It usually starts in a hospital waiting room. The vending machine hums, the coffee has gone cold, and someone you love is behind a set of double doors after a semi crossed into their lane on I-75. Before the doctors finish their first update, a polite voice from the trucking company's insurer is already on your cell phone. They would like to "get a statement while it's fresh."
George Hamo has a way of describing what comes next. You start on one bank of a river, standing in a calamity you never saw coming. The result your family needs waits on the far bank, across cold and deep water. You need a bridge, and you should never have to build it by yourself.
The People Who Will Be Walking Beside You
A Father and Son Who Still Answer Their Own Phones
George Hamo has spent decades in Michigan courtrooms. His son Alex grew up sitting in on those trials, then brought his own regimented, athletic discipline to the practice.
- When you call, you talk to George or Alex, not a revolving door of case managers.
- Your attorney knows your name, your injuries, and your family's story.
"We Begin as Clients, We End as Friends"
That is one of George's favorite sayings, and our phone log proves it. Families call decades later, asking for Alex because "you helped my dad 30 years ago." Most of our new clients come from former clients and other attorneys.
A Front Office That Hasn't Changed in 35 Years
Some of our staff members have been with us for more than 35 years. That stability makes our office feel more like a kitchen table than a factory firm.
Standing at the Water's Edge: The First Days After a Truck Crash
What the Trucking Company Is Doing While You're Still in the Hospital
Large carriers often have crash response plans ready in advance. Their investigators and adjusters may reach the scene within hours, and their job is to protect the company. That can mean early photos, truck data downloaded on their terms, and calls to injured people hoping for a recorded statement.
First Steps That Protect Your Family
These steps can make a real difference:
- Get medical care right away, and follow every treatment recommendation.
- Request the crash report from the responding police agency.
- Photograph injuries, vehicles, and the scene if you can safely do so.
- Keep every bill, receipt, pay stub, and medical record in one folder.
- Politely decline recorded statements to the trucking company's insurer.
- Talk to an attorney before signing anything.
Quick Takeaway: The trucking company starts building its side of the story right away. Your family deserves someone building yours just as fast.
Laying the Planks: How We Build the Evidence
Evidence That Can Disappear Quickly
Modern trucks record a remarkable amount of data, and much of it can be overwritten if nobody acts. That is why we send preservation letters early.
Key evidence may include:
- Engine control module ("black box") data showing speed and braking
- Electronic logging device records of driving hours
- Dashcam footage and maintenance records
- The driver's qualification and training file
The Federal Rules Trucks Are Supposed to Follow
Commercial trucks answer to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which publishes its rules at fmcsa.dot.gov. Those rules cover driving hours, inspections, and drug and alcohol testing. For example, property-carrying drivers are generally limited to 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty.
Finding Every Party Who May Share Responsibility
Most truck drivers are skilled professionals who work hard to keep Michigan roads safe. When a crash happens, though, the blame often reaches past the driver's seat. Parties who may share responsibility include:
- The trucking company or motor carrier
- A freight broker or cargo loader
- A maintenance vendor or parts manufacturer
The Two Pillars Holding Up Your Claim
Pillar One: No-Fault PIP Benefits From Your Own Policy
Michigan is a No-Fault state. Your own auto insurance usually pays Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits first, no matter who caused the crash. PIP benefits may cover:
- Medical expenses, up to the coverage level on your policy
- A portion of lost wages, generally for up to three years
- Replacement services, attendant care, and medical mileage
Since the 2019 reform, Michigan drivers choose their PIP medical coverage level. The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services lists choices including unlimited, $500,000, $250,000, and $50,000 for qualifying Medicaid enrollees. Without a policy, benefits may still be available through the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan.
Pillar Two: The Claim Against the At-Fault Trucking Company
No-Fault does not let a negligent carrier off the hook. Michigan law allows an injured person to bring a claim against the at-fault party for serious injuries. Generally, you must show death, serious impairment of a body function, or permanent serious disfigurement.
This claim may recover what PIP does not, such as:
- Pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life
- Medical costs and wage loss beyond your PIP limits
Under Michigan's comparative fault rules, your recovery may be reduced by your share of blame. If you are found more than 50% at fault, noneconomic damages are generally barred.
Myth vs. Fact
- Myth: "Michigan is a No-Fault state, so I can't go after the trucking company."
- Fact: No-Fault covers your early benefits, but it does not erase the carrier's responsibility. If your injuries meet the legal threshold, you may pursue a separate claim.
The Middle of the Crossing: When Goliath Pushes Back
Tactics Families Commonly Run Into
- A fast lowball offer before injuries are fully known
- Repeated requests for recorded statements
- Medical exams by doctors the insurer selects
- Long delays that wear families down
We take the calls, handle the paperwork, and stand between you and the adjusters.
When the Injuries Are Catastrophic or a Loved One Is Gone
Truck crashes can cause injuries that change a life in an instant. These may include traumatic brain injuries (TBI), spinal cord damage, and amputations.
When a crash takes a life, Michigan law allows a wrongful death claim. It is brought by the personal representative of the loved one's estate. We walk grieving families through that process gently, one step at a time.
Reaching the Far Bank: Settlement, Trial, and What a Result Can Look Like
Why Trial Readiness Matters Even When Cases Settle
Most injury cases resolve without a jury verdict. Still, insurers tend to know which lawyers will actually try a case. We prepare every case as if it is headed for a courtroom. That discipline may strengthen a client's negotiating position, though every case turns on its own facts.
What a Recovery May Include
Depending on the facts, compensation in a truck accident case may include:
- Past and future medical care
- Lost income and lost earning capacity
- Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
- Funeral expenses and loss of companionship in wrongful death cases
Mini FAQ
- How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit in Michigan? Generally three years from the crash for most injury claims. PIP notice rules are shorter, so call early.
- What does it cost to hire Hamo Law? We work on a contingency fee basis, so there are no upfront attorney fees. Our fee comes from a recovery, if there is one.
- Will I really talk to Alex or George? Yes. You will have their direct attention from your first call to the end of your case.
Nobody Should Have to Cross That Water Alone
Someday this season will be behind you. Maybe that looks like a first day back at work, or a Friday night at a Flint high school football game. Maybe it looks like a quiet dinner where nobody mentions insurance. Those ordinary moments are what we are really fighting for.
Getting there takes patience, and it takes a team that knows the terrain. Our family has helped Michigan families reach the other side for generations. We would be honored to carry the heavy legal work while yours focuses on healing.
Call the Hamos Directly, Not a Call Center
Your free case evaluation starts with a real conversation with a real attorney. Reach out today, and let's talk about where you need to go.
Hamo Law Firm
614 S. Grand Traverse Street,
Flint, Michigan 48502
Phone: 810-234-3667
Email: ahamo@hamolaw.com
Website: hamolaw.com
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Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational purposes and is not intended as legal advice. Every case is unique, and past success does not guarantee future results.
