The stretch of I-94 running past Clinton Township and into Macomb County sees heavy commercial truck traffic every single day — warehouses off Hall Road, distribution centers near Metro Parkway, freight moving in and out of the port. When something goes wrong and one of those trucks hits your vehicle, the situation is different from a regular car crash. The damage is worse, the legal questions are harder, and the other side has professionals working for them before you’ve even left the hospital.
Here’s what you need to know.
Why Truck Crashes Are Different
A fully loaded semi can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. Your car weighs around 3,500. The physics alone explain why these crashes cause injuries that a fender-bender simply doesn’t — spinal damage, broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, internal bleeding. We cover the most common injuries in Michigan auto accidents elsewhere, but with trucks the severity is consistently higher.
Beyond the injuries, truck crashes involve layers of liability that a two-car accident doesn’t. The driver, the trucking company, the cargo loader, the truck’s maintenance contractor — any of them could share responsibility. Federal law adds another layer. Under 49 CFR Part 395, commercial drivers are limited on how many hours they can drive without rest. Under 49 CFR Part 396, the trucking company is required to keep inspection and maintenance records. Those records become evidence. If the company didn’t maintain them — or they start to disappear after a crash — that matters.
Who Can Be Held Responsible
- The driver, if fatigue, distraction, or impairment played a role
- The trucking company, if they pressured the driver to skip rest breaks or ignored maintenance issues
- A third-party cargo loader, if an unbalanced or unsecured load caused the truck to jackknife or tip
- The truck manufacturer, if a brake or tire failure traces back to a defect
Figuring out which of these parties applies to your crash is one of the first things a truck accident attorney does.
Steps to Take After a Truck Crash in Clinton Township
The days right after a crash set the tone for everything that follows. Here’s what to do — and what to avoid.
- Get medical attention the same day. Even if you feel okay. Adrenaline masks pain. A gap between the crash and your first medical visit is something insurance adjusters use to argue your injuries aren’t serious.
- Call the police and get a report number. On a busy road like I-94 or M-59, officers should respond. If they don’t, read about what to do when police won’t come to the scene.
- Photograph everything. Your car, the truck, the road, skid marks, the truck’s DOT number on the door, any cargo spill. Do this before vehicles are moved if it’s safe.
- Write down the trucking company name. It’s on the side of the cab or trailer. You need this.
- Don’t give a recorded statement to the trucking company’s insurer. They will call quickly. You are not required to speak with them, and what you say can be used to reduce what you’re owed.
- Contact a truck accident attorney before signing anything. An attorney can send a legal hold letter to preserve the truck’s black box data, driver logs, and maintenance records before they’re overwritten or destroyed.
For a more detailed walkthrough, see our post on what to do after a truck accident in Michigan.
Michigan No-Fault and Truck Crashes
Michigan’s no-fault system means your own insurance pays your medical bills and a portion of lost wages regardless of who caused the crash — under MCL 500.3107, your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits cover reasonable and necessary medical expenses and up to three years of wage loss.
But no-fault doesn’t mean you can’t sue the truck driver or company. Under MCL 500.3135, if your injuries meet the “serious impairment of body function” threshold, you can bring a claim for pain and suffering and other non-economic damages against the at-fault driver. Truck crashes almost always produce injuries that meet that threshold. You can read about what qualifies as serious impairment in Michigan if you’re unsure where your injuries fall.
You also have three years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit under MCL 600.5805(2). That sounds like a lot of time. It isn’t, once you account for the investigation, the evidence preservation, and the medical treatment timeline.
What the Insurance Company Is Doing Right Now
Trucking companies carry large commercial policies — sometimes $1 million or more in coverage. That means their insurer has experienced adjusters and defense attorneys assigned to your claim within hours of the crash. Their job is to limit what gets paid out.
They may call you sounding helpful. They may offer a fast settlement. A quick settlement offer almost always comes before the full extent of your injuries is known. Once you cash that check, the claim is closed. If your injuries affect your ability to work for months or years, a fast settlement won’t come close to covering that.
Don’t sign anything until you’ve spoken with an attorney.
Why Local Representation Matters
An attorney who practices in Macomb County knows the roads, the local courts, and how insurance companies in this region handle truck cases. Khamo Law, PLLC is based here. We handle crashes on I-94, M-59, Hall Road, and the surrounding corridors. We know the common causes of truck accidents in Michigan and how to build a case when a carrier tries to shift blame.
If you or someone in your family is Chaldean or Arabic-speaking, we have attorneys on staff who speak your language — not through an interpreter, but directly. That matters when you’re trying to understand a settlement offer or a court filing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is a truck accident claim different from a regular car accident claim?
Truck accidents involve federal regulations that don’t apply to regular cars — hours-of-service logs, maintenance records, and commercial carrier insurance policies. There are also more potential defendants: the driver, the company, the cargo loader, and sometimes the manufacturer. That complexity makes early legal help important.
What if the truck driver left the scene?
Hit-and-run by a commercial truck is serious. Get the DOT number off the vehicle if you can, and photograph the truck as it leaves if it’s safe to do so. Michigan law has provisions for uninsured motorist coverage in hit-and-run situations. An attorney can help you pursue the right coverage. Our post on what to do after a hit and run in Michigan covers the basics.
Can I still recover damages if I was partly at fault?
Michigan uses a modified comparative fault rule. You can recover damages as long as you were less than 51% at fault. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. So if you were found 20% at fault and your damages were $100,000, you’d recover $80,000. This is another area where having an attorney matters — the trucking company’s insurer will argue your fault percentage up.
What evidence is most important in a truck accident case?
The truck’s electronic logging device (ELD) data, the driver’s hours-of-service logs, maintenance and inspection records, the truck’s black box (Event Data Recorder), dashcam footage, and the police report. Much of this evidence can be overwritten within days. A legal hold letter from your attorney stops that.
How long does a truck accident case take in Michigan?
It depends on the severity of the injuries and whether the case settles or goes to trial. Cases that settle can resolve in several months to a year. Cases that go to trial take longer. Our post on how long Michigan car accident cases typically take gives a fuller picture of the timeline.
Does hiring a truck accident lawyer cost money upfront?
No. Khamo Law, PLLC handles truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we recover money for you. There’s no retainer, no hourly billing, and no fee for the initial consultation.
If you were hit by a commercial truck near Clinton Township, Warren, Sterling Heights, or anywhere along the I-94 or M-59 corridor, talk to us before you sign anything. Khamo Law, PLLC offers a free consultation — call 248-988-9618 or message us through the contact form. We serve Macomb County, Oakland County, Wayne County, and the surrounding Metro Detroit area. نتحدث العربية والكلدانية، ونحن هنا للمساعدة.