Rollovers are among the most dangerous types of truck accidents on Michigan roads. Occurring when a vehicle partially or fully rolls over onto its side, these crashes often block entire lanes of traffic and can trigger multi-vehicle pileups that leave several people seriously injured.
If you or a loved one were involved in a truck rollover accident in Michigan, learning about what caused the collision and who may be held legally responsible is the first step toward pursuing compensation. From there, contact an experienced Troy truck accident attorney for a free consultation to get started with your case.
Common Causes of Truck Rollover Accidents
Rollovers rarely happen because of a single factor and are usually the result of one or more unsafe conditions that cause the truck to become unstable. Some of the most frequent causes include:
- Taking curves and highway exit ramps at excessive speed
- Unevenly distributed cargo that shifts the truck’s center of gravity
- Overcorrecting after drifting off the roadway
- Fatigued driving that leads to delayed reaction times
- Brake failure and other mechanical issues
- High winds and other hazardous weather conditions
- Tire blowouts at highway speed
In many cases, the underlying issue goes beyond the driver. A trucking company that pressured its driver to skip rest breaks, a loading crew that failed to distribute cargo properly, or a maintenance provider that overlooked worn brakes may all share responsibility for the crash.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Michigan Rollover Truck Accident?
Michigan law allows injured victims to pursue claims against every party whose negligence contributed to the accident. In a truck rollover case, potentially liable parties may include:
- The truck driver who was operating the vehicle carelessly
- The trucking company for failing to enforce safety protocols and properly train its drivers
- The cargo loading company that failed to secure freight correctly
- A maintenance contractor that missed critical issues during a required inspection
- A manufacturer if a defective component played a role in the rollover
Based on the doctrine of respondeat superior, trucking companies can be held liable for the actions of their drivers when those drivers are working within the scope of their employment. Your personal injury lawyer can also investigate whether the company itself was independently negligent in its practices. This is a step well worth taking after a truck accident because it could increase the overall amount of compensation available to you dramatically.
Michigan’s No-Fault System and the Threshold for a Lawsuit
Michigan is a no-fault state, which means your own auto insurance, through your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) policy, is usually the first place to turn for compensation. These benefits are available regardless of who caused the accident.
However, if you want to pursue a claim against the at-fault party for non-economic damages like pain and suffering, Michigan law requires you to meet the “serious impairment of body function” or “permanent serious disfigurement” threshold under MCL 500.3135. Given the severity of most truck rollover crashes, victims often meet this standard. You may also be able to pursue a claim for property damage against the at-fault party as well, based on the facts of your situation.
Michigan also follows a modified comparative negligence law under MCL 600.2959. If you are found to be more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover non-economic damages. If your share of the fault is 50% or less, your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of responsibility.
Contact a Michigan Truck Accident Attorney With Khamo Law
Truck rollover accidents often involve complex liability questions and multiple responsible parties. An experienced truck accident lawyer can help you explore your legal options and aim toward helping you recover maximum compensation for all of your economic and non-economic losses from there.
Call Khamo Law today to schedule a free consultation at (248) 466-0606. Our truck accident lawyers in Michigan have won tens of millions of dollars on behalf of our clients and will work just as hard for you on your case.