Wednesday, November 19, 2025
Legally Reviewed and Edited by: Terry Cochran
Published on: September 19, 2025
A serious truck accident in Michigan brings immediate problems, such as injuries, medical costs, and questions about who’s responsible. Plus, insurance companies often move fast to protect their own interests. These cases aren’t simple, and trying to handle them on your own can make things harder.
At Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C., our work focuses on helping people handle these complex claims. A commercial trucking accident attorney doesn’t just file documents, but also gathers evidence, identifies liable parties, and builds a strong case so that you can get the compensation you’re owed.
The Complexities of Truck Accident Cases
Truck accidents can involve several responsible parties. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates how trucks operate on the road and sets limits on driving hours, maintenance schedules, and load weights, so any violation of these regulations by drivers, contractors, trucking companies, or parts manufacturers could be related to your accident.
Trucks have electronic logging devices to track how long drivers are behind the wheel and “black boxes” to gather information about speed and braking just before a collision, but this evidence can disappear fast. Trucking companies start working to protect their own interests as soon as they learn there’s a possible lawsuit.
The insurance coverage for commercial trucks can reach into the millions, which sounds great, but experienced defense attorneys specialize in limiting payouts by challenging your version of events. They might question your medical condition or blame something outside the driver’s control.
Why You Need a Truck Accident Lawyer in Michigan
Michigan’s no-fault system is complicated, and a truck accident can make things even trickier. Personal Injury Protection benefits from your own auto insurance covers medical bills and part of your loss of income, no matter who caused the crash, but if you’ve got severe or permanent injuries, you might need to file a third-party lawsuit against the trucking company or driver to get the full compensation you’re owed.
Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. can take care of coordinating both your no-fault benefits and your claims against every at-fault party. That way, your immediate bills get covered while we build the foundation for the larger claim to address long-term losses.
Types of Truck Accidents a Lawyer Handles
Construction truck accident lawyers in Michigan deal with all kinds of truck crashes, including jackknifing, underride crashes, wide-turn collisions, and accidents caused by blind-spot issues.
Each type of crash requires a different investigative approach, so our attorneys work with reconstruction specialists, medical experts, and engineers to understand exactly what happened and who played a role in the events.
Key Benefits of Working with a Lawyer
An experienced lawyer knows how insurance companies operate and how to respond to them effectively. Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. manages communication and reviews every offer to settle. We’ll advise you on whether it’s worth negotiating or taking the case further.
You need access to professional resources, so we cover upfront costs like medical evaluations, expert reports, and accident reconstructions. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t owe anything unless we win. This evens the odds against large trucking corporations that have entire teams defending their vehicle accidents.
Handling Complex Legal Paperwork
Filing a truck accident claim is complex because you have to name the correct defendants and cite specific law or regulations violations, and you need copies of things like driver logs, training materials, and maintenance records to build your case. Your own medical records allow our construction truck accident team to collect the documentation we need to prove injury and treatment costs.
Most personal injury cases in Michigan have to be filed within three years, although wrongful death claims follow separate timelines. Missing even one filing date can end your claim entirely. We track every deadline to keep things on schedule and protect your claim.
Liens can add another layer of complication. Health insurers sometimes request reimbursement from your recovery amount, but we resolve these issues before you sign any final agreement to avoid any surprises later on.
When to Contact a Lawyer After the Accident
It’s best to contact a commercial trucking accident attorney as soon as possible after the crash. Getting a lawyer involved early on lets them gather key records before they’re lost and meet strict guidelines. Even if you’re still in the hospital, your legal team can start working right away.
Don’t wait for an insurance adjuster to reach out first because their goal is to minimize payout. They might try to get a recorded statement from you before you’ve seen all your medical reports. Once you hire Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C., our Livonia or Flint offices will take over to keep communication organized and protect your interests.
We offer cost-free, obligation-free consultations to look at your situation. We’ll explain your legal options and let you know what to expect if you move forward. You won’t pay anything up front or out of pocket.
Getting Legal Help After a Truck Accident
Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. has decades of experience handling truck accident cases across Michigan. Our attorneys understand how trucking companies defend themselves and how to challenge their arguments effectively.
Let us handle the legal process while you focus on recovery. Contact us online or by phone at 1-866-MICH-LAW 24/7 for a free consultation. We work on contingency, so you don’t pay unless we win your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is a truck accident case different from a car accident case?
Truck cases involve federal oversight, multiple responsible parties, and higher insurance coverage. Commercial carriers must follow FMCSA rules that regulate driving hours, vehicle inspections, and cargo safety. Regular car accident cases typically involve fewer parties and smaller policies. Truck cases also depend on technical data, like logging devices and maintenance reports.
Who can be held liable in a Michigan truck accident?
Responsibility often goes beyond the driver, as the trucking company may be liable for poor training or unsafe scheduling, and cargo handlers can be at fault if an unbalanced load contributed to the crash. A parts manufacturer might also share blame if a defect caused failure. Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. investigates every potential source of liability.
What damages can I recover after a truck accident?
Compensation may include medical costs, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and pain and suffering. If the crash meets Michigan’s serious impairment standard, you may also claim non-economic damages. In cases of wrongful death, families can seek reimbursement for funeral expenses and loss of financial support.
How long do I have to file a truck accident claim in Michigan?
You generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. Wrongful death cases must be filed within three years of the date of death. Missing these deadlines can take away your chances of compensation, so our firm tracks filing limits carefully.
How much does it cost to hire a truck accident lawyer?
There’s no upfront payment. Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. works on a contingency basis and only collects fees if we win your case, and the fee comes out of your settlement or verdict, not your pocket. We also cover litigation expenses during the case, so there’s no financial risk in reaching out for help.
Disclaimer : The information provided is general and not for legal advice. The blogs are not intended to provide legal counsel and no attorney-client relationship is created nor intended.
Jasmine Holt is a freelance writer specializing in legal content marketing for attorneys and law firms. She hopes to provide better legal advice to the general public using her previous experience working with a franchise company and a law firm. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.