Commercial trucks, including 18-wheelers, semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, and delivery vehicles, are much larger and heavier than passenger cars. When these vehicles collide with cars, motorcycles, or pedestrians, the results are often catastrophic. Victims frequently suffer severe injuries, permanent disability, or even death.
At Olsman MacKenzie Peacock, our Michigan truck accident attorneys have decades of experience holding negligent truck drivers and trucking companies accountable. Led by Chrissy Hagen, (Board Certified in Truck Accident Law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy) we understand both federal and state trucking regulations, and we use that knowledge to uncover violations, identify fault, and recover full compensation for our clients.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, call Olsman MacKenzie Peacock today at 1-800-366-8653 for a free consultation. Our truck accident lawyers charge no fees unless we win your case.
How Are Truck Accidents Different from Car Accidents?
Unlike typical car crashes, truck accidents often involve:
- Multiple liable parties – including the truck driver, trucking company, contractors, or maintenance providers.
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations – covering driver rest requirements, maintenance, and safety standards.
- Severe injuries – due to the sheer size and weight of commercial trucks.
- Complex investigations – involving logbooks, black box data, maintenance records, and company policies.
Because of these differences, it is critical to work with a Michigan truck accident lawyer who understands both state personal injury law and federal trucking regulations.
Hours of Service Rules and Trucking Logs
Federal law limits how long a truck driver can be on the road without rest. These Hours of Service (HOS) regulations are designed to prevent fatigued driving — one of the leading causes of truck crashes.
Truckers must maintain detailed logs (often electronic) documenting:
- Driving hours and rest breaks
- Miles traveled and delivery schedules
- Time spent loading and unloading
Unfortunately, pressure to meet delivery deadlines or earn more pay sometimes leads drivers to falsify logs or exceed allowed driving hours. Trucking companies may also turn a blind eye to these violations.
When investigating a crash, our semi-truck accident attorneys carefully review:
- Electronic logging device (ELD) records
- GPS data
- Fuel and toll receipts
- Driver schedules and dispatch notes
By uncovering discrepancies, we can prove violations of federal safety standards and strengthen your case.
Potential Trucking Company Liability
It is not only drivers who may be at fault. Trucking companies can also be held liable for negligence, including:
- Negligent hiring – employing drivers with suspended licenses, DUIs, or poor safety records.
- Improper training – failing to train drivers on safety rules and defensive driving.
- Unreasonable schedules – pressuring drivers to meet impossible delivery times that encourage speeding or skipping rest.
- Maintenance failures – neglecting required inspections or repairs on brakes, tires, and steering systems.
- Cargo violations – overloading trailers or failing to secure cargo properly.
Our truck accident attorneys thoroughly investigate every potential area of company negligence to ensure all responsible parties are held accountable.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Michigan
Some of the most frequent causes of truck accidents include:
- Driver fatigue or drowsy driving
- Distracted driving, including cell phone use
- Speeding or aggressive driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Improper lane changes or wide turns
- Mechanical failures such as brake or tire blowouts
- Jackknife accidents from improper braking
- Rollovers caused by shifting or unsecured loads
What Compensation Can a Truck Accident Attorney Recover?
Truck accidents often result in devastating injuries that can affect every aspect of a victim’s life. As experienced Michigan truck accident lawyers with decades of experience, we can help pursue compensation not only for immediate medical bills, but also for the long-term financial, physical, and emotional consequences of a crash.
Depending on your case, compensation may include:
- Medical Expenses and Future Care Needs
This includes emergency room treatment, hospital bills, surgeries, prescription medications, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and long-term medical care. In severe cases, it may also cover home health aides, medical equipment, or modifications to your home or vehicle to accommodate permanent injuries. - Lost Wages and Loss of Future Earning Capacity
Many truck accident victims are unable to work for weeks or months after the crash. In catastrophic injury cases, victims may never return to their previous job. Compensation may include wages lost during recovery as well as the loss of future earning ability if the injury permanently limits your career options. - Pain and Suffering
Beyond financial losses, the law recognizes the immense physical pain and emotional trauma caused by a serious truck accident. Compensation for pain and suffering is meant to account for daily physical discomfort, anxiety, depression, loss of enjoyment of life, and other hardships caused by the crash. - Permanent Disability or Disfigurement
Truck accidents often leave victims with life-altering injuries such as spinal cord damage, amputations, paralysis, or severe burns. Compensation may be awarded for the long-term physical limitations, scarring, or disfigurement that impact quality of life. - Loss of Consortium and Companionship
Families may also be entitled to damages for the loss of companionship, guidance, and support when a spouse, parent, or child is seriously injured. This type of compensation recognizes the effect of the accident on family relationships and emotional well-being. - Wrongful Death Damages
If a loved one was killed in a truck accident, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim. Compensation may include funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial support, and damages for the emotional suffering of those left behind.
Every case is unique, and the value of a claim depends on the severity of the injuries, the long-term effects on the victim’s life, and the degree of negligence involved. At Olsman MacKenzie Peacock, our attorneys work with medical experts, financial professionals, and accident reconstruction specialists to build strong cases and seek maximum recovery for our clients.
FAQs About Michigan Truck Accident Claims
How long do I have to file a truck accident claim in Michigan?
Generally, Michigan law provides three years from the date of the accident. Wrongful death claims must also be filed within three years of the date of death.
Who can be held liable in a commercial truck accident?
One of the biggest differences between car accidents and truck accidents is the number of potential parties that may be legally responsible. Trucking operations often involve multiple companies and individuals, ranging from the driver behind the wheel to the corporations that own, load, or service the vehicle. Because of this, determining liability can be complex.
A thorough investigation by an experienced Michigan truck accident attorney is critical to identifying all sources of responsibility. Potential defendants may include:
- The Truck Driver
A truck driver may be liable if they caused the crash through reckless or negligent behavior, such as speeding, distracted driving, driving under the influence, ignoring rest requirements, or failing to properly secure their load. - The Trucking Company
Trucking companies can often be held legally responsible for their drivers’ actions. They may also be independently liable if they failed to properly vet drivers during the hiring process, provide adequate training, enforce safe scheduling, or perform required inspections and maintenance. - Parts or Vehicle Manufacturers
A defective truck part can contribute to a crash. Faulty brakes, defective tires, or steering system failures are common examples. In such cases, the manufacturer or distributor of the defective product may be held liable under product liability law. - Maintenance Contractors
Many trucking companies outsource maintenance to third-party contractors. If a repair shop or maintenance company failed to identify or fix mechanical issues such as worn brakes or unsafe tires, they may share responsibility for the accident. - Cargo Loaders and Shippers
Cargo must be properly loaded and balanced to prevent rollovers, jackknifes, or shifting loads. If a shipper or loading company overloaded the trailer, failed to secure cargo, or ignored federal securement regulations, they may be held liable for a crash. - Other Third Parties
In some cases, liability may extend to government entities that failed to maintain safe roads or to contractors who created dangerous construction zones without proper signage.
Because multiple parties may share fault, truck accident litigation requires extensive investigation into records, contracts, and safety practices. At Olsman MacKenzie Peacock, our attorneys work with accident reconstruction specialists, industry experts, and investigators to uncover every layer of responsibility. This approach helps ensure that victims and families can pursue the maximum compensation available under Michigan law.
What should I do after a truck accident?
- Seek immediate medical attention.
- Call the police and request an accident report.
- Take photos of the scene, vehicles, and injuries if possible.
- Collect witness information.
- Contact a Michigan truck accident lawyer before speaking with the trucking company or insurer.
Why Choose Olsman MacKenzie Peacock?
For decades, families across Michigan have trusted Olsman MacKenzie Peacock to fight for justice in serious injury, wrongful death, and catastrophic accident cases. Our team of nationally recognized trial attorneys combines compassion with relentless advocacy, giving clients the strength and resources needed to take on trucking companies, insurers, and corporations.
- Jules B. Olsman – Founder of the firm with more than 40 years of experience, Jules is a pioneer in personal injury and nursing home litigation. He has dedicated his career to protecting vulnerable individuals and securing millions in recoveries for Michigan families.
- Donna M. MacKenzie – Past president of the Michigan Association for Justice and a leader in safety advocacy, Donna has been repeatedly recognized as one of Michigan’s Top 100 Super Lawyers. She is a national authority on personal injury and wrongful death cases.
- Emily Peacock – Serving as the 2025–2026 Chair of the American Association for Justice Women Trial Lawyers Caucus, Emily is known for her energy and dedication to clients in cases involving catastrophic injuries, nursing home abuse, and wrongful death.
- Ronda Little – Advocates for individuals and families harmed by medical malpractice and personal injury, bringing compassion and persistence to every case.
- Lauren Walson – Represents victims of wrongful death and nursing home abuse with determination and a client-focused approach.
- Chrissy Hagen – Experienced in complex litigation, Chrissy is committed to holding negligent parties accountable and securing justice for Michigan families.
- Michael C. Dennis – Skilled trial lawyer with extensive courtroom experience, Michael represents clients across Michigan in serious injury and wrongful death claims.
- Michaelene Sowinski – Dedicated to exposing neglect and advocating for victims of abuse and catastrophic injuries with compassion and skill.
Together, our attorneys have recovered millions of dollars for clients injured in truck accidents, motor vehicle crashes, medical malpractice, and other catastrophic cases. Beyond financial compensation, we are dedicated to raising safety standards and preventing future tragedies across Michigan.
Talk to a Michigan Truck Accident Lawyer Today
At Olsman MacKenzie Peacock, we represent truck accident victims on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no fees unless we win compensation for you.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a commercial truck accident, call us at 1-800-366-8653 or contact us online for a free consultation. Our Michigan truck accident attorneys will review your case, explain your options, and fight for the recovery you deserve