When an 80,000-pound semi-truck loses control on I-75 near Emmet County, there’s no such thing as a fender-bender. The physics are brutal. Your sedan weighs 4,000 pounds. That truck weighs twenty times more. In Emmet County, Michigan, where winter storms bury the roads in lake-effect snow and summer tourists clog the highways heading to Petoskey and Harbor Springs, these crashes happen fast—and they change lives forever.
We’re Attorney911, and we’ve spent over 25 years fighting for victims of catastrophic trucking accidents. Ralph Manginello, our managing partner, has recovered millions for families devastated by 18-wheeler crashes, including a $5 million settlement for a traumatic brain injury victim and a $3.8 million recovery for a client who lost a limb. We know the trucking corridors that cut through Emmet County—the dangerous stretches of I-75, the winding curves of US-31 along Little Traverse Bay, and the seasonal hazards that make northern Michigan a powder keg for commercial vehicle disasters.
If you’ve been hit by a truck in Emmet County, you’re not just facing medical bills. You’re staring down a trucking corporation with a team of lawyers already working to pay you as little as possible. They’ve got insurance adjusters trained to minimize your claim. You need someone who knows how to fight back immediately. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 right now. We don’t charge a dime unless we win.
Why Emmet County Truck Accidents Are Different
Emmet County sits at the crossroads of northern Michigan’s major freight routes. I-75 runs north-south through the county, carrying commercial traffic from the Mackinac Bridge down to the industrial hubs of Saginaw and Detroit. US-31 threads along Lake Michigan, a scenic but treacherous route for trucks hauling goods to and from the Straits of Mackinac. M-119, the famous Tunnel of Trees, sees heavy tourist traffic in summer, creating dangerous mixing zones between 18-wheelers and passenger vehicles.
But it’s the weather that makes Emmet County trucking accidents uniquely deadly. Lake-effect snow off Lake Michigan creates sudden whiteouts. Black ice forms on shaded curves between Petoskey and Harbor Springs. Salt trucks can’t keep up during January storms, and trucking companies know it. Yet they still push their drivers to meet impossible deadlines.
Under Michigan law, you have three years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit—that’s longer than some states, but waiting is never wise. Evidence evaporates. The truck’s black box data, which records speed, braking, and engine performance, can be overwritten within 30 days. Witnesses disappear. And trucking companies in Emmet County and beyond have rapid-response teams that show up at crash scenes before the ambulance leaves, collecting evidence to protect themselves, not you.
That’s why we send spoliation letters immediately. Within 24 hours of taking your case, we notify the trucking company, their insurer, and any third parties that all evidence must be preserved. Destroy it, and they face severe sanctions. That’s the kind of aggressive, immediate action that has earned us a 4.9-star rating from over 251 Google reviews. As client Chad Harris told us, “You are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.”
The Physics of Devastation: Why Truck Crashes Kill
An 18-wheeler isn’t just a bigger car. It’s a 65-foot-long, 80,000-pound missile with a high center of gravity and blind spots that swallow entire vehicles.
The Numbers That Matter:
- Stopping Distance: At 65 mph, a loaded truck needs 525 feet to stop—nearly two football fields. In snowy Emmet County conditions, that distance doubles or triples.
- Weight Differential: The average truck is 20-25 times heavier than your sedan. In a collision, physics doesn’t negotiate. The smaller vehicle absorbs the impact.
- Blind Spots: A truck driver can’t see vehicles 20 feet directly in front, 30 feet behind, or along the entire right side of the trailer—the “no-zone” where countless Emmet County accidents occur.
When these machines crash, they don’t just dent fenders. They cause catastrophic injuries: traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage resulting in paralysis, traumatic amputations, and severe burns from ruptured fuel tanks. We’ve handled cases where clients lost everything in an instant. One client, Kiimarii Yup, told us: “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.”
That’s what real recovery looks like. But it only happens when you have an attorney who knows how to hold trucking companies accountable.
Types of Truck Accidents We Handle in Emmet County
Jackknife Accidents
When a truck’s trailer swings out perpendicular to the cab, it sweeps across all lanes like a broken pocket knife. On I-75 near Emmet County, a jackknifed truck can block the entire interstate, causing multi-vehicle pileups. These accidents usually stem from:
- Speeding on curves (violating 49 CFR § 392.6)
- Improper braking technique on slippery roads
- Cargo shifts that destabilize the trailer (violating 49 CFR § 393.100)
The injuries are catastrophic—side-impact collisions, crushing injuries, and rollovers of passenger vehicles caught in the sweep.
Underride Collisions
The deadliest crashes on Emmet County’s highways often involve underrides. When a smaller vehicle slides beneath the trailer, the roof is sheared off at windshield level. 49 CFR § 393.86 requires rear impact guards, but many are defective or missing. Side underride guards aren’t federally mandated at all—though they should be. We’ve seen decapitations and fatal head traumas that shouldn’t have happened. If you’ve lost a loved one to an underride crash in Emmet County, we’ll investigate every maintenance record to prove the trucking company failed to protect your family.
Winter Weather Crashes
Emmet County’s lake-effect snow creates unique hazards. Trucks jackknife on black ice on US-31. They lose control on the curves near Walloon Lake. Federal regulations under 49 CFR § 392.3 prohibit driving when weather conditions make it unsafe, yet trucking companies pressure drivers to maintain schedules during blizzards. When they do, and they hurt someone, we make them pay.
Our associate attorney Lupe Peña used to work for insurance companies. He knows every tactic they use to blame winter weather instead of the driver who should have pulled over. Now he uses that insider knowledge against them. That’s your advantage when you call 1-888-ATTY-911.
Brake Failure Accidents
Brake problems factor into approximately 29% of large truck crashes. 49 CFR § 393.40-55 mandates specific brake maintenance standards, yet many Emmet County trucking accidents involve trucks with:
- Worn brake pads ignored during pre-trip inspections
- Misadjusted air brakes
- Overheated brakes causing fade on the long descents into the Little Traverse River valley
We subpoena maintenance records, download ECM data showing brake application, and hire experts to prove the trucking company knew their brakes were dangerous.
Wide-Turn Accidents
In downtown Petoskey or at the busy intersections near Bear Creek, trucks making right turns often swing wide into opposite lanes—what truckers call a “squeeze play.” If you’ve been sideswiped or crushed between a turning truck and a curb, the driver likely failed to signal properly or check their blind spots, violating 49 CFR § 392.11.
Cargo Spills
Emmet County’s tourism economy means trucks haul everything from construction materials for summer homes to hazardous chemicals for industrial facilities. When cargo isn’t secured per 49 CFR § 393.100-136, it shifts and causes rollovers, or spills onto M-119, creating secondary crashes. The cargo loader, not just the driver, may be liable.
Every Liable Party—Because You Deserve Maximum Recovery
Most law firms only sue the driver and maybe the trucking company. That’s leaving money on the table. Under Michigan’s modified comparative negligence rules (51% bar rule), you can recover damages as long as you’re not more than 50% at fault—and we’ll fight to minimize any attribution of fault to you. More importantly, we investigate every party who contributed to your crash:
1. The Truck Driver
Was he speeding? Texting? Driving fatigued beyond the 11-hour federal limit (49 CFR § 395.3)? We subpoena cell records and ELD logs to prove it.
2. The Trucking Company (Motor Carrier)
They’re liable under respondeat superior for their employee’s negligence. Plus, we look for:
- Negligent Hiring: Did they check the driver’s record? Is there a pattern of violations in their Driver Qualification File?
- Negligent Training: Did they teach winter driving techniques for Emmet County’s snow?
- Negligent Maintenance: Did they skip brake inspections to save money?
3. The Cargo Owner/Shipper
Did they overload the truck beyond 80,000 lbs? Did they fail to disclose hazardous materials? Emmet County’s industrial shippers face strict liability for unsafe loading.
4. The Loading Company
Third-party warehouses often load trucks. If they failed to secure cargo with proper tiedowns (violating 49 CFR § 393.102), they share the blame.
5. Truck/Trailer Manufacturers
Defective brakes, faulty underride guards, or stability control failures can trigger product liability claims.
6. Parts Manufacturers
Defective tires causing blowouts, especially on the hot asphalt of Emmet County’s summer highways, create liability for the tire maker.
7. Maintenance Companies
If a third-party mechanic adjusted brakes incorrectly or ignored worn tires, they’re liable for the crash.
8. Freight Brokers
Brokers who arrange transport but fail to verify the carrier’s safety record (CSA scores) can be negligent for hiring unsafe truckers to travel Emmet County’s roads.
9. The Truck Owner (If Different)
Owner-operators often lease to big carriers. The owner may be liable for negligent entrustment.
10. Government Entities
Was the road design defective? Did Emmet County fail to maintain proper signage on dangerous curves? We investigate these claims, though sovereign immunity limits require careful navigation.
The Federal Regulations That Protect Emmet County Drivers
Commercial trucks crossing Emmet County’s highways must follow Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations under Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations. These aren’t suggestions—they’re laws. Violations prove negligence.
49 CFR Part 390-391: Driver Qualification
Truckers must be 21 years old, pass physical exams every 24 months, hold valid CDLs, and have clean driving records. The trucking company must maintain a Driver Qualification File verifying all of this. When we find missing files or expired medical certificates, we prove negligent hiring.
49 CFR Part 392: Driving Rules
Drivers must adjust speed for conditions (§ 392.6)—critical in Emmet County winters. They can’t drive while fatigued (§ 392.3) or use hand-held phones (§ 392.82). When they violate these rules and hit someone on I-75, they’re automatically negligent.
49 CFR Part 393: Vehicle Safety
This covers brake systems, lighting, and cargo securement. Every truck needs working underride guards (§ 393.86), proper brake adjustment (§ 393.40-55), and cargo tiedowns rated for the load (§ 393.100-136).
49 CFR Part 395: Hours of Service
The most commonly violated rules:
- Maximum 11 hours driving after 10 consecutive hours off-duty
- 14-hour total duty window
- Mandatory 30-minute break after 8 hours
- 60/70 hour weekly limits
Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) track this data automatically. When a driver exceeds these limits and causes a crash in Emmet County, the ELD data is smoking-gun evidence of liability.
49 CFR Part 396: Inspection & Maintenance
Trucking companies must systematically inspect and repair vehicles. Drivers must conduct pre-trip inspections. Post-trip reports must note defects. We’ve found cases where drivers reported brake problems, the company ignored them, and someone in Emmet County paid the price.
Catastrophic Injuries and What They Cost
We don’t handle fender-benders. We handle cases where lives change forever.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Concussions, contusions, and diffuse axonal injuries from the brain impacting the skull. Symptoms include memory loss, personality changes, and inability to work. Lifetime care costs can exceed $3 million. We’ve recovered between $1.5 million and $9.8 million for TBI victims.
Spinal Cord Injury
Paraplegia or quadriplegia from damaged vertebrae. Victims face wheelchair dependence, home modifications, and 24/7 care. We’ve secured settlements from $4.7 million to $25.8 million for spinal injury cases.
Amputations
When crush injuries destroy limbs, victims face prosthetics ($50,000+ each, replaced every few years), phantom limb pain, and vocational rehabilitation. Our amputation settlements range from $1.9 million to $8.6 million.
Wrongful Death
When a trucking accident takes a loved one in Emmet County, surviving families can recover:
- Lost future income and benefits
- Loss of companionship and guidance
- Mental anguish
- Funeral expenses
- Punitive damages for gross negligence
Our wrongful death recoveries have ranged from $1.9 million to $9.5 million.
Client Donald Wilcox came to us after another firm rejected his case. As 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.” That’s what happens when you hire a team that knows how to maximize recovery under Michigan’s no-fault insurance rules while pursuing the trucking company for excess damages.
Insurance: Why Trucking Cases Are Worth More
Federal law mandates higher insurance for commercial trucks than regular cars:
- Non-hazardous freight: $750,000 minimum
- Oil and hazardous materials: $1,000,000 to $5,000,000
- Passenger transport: Up to $5,000,000
Unlike a typical Michigan car accident where you might face a $250,000 policy limit, trucking accidents often have seven-figure coverage available—if you know how to access it.
We identify every policy:
- The motor carrier’s primary liability
- The trailer interchange coverage
- The cargo insurer
- The owner-operator’s policy
- Umbrella/excess coverage
Then we calculate every category of damage:
- Economic: Medical bills (past and future), lost wages, loss of earning capacity, property damage, life care costs
- Non-economic: Pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement
- Punitive: When trucking companies knowingly put dangerous drivers on the road—like falsifying logbooks or ignoring maintenance—we pursue punitive damages to punish the misconduct.
The 48-Hour Evidence Protocol
If you’ve been hit by a truck in Emmet County, the trucking company already has lawyers working. Within hours, their rapid-response team is photographing the scene, downloading ECM data, and coaching the driver. You need to act just as fast.
Critical Evidence We Preserve:
- ECM/Black Box Data: Speed, braking, throttle position—overwrites in 30 days
- ELD Logs: Proves hours-of-service violations
- Dashcam Footage: Often deleted within 7-14 days
- Driver Qualification File: Employment history, medical certs, drug tests
- Maintenance Records: Brake inspections, tire logs
- Cell Phone Records: Proves distracted driving
- GPS/Telematics: Shows exact route and speed through Emmet County
- Physical Evidence: The truck itself before repairs
We send spoliation letters within 24 hours, putting the trucking company on notice that destroying evidence will result in court sanctions and adverse jury instructions. That urgency is why you should call 1-888-ATTY-911 immediately, not next week.
One client, Angel Walle, put it best: “They solved in a couple of months what others did nothing about in two years.” That’s the difference between a firm that acts immediately and one that lets your case gather dust.
Frequently Asked Questions: Emmet County Truck Accidents
How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit in Emmet County?
Michigan gives you three years from the accident date for personal injury, but don’t wait. Evidence disappears fast, especially black box data. Call us within 48 hours if possible.
What if the truck driver says I caused the accident?
Michigan uses modified comparative negligence. If you’re 50% or less at fault, you can still recover, but your damages are reduced by your fault percentage. We use ECM data and accident reconstruction to prove the truck driver’s fault, not yours.
Can I sue if my loved one died in a truck crash near Petoskey?
Yes. Michigan allows wrongful death claims by spouses, children, parents, and estate representatives. You can recover lost income, funeral costs, and loss of companionship.
What if the trucking company is from out of state?
We handle that. Attorney Manginello is admitted to federal court (Southern District of Texas) and licensed in Texas and New York. We can pursue out-of-state carriers who operate in Emmet County.
How much does it cost to hire a truck accident attorney?
Nothing upfront. We work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we win. Our fee comes from the settlement, not your pocket.
Do you handle cases in Spanish?
Sí. Lupe Peña is fluent in Spanish and provides direct representation without interpreters. Hablamos Español. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911.
What if I was partially at fault?
As long as you’re not more than 50% responsible, you can recover. But the trucking company will try to blame you. We fight those allegations with data and expert testimony.
Will my case go to trial?
Most settle, but we prepare every case for trial. Insurance companies offer better settlements when they know your lawyer will go to court. Ralph Manginello has 25+ years of trial experience, including litigation against BP after the Texas City refinery explosion.
How much is my case worth?
Depends on injury severity, medical costs, lost wages, and available insurance. Trucking cases often settle for six or seven figures due to higher policy limits. We’ve recovered over $50 million for clients total.
What if the trucking company contacts me?
Don’t talk to them. Don’t give recorded statements. Their adjuster is trained to minimize your claim. Refer them to us. As client Glenda Walker said, “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.” Let us do the fighting for you.
Why Choose Attorney911 for Your Emmet County Crash
We’re not a billboard firm that treats you like a case number. We’re a family-oriented practice where Ralph Manginello personally oversees major cases. We’ve gone toe-to-toe with Fortune 500 corporations like BP. We currently litigate a $10 million hazing lawsuit against the University of Houston, demonstrating we don’t back down from powerful defendants.
Our team includes Lupe Peña, who spent years defending insurance companies before joining us. He knows their playbook—the Colossus software they use to lowball claims, the delay tactics they employ, the surveillance they run on injured victims. Now he uses that knowledge to protect truck accident victims in Emmet County and beyond.
With offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we’ve got the resources to handle complex litigation, but we provide the personal attention of a boutique firm. We return calls within 24 hours. We treat you like family. And we don’t get paid unless you win.
Call Now—Before the Evidence Disappears
The trucking company that hit you has already called their lawyers. Their insurance adjuster is already looking for ways to pay you less. What are you doing?
If you’ve been injured in an 18-wheeler accident in Emmet County—whether on I-75, US-31, or any of the county roads near Pellston or Mackinaw City—call Attorney911 immediately at 1-888-ATTY-911. We’ll send a preservation letter today to protect the black box data. We’ll investigate every liable party. And we’ll fight to get you every dime you deserve.
Don’t let the trucking company push you around. This is your fight for justice, for your family, and for your future. And we’re ready to win it with you.
1-888-ATTY-911
1-888-288-9911
Available 24/7. Free consultation. No fee unless we win. Hablamos Español.
