Michigan 18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys: Fighting for Victims Across the Great Lakes State

The snow was coming down sideways on I-94 outside Detroit. Lake-effect storms had dumped six inches in under three hours, turning the highway into a skating rink. You were doing everything right—hands at ten and two, speed reduced, hazards on—when the 80,000-pound semi next to you lost control. Maybe the driver hit black ice. Maybe his brakes failed in the subzero temperatures. Maybe he’d been awake for sixteen hours trying to meet a just-in-time delivery deadline for the auto plant.

In that moment, your life changed forever.

If you’re reading this from a hospital bed in Grand Rapids, or from your kitchen table in Warren while trying to figure out how to pay the mounting medical bills, you need to know something critical: the trucking company already has lawyers working to protect them. Their insurance adjuster has already started building a case to pay you as little as possible. And evidence that could prove they were negligent—black box data, driver logs, maintenance records—is disappearing every hour you wait.

At Attorney911, we don’t let trucking companies get away with it. Our managing partner Ralph Manginello has spent over 25 years fighting for accident victims, and we’ve recovered multi-million dollar settlements for families just like yours. We know Michigan’s trucking corridors—from the Ambassador Bridge to the Mackinac Bridge, from the industrial freight routes serving Detroit’s auto plants to the treacherous winter crossings of the Upper Peninsula. And we know how to hold negligent trucking companies accountable under Michigan law.

Call us now at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). The consultation is free, and you pay nothing unless we win your case. But don’t wait—critical evidence in Michigan trucking accidents can be overwritten or destroyed within 30 days.

Why Michigan 18-Wheeler Accidents Are Unlike Any Other

Michigan presents a perfect storm of risk factors for catastrophic trucking accidents. Our position as the heart of America’s automotive industry means massive volumes of freight—auto parts, components, and finished vehicles—move through our state constantly. The Ambassador Bridge connecting Detroit to Windsor, Ontario handles roughly 25% of all U.S.-Canada trade, making it the busiest international crossing in North America. That traffic funnels onto I-75, I-94, and I-96, creating chokepoints where massive commercial trucks mix with passenger vehicles.

Then there’s the weather. Michigan’s lake-effect snow isn’t just an inconvenience—it’s a deadly hazard that can drop visibility to zero and coat roads in black ice within minutes. The National Weather Service reports that areas near Lake Michigan and Lake Superior can see over 100 inches of snow annually. When an 80,000-pound truck hits ice at highway speeds, physics takes over. Stopping distances that already exceed 525 feet on dry pavement become impossibly long. Jackknifes become inevitable. And Michigan drivers pay the price.

Our state’s unique “no-fault” auto insurance system adds another layer of complexity to trucking cases. While Michigan’s no-fault law primarily governs accidents between passenger vehicles, commercial trucking claims operate differently—and understanding these distinctions is crucial for maximizing your recovery. Unlike standard car accidents where your own insurance pays first, trucking companies carry federal minimum liability insurance of $750,000 to $5 million, depending on cargo type. Accessing these policies requires proving negligence—a task that demands immediate legal intervention.

Ralph Manginello, our firm’s founder, has been navigating these complexities since 1998. With his federal court admission to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas—and his track record of securing multi-million dollar verdicts against Fortune 500 companies like BP—he brings the kind of heavyweight litigation experience that Michigan trucking accident victims need when facing multinational carriers.

The Ten Liable Parties We Pursue in Michigan Trucking Cases

Most people think the truck driver is the only one responsible for an accident. That’s exactly what the trucking companies want you to believe. In reality, Michigan’s commercial trucking ecosystem involves multiple entities, and every single one of them can be held liable for your injuries.

When we take a Michigan trucking case, we don’t just file a claim against the driver. We investigate all ten potentially liable parties:

1. The Truck Driver
Speeding through a whiteout on I-96. Texting while crossing the Mackinac Bridge. Driving while fatigued after violating hours-of-service regulations. The driver’s actions are often the immediate cause, but rarely the only cause.

2. The Trucking Company (Motor Carrier)
Under Michigan’s application of respondeat superior doctrine, employers are vicariously liable for their employees’ negligent acts. But we also look for direct negligence: Did the company pressure the driver to meet unrealistic delivery deadlines? Did they fail to verify his CDL? Did they ignore his previous safety violations? Our associate attorney Lupe Peña spent years working as an insurance defense lawyer—he knows exactly what trucking companies try to hide in their personnel files.

3. The Cargo Owner/Shipper
Michigan’s automotive industry runs on just-in-time manufacturing. When Ford or GM needs parts delivered to their Dearborn or Lansing plants, they contract with carriers. If they demanded delivery schedules that forced drivers to violate safety regulations, they share liability.

4. The Loading Company
Improperly secured auto parts can shift during transport, causing rollovers—especially dangerous on Michigan’s curved ramp interchanges like I-696 and I-275. FMCSA regulations (49 CFR § 393.100-136) mandate specific securement standards; violations prove negligence.

5. The Truck Manufacturer
Brake failures on steep grades. Defective steering systems. Manufacturing defects in the tractor or trailer can turn a minor incident into a fatal crash.

6. The Parts Manufacturer
Defective tires that blow out on I-94. Faulty air brake systems. We subpoena maintenance records to determine if component failures contributed to your accident.

7. The Maintenance Company
Michigan’s harsh winters and road salt wreak havoc on truck components. Third-party maintenance providers who cut corners on brake inspections or suspension work can be liable for negligent repairs.

8. The Freight Broker
Brokers who arrange shipment of auto parts from Detroit to Chicago have a duty to verify carrier safety records. If they hired a carrier with poor FMCSA Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) scores to save money, they’re responsible.

9. The Truck Owner
In owner-operator arrangements common in Michigan’s logistics sector, the individual owning the rig may have separate maintenance responsibilities.

10. Government Entities
When MDOT (Michigan Department of Transportation) fails to maintain safe road conditions—like inadequate signage on the Blue Water Bridge approach or failure to treat ice on I-69—they may share liability.

We pursue them all. Because in catastrophic injury cases—where medical bills can exceed $1 million and lifetime care costs soar even higher—every available insurance policy matters.

Types of 18-Wheeler Accidents We See in Michigan

Michigan’s geography and climate create specific accident patterns that differ from other states. Our position in the Great Lakes region, our industrial freight demands, and our brutal winters all contribute to distinct collision types:

Jackknife Accidents on Black Ice

When a truck’s trailer swings out perpendicular to the cab, it blocks multiple lanes instantly. On Michigan’s I-94 corridor, whiteouts and black ice make these terrifyingly common. The physics are simple: a driver brakes hard on ice, the trailer loses traction, and the 53-foot box swings around like a battering ram. Vehicles behind have nowhere to go.

These accidents often involve FMCSA violations under 49 CFR § 393.48 (brake system deficiencies) and § 392.6 (speeding for conditions). We download ECM data to prove the driver was traveling too fast for the weather—data that overwrites in as little as 30 days if we don’t act immediately.

Underride Collisions

When a passenger vehicle slides under the trailer of a semi—either from the rear or the side—the results are almost always fatal decapitations or catastrophic head trauma. Despite federal regulations (49 CFR § 393.86) requiring rear impact guards, many trucks operate with inadequate or damaged guards. Side underride guards aren’t federally mandated at all, making T-bone accidents on Michigan’s urban interchanges particularly deadly.

Our team recently reviewed a case where a family sedan slid under a trailer on I-75 during a Detroit rush hour. The trucking company claimed the car was following too closely, but ECM data revealed the truck had stopped abruptly without proper warning signals. That distinction meant the difference between a denied claim and a multi-million dollar settlement.

Rollovers on Ramps and Bridges

Michigan’s maze of interchanges—including the infamous “Mixing Bowl” where I-696 meets I-75—features tight curves and elevation changes. When trucks take these curves too fast, or when improperly secured cargo shifts, 80,000 pounds of steel and freight roll over. The Ambassador Bridge approach, with its steep grades and tight turns, sees frequent cargo-shift rollovers from trucks carrying heavy auto parts.

These cases often involve violations of 49 CFR § 393.100 (cargo securement) and § 392.6. We investigate loading dock surveillance footage from facilities in Sterling Heights or Grand Rapids to prove improper loading procedures.

Brake Failure Accidents

Michigan’s winter road salt corrodes brake lines. Extreme cold affects air brake systems. And long hauls down I-96 without proper inspection lead to overheated brakes. When a truck can’t stop in time, the resulting rear-end collision pulverizes passenger vehicles.

Under 49 CFR § 396.3, carriers must systematically inspect and maintain brake systems. We subpoena maintenance records from carriers operating out of Flint or Saginaw to find patterns of deferred maintenance.

Tire Blowouts

The combination of Michigan’s pothole-ridden roads (Freeze-thaw cycles wreak havoc on asphalt) and heavy truck traffic creates perfect conditions for tire failures. When a steer tire blows on I-69, the driver loses control instantly. “Road gators”—strips of blown tire tread—create secondary hazards for following traffic.

FMCSA mandates minimum tread depths under 49 CFR § 393.75. We examine the failed tire’s DOT codes to determine if it was past due for replacement—a detail trucking companies often overlook until it’s too late.

Wide Turn “Squeeze Play” Accidents

Detroit’s tight urban streets and Lansing’s historic downtown areas force trucks to swing wide for right turns. When cars get caught in the “squeeze play” between the truck and the curb, crushing injuries result. These accidents involve violations of 49 CFR § 392.11 and local traffic ordinances.

The FMCSA Violations That Prove Negligence

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) governs every aspect of commercial trucking. When carriers violate these regulations, they provide the legal foundation for proving negligence in your Michigan trucking accident case. We know these regulations inside and out—and we know how to find violations that other attorneys miss.

Hours of Service Violations (49 CFR Part 395)

Fatigue is the leading cause of truck accidents nationwide. Federal law limits property-carrying drivers to:

• 11 hours maximum driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty
• No driving beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty
• Mandatory 30-minute break after 8 cumulative hours of driving

In Michigan’s just-in-time automotive supply chain, drivers often face intense pressure to deliver parts to assembly plants on strict schedules. This pressure leads to falsified logbooks and ELD (Electronic Logging Device) manipulation. We compare GPS data from the truck’s Qualcomm system against driver logs to find discrepancies proving hours-of-service violations.

Driver Qualification Failures (49 CFR Part 391)

Before a driver can legally operate a commercial truck in Michigan, the carrier must verify:

• Valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)
• Medical examiner’s certification (proving physical fitness)
• Three-year driving history check
• Pre-employment drug testing

Lupe Peña, our associate attorney who previously worked in insurance defense, knows exactly how carriers “shop” for doctors who rubber-stamp medical certifications or fail to check previous employers’ safety records. When we find these shortcuts—like a driver with a history of DUIs who was hired anyway—we prove negligent hiring under 49 CFR § 391.51.

Vehicle Maintenance Violations (49 CFR Part 396)

Michigan’s harsh winters demand rigorous maintenance. Under 49 CFR § 396.3, carriers must systematically inspect vehicles and maintain records for one year. We look for:

• Skipped pre-trip inspections (§ 396.13)
• Post-trip defect reports that were ignored (§ 396.11)
• Brake adjustment violations
• Lighting violations (critical during Michigan’s dark winter months)

Drug and Alcohol Violations (49 CFR Part 382)

Commercial drivers cannot operate with a blood alcohol concentration of .04 or higher—half the limit for passenger car drivers. Random testing is mandatory. When we find post-accident drug tests that were delayed or “lost,” or when we discover drivers with previous positive tests who were still behind the wheel, we prove the carrier consciously disregarded safety.

Cargo Securement Violations (49 CFR § 393.100-136)

Michigan’s automotive industry relies on specialized auto part transport. These parts must be secured to withstand 0.8g deceleration forces. When loaders at Michigan distribution centers fail to use proper tiedowns or blocking, shifts occur—especially dangerous on the curved ramps of I-275 around Detroit.

The 48-Hour Evidence Crisis: Why You Must Act Now

Here’s the truth the trucking companies don’t want Michigan accident victims to know: critical evidence begins disappearing immediately after a crash.

We don’t say this to scare you. We say it because we’ve seen too many Michigan families lose valid claims because they waited too long to call us.

The Evidence Time Bomb:

• ECM/Black Box Data: Can be overwritten in 30 days—or immediately if the truck is returned to service
• ELD Logs: Only required to be retained for 6 months under FMCSA regulations
• Dashcam Footage: Often deleted within 7-14 days as new recordings overwrite old ones
• Surveillance Video: Michigan businesses typically overwrite cameras every 7-30 days
• Driver Cell Phone Records: Must be subpoenaed quickly before carriers delete them
• Physical Evidence: The truck itself may be repaired, sold, or scrapped within weeks

Our Immediate Response Protocol:

When you call 1-888-ATTY-911, we spring into action immediately. Within 24 hours, we send spoliation letters to the trucking company, their insurer, and all potentially liable parties. These letters put them on legal notice that they must preserve:

• The ECM/EDR data showing speed, braking, and throttle position
• ELD logs proving hours-of-service compliance
• The Driver Qualification File (employment application, background checks, medical certs)
• All maintenance and inspection records
• Dispatch communications showing delivery pressure
• Post-accident drug and alcohol test results
• Dashcam and GPS data

If they destroy evidence after receiving our letter, courts can impose sanctions, instruct juries to assume the destroyed evidence was damaging to the defense, or even enter default judgment against them.

As client Donald Wilcox told us after we took his case that another firm rejected: “One company said they would not accept my case. Then I got a call from Manginello… I got a call to come pick up this handsome check.” We got that result because we moved fast to preserve evidence other lawyers missed.

Catastrophic Injuries and Michigan Recovery Potential

18-wheeler accidents don’t cause fender-benders. They cause catastrophes. The 20-to-1 weight differential between a loaded semi and a passenger car means that even “minor” trucking accidents often result in permanent, life-altering injuries.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

When an 80,000-pound truck strikes your vehicle, your brain slams against the inside of your skull. The result can range from concussions to severe diffuse axonal injury. TBI victims often face:

• Permanent cognitive impairment
• Personality changes
• Inability to work
• Need for 24/7 supervision

Our firm has recovered between $1,548,000 and $9,838,000 for TBI victims. As Chad Harris, one of our clients, said: “You are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.” We don’t just calculate current medical bills; we work with neurologists and life-care planners to project decades of future care costs.

Spinal Cord Injury and Paralysis

A severed spinal cord means paraplegia or quadriplegia. It means wheelchairs, home modifications, catheterization supplies, and round-the-clock care. The lifetime cost of a spinal cord injury can exceed $3-5 million.

Under Michigan law, these economic damages are recoverable without caps. Unlike some states that limit non-economic damages, Michigan allows full recovery for pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life in trucking cases.

Amputations

Crushing injuries in underride or override accidents often require surgical amputation. The cost of prosthetics—$5,000 to $50,000 per limb, needing replacement every few years—adds up quickly. We’ve secured $1,945,000 to $8,630,000 for amputation victims.

Wrongful Death

When a Michigan trucking accident takes a loved one, surviving family members face not just grief, but financial devastation. Michigan’s Wrongful Death Act allows recovery for:

• Lost future income and benefits
• Loss of consortium (companionship, care, guidance)
• Mental anguish
• Funeral expenses

Our wrongful death settlements have ranged from $1,910,000 to $9,520,000, providing financial security for families who lost breadwinners in crashes on I-75 or US-23.

Unlike regular car accidents, commercial trucking cases offer higher insurance minimums—$750,000 for general freight, $1,000,000 for oil and equipment, and $5,000,000 for hazardous materials. And unlike Michigan’s no-fault auto system, trucking claims allow direct lawsuits against negligent parties for full tort damages.

Michigan Law: Your Rights and Critical Deadlines

Statute of Limitations: Three Years

In Michigan, you have three years from the date of your trucking accident to file a personal injury lawsuit (MCL 600.5805). For wrongful death claims, you generally have three years from the date of death.

While three years seems like a long time, waiting is dangerous. Evidence disappears. Witnesses relocate. Michigan’s harsh winters erase skid marks and damage road surfaces that might have proved dangerous conditions. We advise calling immediately.

Modified Comparative Negligence: The 51% Rule

Michigan follows modified comparative negligence with a 51% bar (MCL 600.2959). This means:

• You can recover damages if you are 50% or less at fault
• Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault
• If you are 51% or more at fault, you recover nothing

Trucking companies and their insurers will try to shift blame onto you—claiming you were following too closely in the snow, or that you were speeding. We fight back with ECM data, accident reconstruction, and witness testimony to minimize your assigned fault percentage.

No Caps on Damages

Unlike some states that limit “pain and suffering” awards, Michigan imposes no caps on compensatory damages in trucking accident cases. While Michigan’s no-fault law limits damages in car-to-car accidents, commercial vehicle accidents operate under different rules. You can recover:

• Full economic damages (medical bills, lost wages, future care)
• Full non-economic damages (pain, suffering, emotional distress)
• Punitive damages (in cases of gross negligence or willful misconduct)

Punitive damages are rare, but available when trucking companies knowingly put dangerous drivers on the road or falsify safety records.

Frequently Asked Questions About Michigan Trucking Accidents

How long do I have to file a lawsuit in Michigan?

You have three years from the accident date, but don’t wait. Critical evidence like black box data can be overwritten in 30 days. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 today.

What if I was partially at fault for the accident?

Michigan’s comparative negligence law allows recovery as long as you are 50% or less at fault. Even if you share some blame—perhaps you were driving slightly over the speed limit during a snowstorm—the trucking company may still bear the majority of responsibility for operating an unsafe vehicle or violating hours-of-service regulations.

How much is my Michigan trucking accident case worth?

Value depends on injury severity, medical costs, lost income, and available insurance. Trucking companies carry $750,000 to $5 million in coverage. We’ve recovered multi-million dollar settlements for Michigan clients with catastrophic injuries. As Glenda Walker told us: “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.”

Who can be sued besides the truck driver?

The trucking company, cargo shipper, loading company, parts manufacturers, maintenance providers, and even government entities responsible for road design. We investigate all ten potentially liable parties to maximize your recovery.

What is a spoliation letter?

It’s a legal notice we send within 24 hours demanding preservation of evidence. Once sent, the trucking company cannot legally destroy ECM data, driver logs, or maintenance records without facing severe court sanctions.

Do I need a lawyer if the trucking company already admitted fault?

Yes. “Fault” and “full compensation” are different. Insurance companies admit nominal fault while disputing the severity of your injuries or your damages. Ernest Cano, one of our clients, noted that we “fight tooth and nail”—that’s what it takes to get full value, not just quick settlements.

Can I afford an attorney?

Absolutely. We work on contingency—you pay nothing upfront, and we only get paid if we win. Our standard fee is 33.33% pre-trial, 40% if we go to trial. We advance all costs.

What if the truck driver was from another state or Canada?

International and interstate commerce falls under federal jurisdiction. Our federal court experience and admission to the U.S. District Court (Southern District of Texas) allows us to handle cross-border cases involving Canadian carriers crossing at the Ambassador Bridge or Blue Water Bridge.

¿Hablan español?

Sí. Lupe Peña, nuestro abogado asociado, habla español fluidamente. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911 para una consulta gratuita en español.

How do I know if the trucking company violated safety regulations?

We subpoena their FMCSA safety records, driver qualification files, and maintenance logs. We analyze CSA scores and inspection histories. If they’ve been cited before for the same violations that caused your crash, it proves a pattern of negligence.

Your Next Step: Call Attorney911 Today

Every hour you wait, the trucking company strengthens their defense. Their lawyers are working right now to minimize what they owe you. Their insurance adjuster is trained to get you to say things that hurt your case. And evidence that could prove their negligence is being deleted, overwritten, or “lost.”

You need an advocate who knows Michigan’s roads, Michigan’s weather, and Michigan’s laws—but who also brings national-level trucking litigation experience to your fight. Ralph Manginello has been fighting trucking companies since 1998. With over $50 million recovered for clients, admission to federal court, and a team that includes former insurance defense attorney Lupe Peña, we have the resources to take on the largest carriers operating in Michigan.

We treat you like family because you are family to us. As Chad Harris said: “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.”

And we don’t give up. As Kiimarii Yup shared: “I lost everything… my car was at a total loss, and because of Attorney Manginello and my case worker Leonor, 1 year later I have gained so much in return plus a brand new truck.”

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911) right now. The call is free. The consultation is free. And you pay nothing unless we win. But the clock is ticking—don’t let evidence in your Michigan trucking accident disappear.

Attorney911. Because trucking companies shouldn’t get away with it.