When an 80,000-pound limestone truck loses control on US-23 near Rogers City, the devastation is instant. In Presque Isle County, we’re no strangers to heavy commercial traffic—the Port of Calcite moves millions of tons of stone annually, and I-75 funnels interstate commerce through our backyard. But when that truck slams into your vehicle on an icy stretch near Posen or jackknifes on a curve in Bearinger Township, your life changes in ways no one should endure alone.
At Attorney911, we’ve spent over 25 years fighting for trucking accident victims across Michigan and beyond. Ralph Manginello has been standing up to motor carriers since 1998, securing multi-million dollar settlements while holding Fortune 500 companies accountable—from BP’s industrial disasters to major commercial carriers. We know the trucking corridors serving Presque Isle County, the limestone haulers that dominate US-23, and the federal regulations these companies violate daily. When you’re facing catastrophic injuries, lost wages, and medical bills piling up, you need a team that treats you like family, not a case number. As our client Chad Harris said, “You are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.”
Why Presque Isle County Truck Accidents Demand Specialized Legal Experience
Presque Isle County isn’t just another dot on the map—it’s a critical logistics hub with unique dangers. The Rogers City limestone operations send heavy trucks down US-23 constantly, often in challenging weather conditions that Lake Huron amplifies. Winter storms sweeping off the lake create black ice patches that even experienced truckers can’t navigate safely. When these massive vehicles—carrying up to 80,000 pounds of aggregate—hit passenger cars weighing 4,000 pounds, the physics are brutal.
Our managing partner Ralph Manginello brings federal court experience to every case, including admission to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas—a credential that matters when interstate trucking companies try to move cases to federal jurisdiction. We’ve recovered over $50 million for families devastated by commercial truck crashes, including a $2.5 million truck crash recovery and multiple seven-figure settlements for traumatic brain injuries and amputations. The truth is, trucking companies carry between $750,000 and $5 million in insurance coverage, but they’ll fight tooth and nail to pay you as little as possible.
Here’s what makes our firm different: our associate attorney Lupe Peña used to work for insurance companies defending these exact claims. Now he fights against them. He knows their playbook—their Colossus software algorithms, their delay-and-deny tactics, their strategies for minimizing catastrophic injury claims. When you hire Attorney911, you get that insider advantage working for you, not against you.
The Most Common 18-Wheeler Accidents in Presque Isle County
Every trucking corridor has its own dangers. In Presque Isle County, we see specific patterns tied to our geography and industry. The limestone trucks serving the Calcite Plant create massive loads that stress braking systems on the hills near Onaway. Winter weather turns US-23 into a skating rink from November through March. And the convergence of agricultural traffic with interstate commerce creates deadly mixing zones.
Jackknife Accidents on Icy US-23
When a truck driver hits black ice near Afton or doesn’t adjust for blowing snow across the highway near Hawks, the trailer swings perpendicular to the cab. These jackknife accidents block multiple lanes and create pileups. The driver might claim “sudden ice,” but federal regulations require them to reduce speed for conditions. Under 49 CFR § 392.3, no driver shall operate a commercial motor vehicle while impaired by fatigue or weather conditions that make it unsafe. When they ignore this rule to meet delivery deadlines at the Port of Calcite, we hold them accountable.
Rollover Accidents on County Roads
The limestone haulers navigating tight turns on county roads near Posen or Metz often take curves too fast, especially when their centrifugal force meets the high center of gravity of a fully loaded truck. These rollovers spill tons of aggregate across the roadway, crushing anything in the path. Federal cargo securement rules under 49 CFR § 393.100 require loads be secured to withstand 0.8 g deceleration forward and 0.5 g laterally. When loading companies near Rogers City fail to properly balance these heavy stone loads, the trucking company and loader share liability for your injuries.
Underride Collisions—The Deadliest Encounters
Perhaps nothing is more terrifying than sliding underneath a trailer on US-23 during a whiteout. Underride guards are supposed to prevent passenger vehicles from sliding under trailers, but many are improperly maintained or missing entirely. Under 49 CFR § 393.86, rear impact guards are required on trailers manufactured after January 26, 1998. When these fail or when side underride occurs (there’s no federal mandate for side guards yet), the results are often decapitation or catastrophic head trauma. We’ve handled cases where families lost loved ones because a trucking company chose not to install adequate underride protection.
Rear-End Collisions with Stopping Distance Violations
An 80,000-pound truck traveling at 55 mph needs roughly 525 feet to stop—almost two football fields. On the busy stretches of I-75 near the Presque Isle County line, truckers following too closely create deadly scenarios. Federal regulations under 49 CFR § 392.11 prohibit following more closely than is reasonable and prudent. When we download the ECM (Electronic Control Module) data—what we call the “black box”—we often find these drivers were tailgating while distracted by cell phones or dispatch communications, both violations of 49 CFR § 392.82.
Wide Turn Accidents in Rogers City
The tight intersections in downtown Rogers City force trucks to swing wide, creating “squeeze play” accidents where passenger cars get trapped between the truck and the curb. These often happen when truckers fail to check their blind spots or signal properly. The right-side No-Zone—the blind spot extending from the cab door backward—is the largest and most dangerous. When truckers make deliveries to the industrial facilities without proper mirror checks, they crush vehicles and pedestrians in their path.
Brake Failures on the Declines
The topography around Presque Isle County includes rolling hills that stress braking systems. When brake systems fail due to poor maintenance—violating 49 CFR § 396.3’s requirement for systematic inspection and repair—trucks become 80,000-pound missiles. We investigate maintenance records to find deferred repairs, knowing that brake problems factor into approximately 29% of large truck crashes. If the air brake pushrod travel exceeds limits specified in § 393.52, that’s negligence written in iron.
Tire Blowouts and Road Hazards
The heavy loads leaving the limestone facilities create excessive tire wear. When trucking companies fail to maintain adequate tread depth—4/32″ minimum on steer tires per 49 CFR § 393.75—blowouts occur. These “road gators” (shredded tire debris) cause sudden swerves and multi-vehicle accidents on US-23. The heat of summer highway driving exacerbates these failures, especially when tires are underinflated or overloaded beyond capacity.
Every Party That Could Owe You Compensation
Most people think they can only sue the truck driver. That’s exactly what the trucking industry wants you to believe. The reality is, multiple parties may share liability for your Presque Isle County accident, and each represents a different insurance policy that could cover your damages.
The Truck Driver
Obviously, the operator who ran the red light on US-23 or fell asleep at the wheel bears direct responsibility. We investigate their driving records, looking for previous Hours of Service violations, drunk driving incidents, or pattern of reckless behavior. Under Michigan’s modified comparative negligence rule (51% bar rule), you can recover damages as long as you’re not more than 50% at fault, though your recovery reduces by your percentage of fault.
The Trucking Company/Motor Carrier
This is where the deep pockets usually reside. Under respondeat superior principles, employers are liable for their employees’ negligent acts within the scope of employment. But we also pursue direct negligence claims: Did they negligently hire a driver with a history of DUIs? Did they fail to train them on winter driving in northern Michigan conditions? Did they pressure the driver to violate Hours of Service rules to meet the limestone plant’s delivery schedule? We subpoena their Driver Qualification Files—required under 49 CFR § 391.51—to find the gaps in their safety program.
The Cargo Owner and Loading Company
When you’re hit by a truck hauling limestone from the Calcite Plant, the shipping company may share liability if they demanded rushed delivery schedules that forced safety shortcuts. If the load was improperly secured—violating the cargo securement standards of § 393.100-136—the loading facility in Rogers City could be liable for creating an unstable vehicle that rolled over on the curve near Onaway.
Maintenance Companies
Many trucking companies outsource brake and tire maintenance to third parties. When these mechanics fail to identify critical safety issues or perform negligent repairs—returning a truck to service with known brake deficiencies under § 396.11—they become defendants in your case.
Manufacturers
Defective brake systems, faulty tires, or malfunctioning electronic logging devices can cause accidents even when the driver follows every rule. We work with engineers to determine if a manufacturing defect contributed to your crash, opening claims against parts manufacturers and vehicle makers.
Freight Brokers
If a broker arranged the shipment of that limestone load but negligently selected a carrier with a terrible safety record—or failed to verify insurance—they may share liability for putting an unsafe truck on US-23.
Government Entities
When poor road design, inadequate signage for truck routes, or failure to maintain safe road surfaces contributes to an accident, governmental liability may exist—though Michigan’s notice requirements for claims against governmental entities are strict and time-sensitive.
Critical Evidence That Disappears in 30 Days
Here’s what the trucking company doesn’t want you to know: every hour that passes after your accident on US-23, evidence is vanishing. The Electronic Control Module (ECM) data that records speed, braking, and throttle position? It can overwrite in as little as 30 days—or sooner if the truck continues operating. The Electronic Logging Device (ELD) that proves the driver violated Hours of Service rules? FMCSA only requires six months of retention, and some carriers delete it faster.
That’s why we act immediately. Within 24-48 hours of being retained for a Presque Isle County accident, we send spoliation letters to every potential defendant—the driver, the carrier, the maintenance company, the cargo owner—demanding preservation of:
- ECM/Black box data showing pre-crash speed and brake application
- ELD records proving Hours of Service violations
- Driver Qualification Files including medical certifications and drug tests
- Maintenance records for the past year
- Dispatch records and delivery schedules
- Cell phone records for distracted driving evidence
- Dashcam footage (often deleted within 7-14 days)
- GPS tracking data showing route history
- The physical truck itself before repairs
When companies receive our spoliation letters, they know destroying evidence will result in court sanctions, adverse jury instructions, or even default judgment. We’ve seen cases where a trucking company “lost” black box data only to have judges instruct juries to assume the destroyed evidence proved the driver’s guilt. That leverage often forces early, fair settlements.
Michigan law gives you three years to file a personal injury lawsuit—that’s longer than many states. But waiting is dangerous. Witness memories fade. Skid marks wash away. Surveillance cameras from businesses along US-23 overwrite their footage. And the trucking company is already building their defense, often while you’re still in the hospital recovering from surgery.
Catastrophic Injuries Require Catastrophic Resources
The injuries from 18-wheeler accidents in Presque Isle County aren’t minor fender-benders. We’re talking about life-altering trauma that requires millions in future medical care.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
The force of a truck impact causes the brain to collide with the skull, creating cognitive impairments that may not show immediately. Victims experience memory loss, personality changes, inability to concentrate, and mood disorders. These cases often settle in the $1.5 million to $9.8 million range because they require lifetime care, loss of earning capacity, and profound non-economic damages for lost quality of life.
Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis
When an 80,000-pound truck crushes a passenger compartment, spinal fractures often result in paraplegia or quadriplegia. The lifetime care costs for quadriplegia can exceed $5 million. We’ve seen settlements ranging from $4.7 million to $25.8 million for these catastrophic injuries, covering not just medical bills but home modifications, vehicle adaptations, and 24/7 attendant care.
Amputations
Crushing injuries often require surgical amputation of limbs. Beyond the $1.9 million to $8.6 million settlement ranges we’ve achieved, these victims face phantom limb pain, prosthetic costs ($50,000+ per device, replaced every few years), and permanent disability that ends careers.
Wrongful Death
When these accidents kill Presque Isle County residents—parents, spouses, children—the damages include lost future income, loss of consortium, mental anguish, and funeral expenses. Recent verdicts in similar cases have ranged from $1.9 million to $9.5 million, with some exceeding $100 million when gross negligence is proven, such as knowingly putting a dangerous driver on the road.
Internal Organ Damage
The blunt force trauma from truck impacts causes liver lacerations, spleen ruptures, and internal bleeding requiring emergency surgery. These “invisible” injuries often lead to secondary complications and long-term health consequences.
Michigan Law: What You Need to Know
Presque Isle County falls under Michigan’s jurisdiction, and understanding these specific laws protects your rights.
Statute of Limitations
You have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Michigan. While this is longer than the two-year window in states like Texas or the one-year limit in Kentucky, it’s not an excuse to delay. Evidence preservation is time-critical regardless of the filing deadline.
Modified Comparative Negligence (51% Bar Rule)
Michigan follows a modified comparative negligence system with a 51% bar. This means you can recover damages if you’re 50% or less at fault, but your recovery reduces by your percentage of fault. If you’re found 51% or more responsible, you recover nothing. Trucking companies and their insurers will try to push as much blame onto you as possible—claiming you were speeding on US-23 or following too closely—so having an attorney who can counter these allegations with ECM data and accident reconstruction is crucial.
No-Fault Insurance Complexities
Michigan’s no-fault auto insurance system adds complexity to truck accident cases. While your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) covers initial medical expenses, serious injuries allow you to step outside the no-fault system to sue the at-fault truck driver and company for pain and suffering and excess economic damages. The threshold for “serious impairment of body function” is high, requiring objective evidence of permanent, serious disfigurement, or serious impairment that affects your ability to lead a normal life.
Punitive Damages
Unlike some states that cap punitive damages, Michigan allows them when defendants act with willful disregard for safety or reckless indifference. When we prove a trucking company falsified log books, knowingly hired an unqualified driver, or instructed a driver to exceed Hours of Service limits to make a delivery deadline, we pursue these damages to punish the wrongdoer and deter future conduct.
The FMCSA Regulations That Protect You
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations exist precisely because trucks are dangerous when companies cut corners. Every violation is evidence of negligence in your case.
Hours of Service (Part 395)
Truck drivers cannot drive more than 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty. They can’t drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty. They must take a 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving time. And they can’t exceed 60/70 hours on duty in 7/8 days without a 34-hour restart. When limestone haulers or interstate truckers violate these rules—often pressured by tight delivery windows—they’re driving fatigued, with reaction times equivalent to drunk drivers.
Driver Qualification (Part 391)
Before a driver can operate a commercial vehicle, the company must verify they have a valid CDL, pass a physical exam (medical certificate required every 2 years maximum), provide a three-year driving history, and pass a road test. If the driver who hit you on US-23 had a suspended license, a history of seizures, or failed a drug test, the trucking company is liable for negligent hiring.
Vehicle Maintenance (Part 396)
Every truck must undergo systematic inspection, repair, and maintenance. Drivers must complete pre-trip and post-trip inspections, documenting any defects. Annual inspections are mandatory. When we find that brake pushrod travel exceeded limits, tires were below minimum tread depth, or lights were inoperative, we prove the company put profit over safety.
Drug and Alcohol Testing (Part 382)
Drivers must undergo pre-employment drug testing, random testing, reasonable suspicion testing, and post-accident testing. A driver with a .04 BAC is legally impaired for commercial operations (half the limit for passenger vehicles). Positive tests for marijuana, cocaine, or amphetamates create automatic liability.
Cargo Securement (Part 393)
Every load must be secured to withstand specific force thresholds: 0.8 g deceleration forward, 0.5 g rearward, and 0.5 g laterally. Aggregate working load limits must be at least 50% of cargo weight. When limestone loads spill across US-23 because of inadequate tiedowns, that’s a federal violation that proves negligence.
Frequently Asked Questions for Presque Isle County Truck Accident Victims
How quickly should I contact an attorney after an accident on US-23?
Immediately—within 24-48 hours. The black box data that proves the trucker was speeding or didn’t brake can be overwritten in 30 days. The dashcam footage showing the driver was texting? Often deleted within a week. We send preservation letters the same day you hire us to stop evidence destruction.
What if the trucking company is based in another state?
That doesn’t matter. Interstate trucking companies operate under federal jurisdiction, and we can pursue them in Michigan federal court or state court. Ralph Manginello’s admission to the Southern District of Texas federal court and the New York State Bar gives us flexibility to pursue defendants wherever they operate.
Can I afford an attorney if I’m out of work due to injuries?
Absolutely. We work on contingency—33.33% if we settle before trial, 40% if we go to trial. You pay nothing upfront. We advance all investigation costs, expert fees, and court costs. If we don’t win, you owe us nothing. As Donald Wilcox, one of our clients, 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.”
What if I was partially at fault for the accident on the icy road?
Michigan’s modified comparative negligence rule allows recovery as long as you’re 50% or less at fault. Your settlement reduces by your percentage of fault, but you don’t lose everything unless you’re primarily responsible. The trucker still had a duty to drive for conditions, and winter weather doesn’t excuse federal safety violations.
How much is my case worth?
It depends on injury severity, future medical needs, lost earning capacity, and available insurance. Trucking companies carry higher minimums than cars—$750,000 to $5 million depending on cargo. We’ve recovered settlements ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions. The $10 million University of Houston hazing lawsuit we’re currently litigating demonstrates our willingness to take on major institutional defendants when they endanger lives.
Will I have to go to trial?
Probably not. Most cases settle, but we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial. Insurance companies know which lawyers are bluffing and which ones will actually pull the trigger. Our reputation for taking cases to verdict—built over Ralph Manginello’s 25+ years—often forces fair settlement offers without the stress of trial.
Do you handle Spanish-speaking clients in Presque Isle County?
Yes. Associate attorney Lupe Peña is fluent in Spanish. We provide direct representation without interpreters. Hablamos Español. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911 para una consulta gratis. As client Celia Dominguez noted, “Especially Miss Zulema, who is always very kind and always translates.”
What types of records do you subpoena from the trucking company?
Everything. We want the Driver Qualification File, the last year of maintenance records, six months of Hours of Service logs, drug test results, the driver’s entire employment file, dispatch records showing route pressure, and the actual black box download. The more we find, the stronger your case.
Can you help if my loved one died in the accident?
Yes. We handle wrongful death claims for families who’ve lost loved ones to negligent truckers. Damages include lost future income, loss of companionship, mental anguish, and funeral expenses. These are emotionally devastating cases, and we treat families with the compassion they deserve while aggressively pursuing justice.
What makes truck accidents different from car accidents?
Everything. Different regulations (FMCSA), higher insurance limits, multiple liable parties, electronic evidence that must be preserved immediately, and catastrophic injury patterns. A fender-bender between two cars might be a $5,000 property damage claim. A “minor” truck accident often causes permanent disability. You need specialists, not generalists.
Why Presque Isle County Victims Choose Attorney911
We’ve built our practice on results and relationships. Our 4.9-star Google rating from 251+ reviews isn’t an accident—it’s how we treat every client. When Mongo Slade was rear-ended, he wrote that our team “got right to work” and delivered “a very nice settlement.” Kiimarii Yup, who lost everything in a crash, told us, “1 year later I have gained so much in return plus a brand new truck.”
But beyond the settlements, it’s the personal attention. Dame Haskett noted, “Consistent communication and not one time did I call and not get a clear answer… Ralph reached out personally.” In an industry where clients often become case numbers, we prioritize accessibility. You get Ralph’s cell phone. You get Lupe Peña’s insider knowledge of insurance defense tactics. You get a team that includes Lupe, who used to defend these trucking companies and now uses that knowledge to fight them.
We have three offices—Houston (our headquarters at 1177 West Loop S, Suite 1600), Austin (316 West 12th Street), and Beaumont—to serve clients throughout the region, and we regularly handle cases in Michigan and nationwide. Our federal court experience means we can represent you regardless of where the trucking company is headquartered.
The trucking company that hit you has investigators, lawyers, and adjusters working right now to minimize your claim. They’re hoping you don’t know about black box data, Hours of Service violations, or spoliation letters. They’re counting on you accepting their first lowball offer before you understand the full extent of your injuries.
Don’t let them win. The evidence is disappearing as you read this. Call Attorney911 immediately at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911) for a free consultation. We’ll evaluate your case, explain your rights under Michigan law, and start preserving the evidence that proves what really happened on that Presque Isle County road. Hablamos Español—ask for Lupe Peña.
Time is critical. Black box data overwrites. Witnesses forget. And every day you wait, the trucking company gets stronger while your case gets harder to prove. Don’t wait. Call now. We’re available 24/7 because we know accidents don’t happen on business hours. Your fight for justice starts with one call: 1-888-ATTY-911.
