What to Do After a Truck Accident in Michigan: Protecting Your Rights from Day One
What to Do After a Truck Accident in Michigan: Protecting Your Rights from Day One
Accidents involving semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, and other commercial vehicles often cause catastrophic injuries—and the legal process is far more complex than in a standard car crash. At
Gergely Law Offices P.C.., we’ve helped countless victims in Kalamazoo and throughout Michigan protect their rights and recover full compensation after serious truck accidents.
If you or a loved one has been injured, here’s what you need to do immediately to safeguard your health, your claim, and your future.
1. Call 911 and Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Truck accidents often result in
life-altering injuries such as spinal cord damage, brain trauma, or multiple fractures. Whether or not you feel pain right away,
always get medical help at the scene or shortly afterward.
Medical records serve as essential evidence—and delays in treatment can hurt both your recovery and your injury claim.
2. Don’t Talk to the Trucking Company or Their Insurer
After a crash, insurance adjusters or representatives from the trucking company may contact you.
Do not give a recorded statement or accept any settlement offer without speaking to a lawyer first.
These companies are protecting their own bottom line—not your best interests. Even innocent comments can be twisted to minimize or deny your claim.
3. Preserve All Evidence
If you're able, take the following steps:
- Photograph the crash scene, vehicles, skid marks, road conditions, and injuries
- Collect witness names and contact information
- Request a copy of the police report
- Save all medical records and bills related to the crash
Truck accidents often involve
multiple parties, and evidence can disappear quickly. The sooner you act, the better.
4. Understand the Unique Nature of Truck Accident Claims
Unlike car crashes, truck accidents often involve:
- Commercial insurance policies with much higher limits
- Multiple liable parties (e.g., driver, trucking company, maintenance provider, cargo loader)
- Federal trucking regulations that govern hours of service, rest breaks, and vehicle weight
Our legal team conducts
independent investigations, including reviewing black box data, driver logs, dash cam footage, and maintenance records to build a strong case.
5. Know What Compensation You May Be Entitled To
Depending on the severity of your injuries and the facts of the crash, you may be eligible to recover damages for:
- Emergency and ongoing medical expenses
- Rehabilitation and future care needs
- Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
- Wrongful death (if a loved one was lost)
At
Gergely Law Offices P.C.., we pursue
maximum compensation—not quick settlements that leave you paying the price long-term.
6. Contact a Truck Accident Attorney Immediately
Time is critical in a truck accident case. Companies often send investigators to the scene within hours, and
important evidence can be lost if you wait too long.
Our trial lawyers will:
- Preserve and gather key evidence
- Identify all liable parties
- Negotiate with powerful insurance companies
- File a lawsuit and take your case to court if necessary
We don’t back down—and we don’t get paid unless you win.
Schedule Your Free Consultation Today
If you or a family member has been seriously injured in a truck accident in Michigan, don’t face the legal system alone. Let Gergely Law Offices, P.C. be your voice and your advocate from day one.
