The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that on average, there are approximately 442,000 traffic accidents involving large trucks each year. Additionally, one in eight traffic fatalities results from a truck accident, even though large trucks only account for 3% of the total registered vehicles in the United States. Moreover, there are approximately 5,000 fatal vehicle crashes each year involving large trucks. Passenger vehicle occupants are far more likely to suffer serious injuries, such as traumatic brain injury, or spinal cord injury, or death in collisions with a large truck than in smaller vehicle accidents. A typical passenger car weighs 3,000 pounds. A semi-tractor trailer can weigh 80,000 or more. Passengers in a vehicle that is struck by a semi-truck experience an impact that is essentially equivalent to being struck by 25 cars at the same time.

Truck drivers have a legal and professional obligation to exercise caution and due care in the operation of their vehicles. Because of the potential danger that commercial vehicles pose to others on the road, trucking is regulated at both the State and Federal levels to insure public safety. For example, the number of hours a truck driver can be on the road in a given day and the hours a truck driver must be off of the road between shifts are all regulated by the government. If a truck driver violates any trucking regulations or fails to properly maintain his or her vehicle, the driver and his or her company may be legally liable for causing an accident. In addition to failing to properly maintain vehicles, truck drivers and their companies may be liable for an accident for a number of other reasons, including driver fatigue, improper loading or load distribution, speeding or other forms of careless driving, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and driving in hazardous conditions. In light of the fact that the trucking industry is so heavily regulated by State and Federal governments, it is imperative that victims of commercial trucking accidents consult with experienced attorneys in order to determine whether the truck driver and trucking company are legally liable for an accident.

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Individuals who have been injured in a commercial vehicle accident in Michigan, including the greater Detroit area, Lansing, Grand Rapids and Flint, can depend on our attorneys that handle semi truck accident cases for help. Contact our personal injury lawyers today to schedule a free consultation and case review. In addition to the information here, we have provided a detailed semi truck Accident FAQ page to help victims of a semi-truck accident understand their rights.