If you’ve been seriously injured in a truck accident in Grand Rapids, you may be facing mounting medical expenses and are wondering what happens if your personal injury protection (PIP) benefits aren’t enough to cover it all. This is where an experienced Grand Rapids truck accident lawyer can help. With decades of experience, our personal injury law firm has helped seriously injured truck accident victims manage the legal process to recover the compensation they deserve—and we’re here to help you too.
What Is Michigan’s No-Fault Law for Motor Vehicle Accidents?
Michigan is a no-fault state. By Michigan law, every driver must have PIP from their own insurance company to cover their minor injuries, regardless of fault. Michigan drivers can choose among several levels of PIP coverage with auto insurance companies, which will then pay for reasonable and necessary medical expenses up to the selected coverage amount—along with lost wages, attendant care, and some funeral and burial expenses. If injuries are severe—such as those a truck crash can cause—seriously injured victims may be able to sue for additional damages, if the injured person is less than 50% at fault for the accident.
Do I Need a Lawyer in Michigan’s No-Fault System?
Injuries suffered in a semi-truck accident are often catastrophic injuries. In a no-fault insurance system like Michigan’s, if your injuries are severe, you may be able to pursue compensation beyond your own PIP insurance coverage and no-fault benefits. An experienced truck accident lawyer with in-depth knowledge of no-fault insurance, as well as state and federal trucking regulations, can help determine if you have a case.
Serious Injuries in Grand Rapids Truck Accident Cases
MCL – Section 257.58c defines injuries that qualify as a serious impairment of a body function that may be grounds for pursuing additional damages beyond your no-fault insurance benefits after a car-truck crash and may include:
- The loss or loss of use of limbs, such as hands, feet, fingers, or thumbs
- Vision or hearing loss, as well as impairments to bodily functions
- Conditions like comas that last more than 3 days or measurable brain or mental impairments
- Serious physical trauma, including serious visible disfigurement, skull fractures, traumatic brain injuries, and substantial bone fractures
- Loss of organs or internal injuries like subdural hemorrhages or hematomas
Compensation for Seriously Injured Truck Crash Victims
In truck accident claims involving serious impairment of a body function, additional damages beyond those provided by a no-fault insurer may include medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Types of Grand Rapids Truck Accidents
A serious truck accident could be a:
- Jackknife accident
- Rollover accident
- Underride collision
- Head-on crash
- Blind spot incident
- Tire blowout
What Causes Truck Accidents in Grand Rapids?
Commercial truck crashes can happen due to:
- Driver fatigue—long hours can leave truck drivers exhausted
- Distracted driving—phone use or texting while driving
- Intoxication—driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Improperly loaded cargo
- Poor vehicle maintenance
Who May Be Held Liable for a Commercial Truck Accident Case in Grand Rapids?
Determining liability in accidents in the trucking industry can be more complicated than in other motor vehicle accidents, since multiple parties might share responsibility, including:
- A negligent truck driver, if they acted recklessly
- The trucking company, for improper training or lack of supervision
- Third-party contractors, if errors were made during loading or maintenance
- The truck manufacturer, if a defective part contributed to the accident
How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Case in Grand Rapids?
Under Michigan personal injury law, the statute of limitations for an automobile-truck accident is three years, starting from the date of your accident.
Contact Our Grand Rapids Truck Accident Attorneys Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident involving a large truck in Grand Rapids, or anywhere in Michigan, we’re here to help. Reach out to our personal injury law firm today for a free consultation.
(312) 223-1700