Semi-truck-related incidents aren’t uncommon. In fact, there are over 100,000 every year in the United States, according to the FMCSA.
The Michigan State Police reported 15,888 in Michigan in 2024, with the majority (23%) of them happening in Wayne County near Detroit. In 2025, there have also been countless reports of accidents involving semi-trucks, including a semi-truck crashing into a pond near I-94 and a crash on I-96 that resulted in one fatality.
While more passenger vehicle incidents occur each year, there is a higher risk of fatalities in semi-truck-related incidents. The average fatal crash rate in Michigan is 1.1 per 100 million VMT, but when heavy trucks and buses are involved, that rate increases to 1.4 per 100 million VMT.
If you or a loved one has been critically injured or killed because of a truck driver’s negligence, request a free consultation with our truck accident attorneys today.
Truck Accidents Are Serious
All car accidents are serious, but when they involve semi-trucks, the added factor of the vehicle’s weight and what the truck is carrying increases the severity. When fully loaded, semi-trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, and some may be transporting hazardous materials that could explode or cause health conditions.
In addition to being riskier, truck accidents are more complicated to navigate because multiple parties may be responsible for the incident, whether that’s the truck driver, the transportation company, the vehicle manufacturer, and others.
If you or someone you love was involved in a semi-truck-related accident, you need an experienced attorney on your side.
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Immediate Steps After Getting Into a Truck-Related Accident
- Get Treated for Injuries: Seek medical help for yourself and all passengers. Even if you aren’t critically injured, you should still seek medical attention because some injuries don’t have immediate symptoms.
- File a Police Report: If you are not injured, contact the police to file a report.
- Talk to Witnesses: Look for witnesses and exchange contact information.
- Document the Scene: Take photos of the incident and write down any details (this will be important later).
- File a Legal Claim: Contact an experienced truck accident lawyer to file a claim.
Detroit’s Most Dangerous Intersections & Highways
Based on recent reports, the most injuries and fatalities in truck-related accidents occur on:
- I-75
- I-94
- I-94/Livernois Ave.
- I-96
- W. Congress St.
- Conner St./Gratiot Ave.
- I-75/Gratiot Ave.
- Livernois Ave/Davison St.
There are also numerous roads throughout Detroit that are undergoing construction, which further increases the risks of accidents. These include:
- E. Larned St.
- Atwater Street (between Schweitzer’s Place & Rivard St.)
- I-75 South (Clark St./Exit 47A)
- Livernois South (between South St. & Jefferson Ave. W)
- W. Lafayette Blvd North (between Dragoon St. & Calvary St.)
- S. Waterman St. (between Jefferson Ave. & South St.)
FAQs
How Do I Know Who Is Liable?
A lawyer will determine liability once they have the details of your unique situation. There are many factors to consider when determining liability, including, but not limited to:
- Did the truck driver own or lease the vehicle?
- Did the truck driver make a wrong maneuver?
- Was the truck driver fatigued?
- Did a faulty or worn truck component cause the incident?
- What were the traffic conditions that day?
- What were the weather conditions that day?
- What do first-party witnesses report?
The truck driver could be at fault, you could be partially at fault, the trucking company could be at fault, etc. There is simply no way to know until the full details have been explored.
Will Insurance Cover Medical Expenses?
Michigan requires drivers to carry no-fault insurance with PIP (Personal Injury Protection) coverage, so some of your medical expenses should covered under your PIP.
In some cases, medical expenses may exceed your PIP coverage. Our truck accident attorneys can help you understand the next steps if you are left with medical expenses that you can’t afford to pay.
When Should I File a Claim?
You should file your claim as soon as possible while you still remember the details of your case. Under Michigan law, you have three years after the date of the incident to file a claim, but we never recommend waiting that long.
Should I Represent Myself?
No. Personal injury cases, especially truck accidents, are complicated and can often involve multiple parties. Risks of representing yourself include:
- Failing to interpret federal and state regulations, including FMCSA rules, maintenance standards, and commercial licensing laws.
- Undervaluing your claim.
- Going up against powerful companies with experienced legal teams.
- Failing to preserve critical evidence needed to prove negligence.
- Dealing with insurance agents who are trained to get you to accept lowball settlements or make recorded statements that undermine your claim.
How Do Truck Accident Lawsuits Work?
Lawsuits are a multi-layered process that starts with a case evaluation. In a case evaluation, an experienced truck accident attorney reviews the details of your case, including medical records, police reports, witness statements, photos, etc. From there, an attorney will determine if you have a case, explain the next steps, and guide you through each stage of the process.
Will I Have to Pay for an Attorney?
The short answer is—No.
When you consult a firm like Giroux Pappas that works on a contingency fee basis, you never have to pay anything up front. Should we win a settlement, we take an agreed-upon percentage from the awarded damages. If there is no recovery, you don’t owe us attorney fees.