A truck crash changes everything in an instant. One moment you’re driving along a Michigan roadway—maybe I-75, I-94, or the Lodge—and the next you’re staring at twisted metal, the echo of brakes, and the crushing force of a commercial vehicle slamming into your world. When a semi-truck or 18-wheeler collides with a passenger car, everyday life can spiral into medical appointments, lost income, and overwhelming uncertainty.

For Michigan crash victims, the aftermath is more than physical injuries. It’s the financial strain of mounting medical bills, the emotional trauma of reliving the impact, and the fear of what comes next. Many clients come to us feeling outmatched and unheard—because trucking companies, insurers, and corporate lawyers often move fast to protect themselves, not you.

But here’s the truth: you are not powerless. Michigan personal injury law gives you rights. Federal trucking regulations—set by the FMCSA—demand accountability from commercial drivers and trucking companies. You have the legal ability to pursue justice, hold negligent parties responsible, and rebuild your future with strength.

Why Truck Crashes Are Different From Regular Car Accidents

The Extreme Force of an 18-Wheeler

A fully loaded commercial truck can weigh 20 to 30 times more than a typical passenger vehicle. That kind of size and momentum means even a low-speed collision can cause devastating damage. The laws of physics simply aren’t on a driver’s side when an 80,000-pound truck comes barreling toward them.

Catastrophic and Life-Changing Injuries

Because of this massive force imbalance, truck crashes often lead to severe, long-term injuries, including:

• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) – often caused by violent jolts or head impact (MDHHS TBI information).
• Spinal cord injuries – which the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke notes can lead to paralysis and lifelong care needs.
• Limb loss and amputation – commonly associated with high-energy crush injuries.

Complex Liability and Federal Oversight

Truck crashes involve layers of responsibility that simply don’t exist in standard auto accidents. Trucking companies must comply with federal safety rules, including:

• FMCSA regulations governing driver hours, inspections, and safety protocols.
• SAFER system data that tracks a company’s crash history, violations, and safety rating.
• SMS safety scoring, which evaluates unsafe driving, maintenance failures, HOS violations, and more.

Corporate Defense Tactics

The trucking industry operates with one goal after a crash: minimize responsibility and limit financial exposure. Their teams move fast—sometimes within hours—to:

• Send investigators to the scene
• Control or “lose” critical evidence
• Pressure victims into giving statements
• Push lowball settlement offers before full injuries are known

Who May Be Legally Responsible After a Truck Crash

The Truck Driver

A driver may be legally responsible when their conduct violates Michigan negligence law or federal safety rules. Examples include:

• Speeding, distraction, or fatigue
• Hours-of-service violations
• Driving under the influence
• Ignoring FMCSA safety regulations

The Trucking Company

Often, the trucking company holds a significant portion of blame. Legally, they may be liable under:

• Respondeat superior, meaning employers are responsible for the negligent acts of their employees.
• Independent negligence, such as:
  
  • Hiring unqualified or unsafe drivers
  • Failing to provide adequate training
  • Not enforcing safety compliance
  • Pressuring drivers to violate hours-of-service limits

Freight Brokers & Shippers

These parties sometimes select unsafe carriers, overload trailers, or improperly secure cargo. When their negligence contributes to the crash, they may share legal fault. Unsafe loading increases rollover risk, jackknife incidents, and cargo spills—each capable of causing massive damage.

Maintenance Contractors

Many trucking companies outsource inspection and repair work. When those contractors cut corners or fail to identify serious mechanical issues—like worn brakes, bald tires, or faulty steering systems—they can be held accountable for the consequences.

Manufacturers

If a defective part—such as a brake component, tire, coupling device, or safety system—fails during operation, the manufacturer may be liable under product liability principles.

Government Entities

Sometimes dangerous road conditions contribute to a crash: missing guardrails, deteriorating pavement, poor lighting, or neglected signage. Claims involving government agencies must navigate Michigan’s governmental immunity rules and strict notice requirements.

Steps to Take Immediately After a Truck Crash in Michigan

Get Immediate Medical Care

Some injuries—especially brain or spinal injuries—aren’t obvious right away. A prompt exam protects your health and creates crucial medical documentation.

Preserve Evidence at the Scene

If you’re able, gather:

• Photos of vehicle damage, debris, skid marks, and road conditions
• Names and contact information of witnesses
• Dashcam footage or cell phone video

Do Not Talk to Trucking Company Insurance Adjusters

Their mission is simple: protect the company, not you.
They may try to get you to minimize your injuries or accept blame. Politely decline all communication.

Never Sign a Release or Provide a Recorded Statement

Doing so can severely limit your legal options or undermine your claim before you know the full extent of your injuries.

Contact a Truck Crash Attorney Immediately

Trucking companies move quickly. Their investigators may begin gathering (or losing) evidence within hours. The sooner Marko Law steps in, the sooner we can protect your rights and preserve the evidence needed to win your case.

How Marko Law Investigates Truck Crash Cases

Rapid Evidence Preservation

We immediately issue:

• Spoliation letters to stop companies from destroying evidence
• Demands for ELD logs, black box (ECM) data, and pre- and post-trip inspection reports
• Requests for driver qualification files, maintenance logs, and dispatch communications

SAFER & SMS Database Review

Using federal data systems, we examine:

• The trucking company’s safety snapshot, roadside violations, and crash history via SAFER
• The company’s BASIC safety scores, hours-of-service violations, maintenance issues, and unsafe driving patterns through the SMS Methodology

Reconstruction Experts

We collaborate with top accident reconstruction professionals who analyze:

• Skid marks
• Impact angles
• Truck speeds and braking patterns
• ECM and GPS data
• Road geometry

Corporate Conduct Investigation

We dig into the trucking company’s internal operations, including:

• Dispatch pressures that push drivers to exceed legal hours
• Negligent hiring practices
• Prior FMCSA violations
• Failure to maintain or repair trucks
• Evidence of falsified logs or manipulated data

Witness & Expert Testimony

We work with:

• Medical experts to explain the full scope of your injuries
• Vocational and economic experts to quantify lost earning capacity
• Mental health professionals to validate trauma and emotional harm

What Compensation You May Be Entitled to After a Truck Crash

Medical Bills (Past and Future)

Truck crash victims often require emergency treatment, surgeries, physical therapy, medications, and long-term care. You may be entitled to compensation for all medical expenses connected to the crash—both the bills you’ve already received and the future medical needs your doctors anticipate.

Lost Wages & Diminished Earning Capacity

When injuries force you off the job, the financial stress can be overwhelming. Compensation may include:

• Paychecks you’ve missed
• Lost business opportunities
• Reduced ability to work in the future
• Permanent disability or job retraining needs

Pain and Suffering

The law recognizes that injuries affect more than mobility—they impact sleep, emotions, relationships, and daily enjoyment of life. Pain and suffering damages address the human cost of trauma.

Home Modification or Long-Term Care

Severe injuries—such as spinal cord damage or limb loss—may require home remodeling (ramps, lifts, widened doorways) or long-term attendant care. These costs can and should be included in your claim.

Wrongful Death Damages

When a truck crash takes a life, Michigan’s wrongful death statute allows families to seek compensation for:

• Funeral and burial costs
• Loss of financial support
• Loss of companionship and guidance
• Medical bills before death

Loss of Consortium

Under the Cornell Law definition, loss of consortium refers to the loss of the benefits of a family relationship—love, companionship, intimacy—when a spouse is severely injured. These damages honor the profound emotional toll a crash can have on a family.

Punitive-Type Damages

While Michigan negligence law does not allow punitive damages, certain federal claims—such as those involving gross federal safety violations—may permit additional damages meant to punish reckless conduct. These claims are complex and must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

You Deserve Strength on Your Side

A truck crash can leave you facing pain, financial worries, and a system that feels stacked against you. But you don’t have to take on trucking companies, insurers, or corporate legal teams by yourself. Real protection starts with having a legal team that knows how to fight—and fights for you.

At Marko Law, we stand with the injured, the overwhelmed, and the wronged. Our team brings the experience, the trial power, and the relentless determination needed to hold every responsible party accountable.

If you’ve been harmed or lost a loved one in a truck crash, now is the time to take action. Your story matters. Your rights matter. And our team is ready to step in and help you move forward.

Contact Marko Law for a Free Case Evaluation

Phone: +1-313-777-7777
Office: 220 W. Congress, 4th Floor, Detroit, MI 48226
Website: https://www.markolaw.com/
Our Team: https://www.markolaw.com/staff