Truck accident victims in Michigan are often left with severe or even permanent injuries, leaving them in serious pain and unable to work.
The large size of trucks usually means that occupants of passenger cars suffer the most significant injuries. The chance of you emerging relatively unharmed from an accident with a large truck is slim.
As a Michigan driver, you probably would like to avoid large trucks on the road as much as you can. Even if you are an experienced and safe driver, driving around trucks can make you nervous, which is understandable.
Knowing where and when truck accidents are most likely to occur can help you be extra cautious in these situations.
Where and when
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, almost half of all truck accident deaths in 2020 happened on major roads that were not freeways and interstates.
Therefore, although you may think that freeways and interstates, with more vehicles and faster drivers, would be where most truck accident deaths occur, that is not always the case.
Freeways and interstates saw approximately 36% of truck accident deaths, while 47% happened on the other major roads. Fifteen percent of truck accident deaths occurred on minor roads.
The same data found that 48% of large truck accident deaths happened between the hours of 6 a.m. and 3 p.m., compared with accident deaths that did not involve trucks.
Common causes of truck accidents
There are many common causes of truck accidents. Truck drivers are often required to meet extremely tight deadlines. This can lead to fatigued driving or speeding, both of which increase the chance of a truck accident.
Trucking companies must keep their trucks in safe working condition and should be properly maintaining their vehicles. Truckers who are aware that their vehicle is in need of maintenance should be reporting this and not driving their truck if it is unsafe.
Again, with deadlines to meet, regular maintenance or fixing problems that come up can be overlooked in favor of staying on schedule.
Companies also have a duty to fully train their employees before sending them out onto the roads. A truck driver who did not have proper training or is inexperienced is more likely to make mistakes that lead to accidents.
Proving negligence after a truck accident
If you have been injured in a truck accident, you could have a claim for negligence if you believe the accident was not your fault.
While you may feel overwhelmed by the thought of a lawsuit after your accident, establishing negligence could mean you receive compensation for your losses. These could include medical bills, lost wages and mental or emotional suffering.
It can be tricky to determine who to file a claim against in trucking accident cases. It is not as simple as an accident involving another passenger vehicle, which involves filing a claim against the other driver.
Your claim could be against the truck driver, the truck manufacturer, the trucking company or another party. You might even need to file multiple claims.
The process can get complex, which is why it is important to work with an experienced personal injury attorney. An attorney can help you identify the right parties and fight for your right to compensation after an accident, allowing you to focus on your recovery.