Semi Truck Accident Lawyer

Semi truck accidents are some of the most catastrophic crashes on Michigan roads. When an 80,000-pound tractor-trailer barrels down I-75, jackknifes across I-94, loses control on I-96, or collides with a car on US-23 or M-59, the outcome is often devastating. Michigan’s major freight corridors see thousands of semis every day, and when things go wrong, the people in passenger vehicles pay the price.

And make no mistake: semi truck crashes are never “ordinary accidents.” These cases involve federal trucking laws, electronic logging devices, black box data, fleet maintenance requirements, shipping contracts, layered insurance policies, and corporate safety practices that must be exposed and challenged. Without an aggressive legal team, victims can easily get steamrolled by billion-dollar carriers and their defense lawyers.

That’s where Marko Law comes in. Our Detroit-based trial firm is known across Michigan for our multi-million-dollar verdicts, fearless courtroom advocacy, and relentless pursuit of justice for the injured. We take on major trucking carriers, freight companies, logistics corporations, and their insurers—and we win. When powerful companies put profits over safety, we hold them accountable.

Who May Be Liable in a Semi Truck Accident?

Truck Drivers

Truck drivers may be liable for:

• Distracted driving
• Speeding or reckless operation
• Driving while fatigued
• Hours-of-Service violations
• Impaired driving
• Failure to inspect their vehicle

Trucking Companies

Under respondeat superior, trucking companies are often responsible for:

• Their driver’s negligence
• Unsafe schedules that encourage fatigue
• Poor training or supervision
• Failing to enforce FMCSA safety rules
• Negligent hiring of unqualified drivers

Freight Shippers & Brokers

When load issues contribute to a crash, shippers and brokers may share liability for:

• Improper cargo securement
• Overweight loads
• Dangerous packing practices
• Pressuring drivers or carriers with unrealistic deadlines

Maintenance & Repair Companies

The maintenance company may be held accountable if negligent repair work leads to:

• Brake failure
• Tire blowouts
• Steering problems
• Mechanical malfunctions

Parts or Vehicle Manufacturers

Defective truck components can cause catastrophic failure. Potential product liability claims include:

• Defective brakes
• Faulty tires
• Steering or coupling defects
• Electronic system failure

Cargo Loaders & Warehouse Contractors

Poor loading practices can destabilize a truck, causing:

• Load shifts
• Rollovers
• Jackknifes
• Uncontrolled swaying

Government Entities

A government agency may be partially liable if unsafe conditions contributed to the crash—such as:

• Missing guardrails
• Potholes
• Poor lighting
• Dangerous highway design

Michigan Laws That Affect Semi Truck Accident Claims

Michigan No-Fault Insurance

In many cases, Michigan’s No-Fault system provides immediate benefits after a crash—if the vehicle involved meets the state definition of a “motor vehicle.” Semi trucks typically do qualify, but certain commercial configurations can create disputes.

If No-Fault applies, victims may receive:

• Medical benefits (hospital care, surgeries, rehabilitation)
• Wage-loss benefits
• Replacement services
• Attendant care, mileage reimbursement, and other essential expenses

Third-Party Negligence Claims

Victims seriously hurt by a semi truck may file a third-party lawsuit against the at-fault driver, company, or other responsible parties to recover:

• Pain and suffering damages
• Excess medical costs beyond PIP limits
• Lost earning capacity
• Long-term disability or life-impact damages

Employer Liability (Respondeat Superior)

Michigan law often holds trucking companies responsible when their driver causes a crash during work. This is known as respondeat superior, and it allows victims to pursue compensation directly from the company—not just the driver.

Trucking companies may also face liability for:

• Negligent hiring
• Poor training
• Unsafe dispatching
• Failing to enforce federal safety rules

Michigan Wrongful Death Act

When a semi truck crash results in a fatality, surviving family members may pursue damages including:

• Funeral and burial costs
• Loss of companionship
• Loss of future financial support
• Medical bills incurred before death
• Loss of household services

Comparative Negligence

Michigan uses a modified comparative negligence system.
This means:

• Your recovery may be reduced if you are found partially at fault.
• If you are more than 50% at fault, you may be barred from certain damages.

Federal Trucking Laws & Regulations

FMCSA Regulations

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets the national standards for trucking companies and their drivers, including:

• Hours-of-Service (HOS) Rules
  Limit how long drivers can operate before resting—critical in fatigue-related crashes.
• Driver Licensing & Qualification Standards
  Carriers must ensure drivers are properly trained and qualified.
• Inspection & Maintenance Requirements
  Semi trucks must undergo routine inspections, repairs, and safety checks.
• Cargo Securement Rules
  Shifting or unsecured cargo can cause rollovers, jackknifes, or lost-load crashes.

Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs)

ELDs automatically record:

• Driving hours
• Rest periods
• Idling time
• Speed and movement

DOT & SAFER System Records

The SAFER System contains critical safety and compliance data, including:

• Company snapshots
• Inspection results
• Crash histories
• Violation patterns
• SMS (Safety Measurement System) scores indicating unsafe carriers

CDL Requirements

Commercial drivers must hold a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) when operating most semi trucks.
Driving without proper licensing or training can be strong evidence of negligence by both the driver and the company.

Federal Vehicle Safety Standards

These standards govern:

• Brake systems
• Tires
• Coupling devices
• Lighting and visibility devices

How Marko Law Investigates Semi Truck Crashes

Immediate Evidence Preservation Letters

We send legally binding preservation letters to stop the trucking company from:

• Destroying data
• Repairing the truck
• Altering logs
• Deleting internal communications

Securing ECM / Black Box Data

A semi-truck’s electronic control module (ECM) records critical crash information:

• Speed
• Brake usage
• Sudden deceleration
• Throttle position
• Hours of operation

Obtaining Logbooks, ELD Files, GPS Routes & Dispatch Records

We dig deep into:

• Paper and digital driver logs
• Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs)
• GPS route history
• Dispatch instructions
• Driver communication platforms

Reviewing SAFER, SMS & FMCSA Safety Profiles

We pull the trucking company’s:

• SAFER snapshot (safety rating + crash history)
• SMS scores (unsafe driving, fatigue violations, maintenance failures)
• FMCSA safety records

Accident Reconstruction & Scene Analysis

Our investigators and reconstruction experts analyze:

• Skid marks
• Impact points
• Road conditions
• Vehicle damage
• Debris fields and visibility

Subpoenaing Company Policies, Hiring Records & Maintenance Logs

We demand access to:

• Internal safety policies
• Driver qualification files
• Maintenance and inspection logs
• Corporate training materials
• Delivery schedules and dispatch algorithms

Interviewing Witnesses, First Responders & Industry Experts

We gather testimony from:

• Eyewitnesses
• Police officers
• Fire/EMS personnel
• Trucking safety experts
• Medical specialists

Identifying Corporate Patterns of Unsafe Conduct

Many trucking companies have histories of:

• Prior crashes
• Safety violations
• Logbook falsification
• Fatigue-related incidents
• Failed inspections

Preparing the Case for Trial from Day One

Insurance companies know which firms are willing to go the distance. Marko Law is one of them.
We prepare every case as if it will be presented to a jury—because that’s how you get full justice, not lowball settlements.

What to Do Immediately After a Semi Truck Accident

Call 911 and Obtain a Police Report

This creates a critical official record of the crash and helps preserve the facts.

Take Photos and Videos of the Scene

If you can safely do so, capture:

• Vehicle damage
• Injuries
• The truck’s DOT number
• Road conditions
• Skid marks and debris
• Witness information

Seek Immediate Medical Treatment

Even if injuries seem minor, internal trauma and delayed-onset injuries are common in truck crashes. Medical documentation is essential.

Do NOT Speak to Trucking Company Representatives

They may approach you at the scene or afterward. Do not answer questions. Do not sign anything. Their only goal is to protect the company.

Avoid Recorded Statements to Any Insurance Company

Insurance adjusters are trained to twist words to minimize payouts. Politely decline until you have legal representation.

Contact Marko Law Immediately

Black box data disappears. Logs get “lost.” Vehicles are repaired.
Time is your enemy—and the trucking company’s best friend.
The sooner we get involved, the better we can protect your rights and preserve evidence.

You Deserve Justice After a Semi Truck Crash

Semi truck accidents leave a trail of devastation—broken bodies, shattered families, and futures derailed in an instant. The physical injuries alone can last a lifetime, but the emotional trauma, financial strain, and daily uncertainty push many victims to their breaking point. These crashes aren’t fender-benders. They are catastrophic events caused by massive commercial machines and too often fueled by corporate shortcuts, unsafe schedules, and ignored federal safety laws.

At Marko Law, we know what you’re up against. National trucking companies and their insurance carriers bring enormous resources to the fight—teams of lawyers, investigators, and experts trained to minimize or deny your claim. But we don’t intimidate easily. We take them on head-on, expose violations they hoped would stay buried, and fight relentlessly to secure the justice you deserve.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a semi truck crash, time matters. Evidence disappears quickly. Black box data gets overwritten. Vehicles are repaired. Witness memories fade. The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be.

Contact Marko Law for a Free Case Evaluation

📞 Phone: +1-313-777-7777
📍 Main Office: 220 W. Congress, 4th Floor, Detroit, MI 48226
🌐 Website: www.markolaw.com