Truck Accidents

SUV Rollover Accidents in Michigan

Published on: February 20, 2023 | By Davis Law Center

Due to their high center of gravity, sports utility vehicles (SUVs) are more likely to roll over than their smaller counterparts. Vehicle rollovers can quickly turn what would have been a mild accident into a serious one. If you or someone close to you has been injured in an SUV rollover accident that was not your fault, you need to reach out to a seasoned Michigan injury attorney who can meticulously review the facts of your case.

An SUV is a vehicle classified as a light truck that can be used on rough surfaces but is often used on city roads and highways as a family vehicle. An SUV rollover accident takes place when the SUV tips over onto its side or roof after impact. The top-heaviness of an SUV increases its chances to roll over in an accident. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 11,000 fatal rollover accidents take place each year in the United States. In fact, rollover accidents make up more than half of all single-vehicle auto accident deaths. Rollover accidents also increase your risk of serious injury by 36 percent. Data from the Michigan Traffic Crash Reporting System reveals that in 2015, there were a total of 664 crashes involving passenger cars, SUVs, and vans.

Examining Truck Accidents with an Experienced Lawyer

Published on: August 26, 2016 | By Davis Law Center

When someone has been injured in a truck accident, it almost always results in serious injuries. Since truckers are governed by unique laws, it is vital that an experienced attorney review the facts of your case in order to maximize the chances of a positive outcome.

As a Detroit truck accidents lawyer, I see varying degrees of accidents and some of the most severe are between a small vehicle and a commercial truck. Most motor vehicles weigh a few thousand pounds, but did you know that a fully-loaded commercial truck may weigh 70,000 pounds or more? Obviously, the extent of injuries in such an accident may be astronomically bigger.

In a truck accident, not only can the driver be held liable for his or her actions, but the trucking company may be liable as well. Multiple parties may be responsible for covering your losses in such an accident.

The Importance of Working with an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney

Published on: July 13, 2016 | By Davis Law Center

Being involved in an accident with a tractor trailer can be a harrowing experience. Because these vehicles are so much larger than cars, they often cause serious devastation to those in the passenger vehicle. By working with an experienced truck accident attorney, a person be sure they are getting the representation they need during this difficult time. If you have been injured in a truck accident in Farmington Hills or anywhere in the Detroit area, Davis Law Center can help.

Truck accidents are not the same as accidents involving just cars. Truck drivers are subject to strict laws on the road and can be subjected to stiff penalties if they break these laws. One such rule is the number of hours these drivers can be on the road during a single period. These are called “hours of service” requirements and each driver is required to keep a log of his or her time behind the wheel. Since time is money in the trucking business, some drivers push themselves to the limit to make deliveries. If they are on the road for longer than is allowable by law or hasn’t been keeping accurate records, they could face punitive damages.

Another strict rule is the amount of a load a truck can carry. Because additional weight impacts the ability of a vehicle to stop, there are limits to how much weight a truck can carry. Some trucking companies, however, put profits over safety and ignore these rules. If a load is found to be too large, the trucking company should be held responsible.

Can I Get Punitive Damages from my Truck Accident?

Published on: March 21, 2016 | By Davis Law Center

Some of the most serious accidents on the road involve tractor trailers. Since they are so much larger than passenger vehicles, they can be responsible for life-changing injuries. They may wonder if punitive damages are available to increase their reward. It is entirely possible that you may be eligible for punitive damages if the trucker or trucking company responsible for your accident cut safety corners. An experienced truck accident lawyer will examine the facts of your case to determine if punitive damages should be considered. If so, they will aggressively fight to maximize your recovery.

Punitive damages are damages meant to punish a company for certain actions. Typically, these would include safety rules that were ignored. Some examples could be hauling a load that exceeds weight requirements, ignoring hours of service requirements, or ignoring maintenance on their equipment. If something like this is found to have contributed to cause your accident, you may be eligible for punitive damages.

It’s important to be thorough in an accident investigation in order to find these safety problems. Not only does potentially increase the compensation, it also helps to prevent future accident. When trucking companies see that they will be held financially responsible for cutting corners, they are less likely to engage in this conduct. Most trucking companies are honest companies that follow the rules, but some are not. These people need to be held responsible for the injuries they cause.

Detroit Truck Accidents Attorney – What Is Distracted Driving?

Published on: January 27, 2016 | By Davis Law Center

According to the government, distracted driving caused thousands of injuries and thousands of fatalities over the past several years. Accidents that involve a large truck are especially dangerous and can be much more catastrophic. Anyone injured in such an accident may want to discuss their situation with a Detroit truck accidents attorney who can fight on his or her behalf.

A Detroit truck accidents attorney represents a person who has been injured or killed in any type of truck accident, including ones where a driving may have become distracted.

When someone mentions distracted driving, most often people think of texting and driving or talking on the cell phone. While those may be some of the most dangerous distracted driving problems, there are many ways a driver can become distracted behind the wheel.

What are Hours of Service Requirements for Truckers?

Published on: September 4, 2015 | By Davis Law Center

Truckers have strict limits on how much they can drive consecutively and strict requirements on how long their breaks must be. This is because time is literally money in the trucking industry, causing some truckers to push the bounds of safety and drive on little sleep. This can have serious implications for drivers of passenger vehicles because the truck is so much larger. An experienced truck accident attorney can examine the facts of your case to determine if hours of service requirements were violated. If so, they will aggressively fight to see that your properly compensated.

Drivers are required to maintain an accurate log of time spend driving, resting, and sleeping. If these books are falsified, it can have criminal consequences for the trucker. Truckers are allowed to drive for 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off. These 11 hours must be completed within a 14 hour period. In other words, if a driver starts at 5 AM, their 11 hours must be completed no later than 7 PM. At that time, they have to take another break. This allows drivers some extra time to refuel, eat, and take breaks without impacting their time behind the wheel.

It is actually required that truckers take certain breaks. There must be a 30 minute break after 8 hours have passed since their last break. In other words, in the example above, the trucker could drive until 1 PM, he or she would need to take a 30 minute break before continuing. There are some exceptions to this rule for short haul truckers.

Detroit Personal Injury Lawyer – Senior Driving Concerns

Published on: March 25, 2014 | By Davis Law Center

As loved ones age, it may become apparent they need to give up driving for their safety as well as the safety of those surrounding them. As a Detroit personal injury lawyer, I know many accidents do not stem from any ill will or any harsh feelings nor do they stem from direct carelessness, but may stem from an older adult getting too old to safely operate a vehicle.

Detroit Personal Injury Lawyer Discusses Concerns

There is no finite age in which it becomes unsafe to safely operate a vehicle, which can make approaching the subject ever more challenging. For some, they may safely drive until they reach their mid 80s, while others should really give up being behind the wheel in their late 60s or early 70s. Because we rely so much on driving to get around though, it can be suffocating to some to give up the freedom that driving allows a person.