When an 80,000-pound semi-truck barrels down the highway near Caseville or Port Austin, there’s no margin for error. One moment of negligence—one fatigued driver pushing past his hours of service, one overloaded trailer heading to the sugar beet processing plant, one poorly maintained brake system on I-75—can change a Huron County family forever. If you’ve been hurt in an 18-wheeler accident anywhere in Michigan’s Thumb region, you’re facing a situation that’s far more complex than a typical car crash. The trucking company already has lawyers working to protect them. You need someone fighting just as hard for you.
At Attorney911, we’ve spent over 25 years standing up to trucking companies and the insurance giants that insure them. Our managing partner, Ralph Manginello, has recovered multi-million dollar settlements for catastrophic injury victims across Michigan and beyond. We’ve gone toe-to-toe with Fortune 500 corporations like BP during the Texas City explosion litigation, and we bring that same relentless approach to every case we handle in Huron County. With offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont—and our ability to practice in federal court—we serve trucking accident victims nationwide, including right here in Michigan’s Thumb.
What makes us different? Our team includes Associate Attorney Lupe Peña, who spent years working inside the insurance defense industry before joining our firm. He knows exactly how trucking insurers evaluate claims, minimize payouts, and train their adjusters to deny legitimate injuries. Now he uses that insider knowledge to fight against them. That’s your advantage when you call 1-888-ATTY-911.
Why 18-Wheeler Accidents in Huron County Are Different
Huron County’s location in Michigan’s Thumb puts it at the crossroads of significant commercial traffic. While we don’t have the urban congestion of Detroit, the agricultural economy here generates substantial truck traffic—grain haulers, dairy transports, and equipment carriers moving between farms and processing facilities. Plus, with proximity to the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron and I-75, Huron County residents share roads with long-haul trucks moving freight between Canada and the Midwest.
But it’s not just traffic volume that makes these accidents catastrophic. It’s physics. A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds—more than 20 times the weight of a typical passenger vehicle. When that mass meets your sedan at highway speeds, the results are devastating. Stopping distance compounds the danger: an 18-wheeler traveling at 65 mph needs approximately 525 feet to stop—nearly two football fields. In winter conditions, with lake-effect snow blowing off Lake Huron and black ice coating M-53 or M-25, that distance grows even longer.
Every year, over 5,000 people die in commercial truck accidents nationwide, with 76% of those deaths occurring to occupants of the smaller vehicle. In Huron County, the combination of rural two-lane roads, agricultural truck traffic, and severe winter weather creates unique hazards that demand specialized legal knowledge.
Types of Truck Accidents Common in Huron County and Michigan’s Thumb
Not all trucking accidents are the same. In Huron County’s agricultural landscape and changing seasonal conditions, certain accident types occur more frequently than others:
Jackknife Accidents on I-75 and Rural Highways
When a truck driver brakes suddenly on wet or icy pavement—common during Michigan’s harsh winters—the trailer can skid outward, forming a 90-degree angle with the cab. This “jackknife” often blocks multiple lanes of traffic, creating pile-ups that are nearly impossible for nearby vehicles to avoid. These accidents frequently stem from 49 CFR § 393.48 brake system violations or drivers failing to adjust for weather conditions under 49 CFR § 392.14.
Rollover Accidents on Curves
Huron County’s rural roads include curves and intersections where trucks may take turns too quickly, especially when hauling top-heavy loads like farm equipment or grain. A rollover occurs when centrifugal force exceeds the truck’s stability, causing it to tip onto its side or roof. These accidents often involve 49 CFR § 393.100 cargo securement violations—when loads shift during transit, changing the center of gravity.
Underride Collisions
Perhaps the most deadly type of trucking accident involves underride, where a smaller vehicle slides underneath the trailer. Rear underride guards are required under 49 CFR § 393.86, but many trailers have inadequate or damaged guards. Side underride—where a car strikes the side of a trailer during a lane change or at an intersection—has no federal guard requirement and often results in decapitation or catastrophic head injuries.
Rear-End Collisions
With I-75 running through the eastern part of the region, Huron County drivers frequently encounter long-haul trucks following too closely. Federal regulations under 49 CFR § 392.11 prohibit following more closely than is “reasonable and prudent,” yet truckers often tailgate to draft for fuel efficiency or simply drive distracted. When a truck hits a passenger vehicle from behind, the height differential means the car’s passenger compartment often bears the full impact.
Winter Weather Accidents
Michigan’s lake-effect snow season brings whiteout conditions to Huron County roads. Truck drivers who fail to reduce speed during snowstorms or who haven’t properly maintained their tires and brakes create deadly hazards. Under 49 CFR § 392.3, drivers cannot operate when their ability is impaired by fatigue or weather conditions, yet pressure to meet delivery deadlines often overrides safety.
Tire Blowouts
Extreme temperature fluctuations between Michigan’s summers and winters degrade truck tires. When a tire blows out at highway speed, the driver can lose control instantly, causing the truck to swerve into oncoming traffic or rollover. These accidents often reveal 49 CFR § 396.3 maintenance violations—trucking companies cutting corners on tire inspections to save money.
Who Can Be Held Liable in Your Huron County Trucking Accident
Here’s what most people don’t understand about 18-wheeler accidents: unlike a car crash where usually only one driver is at fault, commercial trucking cases often involve multiple liable parties. Each party typically carries separate insurance coverage, meaning more potential sources of compensation for your injuries.
The Truck Driver may be personally liable for speeding, distracted driving, fatigue, or impairment. Under Michigan’s modified comparative negligence rule (51% bar), you can recover damages as long as you’re not more than 50% at fault—but the driver must adhere to federal standards under 49 CFR Part 392 regarding safe operation.
The Trucking Company (Motor Carrier) bears responsibility under the doctrine of respondeat superior—”let the master answer” for the employee’s conduct. But they can also be directly negligent for:
- Negligent Hiring: Failing to verify the driver’s qualifications, CDL status, or safety record under 49 CFR Part 391
- Negligent Training: Inadequate instruction on winter driving, cargo securement, or hours of service compliance
- Negligent Supervision: Failing to monitor Electronic Logging Device (ELD) data for hours of service violations under 49 CFR Part 395
- Negligent Maintenance: Skipping required inspections under 49 CFR Part 396 to keep trucks running during peak harvest season
The Cargo Owner or Shipper may be liable if they demanded an overweight load to maximize profit from Huron County’s agricultural products, or if they failed to disclose hazardous materials requiring special handling.
The Loading Company can be responsible under 49 CFR § 393.100-136 for improperly secured cargo that shifts during transit, causing rollovers on M-25’s curves.
The Truck or Parts Manufacturer may face product liability claims for defective brakes, tires, or safety systems. Given Michigan’s automotive manufacturing heritage, we understand how to pursue claims against manufacturers when component failures cause crashes.
The Maintenance Company that serviced the truck at a shop along I-75 may be liable for negligent repairs—returning a truck to service with known brake deficiencies or tire wear.
The Freight Broker who arranged the shipment might be liable for negligent selection of an unsafe carrier with poor FMCSA safety scores.
Government Entities can bear responsibility for dangerous road design, inadequate signage warning of truck traffic near farms, or failure to maintain roads during Michigan’s harsh winters. However, claims against Michigan governmental entities have strict notice requirements and shorter deadlines—typically just 120 days to file notice, much shorter than the standard 3-year statute of limitations for personal injury.
Under Michigan law, you have three years from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit. But waiting is dangerous. Evidence disappears, witnesses forget, and the trucking company is already building their defense.
Federal Regulations That trucking Companies Violate
Commercial trucking isn’t just regulated by Michigan law—it’s governed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) under Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations. These rules exist because trucks are inherently dangerous. When companies break them, they pay.
49 CFR Part 390 establishes general applicability—defining who must comply. If a vehicle has a gross vehicle weight rating over 10,001 pounds or transports hazardous materials, federal rules apply.
49 CFR Part 391 sets Driver Qualification standards. Trucking companies must maintain Driver Qualification Files containing:
- Employment applications
- Three-year driving record checks
- Medical examiner’s certificates (proving physical fitness)
- Road test certifications or equivalents
- Drug and alcohol testing records
When we subpoena these files, we often find trucking companies hired drivers with suspended licenses, failed drug tests, or histories of reckless driving—clear evidence of negligent hiring.
49 CFR Part 392 covers the actual driving of commercial vehicles. Critical violations include:
- § 392.3: Operating while ill or fatigued
- § 392.4: Drug use while on duty
- § 392.5: Alcohol use within four hours of driving
- § 392.11: Following too closely
- § 392.14: Failing to use extreme caution in hazardous conditions (like Huron County’s winter storms)
- § 392.82: Using handheld mobile phones while driving
49 CFR Part 393 mandates vehicle safety standards, including:
- § 393.40-55: Brake system requirements
- § 393.75: Tire tread depth and condition standards
- § 393.100-136: Cargo securement rules requiring tiedowns capable of withstanding specific force loads
49 CFR Part 395 contains the Hours of Service (HOS) regulations—the rules truck drivers break most often:
- Maximum 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty
- Cannot drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty
- Must take a 30-minute break after 8 cumulative hours of driving
- 60/70 hour weekly limits with mandatory 34-hour restarts
Since December 2017, most trucks must use Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) under § 395.8 to automatically record driving time. This data is objective evidence—when the driver claims he wasn’t fatigued, the ELD proves he drove 13 hours straight.
49 CFR Part 396 requires systematic inspection, repair, and maintenance. Drivers must conduct pre-trip inspections and file post-trip reports noting any defects. Companies must retain these records for at least one year. When they don’t—or when they ignore reported defects like worn brakes—we can prove they knew the truck was dangerous.
The 48-Hour Evidence Preservation Protocol
Here’s something trucking companies don’t want you to know: critical evidence in your case can disappear within days.
Black box data from the truck’s Engine Control Module (ECM) can be overwritten in as little as 30 days—sometimes sooner if the truck continues operating. ELD records, while required to be kept for six months, can be “lost” or altered. Dashcam footage often gets deleted within a week. Physical evidence like tire marks washes away with rain. The truck itself may be repaired or sold.
That’s why we act immediately. Within 24 to 48 hours of being retained, Attorney911 sends spoliation letters to the trucking company, their insurer, and all potentially liable parties. These formal legal notices demand preservation of:
- ECM/Black box data (speed, braking, throttle position)
- ELD logs (hours of service violations)
- Driver Qualification Files (hiring and training records)
- Maintenance and inspection records
- Dispatch communications showing schedule pressure
- Cell phone records proving distraction
- GPS telematics data
- Dashcam and surveillance footage
Once we put them on notice, destroying evidence becomes spoliation—a serious legal violation that can result in court sanctions, adverse jury instructions (where the judge tells the jury to assume the destroyed evidence was harmful to the trucking company), or even default judgment.
We also conduct immediate scene investigations, photographing road conditions, measuring skid marks, and identifying surveillance cameras at nearby businesses—crucial in rural Huron County where dashcam footage from farm equipment or security cameras at grain elevators might capture the collision.
Catastrophic Injuries and Life-Long Consequences
Trucking accidents don’t cause minor injuries. The force of 80,000 pounds striking a passenger vehicle generates catastrophic trauma:
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) can range from concussions to severe cognitive impairment. Victims may experience memory loss, personality changes, inability to work, and require lifelong care. These cases often settle for between $1.5 million and $9.8 million depending on severity and long-term prognosis.
Spinal Cord Injuries can result in paraplegia or quadriplegia. The lifetime cost of care for a quadriplegic injury can exceed $5 million, not counting lost wages or pain and suffering.
Amputations often occur when victims are crushed or when limbs are so severely damaged they cannot be saved. Prosthetics require replacement every few years at costs of $5,000 to $50,000 each, plus ongoing therapy.
Severe Burns from fuel tank ruptures or hazmat spills cause excruciating pain and require multiple skin graft surgeries. The psychological trauma of disfigurement adds to the physical suffering.
Wrongful Death claims compensate surviving family members when trucking accidents prove fatal. In Michigan, the statute of limitations for wrongful death is generally three years from the date of death. Damages include lost future income, loss of companionship, and mental anguish.
Michigan’s no-fault auto insurance system adds complexity to trucking cases. While no-fault PIP benefits cover immediate medical expenses regardless of fault, trucking accidents involving commercial vehicles allow victims to step outside the no-fault system and pursue pain and suffering damages, wage losses beyond PIP limits, and other non-economic damages against the at-fault trucking company. This requires proving the “serious impairment of body function” threshold or permanent serious disfigurement—standards we know how to meet.
Why trucking Companies Carry Higher Insurance—and Why You Need a Lawyer to Access It
Federal law requires commercial trucks to carry minimum liability insurance far exceeding typical auto policies:
- $750,000 for non-hazardous freight
- $1,000,000 for oil and large equipment
- $5,000,000 for hazardous materials
Many carriers carry $1-5 million in coverage, with excess policies providing additional protection. This higher coverage exists precisely because trucking accidents cause catastrophic injuries.
But accessing these funds requires navigating complex commercial insurance policies, MCS-90 endorsements (which guarantee minimum damages to injured parties), and stacks of coverage from multiple liable parties. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize your claim—and the trucking company has lawyers working to protect their interests while protecting the company’s bottom line.
As client Glenda Walker told us after we handled her case: “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.” That’s not just a slogan for us—it’s how we operate. When Donald Wilcox came to us after another firm rejected his case, we took it on and secured a significant settlement. He said, “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’re currently litigating a $10 million lawsuit against a major university and national fraternity for hazing-related injuries—a case that demonstrates our ability to take on institutional defendants with deep pockets. We apply that same tenacity to trucking companies that put profit over safety.
Common Questions After a Huron County Trucking Accident
How long do I have to file a lawsuit in Michigan?
You have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Michigan. However, evidence preservation demands immediate action. We recommend contacting an attorney within 24-48 hours.
What if I was partially at fault?
Michigan follows modified comparative negligence with a 51% bar rule. As long as you were not more than 50% at fault, you can recover damages reduced by your percentage of fault. But you need strong evidence to prove the truck driver’s negligence.
Should I talk to the trucking company’s insurance adjuster?
Absolutely not. Never give a recorded statement without legal counsel. Insurance adjusters are trained to get you to say things that minimize your claim. Our associate attorney Lupe Peña used to train these adjusters—he knows every trick they use.
What if the truck driver was from Canada or another state?
Interstate trucking cases often involve federal jurisdiction. Ralph Manginello’s admission to the U.S. District Court and our firm’s ability to practice across state lines means we can handle these complex jurisdictional issues.
How much is my case worth?
Case values depend on injury severity, medical costs, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and available insurance. Given Michigan’s automotive industry and the presence of high-value commercial policies, trucking cases here often result in significant settlements—but only with proper legal representation.
What if I don’t have health insurance?
We can help you find medical providers who will treat you on a lien basis—meaning they get paid when your case settles. Don’t let lack of insurance prevent you from getting necessary care.
Why Choose Attorney911 for Your Huron County Trucking Accident
When you hire Attorney911, you’re getting more than a law firm—you’re getting a team that treats you like family. As Chad Harris said in his review: “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.”
You’ll work directly with Ralph Manginello, a 25-year veteran of personal injury litigation who has secured multi-million dollar results for TBI victims, amputees, and families who’ve lost loved ones. You’ll benefit from Lupe Peña’s insider knowledge of insurance defense tactics. And you’ll have access to our entire team across our Houston, Austin, and Beaumont offices.
We offer Spanish-language services through Lupe Peña and our bilingual staff—Hablamos Español. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911.
We work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we win. Our firm advances all costs for investigation, expert witnesses, and litigation. We don’t get paid until you do.
The trucking company is already building their defense. They’re preserving evidence selectively, coaching their driver, and calculating how little they can pay you. What are you doing?
If you’ve been hurt in an 18-wheeler accident in Huron County—whether on I-75 near the county line, on M-53 near Bad Axe, or on any of the rural roads connecting our agricultural communities—call Attorney911 immediately. We’ll send our spoliation letters within hours, preserve critical evidence, and fight for every dollar you deserve.
The clock started ticking the moment that truck hit you. Don’t let the evidence disappear. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now for a free consultation. We’re available 24/7 because legal emergencies don’t wait for business hours.
Your fight starts with one call. Make it now: 1-888-ATTY-911.
