Trusted Kalamazoo Truck Accident Lawyers

The moment of impact in a truck accident can shatter lives in mere seconds. Whether you are dealing with a semi-truck accident, a crash with a delivery truck, or an 18-wheeler collision near Kalamazoo, the path to recovery can be long and fraught with challenges.

At Mabbitt Bhimani Law, we understand how hard it is to deal with serious injuries while missing work. We also understand the complexities of commercial truck accidents and their profound effects on victims and their families. We are ready to help anyone who has been hit by a truck in Kalamazoo or anywhere in Michigan.

Why Trust Mabbitt Bhimani Law With Your Truck Accident Case?

We are attorneys Anne Mabbitt and Sam Bhimani, and we have dedicated our firm to serving personal injury victims throughout Michigan, including Kalamazoo. Our truck accident lawyers’ approach is defined by strategic precision and a deep commitment to justice.

We are trial lawyers. We prepare meticulously, ensuring we are ready to advocate forcefully for your rights in court, if necessary. We are also caring advocates who focus on making a positive difference in each client’s life.

Immediate Steps To Take After A Truck Accident

If you are injured in a truck crash, taking the following steps can be crucial to your injury claim:

Seek medical attention immediately for all injuries
Report the accident to the police and file a police report
Gather contact information from all parties involved and any witnesses
Take photos of the accident scene, if possible

After a Kalamazoo truck accident, we know how to handle commercial truck accidents. We know how to investigate the truck wreck, determine all the at-fault parties and prepare a strong case to get you full and fair compensation for all your losses.

Understanding Federal And Michigan Trucking Laws

Truck accidents often involve complex regulations set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, as well as by the Michigan Motor Carrier Safety Act. These regulations can include:

Hours of service for drivers, including required breaks and time off between runs
Requirements for drivers, such as physical and medical standards and required physicals
Alcohol and drug testing requirements
Maintenance and inspection requirements
Standards for securing loads
Maximum size and weight limits

Understanding these laws is crucial, as violations can significantly impact a truck accident claim. We are well-versed in these regulations and how they can affect the liability and compensation in your case.

For example, by federal law, commercial driver’s license holders are legally drunk if they have a blood alcohol concentration of 0.04% or higher. This fact could have a significant impact on your case if the truck driver had been drinking.

Whether it was a large commercial truck wreck, a FedEx truck accident or a collision with a local delivery truck, work with a firm that has the knowledge, background and experience to handle complex claims. Work with a firm that will listen to you, return your phone calls and protect your best interests every step of the way.

Factors Influencing Compensation In Truck Accidents

A variety of factors can affect the compensation you might receive after a truck accident. These include:

The severity of your injuries
Your current and future medical expenses
Your pain and suffering
Your lost wages and any lost capacity for future earnings
The extent of any disability resulting from the accident

When calculating the compensation after a truck accident, it is also crucial to consider the available insurance coverage and the potential responsibility of multiple parties.

This could include the truck driver, the trucking company, third-party contractors involved in the truck’s operation and maintenance, truck or truck part manufacturers, or anyone whose negligence contributed to the accident.

Each party’s involvement and the details surrounding the accident can significantly influence the outcome of your claim.

Determining Liability In A Michigan Truck Accident

Establishing who bears legal responsibility for a truck accident is a critical step in securing fair compensation. In Kalamazoo and throughout Michigan, truck accident cases often involve multiple potentially liable parties and complex chains of causation. Understanding how liability is determined under Michigan law can significantly impact your ability to recover damages for your injuries and losses.

Identifying Responsible Parties

Truck accidents typically involve more potentially liable parties than standard vehicle crashes. A thorough investigation may identify numerous responsible entities:

The truck driver, who may have violated safety regulations, driven while fatigued or distracted, or operated the vehicle improperly
The trucking company, which could be liable for negligent hiring practices, inadequate training, improper maintenance or encouraging drivers to violate hours-of-service regulations
Vehicle or parts manufacturers, if a defective component contributed to the crash
Maintenance or repair companies that failed to properly service the truck
Cargo loading companies that improperly secured freight, causing instability
Government entities responsible for unsafe road design or maintenance issues

In many Kalamazoo truck accident cases, multiple parties share liability, which can complicate the claims process but potentially increase available compensation sources.

Gathering Evidence

Building a strong truck accident claim requires comprehensive evidence collection. Our legal team focuses on securing crucial documentation such as:

Police reports that document the initial findings and observations
Electronic logging device (ELD) data showing the driver’s hours and activities
The truck’s “black box” data recording speed, braking patterns and other vehicle operations
Driver qualification files and training records from the trucking company
Maintenance and inspection records for the vehicle
Witness statements from those who observed the accident
Cell phone records that may reveal distracted driving
Post-accident drug and alcohol testing results

Evidence in truck accident cases can disappear quickly. Trucking companies may legally destroy certain records after a specified time period unless they receive proper legal notices requiring preservation. Working with a Kalamazoo truck accident attorney promptly helps ensure critical evidence is secured before it vanishes.

Michigan’s Comparative Negligence Law

Michigan follows a modified comparative negligence system that allows injured parties to recover damages even if they bear partial responsibility for the accident. The court assigns each party a percentage of fault, and your compensation is reduced by your percentage of responsibility. However, if you are found more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover damages from other parties.

This system makes it essential to thoroughly document the truck driver’s and the company’s negligence while defending against claims that you contributed to the accident. Our attorneys work diligently to present evidence that minimizes your assigned fault percentage while maximizing the liability of responsible parties.

Successfully navigating liability determination in a Michigan truck accident requires experienced legal guidance. Our Kalamazoo truck accident attorneys have the knowledge and resources to identify all responsible parties and build a compelling case for maximum compensation.

Reach Out To Mabbitt Bhimani Law Today

If your truck crash happened near Kalamazoo, Michigan, contact Mabbitt Bhimani Law to learn about your legal rights and options. We offer a free consultation to help you understand the potential paths forward and how we can support you in seeking justice. Reach out to us by calling 616-326-1111 or through our online form.