Truck accident lawyers · Jackson and Cheboygan, MI
Michigan Truck Accident Lawyers
Hurt by a semi, box truck or delivery van? Inosencio & Fisk preserves the evidence, deals with the insurers and fights for the full value of your claim.
- Free consultation
- Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys member
- Offices in Jackson and Cheboygan
Quick answer
If you were hurt in a truck crash in Michigan, you can usually claim no-fault benefits from your own auto insurer for medical bills and lost wages, and also bring a claim against the truck driver, the trucking company and other responsible parties for pain and suffering and losses no-fault does not cover. You generally must notify the no-fault insurer within one year and file suit within three years, and key truck records can be discarded much sooner, so act quickly.
- No-fault notice
- Within 1 year
- Lawsuit deadline
- Generally 3 years
- Truck driver logs
- Can be kept as little as 6 months
Find your situation
What kind of crash were you in?
Choose the one closest to what happened. Each page explains who may be responsible, what evidence matters and what to do next.
Semi-Truck CrashesTractor-trailers, semis and 18-wheelers, where federal trucking rules often decide the case.Learn more
Box Truck CrashesMoving trucks, delivery straight trucks and work trucks, including rentals.Learn more
Amazon and Delivery VansAmazon, FedEx, UPS and other delivery vans, often run by contracted companies.Learn more
Pedestrian InjuriesPeople hit while walking, in crosswalks, parking lots and loading areas.Learn more
Rear-End CollisionsRear-end crashes with trucks and other vehicles, including neck and back injuries.Learn more
Brain InjuriesConcussions and brain injuries from truck and vehicle crashes.Learn more
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)Moderate and severe TBIs that need long-term care and planning.Learn more
Wrongful DeathFamilies who lost a loved one in a preventable truck or vehicle crash.Learn moreProtect your claim
What to do after a truck accident in Michigan
The first days after a truck crash matter. These steps protect your health and your case.
Get medical care and follow up
Some injuries, including brain injuries, show up days later. Medical records link the injury to the crash.
Report the crash
Call police and get the report number. Crashes involving commercial vehicles are often investigated in more detail.
Photograph everything
The vehicles, company names, USDOT numbers, the scene, skid marks and your injuries.
Skip the recorded statement
Do not give a recorded statement to the trucking company's insurer before you talk with a lawyer.
Start your no-fault claim
Notify your auto insurer in writing and keep every bill. The notice deadline is generally one year.
Call a lawyer early
We send preservation letters so driver logs, black box data and video are not overwritten or thrown away.
Why it matters
Why truck accident cases are different
Federal safety rules
Interstate trucks must follow FMCSA rules on driving hours, inspections, drug testing and driver qualifications. A violation can prove negligence.
Electronic evidence
Electronic logging devices, engine data, cameras and dispatch messages show what happened, but they can be overwritten.
Several insurance policies
Trucking companies, brokers and contractors often carry separate, larger policies than an ordinary driver.
Several responsible parties
The driver, the company, a broker, a maintenance shop or a manufacturer may share responsibility.
Know the rules
Michigan truck accident law at a glance
| Rule | What it means | Source |
|---|---|---|
| No-fault (PIP) claim notice | Written notice to the insurer within 1 year of the crash | MCL 500.3145 |
| Lawsuit against at-fault parties | Generally within 3 years of the crash | MCL 600.5805 |
| Pain and suffering threshold | Serious impairment of body function, permanent serious disfigurement or death | MCL 500.3135 |
| Shared fault | Recovery is reduced by your share of fault; more than 50% bars pain and suffering | MCL 500.3135(2)(b) |
| Truck driver hours | 11 hours driving after 10 off, no driving past the 14th hour on duty, 30-minute break after 8 hours driving | 49 CFR 395.3 |
| Claims against government | Written notice deadlines as short as 120 days for road defects | MCL 691.1404 |
Deadlines have exceptions and some are shorter. Talk to a lawyer before relying on any date.
How we work
How we handle your truck accident case
- 01
Free consultation
Tell us what happened. We explain your options and the deadlines that apply.
- 02
Investigation
We send preservation letters, gather records and data, and reconstruct the crash when needed.
- 03
Building the claim
We document your injuries, treatment, lost income and future needs, and coordinate your no-fault benefits.
- 04
Resolution
We negotiate with every insurer involved and are prepared to take the case to court.
Inosencio & Fisk, PLLC
Local lawyers who know Michigan truck cases
Our attorneys have practiced in Michigan for decades and are members of the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys. Beyond building the strongest possible case, we help clients get medical care, transportation help and guidance on no-fault and Medicare-related claims.
- Member, Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys
- Offices in Jackson and Cheboygan, serving all of Michigan
- Help coordinating no-fault, medical care and Medicare issues
- Direct access to your attorney throughout the case
- Free consultation to review your options
Questions
Truck accident questions we hear most
What should I do after a semi-truck accident in Michigan?
First, call 911 and get medical attention right away. If you are able, take photos of the scene, get contact and insurance information, and avoid discussing fault. It is also important to speak with a lawyer quickly so key evidence can be preserved.
Who can be held responsible for a truck accident?
Liability may fall on the truck driver, the trucking company, the owner of the trailer, a maintenance company, a cargo loading company, or even a manufacturer if defective parts contributed to the crash.
Does Michigan no-fault insurance apply to truck accidents?
Yes, Michigan no-fault rules can still apply after a truck accident. Depending on the situation, your own insurance or another insurer may provide certain benefits, while a separate claim may be made for pain and suffering and excess damages.
How long do I have to file a truck accident claim in Michigan?
Two deadlines matter most. You generally must give written notice of a no-fault claim to the insurer within one year of the crash (MCL 500.3145), and you generally have three years to sue the at-fault driver and trucking company (MCL 600.5805). Some claims, including claims against government agencies, have much shorter deadlines, so talk to a lawyer as soon as possible.
What compensation can I recover after a semi-truck accident?
You may be able to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, future treatment, pain and suffering, emotional distress, reduced earning ability, and other accident-related losses.
How can a Michigan semi-truck accident lawyer help me?
A lawyer can investigate the crash, gather records, preserve black box data, identify all liable parties, calculate damages, negotiate with insurers, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Hurt in a truck crash?
Start with the truck crash information sheet, or call 517.796.1444.