Our Michigan truck accident lawyers often represent victims of truck accidents that involve semi-trucks.  Due to the size and weight of these trucks, it is necessary that the truck drivers are highly trained and fit to operate the vehicle on the roadway.  The injuries from this accidents are often very serious and even catastrophic.

Semi-trucks have large blind spots at the front, back and sides of the truck. When a car is in the blind spot, the driver cannot see it.  If the truck tries to make a right or left turn, it would likely cause serious damage to  any automobiles in its path.

There are many other dangers of Semi-Trucks.  These include:

Squeeze Play - Semi Trucks need to swing wide to the left in order to negotiate a right turn. When truck drivers make wide right turns; they are often unable to see smaller vehicles directly behind or beside them. When a car cuts between the truck and a curb, the car can be caught in a squeeze, and a serious accident can occur.

Stopping Distance - Big rig trucks need a greater stopping distance than other cars and other vehicles. If there is not enough stopping distance between an automobile and a large truck, the car risks being involved in a rear-end collision.

“Off-track” - Occurs when a truck turns at high speed and swings into an adjacent lane unexpectedly. Unlike passenger vehicles, transport trucks require up to 40 percent more space to stop. Following too closely results in inadequate stopping distance between large trucks which then rear-end vehicles in front. It is not difficult to imagine the devastating results that occur when a car, van or SUV is hit from behind with over 10,000 lbs. of moving metal.

The most common causes of Semi Truck accidents are:

Driver Fatigue-sleepy or tired driver; driving too long and too many hours without rest.

Inadequate driver training

Overloaded trucks and improperly loaded trucks

Poorly maintained truck brakes

Speeding

Running off the road

Failure to yield the right of way

Aggressive driving behavior

Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol

Reckless driving

Defective safety systems, reflectors, lights and other warning devices

Victims of Michigan semi-truck accidents do have legal rights to recover for their injuries, medical expenses, and lost wages.  For more information on these rights, request our Michigan car accident book which has been called “the best book ever written for Michigan consumers involved in car accidents.”

You can also call us at (800) 606-1717 to speak with one of our experienced Michigan truck accident lawyers.  We do not charge any legal fees unless we obtain a recovery or settlement for you.

Black Box Providing Evidence in Truck Accidents

Many late model automobiles and trucks are installed with a computer called an Event Data Recorder (EDR), also often referred to as a “Black Box.”   When triggered by an impact, accident or similar event, the EDR records certain information about the accident. The information recorded can include various events in the few seconds preceding a crash, including speed, airbag deployment, braking, RPMs, and even whether the driver’s seatbelt was fastened. Thus, the information from these devices can be collected after a crash and analyzed by an expert to help determine what the vehicles and drivers were doing before, during, and after the accident. 

In a lawsuit involving claims for injuries sustained in an automobile accident, the data obtained from the EDR can be helpful in establishing whether or not the negligent party was speeding, attempted to avoid the collision, attempted to brake, etc.  (See e.g. Harris v. Weaver,  unpublished opinion per curiam of the Court of Appeals, decided August 17, 2006 [Docket No.  No. 265617, No. 265618] [http://courtofappeals.mijud.net/documents/OPINIONS/FINAL/COA/20060817_C265617_38_265617.OPN.PDF]  In civil lawsuits, EDR data has been admissible and deemed reliable under universally accepted evidentiary standards.  (See Bachman v. General Motors Corporation, 332 Ill. App. 3rd 760 (4th Dist 2003).

            In order to use the information from the EDR as evidence in a personal injury lawsuit, a qualified expert first must download the information from the EDR.  It will also be necessary to assess factors that could affect the reliability of the data (e.g tire size). This type of evidence can be very helpful to establish that a particular Defendant acted negligently.  Thus it can serve as a powerful tool in maximizing damages in a settlement where injuries are established but liability is strongly contested.  Our law firm has been successful in using EDR data to obtain significant settlements in several automobile accident lawsuits in Michigan.

I read a story today about a serious Wexford County Construction Zone Truck Accident that occurred on US-131 just south of Cadillac. According to the Michigan State Police, a road construction worker was seriously injured when a box truck allegedly rammed into his truck in a construction zone.

State Police state that the box truck driver allegedly did not see a convoy of construction workers painting the lines on the roadway. The worker was taken to the hospital with a possible head injury.

I am very sorry to hear about this accident and wish the worker the fullest and speediest recovery possible.

Michigan truck accident victims have a number of legal rights.  As this accident happened while he was working and involved a motor vehicle,  the road construction worker may be eligible to receive Michigan Workers Compensation benefits and Michigan No-Fault Benefits. These benefits are similar in that they would cover  his medical expenses, lost wages, attendant care, replacement services, and other benefits related to injuries suffered in the accident. 

In addition, the injury victim may be able to file a lawsuit against the driver and the owner of the box truck. In this lawsuit, they could claim damages and compensation for the injuries suffered in the accident.  The insurance company for the negligent driver typically pays a settlement for this type of case. 

The road construction worker should speak with an experienced Michigan Accident Lawyer to determine which  benefits he is eligible to receive. Accident victims should not speak with an insurance adjuster for the negligent parties before consulting with an attorney.

 If you would like more information about your rights after a Michigan car accident, you can order our FREE book, “The Ultimate Michigan Car Accident Handbook” by clicking on the book link.  We will send it out immediately along with other important information.

For more information about Michigan car accident cases, visit our law firm web site at www.BuckfireLaw.com.  If you would like to speak with one of our Michigan car accident attorneys about your case, feel free to call us anytime at (800) 606-1717 or simply submit this contact form and we will get back to you quickly.

Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents

The injuries from truck accidents are often catastrophic and devastating.  While trucking companies typically blame the victims for these accidents, the truth is that quite frequently it is the truck driver or trucking company that caused the accident.

Our Michigan truck accident lawyers  have found the most common causes of a Michigan truck accident are the following:

• Fatigue, sleepy or tired drivers driving too many hours without rest;
• Truck drivers drinking alcohol or drug use;
• Running off the road;
• Failure to yield the right of way;
• Unsafe safety systems, reflectors, lights and other warning devices;
• Overloaded Truck;
• Oversized Truck;
• Lack of training on the part of the truck driver;
• Poorly maintained brakes on the Truck;
• Reckless driving;
• Driving in conditions of poor visibility due to smoke, fog, snow or rain;
• Poorly maintained tires;
• Speeding;
• Wide turns;
• Blind spots;

A full investigation into the reasons behind a particular accident is essential to winning a truck accident case.  If you would like to speak with one of our Michigan truck accident attorneys about your case, feel free to call us anytime at (800) 606-1717 or simply submit this contact form and we will get back to you quickly.

If you would like more information about your rights after a Michigan truck accident, you can order our FREE book, “The Ultimate Michigan Car Accident Handbook” by clicking on the book link. We will send it out immediately along with other important information.

For more information about Michigan truck accident cases, visit our law firm web site at www.BuckfireLaw.com. If you would like to speak with one of our Michigan truck accident attorneys about your case, feel free to call us anytime at (800) 606-1717 or simply submit this contact form and we will get back to you quickly.

Truck Jackknife Accidents

When a large semi-truck is involved in an accident, the effects can be especially devastating.  There are many different types of truck accidents and each one can lead to catastrophic injuries.  Simply put, a passenger vehicle stands little chance in an accident with a semi-tractor trailer.

One of the worst types of truck accidents, however, is a jackknife truck accident.  In a jackknife truck accident, the driver is usually in the process of turning the cab of the truck when the brakes freeze up and cause the tractor-trailer to continue forward.  This is very dangerous not only for the truck driver, but also for the cars around the truck, which may be hit by the tractor-trailer as it spins out of control.

There are two types of jackknife truck accidents.  Both are more likely to happen in rain or winter weather, but both can happen when road conditions and weather conditions are clear.

Classic Jackknife Truck Accident

A classic jackknife truck accident occurs when the tractor-trailer spins into the cab.  This usually happens because the driver suddenly applies the brakes instead of stopping gradually.  The drive axle then lock before one of the other sets of brakes.  A classic jackknife truck accident can take less than one second to occur, which means the accident is usually not preventable after the brakes have been applied.

Tandem Trailer Jackknife Truck Accident

A tandem trailer jackknife truck accident occurs when rear tandem brakes lock up before brakes on wheels located closer to the front of the truck.  This type of accident is normally slower to develop and may be preventable.

The possibility of a jackknife truck accident is one reason why drivers should give trucks extra space to stop and turn, especially during inclement weather.  The truck accident lawyers at Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. can evaluate an accident victim’s legal rights if they are hurt in a jackknife truck accident.

Contact Our Michigan Truck Accident Lawyers

For more information on your legal rights after a Michigan truck accident, call our experienced lawyers at (800) 606-1717 and request our FREE BOOK, “The Ultimate Michigan Car Accident Handbook.”

1-800-606-1717