Truck Accident Lawyer Michigan

Q: Can I still sue a trucking company in Michigan if I have PIP insurance?

Yes. Michigan's PIP coverage pays medical costs but does not prevent you from suing the at-fault trucking company, provided your injuries meet the serious impairment threshold.

Q: What is the serious impairment threshold in Michigan?

Michigan's serious impairment threshold requires the injury affects the plaintiff's ability to lead a normal life and involves an objectively manifested impairment.

If you need a truck accident lawyer in Michigan after a collision with a commercial truck or 18-wheeler, Cross & York handles these cases nationally and offers free case reviews. Michigan's no-fault insurance system creates a common misconception that victims cannot sue after a truck accident. In serious injury and wrongful death cases, that is not correct.

Does Michigan's no-fault law prevent a truck accident lawyer michigan case?

Michigan's no-fault law does not prevent you from suing a trucking company after a serious truck accident. This is one of the most important things for Michigan truck accident victims to understand.

Michigan requires all drivers to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance, which covers medical expenses and a portion of lost wages regardless of who caused the crash. PIP pays first, quickly, and without needing to prove fault. However, PIP alone does not compensate you for pain and suffering, full lost earnings, or permanent injury.

In Michigan, you can sue the at-fault party in a truck accident case if your injuries meet the threshold of "serious impairment of a body function" or "permanent serious disfigurement" under the Michigan No-Fault Act (MCL 500.3135). Commercial truck accidents frequently produce injuries at that level of severity given the size and weight of the vehicles involved.

A specialist truck accident lawyer assesses whether your injuries cross that threshold and, if so, pursues the full tort claim against the driver and the trucking company on top of any PIP benefits.

What makes Michigan a significant state for truck accidents?

Michigan's industrial economy generates some of the highest commercial truck volumes in the Midwest, concentrated on a highway network that serves the automotive manufacturing supply chain.

I-75 (Detroit to Flint to Bay City). The primary north-south artery through southeastern Michigan, connecting the Detroit metro area to Flint, Saginaw, and the northern part of the state. Extremely high truck density driven by automotive parts shipments between assembly plants and supplier facilities.

I-94 (Detroit to Kalamazoo to Chicago). The primary east-west freight corridor across southern Michigan, connecting Detroit to Chicago and the broader Midwest freight network. One of the most heavily used freight interstates in the region.

I-96 (Detroit to Grand Rapids). Connects the Detroit metro area to Grand Rapids and western Michigan. High freight volume driven by food processing, furniture manufacturing, and distribution.

I-696 (Metro Detroit loop). The suburban Detroit freeway loop used by trucks moving between distribution centers in Oakland, Macomb, and Wayne counties. High crash risk at interchanges during peak hours.

Michigan's status as the center of the US auto industry means that automotive parts carriers, OEM logistics providers, and heavy equipment haulers are a significant presence on its highways, often operating on tight just-in-time delivery schedules that create pressure on drivers.

How does Michigan law affect your truck accident claim?

Michigan's 3-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims (MCL 600.5805) runs from the date of the accident. Missing it extinguishes your right to bring a tort claim against the at-fault party.

The no-fault threshold (serious impairment of body function or permanent serious disfigurement) determines whether you can sue for pain and suffering and other non-economic damages. This threshold is assessed on the specific facts of your injury. An attorney evaluates this as part of the initial case review.

Michigan uses a comparative fault system: your damages are reduced proportionally by your percentage of fault. If you were 20 percent at fault, you recover 80 percent of the total damages.

FMCSA federal regulations apply to all commercial trucks operating in Michigan, regardless of the state's no-fault system. A hours-of-service violation documented in ELD data is direct evidence of negligence in a Michigan tort claim, just as it is in any other state.

What does a truck accident lawyer michigan clients hire actually do?

Immediately after you retain the firm, a legal preservation notice is sent to the trucking company requiring them to preserve ELD data, driver logs, drug and alcohol test results, maintenance records, and any on-board or dash cam footage. Michigan's dense highway camera network around Detroit provides additional evidence opportunities, but footage retention is typically 24 to 72 hours.

The investigation assesses the no-fault threshold for your specific injuries, identifies all potentially liable parties, and locates all applicable insurance policies. In Michigan, this includes both the at-fault carrier's commercial auto liability policy and any excess or umbrella policies. PIP benefits paid through your own insurer are separate and do not reduce the tort claim against the trucking company.

Cross & York handles commercial truck accident cases nationally, including across Michigan. Review the full claims process or learn more about the firm. You pay nothing unless the case is won or settled.

Frequently asked questions

Can I still sue a trucking company in Michigan if I have PIP insurance?

Yes. Michigan's PIP coverage pays your medical costs and a portion of lost wages, but it does not prevent you from suing the at-fault trucking company for pain and suffering, full lost earnings, and other damages , provided your injuries meet the serious impairment threshold.

How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit in Michigan?

In Michigan, you have 3 years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit (MCL 600.5805). Contact an attorney as soon as possible: ELD and black box data from the truck can be overwritten within days of the crash.

Does Cross & York handle truck accident cases in Michigan?

Yes. Cross & York handles commercial truck accident cases nationally, including cases in Michigan. The firm's attorneys have experience with FMCSA federal regulations and multi-party truck accident liability across US jurisdictions.

What is the serious impairment threshold in Michigan?

Michigan's serious impairment of a body function threshold requires that the injury affects the plaintiff's ability to lead a normal life and involves an objectively manifested impairment. Commercial truck accident injuries, including spinal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and permanent orthopedic injuries, frequently meet this threshold. An attorney evaluates your specific injuries against this standard.

What does it cost to hire a truck accident lawyer in Michigan?

Cross & York works on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront and nothing during the case. The fee comes from the settlement or verdict only if the case is won.