Pontiac Truck Accident Lawyer
If you recently suffered catastrophic or life-threatening injuries after being involved in a collision with a commercial truck, you may be anxious to hold the liable party accountable. The extreme financial losses and emotional distress on top of the injuries you suffered can quickly take over your life. Fortunately, with the support and resources of a trial-tested Pontiac truck accident lawyer from White Law PLLC, you have an opportunity to recover maximum compensation for damages and suffering.
With a premier Pontiac personal injury lawyer from our firm handling the legalities of your case, the claims process does not need to be intimidating. With 60+ years of trial experience and over $1.37 billion in trial verdicts and insurance settlements recovered for our clients, our commitment and dedication to advocacy are unmatched. When you are ready to fight for the compensation that is rightfully yours, do not hesitate to contact our law office and request a 100% consultation.
Understanding the Cause of Your Truck Accident
To begin the claims process, your Pontiac truck accident attorney will start by investigating the cause of your collision. We will need to review the type of commercial truck accident you were involved in and the way the incident occurred to determine who should be held accountable. In cases where negligent truck drivers are responsible for the wreck, it is usually because they were engaging in some type of unsafe driving behavior, such as:
- Following too closely
- Distracted driving
- Road rage
- Failure to stop
- Making unlawful turns
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Failure to use a turn signal
- Failure to check blind spots
- Speeding
- Failure to yield to the right of way
- Driving while fatigued
However, it is not always negligent truck drivers who are responsible for trucking accidents in Pontiac and neighboring communities. In some cases, dangerous roads or defective tractor-trailer parts may have contributed to the collision. In cases like these, you may need to be prepared to file a legal claim against the Michigan Department of Transportation, the city of Pontiac, or even auto parts manufacturers and distributors.
Your Fight Is Our Fight
How the Pontiac Truck Accident Claims Process Works
You may initially feel intimidated at the thought of moving forward with a legal claim. However, once you have a better idea of what to expect from the process, you may feel empowered to demand the justice you deserve. Although every case is different, most unfold in similar ways as follows:
- Your Pontiac personal injury lawyer investigates the cause of the wreck.
- We collect black box data, speak with witnesses, and gather other compelling supporting evidence.
- We review the evidence to establish liability.
- We speak with city or state officials about accessing traffic camera footage for an injury lawsuit.
- Your Pontiac catastrophic injury lawyer determines whether the liable party is insured and prepares the necessary claim filings.
- We negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf.
It is important to know that it may not be possible to recover the full value of your damages through an insurance settlement alone. Unfortunately, since Michigan is a choice no-fault state, as described by the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services, not everyone carries personal injury protection (PIP) coverage or uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. If your insurance settlement does not fully cover the value of your losses, it may be in your best interest to move forward with a lawsuit in civil court.
We’re not just lawyers. We’re passionate advocates who will ensure that your voice is heard and your rights are protected.
Compensation for Truck Accident Victims
According to MCL Section 500.3135, you have the right to be made whole. This means every single loss you have experienced related to your commercial truck accident should be accounted for and recouped as part of your legal claim. Some of the most common types of damages awarded in truck accident lawsuits include the following:
General Damages
General damages refer to your non-economic losses. These are a little more difficult to evaluate since there is no set financial worth. The impact these damages have had on your life will determine how much you should be awarded:
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement and skin scarring
- Embarrassment and inconvenience
- Shame and fear
- Emotional distress
Just because these types of losses are intangible does not mean you should not be compensated fairly. In fact, many truck accident victims experience tremendous non-economic losses that are often more impactful than the financial losses. You can rely on your legal advocate with White Law PLLC to ensure every single loss is accounted for when determining the value of your lawsuit and insurance claims.
Special Damages
Then we have special damages. These include economic losses that are a little easier to evaluate. They have fixed financial values and might include:
- Medical expenses
- Future healthcare costs
- Loss of income
- Diminished earning potential
- Loss of employee benefits
- Loss of household services
- Vehicle repair expenses
You may also be able to sue for the diminished value of your vehicle. Even after getting your vehicle repaired, it will be worth considerably less since it has been involved in a collision. The liable party can be ordered to compensate you for this loss accordingly.
Punitive Damages
It is also possible punitive damages could be issued in your commercial truck accident claim. It depends on whether the defendant’s conduct was malicious, intentional, or extremely negligent. As described under MCL Section 445.911, punitive damages are ultimately awarded at the discretion of the judge based exclusively on the defendant’s conduct.
We understand that you may be going through a difficult situation and we are ready to help however we can.
Get Help From a Diligent Truck Accident Lawyer in Pontiac, MI for Help Today
The injuries you suffered may be the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the trauma of your commercial trucking accident. With mountains of medical expenses and debts related to the injuries you sustained, financial ruin may be on the horizon. Do not let the liable party get away with their negligent actions.
When you turn to a reputable truck accident attorney in Pontiac, MI, with White Law PLLC, you can take back control of your future. Our team can begin with an intensive investigation to identify the at-fault party and explore legal options further. When you are ready to get started on your case but are unsure of where to begin, call our office or complete our convenient contact form and request a consultation as soon as today.
We’re Experienced. We Care.
We Exceed Client Expectations.
