Detroit and semi-trucks have been synonymous for many years. The tradition began in 1938 with General Motors (GM) Diesel Division. Then, in 1965 it became known as the Detroit Engine Division. Now Detroit Diesel’s engines are found in many of the semi-trucks on the road today. The Detroit Diesel DD15 14.8-liter inline six-cylinder engine weighs 2,880 pounds. To put this weight into perspective, it is almost four hundred pounds heavier than a Mini Cooper.
Types of Detroit Truck Accidents
The large size of a semi-truck can cause catastrophic accidents. Different types of accidents are possible, and understanding the different types may help you better understand your claim eligibility.
Head-On Accident – Head-on accidents occur when a semi-truck is on the wrong side of the roadway and hits a car – front-end to front-end.
Rear-End Collision – Rear-end collisions can occur for several reasons. A truck could be following too closely, experience brake failure, or many other reasons. The front-end of the truck meets the back end of another vehicle.
T-Bone Accident – T-bone accidents occur when a semi-truck runs a red light or stop sign and collides with a passing vehicle.
Jackknife – Since antilock brakes became standard on semi-trucks in 1997, the instance of jackknife accidents have been less common. A jackknifed semi-truck is when a driver suddenly applies their brakes, and the trailer they are hauling swings around at a 90-degree angle. Many of these accidents result in a rollover.
Rollover Accident – A rollover accident occurs when the semi-truck ends up on its side and often slides, this action can take out other vehicles in its path.
Why Truck Accidents Happen
Sometimes an accident is indeed just an accident. Other times it is possible that fatigue or other factors contribute to causing accidents. Trucks have large blind spots, and they can’t always see someone in their path when merging to another lane. In this instance, it is the driver’s responsibility to keep a safe distance, staying out of the blind spot.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires truck drivers to maintain driving logs. There are also strict rules and regulations regarding the number of hours truck drivers can be on the roadways.
How to Choose Detroit Truck Accident Lawyers
If you or someone you love has been injured in a Detroit truck accident and need a lawyer, it is essential to find a lawyer who shares your values and will fight for you. What are the characteristics you should look for in Detroit truck accident lawyers?
What Are Your Legal Needs?
Before obtaining legal counsel, you need to assess if your case falls under a personal injury claim. Our truck accident lawyers at TorkLaw recommend asking yourself these questions:
- Have you or a loved one been injured in an accident that was caused by a truck driver?
- Did the accident result in injuries up to or including death?
- Were the injuries severe enough that substantial medical treatment was required?
- Has work been missed or wages lost?
- Did the accident with the semi-truck forever change the lives of you or your family?
If you answered “yes” to these questions, you likely need a truck accident lawyer to handle your injury claims. Our lawyers even work with the insurance company so that you don’t have to.
Talk to Detroit Truck Accident Lawyers About Your Accident
Like TorkLaw, most truck accident lawyers provide free consultations on cases. To ensure you choose the right legal representative in a truck accident that results in injury, you should take time to find out a little bit about the firm.
The firm’s primary practice areas should cover your injury claim. When talking to a firm, you should ask them about their truck accident cases and track record. Learn what their fee policies are and how they accept payment.
When you get a consultation from a lawyer, they will have questions for you as well. It is essential to be completely honest about your case with them. Without all of the information about your case, it isn’t easy to assess how to win it.
Michigan – A No-Fault State
As far as accidents are concerned for insurance, Michigan is a no-fault state. All drivers are required to carry no-fault insurance, which will pay for medical bills and property damage in an accident. The amounts covered and what they covered will be determined by the type of insurance policy you have.
Most insurance policies have a maximum amount they will cover in an accident. We know that victims of truck accidents can end up with bills that go well beyond insurance coverage. TorkLaw helps you fight to receive the compensation you deserve from your accident, making sure medical bills and pain and suffering are covered.
Types of Compensation For Victims of Truck Accidents
The types of compensation that victims of truck accidents can recover are also called damages. There are three types of damages that a victim of a truck accident may be able to collect due to injuries sustained.
Economic damages – economic damages are damages that can be recovered and have exact amounts associated with them. These types of damages include medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and other quantifiable amounts.
Non-economic damages – non-economic damages are the costs that cannot be measured, such as pain and suffering, loss of quality of life, among other things. When a permanent disability or a disfigurement occurs due to a truck accident, the victim may be awarded a monetary value for this.
Punitive damages – these types of damages are often awarded by a judge or jury to punish a defendant for an offense that may be especially egregious such as drunk driving, street racing, or because of frequent offenses.
Your Detroit Truck Accident Lawyers
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a truck accident in Detroit, our lawyers at TorkLaw have the experience to help you get the compensation you deserve. We offer free case consultations, and our legal team is ready to take your call at 888.845.9696.