Detroit Truck Accident Attorneys
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, you need to contact a Detroit truck accident attorney from Ravid & Associates, P.C. as soon as possible. When you’re fighting a large trucking company, negotiating with your insurance company, and facing mountains of medical bills all at the same time, an attorney can help you get on the road to recovery.
The truck accident lawyers at Ravid & Associates, P.C. understand that you are suffering from devastating injuries and other losses, and we want to help. Coping with potentially permanent physical limitations is a huge feat. Our truck accident lawyers step up to manage your legal affairs so that you can focus on healing.
You can feel comfortable knowing that your case is being handled by a team that cares about your future. If you have been involved in a truck accident in Detroit or elsewhere in Michigan, our caring and compassionate legal team understands that you may have devastating injuries and other losses, and we want to help.
For years, our truck attorneys have been Michigan’s go-to law firm for victims of serious truck accidents. We have represented thousands of Michigan families, and we can help you and your family too. Don’t delay!
You can contact us through our online form, or call us at (248) 948-9696 for a free consultation on your trucking accident case. You won’t be charged a fee unless we win your case. We welcome the opportunity to help you get the compensation that you deserve.
When Should I Contact a Truck Accident Attorney?
After an injury due to a truck accident, you may ask if you need an attorney or whether you can just settle with the insurance company. You may be concerned about how you are going to pay your medical bills or how long you will be out of work. As an injured victim in Detroit, you may be legally entitled to compensation that can cover some of the costs that you have incurred, such as medical bills, pain and suffering, long-term care, and lost wages.
Is the insurance company really going to look out for your short- and long-term costs related to your injury? Probably not. Most insurance companies do not have your best interests in mind. In fact, they seek to profit by not paying claims. If you attempt to handle a claim on your own, irreversible errors can occur and you may not get the compensation that you deserve.
The truck accident lawyers of Ravid & Associates, P.C. have a proven track record of forcing insurance companies to honor their promises of coverage. You need a qualified personal injury trial lawyer who can look out for your best interests and protect your rights. Let our firm handle all your paperwork, phone calls, and negotiation so that you can fully recover from your injuries.
Why Choose Ravid & Associates, P.C.?
At Ravid & Associates, P.C., our personal injury trial attorneys have over 180 years of combined experience helping individuals in the Detroit area and throughout Michigan pursue the compensation they need because of another party’s negligence. For decades, our personal injury law firm has been a national leader in truck accident law.
Our Michigan personal injury law firm values our Detroit clients, and we can fight for the justice that you deserve. Our clients are our neighbors, and they are like family to us. We want you to rely on our legal expertise when you are going through a tough time.
At Ravid & Associates, P.C., we value each client, and we sincerely want to help you as you recover from your personal injury. We pride ourselves on building lasting connections with every client that walks through our doors.
Our Detroit personal injury attorneys are true trial lawyers. We are qualified to cross-examine witnesses, prosecute cases, and effectively go to trial. Our skilled team is knowledgeable in all aspects of Michigan law, and we are ready to give you our personal attention so that you can focus on your recovery from your injuries. With Ravid & Associates, P.C. on your side, we are ready to fight to protect your best interests and seek full compensation for your injuries.
If you are a victim of an auto accident with a truck or tractor-trailer in Detroit, act now. We do not collect a fee unless we win your case, so money is no object to getting the justice you deserve. Get a no-charge consultation regarding your trucking accident by contacting us today at (248) 948-9696, or use our online contact form to speak with one of our skilled legal representatives. Know and protect your rights!
Types of Cases that We Handle
If you are the victim of a serious truck accident, there may be multiple parties that bear responsibility for causing the collision. Though the truck driver may be partially responsible, others such as the driver’s employer, the cargo loader, parts manufacturers, and additional third parties may also be found responsible. When you reach out to a member of our team, one of our lawyers will evaluate the facts of your case and thoroughly investigate your situation to identify every potentially liable party.
Truck accidents are extremely dangerous, and they occur for many different reasons, each of which requires specific legal knowledge to be effectively litigated. Some common causes are:
Drunk Driving: Drivers with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher are considered alcohol-impaired by law. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), drunk drivers got behind the wheel millions of times in 2010. The CDC further reports that about one in three traffic deaths in the U.S. involves a drunk driver.
Mechanical Defect and Malfunction: Trucking accidents can happen for any number of reasons. The two biggest culprits in mechanical failure for trucks are typically brake failure and defective tires. In some cases, the brakes, tires, or other mechanical parts on trucks are defective. When the federal government determines a defective part, they require that manufacturers recall them.
Employer Negligence and Liability: Truck driver employer negligence contributes to circumstances that too often lead to serious car accidents. Some common negligent activities include the failure to train the employee properly, negligent hiring, or failure to inspect the trucks properly. If the trucking companies neglect to uphold high standards, they can be held financially responsible.
Truck Driver Error: Errors made by some truck drivers can cause major accidents. Any impaired truck driver, whether it is from sleep deprivation or alcohol, can make poor judgments or take unnecessary risks on the road. Truck drivers also habitually improperly load cargo, drive too fast, or work longer shifts than the law requires.
No-Zone Accidents: The areas surrounding a commercial truck driver are called ‘no-zones’. These no-zones are also commonly known as ‘blind-spots’since the trucker cannot see them while driving. A major accident can easily occur if a truck driver brakes abruptly or changes lanes without knowing when another vehicle is in their no-zone.
Why is a Trucking Accident Different from a Car Accident?
Trucking accident cases have their own set of rules and regulations that are different from automobile crashes. Truckers and transportation companies need to follow a whole different set of federal and state laws, especially when it comes to accidents.
Additionally, property damage and injuries caused by truck accidents can be exponentially more severe than other collisions depending on the specific factors of the accident. While the responsibility for many car accidents can be traced back to the driver, liability for truck accidents is not the same. Other parties in addition to the driver are commonly considered when investigating the cause of the collision.
The Detroit truck accident lawyers at Ravid & Associates, P.C. have the necessary skill and legal expertise when it comes to Michigan law. Any litigation within the trucking industry requires a legal team that is accurate, detail-oriented, and one that can fully investigate any relevant accident scene. Large trucking companies will have their own investigators and attorneys fighting for them. You need someone on your side fighting for you.
What To Do After a Truck Accident
Taking the right steps following a truck accident is crucial, not only for helping your legal outcome but also for protecting your safety and health. While the moments immediately following an accident can be a blur, the days and weeks following are also important. No matter how long ago your accident occurred, the following information can help you:
- Seek Medical Attention – Some accident victims come out of truck collisions miraculously unscathed, but not everyone is so lucky. If you are injured after an accident, it is paramount that you seek the medical attention that you need. Keep in mind that collisions often leave victims with injuries that are not readily apparent, like concussions and other head injuries. So, even when you think that you may be fine after an accident, it is a good idea to have a doctor confirm. Failing to get a timely medical evaluation can damage your case because it allows the opposition to claim that your injuries were not serious or were caused by something else.
- Document the Scene – Collecting information at the scene of the accident is essential to support the strength of your claim. If your physical condition allows, take photographs of the scene and property damage from different angles. In these instances, you really can’t be too thorough. Additionally, collecting witness contact information will be important if you later obtain legal representation. If you are unable to complete this step yourself, ask friends, family members, or coworkers to do so for you.
- Reach Out to a Lawyer – Being involved in a truck collision is a serious event. If you’ve been injured in an accident, this is hopefully the last time you ever have this experience. It is completely normal and understandable to feel overwhelmed by your situation. Rest assured that a skilled truck accident attorney is equipped to help you get through this difficult time. An attorney can provide practical information about managing your claim while being an additional source of support.
- Understand Your Insurance Policy – As far as auto insurance is concerned, Michigan is somewhat unique compared to other states. Michigan is a no-fault state, which means to legally enjoy driving privileges, drivers must purchase some form of no-fault insurance. No-fault insurance, no matter who caused the collision, typically covers collision-related expenses such as medical expenses and lost wages. Your injuries and damages must exceed a certain threshold for a lawsuit to become an option.
- Keep Records – Throughout the recovery process, hold on to anything and everything that may be relevant to your claim. Keep your medical records, billing statements, receipts from any accident-related expenses, and more. It may also be beneficial to keep a journal detailing your recovery process.
These steps can seem overwhelming. If you are unsure where to begin, contact Ravid & Associates, P.C.. We can evaluate your circumstances and guide you in the right direction.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you or a loved one have been injured in a serious accident, it’s perfectly normal to feel uncertain and stressed about the future. Over the years, our attorneys have worked with families coping with the stress of life-changing injuries, exorbitant hospital bills, lost wages, and sometimes death.
When you are serious about hiring an attorney, you’re going through a difficult time and the team at Ravid & Associates, P.C. is ready to help. Coping with a serious injury can be difficult, and that’s why we have compiled the following collection of frequently asked questions and answers:
What can I do after a truck accident to protect my rights?
In any truck accident, you are legally justified in pursuing full compensation for your injuries. Many accidents that involve trucks can also be a headache when dealing with potentially multiple parties. Getting the full compensation that you seek can be challenging. Many trucking companies have their own attorneys that are ready and willing to fight against you or any lawsuit that you may bring against them.
Even if you sustained long-lasting injuries and you have lots of medical expenses, you could be fighting an uphill battle without proper legal representation. If you were in a crash with a tractor-trailer or commercial vehicle, it is recommended that you not take any chances in obtaining your fair and just settlement for your injuries. By seeking a qualified truck accident lawyer, you will be in a better position to protect your rights so that you get the compensation that is necessary for your recovery.
Who can be held liable in a truck accident case?
There can be multiple parties that are liable for injuries when you are in a truck accident. For instance, if the truck driver was drinking under the influence of alcohol, you could possibly sue the driver’s employer for negligent hiring. Yet, the transportation company or owner of the truck could be liable for your injuries from the accident, as companies are required to hire responsible employees and drivers for their trucks.
By obtaining the services of a skilled and knowledgeable truck accident attorney, you will be in a better position to address liability for the truck crash. The free consultation is in place so that our legal team can meet with you personally while addressing your concerns. At that point, we can come up with a strategy so that you get your desired compensation.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit after an accident?
In most states, there is a statute of limitations from the date of the accident. Michigan Legislature §600.5805(2) states that injury victims have up to three years from the date of the incident to take action. If you fail to file a claim within the specified time limit, you will likely be barred from recovering any compensation.
If you are serious about collecting compensation for your injuries, it is best to contact our Detroit truck accident lawyers as soon as possible following an accident. Evidence regarding vehicle safety standards and driver logs can quickly be lost or destroyed.
Truck Accident Statistics in the United States
To measure traffic safety with regard to large trucks, the U.S. Department of Transportation and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) compiles data documenting large bus and truck collisions. The following is information included in the most recent report from 2017:
- Of the 29,769 fatal accidents involving trucks and passenger vehicles that occurred in 2017, 23,551 people in passenger vehicles died.
- 41,017 passenger vehicles were involved in fatal accidents with large trucks or buses.
- From 2016 to 2017, there was a 9 percent increase in fatal truck crashes.
- An all-time low of fatal truck collisions was recorded in 2009. The amount of recorded fatal collisions in 2017 marks a 42 percent increase from 2009.
Though these figures are somewhat daunting, there is reason to be hopeful. Though 2017 collisions mark a 42% increase from 2009, it is still 7% lower than the all-time high recorded in 2005.
Contact Our Detroit Truck Accident Lawyers Today
If you have been the victim of a truck or bus accident, you shouldn’t have to deal with the consequences on your own. For many years, Ravid & Associates, P.C. has been successfully helping truck accident victims just like you and we can help you too. In the moments immediately following a devastating accident, you may feel like you have no idea what steps to take next.
We are here to steer you in the right direction. This is hopefully your first, and last, time ever having to be in this position, but rest assured that we have plenty of experience helping injury victims and their families.
If you or a loved one has suffered because of someone else’s careless or reckless actions, do not hesitate to contact Ravid & Associates, P.C. today, and we can aggressively pursue justice and get the compensation that you deserve. Our consultation is always free, and we will get the results that you need!
We do not get paid unless we win your personal injury case. Don’t hesitate to complete our email form or call us today at (248) 948-9696.