Dearborn Truck Accident Lawyers

Ever since Henry Ford built his River Rouge plant, Dearborn has been a hub for manufacturing, business, and transportation. Today, thousands of trucks travel through Dearborn each day. Many of these large trucks pick up and drop off deliveries. Others travel through the city on their way to or from other areas of metro Detroit, and even across the Canadian border.

Federal regulations allow large trucks to stand up to 14 feet high and weigh up to 80,000 pounds. Michigan’s state laws allow even heavier trucks to use some state roads. When one of these trucks collides with a passenger vehicle, bicyclist, or pedestrian, the results can be devastating.

According to the National Safety Council (NSC), 5,375 trucks were involved in fatal crashes nationwide in 2023, killing 5,472 people. Large trucks accounted for 9% of all vehicles involved in fatal crashes. Although the number of deaths decreased 8% from 2022’s totals, the number of people killed each year in large truck crashes has risen 40% over the last decade.

If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one in a large truck accident, don’t wait. Contact the Dearborn truck accident lawyers at Sommers Schwartz, P.C. today. We’re here to answer your questions and help you find the information you need to protect your legal rights after a truck accident.

Michigan Truck Accident Statistics

According to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration data, large trucks were involved in 5,740 crashes on Michigan’s roadways in 2024. These crashes killed 103 people and injured 1,538 more. Unfortunately, statistics from the previous few years are roughly the same. More than 5,000 large truck crashes consistently occur every year on Michigan roadways.

Data collected by the Michigan State Police reveals that large truck accidents are most common in the fall and spring, when sudden weather changes, shorter days, fallen leaves, and potential snow can make driving more difficult. In 2023, October had the most large truck accidents.

Truck accidents occur more frequently on weekdays when commuters are on the roads. However, a truck crash can happen any day of the week. Similarly, while noon to 3 p.m. was the most common time of day for large truck collisions, accidents occurred at all hours of the day and night.

As the most densely populated county in Michigan, Wayne County consistently has the highest number of all types of roadway accidents. Large truck accidents cause thousands of dollars of damage and cause serious injuries to hundreds of Wayne County residents each year.

Injuries in Large Truck Accidents

Truck collisions often kill or injure occupants of smaller vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians. The NSC estimates that in large truck crashes:

• 70 percent of deaths are drivers or passengers in other vehicles.
• 18 percent of fatalities are truck occupants (drivers and passengers).
• 12 percent of those killed are bicyclists, pedestrians, and others not in a vehicle at the time of the crash.

Not all truck crashes claim lives. In 2023, the NSC recorded 114,552 non-fatal large truck crashes that caused serious injuries. Data shows that large truck crash injuries have increased steadily since 2016, with only a slight decrease in 2020 during pandemic lockdowns.

Large truck collisions often cause severe injuries. Common types of injuries in large truck accidents include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
• Spinal cord and nerve injuries.
• Head, neck, and back injuries.
• Broken bones.
• Crush injuries or amputations.
• Lacerations.
• Burns.

Anyone involved in a crash should seek medical attention immediately. Truck crash injuries often lead to severe, permanent disabilities.

What Happens in a Michigan Truck Accident Case?

You may have questions about Michigan truck crash lawsuits if you’ve been injured in a truck accident. Two common questions in truck crash lawsuits relate to time limits and compensation.

Time Limits To File a Michigan Truck Accident Claim

Like many states, Michigan has a “statute of limitations” for personal injury claims. This rule limits how long a person has to file a lawsuit after an injury occurs.

In general, an injured person must file a lawsuit within three years after the date they were injured. Wrongful death claims also have a three-year deadline. However, there are some exceptions and special circumstances that can extend (or shorten) the amount of time you have to pursue a claim. Your situation might qualify for an extension, or you may have less time than you think to pursue your claims.

Meeting with an attorney as soon as possible after an accident helps safeguard your claim and preserve your rights. They can help you understand how the statute of limitations applies to your situation and decide what to do next.

Compensation in a Dearborn Truck Crash Injury Claim

After a truck crash, you may have medical bills, car repair bills, and other losses. Your injuries may prevent you from working. As the bills pile up, you may wonder how you will pay your debts and care for your family. You may be able to hold the truck driver, trucking company, or another responsible party accountable for your pain and suffering.

In truck accident injury claims, you may pursue compensation for financial and non-financial losses. A complete damages claim covers many types of harm. It should reflect every loss, cost, or injury you suffered due to the crash. These include:

• Economic damages. It’s easy to add up the out-of-pocket costs of medical care, lost wages, property damages, and other economic damages with bills, receipts, pay stubs, and other documentation. Economic damages can also include money you would have earned if you hadn’t been hurt, reduced future earning capacity, and every additional expense or cost resulting from your accident.
• Non-economic damages. Losses don’t always come with paperwork. You can pursue compensation for the emotional harm, trauma, and pain you suffered as a result of the accident and your injuries. You may be able to recover for the loss of enjoyment of life activities you can no longer participate in and the distress caused by severe scarring or disfigurement.

The best way to help your attorney build a strong truck accident claim is to keep all the paperwork related to your injuries together in the same place. Keep copies of medical bills, paperwork from your job, receipts, and other items that show your financial situation post-accident.

It’s also helpful to keep a journal or diary, either written or recorded. This can help you keep track of your medical treatments, your progress, your limitations, and your feelings. It can provide a compelling narrative to prove the extent of your damages and how they affect your life.

Many people who suffer serious accident injuries turn to others who have been through similar events for advice and support. Although this can be helpful for your recovery, every truck crash claim is unique. Your experience, injuries, and outcomes will not be identical to anyone else’s. An attorney can help you understand the strengths and challenges of your case and what it may be worth.

Where To Find Help With Your Dearborn Truck Accident Claim

A truck accident can upend your whole life. Daily tasks may be a significant struggle. You may need help from family or professional caregivers for basic living activities. You may feel angry, frustrated, or fearful about your current and future situation. You may struggle to recover from your injuries while worrying about how you’ll care for your family.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. The experienced Dearborn truck accident attorneys at Sommers Schwartz, P.C. have helped many clients facing the same challenges. We’re here to answer your questions and help you fight for the compensation you deserve.

Contact us today to schedule a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation with one of our Dearborn truck accident injury attorneys.