Sterling Heights Fatal Truck Accident Attorney

Outstanding Representation for Families in the Aftermath of a Truck Crash

Large trucks play a key role in the U.S. economy, particularly in places like Sterling Heights. Michigan’s freight system moved 756 million tons of freight in 2022, making it one of the top ten states for freight shipping. The Michigan Department of Transportation estimates that 72% of this freight spent at least part of its journey on a truck.

While large trucks are essential for Michigan’s economy, they also pose risks on Michigan roads. Approximately one in every three commercial truck drivers will be in an accident at some point during their career. Around 14 people are killed by a large truck crash in the U.S. each day. The vast majority of deaths related to large truck crashes are occupants of other vehicles, pedestrians, or bicyclists.

If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a large truck accident in Sterling Heights, don’t wait. Talk to an experienced truck accident lawyer. The team at Sommers Schwartz is here to help those in Sterling Heights and throughout metro Detroit.

Fatal Truck Collision Statistics

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 deadly 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.

According to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration data, 5,740 crashes involved large trucks 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.

Common Fatal Truck Crash Sites in and Around Sterling Heights

Michigan Traffic Crash Facts (MTCF) data includes truck crashes for all types of commercial trucks, from local delivery trucks to full-sized tractor-trailers. In 2023, the most recent year for which data is available, there were 3,879 truck crashes in Sterling Heights. Common sites for truck crashes in Sterling Heights include:

• M-59. Sterling Heights’ northernmost boundary is a common location for truck crashes. Along M-59, collisions occurred most commonly around the M-53 interchange, particularly the stretch of road between the interchange and Utica.
• M-53. M-53 is Sterling Heights’ most dangerous roadway for truck collisions, according to the MTCF data. The intersection and ramps at 18 1/2 Mile Road were the site of many collisions in 2023. Collisions were also common between 17 Mile and 16 Mile, particularly near the Meijer store just south of 16 Mile.
• 16 Mile Road. Other than the freeways, 16 Mile Road was the most common site of truck collisions in 2023.

Multiple crashes also occurred on 17 Mile, 15 Mile, Mound Road, and Ryan Road.

While many fatal Sterling Heights truck crashes occur on freeways, no site is immune to such crashes. Many truck crashes occur on side streets or even within neighborhoods, especially when GPS systems route traffic around construction areas. Crashes are common in busy commercial areas, where trucks frequently travel, stop, and turn while making deliveries. Many non-freeway crashes occur at lower speeds, reducing their fatality rate. However, even low-speed truck crashes can cause catastrophic injuries.

Truck Crashes Can Have Complex Causes

Trucking is a major business involving many interconnected companies. It can be challenging to pinpoint who is legally and financially responsible for an accident. An experienced attorney will help you investigate the cause of a Sterling Heights fatal truck accident. They can help you pursue justice on behalf of your loved one and hold the responsible parties accountable for your loss.

Driver-Related Causes

Drivers play an essential role in keeping their trucks safe on the road. Drivers who are distracted, intoxicated, drowsy, or otherwise impaired are hazardous to every other road user. Drivers who speed or fail to follow other road rules can cause serious accidents and claim lives. Your attorney will investigate the driver’s role in the collision.

Trucking Company Causes

Trucking companies are responsible for many parts of the business. They must hire, vet, and train their drivers according to state and federal standards. They must also ensure drivers adhere to federal and state Hours of Service limitations so they aren’t too drowsy to drive.

Trucking companies that fail in any of these duties may contribute to serious accidents on the road. Part of any fatal truck accident investigation is determining the trucking company’s role in the crash.

Truck Maintenance, Safety, and Defects

Large trucks have hundreds of parts, all of which must work together effectively. Hidden defects in parts, delayed repairs, or neglected maintenance can lead to a crash. These crashes can be terrifying for a truck driver, as they may not know there is a problem until it’s too late to prevent harm.

Experienced Sterling Heights truck accident lawyers often examine maintenance logs and similar information to determine whether a truck’s owner, maintenance teams, or parts manufacturers failed to exercise due care to prevent harm. They may also investigate recalls of parts and equipment and explore defective product claims against manufacturers.

Cargo Safety Issues

In today’s trucking industry, cargo loading is its own industry. Many truck drivers transport “no-touch” freight, meaning they do not load or unload their trucks. They trust cargo teams to load freight and secure it properly. If these teams are negligent, an unbalanced or loose load could cause a fatal collision. Checking that cargo was safely loaded and secured is critical to investigating any crash.

Fatal Truck Crashes and Your Family’s Legal Rights

When a truck collision claims a life, family members may have many questions. They may wonder about their options. They may want to hold negligent or reckless parties accountable for their grief. Filing a wrongful death claim allows them to pursue financial security and a sense of justice for their loss.

A wrongful death claim is similar to a personal injury claim. Like a personal injury claim, a wrongful death claim seeks compensation for losses caused by someone else’s negligent, reckless, or intentional misbehavior. It can include medical bills, lost wages, and other losses resulting from the fatal truck crash.

However, there are a few differences between a personal injury claim and a wrongful death claim. An injured person files a personal injury claim, while the deceased person’s personal representative files a wrongful death claim on their behalf.

A wrongful death claim can seek damages not available in a personal injury claim, such as compensation for funeral and burial expenses. It also allows surviving family members to recover compensation for the loss of their loved one’s care, companionship, and support.

Like other Michigan injury lawsuits, there is a three-year time limit to file a wrongful death claim. However, figuring out when this “statute of limitations” begins to run can be challenging. It may start on the date of the crash or the death. If these dates aren’t the same, talk to an attorney. They can help you determine when the deadline falls in your case.

Some exceptions apply to the three-year rule, but they’re narrow. Only a few specific cases will qualify for an exception. Speak to an attorney as soon as possible to find out when the deadline falls so you can file your claim on time.

Another deadline to consider is insurance claims. The three-year rule applies only to cases filed in Michigan courts. Insurance companies have their own deadlines for filing claims. Sometimes, these deadlines are only a few months away instead of years. Contact your insurer immediately and talk to an attorney who can handle your insurance claim.

Compensation After a Fatal Truck Crash

After a fatal truck crash, a family may find themselves drowning in losses. Losing their loved one can be overwhelming. New losses connected to the death pop up daily: funeral costs, lost wages, chores their loved one used to handle, and more.

A wrongful death case seeks compensation for the losses caused by a fatal crash. Common losses in a wrongful death claim include:

• Medical bills, including emergency response, emergency room care, and other medical costs related to the fatal injuries.
• Lost wages that your loved one would have contributed to the household.
• Costs to repair or replace the family vehicle or other damaged property.
• Compensation for your loved one’s physical pain and suffering.
• Funeral and burial expenses.
• Compensation for losing your loved one’s care, companionship, and support.

Each death is unique, and so is each wrongful death case. An attorney can help you determine what you’ve lost and seek compensation.

Speak to an Experienced Sterling Heights Fatal Truck Accident Lawyer Today

Truck crashes can have complex causes. Navigating information, gathering evidence, and dealing with insurance companies can be challenging. For a family grieving the loss of a loved one, taking on this extra work can feel impossible.

You don’t have to do it alone. At Sommers Schwartz, P.C., our dedicated Sterling Heights fatal truck accident lawyers will fight for the compensation you need and deserve. We’ll gather evidence, build your case, and protect your legal rights, allowing you to focus on your family’s needs. To learn more, contact us today to schedule a free, confidential consultation.