blame among themselves, complicating the determination of liability and extending the time it takes to resolve your claim.
- Complicated insurance issues: Trucking companies often carry high-value insurance policies with intricate coverage terms. Most trucks must carry at least $750,000 in liability insurance, with hazardous cargo requiring more substantial limits.
Michigan’s no-fault insurance system complicates truck accident cases further. Victims usually must rely on their personal injury protection (PIP) coverage first for medical expenses and lost wages, regardless of fault. An experienced attorney can review your case and determine your various sources of potential compensation.
No Upfront Costs with Our Truck Accident Lawyers
At Oak Law, we understand that the aftermath of a truck accident can be financially devastating. That’s why we offer our services on a contingency fee basis, allowing you to access quality legal representation without any upfront costs.
Under a contingency fee arrangement, our attorneys only collect a fee if we successfully recover compensation on your behalf through a settlement or court verdict. If we don’t win your case, you don’t owe us any attorney fees. If we do, we collect a percentage of the recovery, which aligns our interests with yours. This fee structure means you can pursue justice without the added stress of legal expenses.
Contact Our Royal Oak Truck Accident Attorneys Today
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident in the Royal Oak area, don’t let concerns over finances prevent you from seeking the legal help you need. Contact Oak Law today at (248) 716-8800 for a free consultation with our truck accident attorneys. We’ll review your case, answer your questions, and help you explore your options for pursuing the compensation you deserve.
FAQs: Michigan Truck Accident Claims
What happens if a defective truck part leads to a crash?
In some cases, mechanical failures contribute to a truck crash. For example, let’s say the brakes failed or a tire blew out because of some manufacturing issue. In cases like that, your lawyer can pursue a claim against the company that made the faulty part or truck. Those product liability claims get added to the case against the trucker and trucking company.
How do I get access to the truck’s computer data?
Modern semi-trucks are equipped with electronic data recorders that record information about the truck’s speed, braking, and more. That data can provide critical context about what happened in the truck before the crash. Your attorney can send a letter of spoliation, which demands the trucking company preserve and hand that electronic evidence over.
Who’s at fault in a multi-truck pileup?
Collisions involving multiple vehicles can be exceptionally difficult to investigate because they involve so many variables. It could be that one trucker started the chain reaction, but then other drivers contributed, too, perhaps by not braking fast enough or by swerving out of their lanes and into vehicles next to them. Accident reconstruction experts can untangle that web by reviewing evidence and then assigning percentages of fault to each party responsible, which guides the claims process.
