When a fully loaded semi-truck collides with a passenger vehicle, the results can change a family’s life in seconds. At Christensen Law, our Michigan truck accident lawyers have stood beside injured people and grieving families across the state since 1991, helping them rebuild after some of the most serious crashes on Michigan roads.
We understand what you are going through, and we are here to listen, protect your rights, and fight for the recovery you deserve. If you or someone you love has been hurt in a collision with a commercial truck, you do not have to face the trucking company and its insurance team alone.
Our team handles cases involving 18-wheelers, delivery trucks, dump trucks, garbage trucks, and other large commercial vehicles on highways like I-94, I-75, and I-96, as well as on local roads from Detroit to Grand Rapids and into the Upper Peninsula. We move quickly to preserve evidence, build a strong case, and pursue full compensation for our clients.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation case consultation. Our rapid response lawyers are available 24/7.
Why Choose Our Michigan Truck Accident Lawyers?
Michigan truck accident cases are often more complex than standard car accident claims because they involve federal trucking regulations, multiple liable parties, and high-value insurance policies. You need a team that knows how to handle every layer of this fight.
Here is what sets our firm apart:
- Decades of trial experience. Founder David Christensen is a member of the Michigan Lawyers Weekly Hall of Fame and a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), an honor reserved for a small group of trial attorneys.
- Recognized results. Our firm has earned a First-Tier ranking in Detroit for Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs by U.S. News – Best Lawyers® in the 2026 Edition of “Best Law Firms,” along with Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent recognition.
- Statewide reach. With offices in Southfield, Detroit, Ann Arbor, Troy, and Grand Rapids, we serve clients from the D to the U.P.
- Resources to take on trucking companies. We work with crash reconstruction professionals, medical witnesses, and trucking industry consultants.
- No fee unless we win. You pay nothing up front, and consultations are always free.
We treat every client like a person, not a case file. When you call us, you will speak with people who genuinely care about what happens next for you and your family. Reach out today to talk with a Michigan truck accident lawyer who is ready to listen.
Our Results in Michigan Truck Accident Cases
Our trial record reflects our willingness to take on the toughest cases and push for full value, even when insurance companies refuse to be fair.
A few examples of what we have recovered for clients in trucking-related cases include:
- $17,800,000 for a motor vehicle accident personal injury claim
- $9,500,000 in a wrongful death case
- $4,550,000 for a personal injury client
Past results do not promise a particular outcome in your case, but they do show what is possible when a prepared trial team takes on a major insurance company. Every case is unique, and we treat yours that way from day one.
Why Are Truck Accident Cases More Complicated Than Car Accident Cases?
Truck accident claims are more complex because federal trucking regulations, electronic logging data, and multiple corporate defendants often play a role in determining liability.
A semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded, while a typical passenger car weighs around 4,000 pounds. That size difference is one reason truck crashes so often cause catastrophic injuries or death. The legal differences are just as significant.
Truck accident cases often involve:
- Federal safety regulations under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which set rules for driver hours, vehicle maintenance, and cargo loading
- Multiple potentially responsible parties, such as the driver, the trucking company, the cargo loader, the maintenance contractor, and the truck or parts manufacturer
- Black box and electronic logging device (ELD) data that can show speed, braking, and hours of service
- Higher insurance limits, often $750,000 to $1 million or more for interstate carriers
- Aggressive defense teams hired by trucking insurers within hours of a crash
Because these cases move fast and the stakes are high, it is important to talk to a Michigan truck accident attorney as soon as possible. Evidence like dashcam footage, driver logs, and skid marks can disappear within days if no one acts to preserve them.
What Causes Most Truck Accidents in Michigan?
Most truck accidents in Michigan are caused by driver fatigue, distracted driving, speeding, overloaded cargo, poor vehicle maintenance, dangerous weather conditions, impaired driving, and unsafe lane changes. Because commercial trucks are significantly larger and heavier than passenger vehicles, even a small mistake can lead to devastating consequences on Michigan highways and local roads.
Fatigued Driving
Truck drivers often spend long hours on the road trying to meet strict delivery schedules. Although federal hours-of-service regulations limit how long drivers can operate without rest, fatigue remains one of the leading causes of truck accidents. A tired driver may have slower reaction times, impaired judgment, or may even fall asleep behind the wheel.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving can be especially dangerous for commercial truck drivers because of the size and stopping distance of large trucks. Distractions may include texting, using GPS systems, eating, adjusting controls, or communicating through dispatch devices while driving.
Speeding
Large commercial trucks require significantly more distance to stop safely than passenger vehicles. When truck drivers exceed the speed limit or drive too fast for traffic or road conditions, they may lose control or be unable to stop in time to avoid a collision.
Overloaded or Improperly Loaded Cargo
Improper cargo loading can affect a truck’s balance and stability. Overloaded trucks or unsecured cargo may contribute to rollovers, jackknife accidents, cargo spills, or loss of vehicle control. In some cases, the company responsible for loading the truck may share liability for the crash.
Poor Vehicle Maintenance
Commercial trucks travel thousands of miles and require regular inspections and maintenance. Brake failures, worn tires, steering issues, defective lights, and other mechanical problems can create serious safety hazards if trucking companies fail to properly maintain their vehicles.
Dangerous Weather Conditions
Michigan drivers frequently face snow, ice, heavy rain, fog, and high winds, particularly during winter months. Hazardous weather can reduce visibility and make it more difficult for large trucks to stop or maneuver safely. Truck drivers and trucking companies are expected to adjust driving practices to account for changing road conditions.
Impaired Driving
Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or certain medications can impair judgment, coordination, and reaction time. Because commercial truck drivers operate extremely heavy vehicles, impaired driving accidents often result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities.
Improper Lane Changes
Large trucks have substantial blind spots on all sides of the vehicle. Unsafe lane changes, failure to check blind spots, or merging without adequate clearance can cause serious collisions, especially on busy highways like I-75, I-94, and I-96.
Types of Truck Accident Cases We Handle
Trucking covers many different kinds of vehicles and industries, and each type of crash brings its own challenges. Our Michigan truck accident lawyers handle cases involving a wide range of commercial vehicles.
We represent people injured in crashes involving:
- Semi-trucks and 18-wheelers hauling freight on Michigan interstates
- Tanker trucks carrying fuel, chemicals, or other liquids
- Dump trucks and construction trucks operating near work zones
- Delivery trucks from major shipping and e-commerce companies
- Garbage and waste trucks working in city neighborhoods
- Flatbed trucks with oversized or improperly secured loads
- Logging and farm trucks common on rural Michigan roads
- Tow trucks and utility trucks
If you were hurt in a crash with any large commercial vehicle, we want to hear your story. Even if you are not sure what kind of truck was involved, our team can help you sort it out.
What Serious Injuries Can Happen in a Michigan Truck Accident?
Because of the size and weight of commercial trucks, the injuries in these crashes are often life-changing. Many of our clients face long medical journeys, lost income, and major changes to daily life. We take catastrophic injury cases seriously and work to make sure your future needs are part of any settlement or verdict.
The kinds of injuries we frequently see in truck crash cases include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI), ranging from concussions to severe brain damage
- Spinal cord injuries that can cause partial or complete paralysis
- Severe burn injuries from fuel fires or chemical spills
- Multiple broken bones, including crushed legs, hips, and arms
- Internal organ damage requiring emergency surgery
- Amputations caused by crushing forces in the crash
- Disfiguring scars from glass, metal, or burns
These injuries often require ongoing care, home modifications, and long-term support. We work closely with your doctors and outside professionals to make sure every current and future cost is included in your claim.
Michigan Truck Accident Laws You Should Know
Michigan has a unique set of rules that affect every truck accident case in the state. A few key points about Michigan law include:
- No-fault insurance. Under Michigan’s No-Fault Act, your own auto insurance generally pays for medical bills and wage loss after a crash, regardless of who caused it.
- Threshold for pain and suffering claims. To pursue a claim against an at-fault truck driver or company for pain and suffering, you generally must show a “serious impairment of body function” or other qualifying injury under MCL 500.3135.
- Statute of limitations. Most Michigan truck accident lawsuits must be filed within three years of the crash. Wrongful death cases also have strict deadlines.
- Comparative fault. If you are found partially at fault, your recovery may be reduced. In some cases, being more than 50% at fault can limit certain damages.
These rules can be confusing, especially when you are also dealing with injuries and grief. We will walk you through how each rule applies to your situation in plain language, so you always know where things stand.
Wrongful Death Truck Accident Cases
Some truck crashes do not end with injuries. They end with a phone call no family ever wants to receive. When a loved one is killed in a Michigan trucking crash, our firm is honored to help families seek answers, accountability, and meaningful compensation.
In a Michigan wrongful death truck accident case, eligible family members may be able to recover:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Medical bills from the time of the crash to the time of death
- Loss of financial support the loved one would have provided
- Loss of companionship, society, and guidance
- Conscious pain and suffering experienced before death
No amount of money can replace the person you lost. What we can do is take the legal weight off your shoulders, hold the right parties accountable, and help your family find some sense of stability moving forward.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Michigan Truck Accident?
People often ask what their case might be worth. The honest answer is that it depends on the facts, the severity of the injuries, and the long-term impact on your life. What we can do is make sure no category of loss is left out.
Compensation in a Michigan truck accident claim may include:
- Past and future medical care, including surgeries, therapy, and assistive devices
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity if you cannot return to the same job
- Pain and suffering and emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life when injuries change your daily activities
- Replacement services for tasks you can no longer do at home
- Property damage to your vehicle and personal belongings
- Wrongful death damages in fatal cases
Our team works to document every loss with medical records, expert opinions, and evidence from your daily life. The more complete your case is, the harder it is for an insurance company to dismiss it.
How Does a Michigan Truck Accident Lawyer Investigate a Crash?
Strong cases are not built overnight. They are built through careful investigation, smart legal strategy, and steady communication with the client. From the first call to the final resolution, we keep you informed and prepared.
When you hire our firm, here is what you can expect:
- A thorough investigation of the crash scene, vehicles, and any available video
- Preservation letters sent to trucking companies to protect logs, ELD data, and other records
- Coordination with your medical team so we understand the full picture of your injuries
- Negotiation with insurance companies that try to minimize your claim
- Trial preparation from day one, because insurance companies pay more when they know we are ready to go to court
We treat every case as if it will go to trial, even though most settle. That mindset is one reason we have been able to recover meaningful results for clients across Michigan. Call us today to find out how we can help with your truck accident claim.
Serving Truck Accident Victims Across Michigan
Major trucking corridors run through every part of our state, from the busy interchanges around Detroit to the long stretches of I-75 heading toward the Mackinac Bridge. We serve clients throughout Michigan from five offices, so help is never far away.
You can reach our offices at:
- Southfield (HQ): 248-600-4591
- Detroit: 313-546-1091
- Ann Arbor: 734-519-7576
- Troy: 248-233-0684
- Grand Rapids: 616-512-0718
If you cannot come to us, we can come to you, including hospital and home visits when injuries make travel difficult. Distance should never stand between an injured person and quality legal help.
Common Questions Answered by Our Michigan Truck Accident Lawyers
Below are answers to some of the questions we hear most often from people considering a Michigan truck accident claim.
Several parties may share responsibility, depending on the facts. The truck driver, the trucking company, the company that loaded the cargo, a maintenance contractor, and even the manufacturer of a defective truck part can all be potential defendants. Part of our job is identifying every party who may be on the hook for your losses.
We handle truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing up front. We only get paid if we recover money for you, and the consultation is always free. There is no risk in calling to learn about your options.
It is best to speak with a lawyer before giving any recorded statement to a trucking company or its insurer. Adjusters are trained to ask questions in ways that can hurt your claim. We can deal with them on your behalf so you can focus on your health.
You may have a wrongful death claim under Michigan law. Eligible family members can pursue compensation for funeral expenses, lost financial support, loss of companionship, and other damages. We handle these cases with care and a deep respect for what your family is going through.
As soon as possible. Critical evidence like driver logs, dashcam video, and electronic data can be lost or overwritten within days or weeks. Early involvement by a lawyer helps protect that evidence and gives your case the strongest possible foundation
Talk With Our Michigan Truck Accident Lawyer Today
You did not ask for this crash, and you should not have to carry the weight of it alone. At Christensen Law, we are ready to listen to your story, protect your rights, and fight for the full recovery you and your family deserve. Whether your case settles at the negotiation table or goes all the way to trial, our team will be with you every step of the way.
Call our Southfield headquarters at 248-600-4591 or reach out to any of our offices in Detroit, Ann Arbor, Troy, or Grand Rapids. You can also schedule your free consultation online any time. There is no fee unless we win, and your conversation with us is always confidential. Let us put our experience to work for you today.
