Losing a loved one in a fatal truck accident can be one of the most devastating experiences anyone can face. The aftermath of such a tragic event can be overwhelming, both emotionally and financially. In Michigan, truck accidents have been responsible for thousands of fatalities over the years.
Michigan has one of the busiest trucking industries in the United States, with countless trucks on the roads every day. Unfortunately, this means that the state is also home to a significant number of fatal truck accidents each year. According to the Michigan State Police, truck involved fatalities increased 32 percent, from 78 crashes in 2020 to 103 in 2021. The month of October had the highest number of truck-involved crashes with a total of 1,450 crashes. The majority of these auto accidents occurred between noon and 2:59 p.m.
Under Michigan law, the family members of a person who has died in a truck accident caused by someone else’s negligence may be entitled to compensation. Michigan Compiled Laws § 600.2922 allows for a wrongful death lawsuit to be filed by the deceased person’s surviving family members. The law states that the surviving spouse, children, or parents of the deceased person may file a wrongful death claim to recover damages for the loss of their loved one.
It’s important to keep in mind that there is a statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death lawsuit in Michigan. According to Michigan Compiled Laws § 600.5805, the lawsuit must be filed within three years of the date of the deceased person’s death. If you wait too long to file your lawsuit, you may lose your right to recover damages for your loss.
It can be challenging to obtain compensation for truck accident injuries, but our Kent County personal injury lawyer has a wealth of experience assisting accident victims in pursuing their claims and battling trucking firms in court and in settlement talks. To assist you with deciding how to move forward, John Tallman will carefully evaluate your case and he can even meet you at your home to discuss your situation. Call us today at 616-361-8850 for a free consultation.
Source:
https://www.michigan.gov/msp/-/media/Project/Websites/msp/cjic/Traffic-Crash-Reporting-Unit-Files/Year-End-Reports/CJIC---Annual-Crash-Report-Year-End-2021.pdf?rev=c2ec6370abbb46108f08b5c207c24ffe&hash=AFFBC80A4FC6B3C8272F3DE3AF3D1DE0