Grand Rapids, MI Truck Accident Lawyer

Personal Injury Attorney for Semi-Truck Accident Victims in Kent County and Surrounding Areas

In recent years, the State of Michigan has seen thousands of accidents and injuries involving semi-trucks, including approximately 100 fatalities annually. Sitting at the busy intersection of Interstate 96 and Highway 131, Grand Rapids area drivers can be particularly susceptible to accidents caused by truck drivers on their shipment routes. Truck accidents are dangerous because of the large size of the vehicles and the immense weight they can carry, and it is common for multiple drivers and passengers to be injured in a single crash.

If you have been injured in an accident caused by a semi-truck, you may be facing high medical expenses, a long recovery, and lasting impacts on your physical and mental health. The good news is that it is possible to receive compensation through a personal injury claim. At John D. Tallman, PLC, we bring almost 40 years of legal experience to help our clients stand up to trucking and insurance companies and get the relief they need. We only receive compensation if we are able to obtain compensation for you, so we are invested in your case from start to finish.

Common Causes of a Grand Rapids Truck Accident

Many semi-truck accidents happen because the truck driver was negligent, meaning that they failed to take reasonable action to avoid endangering other drivers and users of the road. Some common examples of negligence include:

• Driver fatigue
• Speeding
• Drunk driving
• Distracted driving
• Driver error

If any of these factors contributed to your accident, you may be able to seek compensation from the driver. There are also many truck accident cases in which other parties share in the liability. For example, the trucking company that employs the driver can be at fault if it encourages or knowingly allows dangerous behavior on the part of its drivers, or if it fails to follow industry regulations from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The truck manufacturer can be liable if the accident was caused by faulty equipment, and loading crews can be partially at fault if a crash occurs because of improperly secured cargo shifting or falling onto the road in transit.

If you were injured in a truck accident for which you were partially at fault, you may still be able to receive compensation due to Michigan's comparative negligence law, but it will be reduced in proportion to your degree of fault, and you may be unable to receive compensation for non-economic damages like pain and suffering if you were more than 50 percent responsible.

Help From an Ottawa County Truck Injury Lawyer

When you have been injured in a truck accident, it is always best to seek medical attention as soon as possible and try to gather evidence and identify witnesses from the scene of the crash. A good next step is to hire a personal injury attorney who can represent you through the legal process of pursuing a claim. In addition to working on a contingency fee basis where we only get paid if we collect on your case, we can aid in the collection and preservation of evidence, as well as help you determine all damages for which you can seek compensation. These can include economic damages like medical bills, vehicle repairs, and lost income due to your injuries, as well as long-term pain and suffering and emotional distress.

One of the most significant benefits of hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer is having a strong negotiator on your side during settlement discussions with the at-fault parties. Large trucking companies often have legal and insurance teams at their disposal to minimize personal injury payouts, but with our knowledge and background, we can help you stand your ground and aggressively pursue the relief you are entitled to. We also have the courtroom experience necessary to present a strong claim at trial if a settlement is not possible.

Contact Our Grand Rapids Truck Accident Attorney Today

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, you need an attorney who will handle your case with personal attention from start to finish and help you get the relief you need to get your life back on track. Contact us at 616-361-8850 for a free consultation. We represent clients in Grand Rapids, Holland, Grand Haven, Muskegon, and throughout the surrounding areas in Western Michigan.