When an 18-wheeler collides with a passenger vehicle, the consequences are rarely minor. The sheer size and weight of a fully loaded commercial truck can cause catastrophic injuries, destroy vehicles, and permanently alter the lives of everyone involved. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a truck accident anywhere in Michigan, you deserve a legal team with the experience, resources, and relentless drive to hold the responsible parties accountable.
At Hamo Law Firm, we have been fighting for injured Michigan residents since 1981. Truck accidents are among our most significant cases, and we understand the complexity, urgency, and human cost that comes with each one. From Flint to Detroit and across the entire state, our attorneys are ready to stand in your corner.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Michigan Truck Accident?
The Truck Driver
If the driver was speeding, fatigued, distracted, impaired, or otherwise negligent, they can be held personally liable for the accident.
The Trucking Company
Trucking companies can be held liable under a legal doctrine called vicarious liability, meaning they are responsible for the actions of their employees while on the job. Companies can also face direct liability when they:
- Hired a driver with a history of violations or accidents
- Pressured drivers to exceed HOS limits
- Failed to maintain vehicles or conduct required safety inspections
- Enforced unrealistic delivery schedules that incentivized reckless driving
Cargo Loading Companies
Third-party companies responsible for loading and securing cargo can be held liable if improper loading contributed to the accident.
Truck or Parts Manufacturers
If a defective part, such as a faulty brake system or a defective tire, caused or contributed to the crash, the manufacturer may be liable under product liability law.
Maintenance and Repair Companies
When a third-party maintenance company fails to properly inspect or repair a truck, and that failure leads to a mechanical breakdown, that company may share liability.
Government Entities
Poorly maintained roads, inadequate signage, or dangerous road design can all contribute to truck accidents. In some cases, a government agency may bear partial responsibility.
Federal and Michigan Trucking Regulations
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Rules
The FMCSA sets the national standards for commercial trucking in the United States. These rules govern everything from driver qualifications to vehicle maintenance requirements.
Hours of Service Regulations
Federal HOS rules limit property-carrying truck drivers to 11 hours of driving within a 14-hour window, following a minimum 10-hour off-duty period. Drivers are also subject to a 60/70-hour limit over 7/8 consecutive days. Violations of these rules are a strong indicator of negligence.
Electronic Logging Device Requirements
Since 2017, most commercial trucks have been required to use ELDs to automatically record driving time and rest periods. These records are a critical piece of evidence in truck accident investigations. They can confirm whether a driver was in compliance with HOS rules at the time of a crash.
Michigan Weight and Size Limits
Michigan imposes strict weight limits on commercial trucks using state roads. Overweight loads cause disproportionate road damage and can make trucks harder to control. Violations of these limits are relevant to both liability and regulatory compliance.
Michigan No-Fault Insurance and Truck Accidents
Michigan is a no-fault insurance state, meaning that after most vehicle accidents, each party files a claim with their own insurer for medical expenses and lost wages. However, truck accidents often involve catastrophic injuries that exceed standard no-fault benefits. Victims of serious truck accidents may be entitled to step outside the no-fault system and pursue a lawsuit against the at-fault party for pain and suffering and other damages not covered by no-fault benefits.
Trucking companies are also required to carry significantly higher insurance minimums than standard drivers, often ranging from $750,000 to $5,000,000 depending on the type of cargo being hauled.
What to Do After an 18-Wheeler Accident in Michigan
Call 911 and Seek Medical Attention
Your health comes first. Call 911 immediately and wait for emergency services. Even if you feel fine, see a doctor as soon as possible. Many serious injuries, including TBIs and internal bleeding, do not produce obvious symptoms right away. A documented medical evaluation creates an important record linking your injuries to the accident.
Document the Scene
If you are physically able and it is safe to do so:
- Take photos and video of all vehicles, road conditions, skid marks, and debris
- Photograph any visible injuries
- Get the names and contact information of witnesses
- Record the truck's license plate, DOT number, and the name of the trucking company on the side of the trailer
Do Not Speak to the Trucking Company's Insurance Adjuster
Trucking companies and their insurers dispatch teams of investigators and adjusters to accident scenes almost immediately after a serious crash. Their job is to protect the company, not to help you. Do not give a recorded statement, sign any documents, or accept any settlement offers without first consulting an attorney.
Preserve Evidence
Critical evidence in truck accident cases includes:
- The truck's black box (Event Data Recorder), which captures speed, braking, and steering data
- Driver logs and ELD records
- Inspection and maintenance records
- Cargo manifests and weight tickets
- Driver qualification files and employment records
Contact a Michigan 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer Immediately
Time is of the essence. Evidence disappears. Witnesses' memories fade. The trucking company's legal team is already working against you. The sooner you have an experienced attorney in your corner, the better your chances of a full and fair recovery.
How Hamo Law Firm Handles 18-Wheeler Accident Cases
Thorough Investigation From Day One
We begin building your case immediately. Our approach includes:
- Sending a spoliation letter to preserve the truck's black box, ELD data, maintenance records, and driver files
- Retaining accident reconstruction experts to analyze the crash
- Reviewing FMCSA compliance records and violations
- Obtaining surveillance footage and witness statements
- Researching the trucking company's safety history
Taking On Large Trucking Corporations and Insurance Companies
Trucking companies have experienced legal defense teams and large insurance carriers on their side from the moment a crash happens. Hamo Law Firm has spent over 40 years leveling that playing field for injured Michigan residents. We are not intimidated by large corporations, and we do not back down when insurance companies attempt to minimize legitimate claims.
Statewide Representation Across Michigan
We serve clients across the entire state of Michigan. Whether your accident happened on a freeway near Detroit, a rural highway in northern Michigan, or anywhere in between, our team will come to you. We are a statewide practice that is not limited by geography.
Proven Results
For over four decades, Hamo Law Firm has recovered millions of dollars for victims of negligence in Michigan, including those hurt in serious truck, auto, and motorcycle accidents. We pursue every dollar our clients are entitled to, and we do not settle for less than what is fair.
Types of Compensation You May Be Entitled To
When you are seriously injured in an 18-wheeler accident, the financial consequences can be staggering. Medical bills pile up quickly, time away from work affects your income, and the physical and emotional toll can be immeasurable. A successful truck accident claim may entitle you to compensation for:
- Medical expenses: Emergency care, surgeries, hospitalization, specialist visits, prescription medications, and medical equipment
- Future medical costs: Ongoing treatment, long-term rehabilitation, and anticipated future procedures
- Lost wages: Income lost during your recovery period
- Loss of earning capacity: If your injuries prevent you from returning to your prior occupation or limit your ability to earn in the future
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident and your injuries
- Property damage: Repair or replacement of your vehicle and any personal property damaged in the crash
- Rehabilitation costs: Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other recovery services
- Wrongful death damages: If a family member was killed in the accident, surviving family members may be entitled to funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and financial support the deceased would have provided
Get the Justice You Deserve: Contact Hamo Law Firm Today
An 18-wheeler accident can change your life in an instant. The road to recovery is hard enough without having to fight a trucking company and its insurers on your own. You need an attorney who understands the law, knows how to build a winning case, and will not stop fighting until you receive the full and fair compensation you are owed.
At Hamo Law Firm, we have stood beside injured Michigan residents for over four decades. Truck accidents are not just another case type to us. They are some of the most important and impactful work we do, and we bring the full weight of our experience and determination to every single one.
Call Hamo Law today or visit us at www.hamolaw.com to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation. We serve clients across all of Michigan and are ready to listen, advise, and fight for you.
Legal Disclaimer
The information provided here is for educational purposes and is not intended as legal advice. Every case is unique, and past success—including our multi-million dollar settlements—does not guarantee future results. To understand your specific rights under Michigan law, please contact us for a formal consultation.