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Tips For Michigan Truck Accident Victims | Truck Accident Lawyers
Here Are the Factors That Can Make a Michigan Truck Accident Case More Serious–And More Valuable
When forty tons of steel, aluminum, and rubber collide with a 1.5-ton passenger vehicle, the outcome can be devastating to anyone involved.
However, each truck accident case is different. So what makes some cases more serious than others? Let the Michigan truck accident lawyers at Kajy Law explain.
Our attorneys have examined countless truck accident cases, helping victims like you understand what their case is worth to maximize the settlement they receive.
Severe Injuries From Your Truck Accident
About one out of every five truck accidents in Michigan results in significant injury, according to Michigan traffic data.
Of those injuries, some can be severe–even life changing.
These severe injuries can include:
Catastrophic injuries
Someone’s injuries are considered catastrophic when they are life-threatening or when the recovery is expected to take an indefinite period of time, according to information provided by the US government.
Catastrophic injuries from a truck accident can include:
- Traumatic head injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Severe burns
- Multiple fractures
- Amputations
Injuries requiring long-term medical care
Some injuries may be so severe that the accident victim will need ongoing medical treatment or rehabilitation, possibly for the rest of their life.
Regardless of their category, severe injuries elevate the seriousness of a Michigan truck accident and can allow the victim to receive further compensation.
Depending on the circumstances, the state of Michigan allows those who suffered catastrophic injuries to sue the at-fault driver if the victim can show them to be responsible for the accident. which may include the truck driver.
Costly Medical Expenses As A Result Of The Truck Accident
Any truck accident that leads to extensive medical treatment needs to be treated with greater care and attention for two reasons: there are major injuries involved, and there will be substantial medical bills resulting from these injuries.
As a result, cases with major medical expenses often lead to a higher settlement amount. Some of the major medical expenses from a truck accident can include:
Emergency medical services
Costs for immediate medical attention right after the truck accident are often at a premium. This can include ambulance rides or paramedic services.
Imaging
Once a truck accident victim is at the hospital, attending medical professionals need to establish what injuries they have suffered. To do this, there are different types of imaging that can be taken, including CT and MRI scans.
Surgery
Common surgeries that truck accident victims undergo are back surgeries, brain surgeries, stabilizing bone fractures, surgeries to repair torn soft tissue, or surgery for internal injuries and bleeding.
Hospitalization
It’s common for victims to be hospitalized to make sure a truck accident victim is stable after their accident, help them recover after a surgery, or to monitor an injury. This may be for an overnight stay or longer.
Rehabilitation
Severe injuries suffered from a truck accident are often treated with different rehabilitation therapies such as physical therapy or occupational therapy. This treatment may help the victim recover from their injuries, keep pain or other symptoms at bay, or help with flexibility from an injury.
Future medical costs
Some truck accident victims take years to recover. Others no longer work towards getting better, but instead need ongoing help to maintain mobility from their injuries or to manage pain. In other cases, they may require a series of surgeries spaced out over years.
Medical equipment
If a truck accident victim has either a temporary or permanent disability, they will likely need certain medical equipment to assist them in their daily life.
All of these medical expenses can easily swell into the hundreds of thousands of dollars or more.
When a truck accident victim incurs these expenses, they can be used as evidence of the devastating effects the truck accident had on a victim. This evidence can then be used to receive a higher settlement amount.
Loss of Income
Major injuries can affect every aspect of a truck accident victim’s life, including their ability to provide for themselves and their families.
This may be a temporary situation, since the accident victim will need to take time off work to attend various medical appointments or to rest and recover from their injuries.
In other cases, injuries may prevent accident victims from performing the same type of work. This may only be while the victim heals, or it may be permanent if their injuries don’t improve.
Regardless of the duration, truck accident victims are allowed to receive compensation for their lost income that resulted from their accident.
Damage to Property
A large semi truck measuring over 72 feet long can quickly inflict extensive damage to property. This is especially common with any passenger vehicles around it at the time of the accident.
This damage may require significant repairs done to the vehicles, or even cause it to be totaled out by the insurance companies if the damage will cost more than the fair-market value of the vehicle.
These losses that resulted from damage to property can be included to increase the value of a truck accident settlement.
Pain and Suffering
All of the factors of a serious truck accident mentioned above may be easy to tally up. However, there are other damages that a truck accident victim suffered that are difficult to quantify, but need to be taken just as seriously.
These losses can also include emotional trauma, loss of enjoyment of life, inconvenience, permanent disability, disfigurement, or scarring.
Michigan State Law 500.3135 allows accident victims to sue for these “noneconomic damages”, which can include these and other losses that result from their accident.
How a Truck Accident Attorney Can Increase the Value of Your Case
When Detroit truck accident victims face just some of the factors mentioned above, it can be easy for them to feel overwhelmed, discouraged, or exhausted. Yet, some Michigan residents are facing all of them at once.
If you’re trying to deal with the aftermath of a truck accident, it’s in your best interests to get legal help from an experienced Michigan truck accident attorney like those at Kajy Law.
Our attorneys can help you increase the compensation you receive by helping you with these difficult tasks:
Conducting a thorough truck accident investigation
A Michigan truck accident lawyer will conduct a comprehensive investigation to gather essential evidence relating to your case, such as:
- Accident reports, which can include detailed police reports and traffic data that show exactly what happened
- Electronic logging data from the truck to examine driver hours and compliance with trucking laws
- Witness statements that corroborate your account of the accident and show that you were not at fault
Calculating damages after your truck accident
Instead of just accepting whatever offer comes your way, an experienced truck accident lawyer knows what your case will be worth.
They can establish this amount by calculating all of the damages you’ve suffered to ensure you receive full compensation.
This includes the economic damages you’re owed, such as financial losses, medical expenses, and lost wages.
They can also help establish the non-economic damages you deserve, such as pain and suffering and emotional distress you suffered.
Negotiating power
Dealing with insurance companies and negotiating settlements is an essential part of receiving a settlement.
This negotiation includes dealing with insurance companies, trucking companies, and many other parties who try to minimize or deny their financial responsibility.
Having an attorney who knows how to manage all communications with insurance adjusters, protect your rights, and make sure you’re not taken advantage of will help you receive the maximum compensation for all of your damages.
Representation in court
Sometimes, a fair settlement can’t be reached by negotiating with the insurance company. In this case, an experienced truck accident lawyer can provide you with the strong representation in court that you deserve.
They’ll provide help with filing a lawsuit, initiating legal proceedings to pursue compensation, and advocating for you in court by presenting a compelling case to the jury. This will help you receive a larger settlement amount.
Still Have Questions About What Factors Make Truck Accidents More Serious?
Having won over 2,500 cases, the attorneys at Kajy Law have proven that they know exactly how to help you with your Warren truck accident, Detroit truck accident, or truck accident anywhere else in Michigan.
As a result, we’re ready to provide the answers you need about what makes Detroit truck accidents more serious. Call us today or fill out our contact form for a free consultation with our attorneys for answers to all of your truck accident questions.
Contact Our Michigan Truck Accident Lawyers For Help
Michigan truck accident victims like you are facing an uphill battle. Let our truck accident lawyers give you the legal advantage you deserve.
We’ll use our 133 years of combined legal experience to provide the practical help and representation you deserve to make sure you receive the largest settlement possible.
Contact us for a free consultation today. Call us at 248-702-6641 or fill out our contact form.
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