Grand Rapids, MI Truck Accident Lawyer

After taking on your case, we will thoroughly investigate the cause of the accident and the extent of your injuries. This may involve speaking to eyewitnesses, hiring expert witnesses such as truck driver instructors and accident reconstructionists, and examining medical records. After determining the cause of the accident, we will negotiate a settlement on your behalf and take the case to court if necessary. No matter what, we will work hard to obtain the justice and peace of mind you deserve.

Sadly, many of these accidents are due to human error and could have been prevented. The following are some of the more common causes of truck accidents.

Truck driver fatigue

Driving a truck is a stressful, high-pressure job. Owners of trucking companies often require their employees to deliver a load of goods to a destination within an unreasonable amount of time. This forces drivers to work long hours with few breaks and little sleep.

A lack of rest may cause drivers to have difficulty concentrating on the road, have coordination problems, and even fall asleep behind the wheel. Thus, there are laws in place regarding how many hours a driver can go without a break and sleep, but these rules are all too often ignored.

Lack of training

Commercial truck drivers in Grand Rapids and throughout the US are legally required to undergo training, tests, and meet extensive requirements before being allowed to operate a semi. However, due to the high demand for drivers, trucking companies may fail to thoroughly train their drivers before hiring them or to verify the information provided on their resumes.

It’s essential to be properly trained in how to handle a semi. For instance, in cases of bad weather, a driver needs to be skilled in preventing skidding, jackknifing, or hydro-planing. If drivers do not have the skill needed to handle these dangerous situations, they put themselves and others on the road at serious risk.

Poor truck maintenance

Grand Rapids trucking companies are required to inspect their trucks before every haul. However, this doesn’t always happen. The cost and time it takes to thoroughly maintain their trucks cuts into profits, so inspections and maintenance steps may be skipped. This could result in an unsafe semi-truck being taken out to haul a load.

Distracted driving

This is a problem for all drivers – not only truckers. Distracted driving is anything that takes a person’s attention away from the task of driving. It can include texting, talking on the phone, eating, grooming, and adjusting the radio.

Truckers are on the road for long stretches of time, and it’s understandable that they may become bored. This boredom might lead them to text, check emails, change playlists on their phone, or engage in other activities that take their eyes off the road.

Speeding

A semi-truck driver is usually expected to make a delivery within a set amount of time. Sometimes that time frame may be unrealistic, or something may happen along the way to delay the driver. In an effort to make up time, a driver may resort to speeding.

If you’ve ever driven along the interstate and seen a large truck come barreling up behind you, you know what a frightening experience that can be. When drivers speed, they have a reduced reaction time and may not be able to slow down for vehicles, pedestrians, or anything else in their path.

Our law firm has been proudly serving the residents of Michigan for over 25 years. After taking on your case, you can be assured that our compassionate truck accident attorneys will work tirelessly to get you the justice, peace of mind, and compensation you deserve.

Contact Michigan’s largest personal injury firm by filling out our online evaluation form with your email, phone number, or calling 855-MIKE-WINS.