Portage 18-Wheeler Accident Attorney Information

If you have a Portage, MI truck accident claim, Portage truck accident lawyers are here to advocate for you. Call one of the Portage truck accident lawyers listed on this site for a free initial consultation.

Portage is a city in Kalamazoo County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 46,292 at the 2010 census. It is the smaller of the two main cities included in the Kalamazoo-Portage Metropolitan Statistical Area, which has a population of 326,589 as of 2010. Portage is adjacent to the southern boundary of the City of Kalamazoo.

The pharmaceutical company Pfizer has operations located there. Portage is also home of FEMA Corporation, a hydraulic valve manufacturing company.

Portage is known for its extensive network of historical parks and trails used for cycling, walking, canoeing, and other recreational activities. Since the creation of the Portage Bikeway system in 1989, the trails have expanded to over 50 miles, over five times as long as the city’s expressways.

Semi truck, tractor trailer and 18-wheeler accidents are common occurrences on Portage roads and highways. It is estimated that approximately 5,000 people die as a result of 18-wheeler accidents and big rig collisions in the United States each year with a substantial number of 18-wheeler truck accidents occurring in Portage, Michigan, every day.   With Portage being part of the well-populated Kalamazoo-Portage Metropolitan area, 18-wheeler accidents and semi truck crashes on Portage highways are inevitable.

If you have been involved in a truck accident, a Portage truck accident lawyer can help you and provide the expertise to advocate zealously on your behalf. If you have a Portage truck accident claim, call one of the Portage truck accident lawyers listed on this site for a free initial consultation.

Portage 18-Wheeler Accident Attorney

Due to the sheer weight difference of a car versus the weight of an 18-wheeler or tractor trailer, accidents that involve commercial vehicles often times result in severe injuries or even death. Compared to the average weight of an automobile, which is only 5,000 pounds, one can easily see how much more dangerous commercial vehicles like an 18 wheeler can be. That is why if you are injured by a semi truck or commercial vehicle in Portage, it is important that you choose an experienced Portage 18-wheeler accident attorney who knows the truck regulations and laws both nationally and for the State of Michigan.

Commercial vehicles go by different names such as:

1. Lowboy
2. 18 Wheeler
3. Tractor Trailer
4. Flatbed
5. Semi

Portage truck accidents caused by an 18-wheeler, big rig, semi truck, tractor trailer, bus or commercial vehicle are common on Portage streets, avenues and highways. Many of the semi truck crashes that occur in the city of Portage happen along the major Portage highways, which include the I-94, SH 331, SH 96, or US 131.

Types of Trucks

The following trucks do specific things and carry certain types of cargo:

1. Refrigerated trucks
2. Tanker trucks
3. Bob-Tail Trucks
4. Flat bed trucks
5. Logging trucks

Buses are also considered commercial vehicles as well, but as a rule do not haul cargo. Instead a bus is a transportation vehicle that carries children or adults such as a school bus or commercial bus like Greyhound. School bus accidents or commercial bus accidents are common on Portage roads and freeways. The causes may vary, but often times the accident is a result of hazardous road conditions or driver negligence.

It is essential to hire a Portage bus accident lawyer if you have been involved in the following type of accident:

1. Portage city buses;
2. Transportation buses such as Greyhound;
3. Shuttle bus accidents when driving to and from the airport, such as Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport and Thrall Lake Airport.

The ways Portage truck accidents happen occur are too numerous to list. Blind spots, rear-ends, sideswipes, head-ons, load overturns, jack-knifes are all possible and can result in fatal wrongful death truck accidents.

If you live in Portage and have a claims for an accident that involved a big rig or an 18 wheeler, your case might be filed in one of these courts:

9th Circuit Court - Kalamazoo
Gull Road Courthouse
1400 Gull Road, Kalamazoo, MI 49048
(269) 385-6000

9th Circuit Court - Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo County Courthouse
227 West Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI 49007
(269) 383-8837
 

18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys Serve Portage and Surrounding Cities

Portage 18-wheeler accident attorneys are experienced in handling serious injury truck collision cases and can help you fight the trucking company or its insurer in order to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact a Portage 18 wheeler accident lawyer today for a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION.

Types of Trucks

What is Board Certified in Civil Trial or Personal Injury Trial Law & What are the Requirements?

Lawyer Advertising in Michigan Regarding
"Specialization"

Many successful lawyers seek to distinguish themselves by becoming board certified in various areas of law. The Commonwealth of Michigan's Rule of Professional conduct Rule 7.4 sets rules for lawyers who wish to advertise that they have a "specialty" or "specialize" in a particular area of law.

Though many states have certification programs or specialization programs in various areas of law, Michigan has elected not to offer specialization programs to its members. However, Michigan, like other jurisdictions that do not have specialization programs, does recognize that there are organizations that do offer programs that offer a specialization recognition. A lawyer may not advertise as a specialist or expert in a particular field of law not recognized as a specialty. A lawyer may advertise that the law practice is limited to a particular area of law provided that there is not explicit reference to expertise or specialization in the form of communication. The State Bar of Michigan recognizes specialization only in the field of patent, trademarks and admiralty law. Michigan lawyers must adhere to the requirements of Rule 7.4. These requirements are as follows:

Rule: 7.4 Communication of Fields of Practice
A lawyer may communicate the fact that the lawyer does or does not practice in particular fields of law.
Comment: This rule permits a lawyer to indicate areas of practice in communications about the lawyer's services, for example, in a telephone directory or other advertising. If a lawyer practices only in certain fields, or will not accept matters except in such fields, the lawyer is permitted to indicate that fact. 

Michigan only recognizes specialists in the areas of patent law, trademark law, and admiralty law. No other attorney may advertise as a specialist.

Hiring a Portage 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer

If you have been involved in an 18 wheeler truck accident in Portage, Michigan, it is recommended that you hire a qualified Portage 18-wheeler accident lawyer who is knowledgeable in federal laws and Michigan state laws regarding trucking regulations. The Kalamazoo-Portage Metropolitan area has extensive roadways and congested freeways due to its high population. Therefore, it is not uncommon for truck collisions, wrecks, crashes and injuries to occur due to the high amount of traffic. If you or a loved one have been injured in a  Michigan truck accident, contact a qualified Portage semi truck accident attorney today for a free initial consultation.

Portage & Michigan Professional Associations

In addition to selecting a qualified Portage accident & injury lawyer that regularly handles Portage big rig truck accident cases, you should also check out the attorney’s credentials. For example, is the attorney a member of the Kalamazoo County Bar Association? All lawyers that practice Portage truck accident litigation must be active members of the State Bar of Michigan. They may also join other professional organizations, such as:

• Kalamazoo County Bar Association
• State Bar of Michigan
• Michigan Association for Justice
• American Association of Justice

The State Bar of Michigan aids in promoting improvements in the administration of justice and advancements in jurisprudence, in improving relations between the legal profession and the public, and in promoting the interest of the legal profession in the state.

Big Rig Accidents Can Be Devastating

When a negligent truck driver makes the decision to get behind the wheel of their semi tractor-trailer, any driver traveling near them is at risk for serious injury or death. The consequences of an 18-wheeler truck a crash along a Portage intersection, avenue, or freeway can be devastating, often resulting in very serious injuries that can even lead to death. The sheer force of a speeding 18-wheeler truck is a dangerous weapon that can forever change your life. Under the law if you are involved in such a wreck or an accident, you are entitled to compensation for your medical bills, loss of income, and pain and suffering. If you or a loved one have been injured in a commercial truck accident in Portage, MI or Kalamazoo County, it is in your best interest to contact a Portage big rig truck accident lawyer immediately.

Portage 18 Wheeler Accident Attorneys File in Kalamazoo County, MI

When a truck accident occurs and a lawsuit is subsequently filed, the decision of where to file it is called “choice of venue.” The venue chosen can have legal consequences that affect the outcome of your case. Generally, venue in a truck accident case is proper in any of the following locations:

1. the county wherein the accident occurred;
2. the county wherein the defendant company’s principal place of business is located; or,
3. the county wherein the defendant truck driver resides.

Even though your accident may have occurred in Portage, the truck company and truck driver will often be from a different state. This is because trucking companies frequently operate in states other than where they are registered. In these cases, the venue where the lawsuit may be filed could be the state where the truck accident occurred, the state where the trucking company is located, or even the state where the trucking company regularly does business, if different. For example, the accident may have occurred in Portage, Michigan, therefore making venue proper in Kalamazoo County, but the claim may be filed against a trucking company from another state. You need a qualified and experienced Portage tractor trailer lawyer to decide what the best venue would be in a case like this that crosses state lines.

Some of the courts in the Portage, Kalamazoo County, Michigan, areas include:

9th Circuit Court - Kalamazoo
Gull Road Courthouse
1400 Gull Road, Kalamazoo, MI 49048
(269) 385-6000

9th Circuit Court - Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo County Courthouse
227 West Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI 49007
(269) 383-8837

18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys Serve Portage and Surrounding Cities

Don’t be the victim of a semi driver’s negligence. Hiring a qualified Portage 18-wheeler accident lawyer is essential if you or a loved one have been injured in a truck collision. Contact a big rig accident lawyer today to ensure you receive expert representation from an attorney who knows how to handle your case.

Types of Trucks on Portage Highways

There are many types of commercial trucks found in and around Portage, Michigan. Trucking companies in Portage offer a wide variety of vehicle choices. Some Portage trucking companies deal with courier and small package delivery as well. Some companies offer bicycle couriers for downtown areas and will also use an assortment of vehicles ranging from cars, vans and pick-up trucks to large tractor-trailers and bobtail trucks.

Types of Trucks Used By Portage Trucking Companies:

• 18 Wheeler
• Semi Truck
• Tractor Trailer
• Big Rig
• Semi Trailer
• Box Truck
• Straight Truck
• Flatbed Truck
• Stake Truck
• Bobtail Truck

Be sure to insist on the highest levels of safety by selecting a reputable Portage trucking company that uses late model vehicles which are inspected on a regular basis.

When to Hire a Portage Truck Accident Lawyer

In many cases, Portage 18-wheeler accident attorneys must retain the services of scientific and medical experts to prove both the cause of the accident and the cause of your injuries. Additionally, a qualified semi truck accident lawyer will obtain all kinds of evidence concerning the scene of the crash, truck logs, and other important information to be used against the trucker, trucking company, or the company’s insurer. Arranging expert witness testimony and preparing important physical and documentary evidence is just one of many ways a Portage tractor trailer injury lawyer can help you after you’ve suffered a truck accident injury from a major 18-wheeler truck wreck.

If you or a loved one have been involved in a serious box truck wreck, semi crash or big rig accident, hiring a lawyer is the farthest thing from your mind when tragedy such as this strikes you, a family member, or a friend. However, this is when you need a Portage truck accident lawyer most. Do yourself a favor by calling one of the qualified Portage truck accident lawyers listed on this page. Hire a qualified Portage tractor trailer accident lawyer to help protect your rights.

Portage Trucking Companies

Following is a list of trucking companies based in Portage, Michigan. Services offered include container drayage, loose freight drayage, overweight loads, bonded moves, same day delivery.

Truck Accident Attorneys Serve Portage and Surrounding Cities

Portage truck accident attorneys are experienced in handling serious injury truck collision cases and can help you fight the trucking company or its insurer in order to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact a Portage truck accident lawyer today for a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION.
 

Portage Truck Accident Lawyers Represent Injured Truck Drivers

Truck drivers who operate an 18-wheeler truck or big rig on the busy roads and highways of Portage such as I-94, SH 96, SH 331, and US 131, can become injured when a major commercial vehicle collision occurs. Truckers often say, “Ride with me for just one day and you will see what it is like ‘out there’…it’s not always the trucker’s fault…”

It is not uncommon to see a big rig wreck, semi crash or major accident involving semi truck drivers in Portage, MI. The danger of an 18-wheeler truck accident is not just confined to injured people in automobiles, but can end up injuring the truck driver affecting their livelihood and family’s livelihood as well as the automobile driver. So, when a Portage 18-wheeler truck accident lawyer is contacted, be it by an automobile driver who has been injured or a truck driver that has been injured at the dangerous hands of another, you will need an expert Portage truck injury lawyer to fight for your rights.

The Semi Truck Driver is Not Always at Fault

When an 18-wheeler is moving down a Portage road or highway, such as I-94, SH 96, SH 331, and US 131at high speeds, it is nearly unstoppable and can easily turn a motorist’s everyday commute into a lethal situation. Although a passenger car is lightweight, in comparison, and can easily maneuver in and out of lanes on Portage highways, it is no match for a big rig truck. If the two vehicles are unable to avoid a collision, wreck or crash, the driver of the passenger car will be lucky to escape with their life.

A driver of a passenger vehicle could easily be killed as a result of  veering out of his lane and then smashing into a tractor trailer truck let’s say on the U.S. 131.  If the trucker tried to avoid hitting the passenger car but was unable to avoid the wreck or crash, then this would be a case where the accident was caused by the driver of the passenger vehicle and therefore the trucker would not be at fault.

Truck Driver Facts

• Two of your fellow truck drivers die each day in accidents
• 33,000 people driving large trucks are injured each year
• 6.3% of U.S. truck drivers are injured each year.

Injured Truckers Need Legal Representation

A qualified Portage 18-wheeler accident attorney should offer a free case review. If they decide to take on your legal matter, they should not require an up-front fee. Truckers with a trucking injury claim are generally taken on a contingency fee basis. In other words, your Portage truck accident attorney is only paid if you receive compensation for your injuries.

Injured Truckers Need to Know Their Rights

As a trucker, you have rights you need to be aware of. It is not uncommon for aggressive insurance companies to contact you shortly after the accident in an effort to try to get you to settle quickly and convince you that you want the matter to go away. In many cases, injuries are not so quick to heal. Many times the injuries can be permanent, long-lasting, and career-threatening. That is why you need a competent Portage truck accident lawyer that is not only prepared to mediate a resolution, but also prepared to take your case to court.

When Negligence Changes a Trucker’s Life

Qualified Portage truck accident lawyers know exactly how to provide nationwide representation for truckers injured in trucking accidents caused by a variety of negligent acts and mechanical malfunctions, including:

• Rear-end, Head-On Crashes and Jackknives
• Poor Maintenance, including Tires and Brakes
• Driver Fatigue
• Unsecured Loads
• Aggressive Driving
• DWI/Drug Use
• Lack of Reflectors and Poor Visibility

Since trucking laws are governed by hundreds of regulations, litigation can be very complex. Hiring a semi truck accident attorney who specializes in the numerous trucking laws throughout the United States is essential for a successful verdict outcome. For more information about trucking laws or to schedule an appointment with an experienced commercial truck injury lawyer, contact a truck injury attorney today.

When an 18 Wheeler accident occurs, your Portage truck accident lawyer will check the truck driver’s credentials to see if he/she attended an accredited Commercial Drivers’ License (CDL) school. In the Portage, Michigan area, one truck driving school is International Trucking School‎, 2946 Business One Drive, Kalamazoo, MI 49048 - (269) 382-2600, although there are many others throughout the country. See the Nationwide List of Accredited CDL Schools for a more comprehensive list.

Truck Accident Attorneys for Injured Truckers Serve Portage and Surrounding Cities

Portage truck accident attorneys for injured truckers are experienced in handling serious injury truck collision cases and can help you fight the trucking company or its insurer in order to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact a Portage 18 wheeler accident lawyer today for a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION.