If you’ve been seriously injured in a truck accident in Lansing, you might be dealing with rising medical bills and wondering what to do if your PIP benefits fall short. An experienced Lansing truck accident lawyer can help.
With decades of experience, our personal injury law firm has guided truck accident victims through 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 Michigan Truck Accident Lawyer in a No-Fault System?
Injuries suffered in large truck accidents 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. Experienced semi-truck accident attorneys with in-depth knowledge of no-fault insurance, as well as state and federal trucking regulations, can help determine if you have a case and pursue maximum compensation.
Serious Injuries in Lansing Truck Accident Cases
MCL – Section 257.58c defines injuries that qualify as serious impairments of body function, allowing you to seek additional damages beyond no-fault insurance benefits after a commercial vehicle or semi-truck crash, including:
- 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 severe 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 body function impairment, additional damages may include medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. An experienced truck accident attorney can review your case to see if you qualify for a truck accident lawsuit or, in the extreme case, for a wrongful death claim.
Types of Lansing Truck Accidents
Truck accidents, such as jackknife crashes, rollovers, underride collisions, and tire blowouts, can cause severe injuries or fatalities.
What Causes Truck Accidents in Lansing?
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 truck maintenance
Who May Be Held Liable for a Commercial Truck Accident Case in Lansing?
Determining liability in trucking accidents is often more complex than other motor vehicle accidents, as multiple parties may be responsible, 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 Lansing?
Under Michigan law, the statute of limitations for an autotruck accident is three years from the date of the accident.
Contact Our Lansing Truck Accident Attorneys Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident involving a large truck in Lansing, or anywhere in Michigan, an experienced truck accident lawyer from our office is to help. Reach out to a personal injury attorney in our law firm today for a free consultation.
(312) 223-1700