Truck Accident Lawyer Oakland County

A serious semi-truck or commercial vehicle crash can upend life in seconds. Victims often face severe injuries, ICU stays, surgeries, months of rehab, lost wages, and totaled vehicles—all while fielding relentless insurer pressure and confusing paperwork. You shouldn’t have to battle motor carriers and their insurance teams while you’re trying to heal.

At Liss, Shapero & Mitnick (LSM), we’re client-first Oakland County truck accident lawyers who hold trucking companies and insurers accountable. From day one, you get our entire team—clear communication, compassionate guidance, and relentless advocacy focused on the maximum recovery available under Michigan law. Your first step is simple and risk-free: we offer a free, no-obligation consultation, and we work on a contingency fee—no fee unless we win.

We’re proudly Berkley-based, serving clients across Oakland County—including Troy, Royal Oak, Southfield, Farmington Hills, Novi, Pontiac, Bloomfield, Auburn Hills, Madison Heights, and Ferndale—and throughout Michigan by phone, video, or in-person meetings. When you hire LSM, you’re treated like family—and you get a team that knows how to move fast, preserve critical evidence, and stand up to powerful motor carriers so you can focus on recovery.

Who May Be Liable?

Serious truck crashes often involve multiple at-fault parties. Identifying each one is key to maximizing your recovery.

Motor carrier/employer

Negligent hiring, training, supervision: Unqualified drivers, poor safety oversight, ignored red flags.
Unsafe dispatch practices: Pressuring drivers to meet impossible schedules, leading to fatigue or hours-of-service violations.

Truck owner/lessor and trailer owner

Separate owners can share responsibility for maintenance lapses, unsafe equipment, or allowing an unfit driver to operate their vehicle.

Broker/shipper

Negligent selection of carriers with poor safety records.
Improper loading/securement that causes a load shift, overweight conditions, or hazardous material violations.

Maintenance vendors and repair facilities

Faulty inspections, repairs, or pre/post-trip service (brakes, tires, lights, steering) that leave the rig unsafe on the road.

Manufacturers of defective parts

Tires, brakes, steering/suspension, lighting, underride guards, and other components that fail due to defective design or manufacturing (product liability).

Government entities/contractors

Dangerous road design, missing signage, potholes, inadequate lighting, or negligent work zones that create or worsen crash risks.

At Liss, Shapero & Mitnick (LSM), we investigate every link in the chain—driver, carrier, owners, brokers/shippers, maintenance crews, manufacturers, and roadway authorities—to hold all responsible parties accountable.

Federal & State Rules That Shape Your Case

FMCSA regulations

Commercial carriers must follow strict federal safety rules set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These records often make or break a case:

Hours-of-Service (HOS): Limits on how long a driver can be on the road without rest. Fatigue-related violations support negligence.
Driver qualification files: Hiring, licensing, medical certifications, training, and past violations—proof the motor carrier vetted (or didn’t vet) the driver.
Drug/alcohol testing: Pre-employment, random, and post-accident testing requirements. Missed or failed tests can be powerful evidence.
Inspection/maintenance logs: Daily vehicle inspections, repair histories, and defect reports show whether brakes, tires, lights, and steering were roadworthy.
ELD (electronic logging device) data: Digital driving logs that reveal hours, locations, speeds, and potential edits or falsifications.

Michigan rules

Comparative fault: If an insurer argues you share blame, Michigan’s rules may reduce—but don’t necessarily eliminate—your recovery. We fight blame-shifting with objective evidence.
Damage thresholds: For pain and suffering, you typically must show a serious impairment of body function, permanent serious disfigurement, or wrongful death. We translate the medical record into clear proof of impact on your life.
No-fault coordination (when applicable): In many crashes involving passenger vehicles, Michigan’s auto system can help with medical bills, wage loss, and replacement services. We identify the proper insurer and coordinate benefits so bills get paid while we pursue full third-party damages.

Evidence preservation

Key trucking evidence can be lost or overwritten quickly. We act immediately to lock down proof:

Spoliation letters to the carrier and its insurers requiring preservation of ELD logs, ECM/EDR “black box” data, dashcam/CCTV, GPS/telematics, dispatch messages, and paper logs.
Secure truck and trailer inspections, photograph the scene, and canvass for nearby cameras and eyewitnesses.
Move for court orders if needed when a carrier drags its feet or threatens to dispose of vehicles or records.

Plain English, zero runaround—Liss, Shapero & Mitnick handles the rules and deadlines so you can focus on healing while we build the strongest case possible.

Evidence We Use to Prove Negligence

Digital & operational data

We secure the electronic footprint that shows how the truck was operated before and during the crash:

ECM/EDR (“black box”) downloads for speed, throttle, braking, gear shifts, and fault codes
ELD logs (hours-on-duty, rest periods), plus edit histories and flagged anomalies
GPS/telematics for route, speed variances, hard brakes, and geofenced stops
Dispatch messages & route plans revealing delivery pressures or unsafe scheduling
Dashcam/CCTV from the cab and nearby businesses to capture lane changes, following distance, and signal status

Paper & policy trail

The compliance paperwork often tells the real story behind a “driver error” defense:

Driver qualification file (hiring, training, medical certs), prior violations, crash history
Maintenance/repair logs, DVIRs, inspection reports, and recall compliance
Bills of lading, weight tickets, and scale records to show overloading or shifting cargo
Trip inspections and company safety manuals/policies—what the carrier said vs. what it actually did

Reconstruction & experts

We turn complex facts into clear, courtroom-ready analysis:

Accident reconstruction (time–distance, speed, visibility, stopping distances, sight lines)
Human factors (perception–reaction, conspicuity, distraction) and biomechanics (injury mechanism)
Trucking safety experts on FMCSA compliance, dispatch practices, and carrier oversight
Medical and economic experts to connect injuries to the crash and quantify financial impact

Medical proof & damages model

Your medical journey becomes a detailed, documented claim:

Records & imaging (ER, orthopedic, neuro, surgery notes; X-ray/CT/MRI findings)
Treatment plans & prognosis, restrictions, and life-care planning for future needs
Future costs (surgeries, therapy, medications, home/vehicle modifications, attendant care)
Vocational assessments & economic analyses for wage loss and diminished earning capacity

With this evidence, Liss, Shapero & Mitnick (LSM) builds a powerful, fact-driven case aimed at full accountability—and the maximum compensation the law allows.

Michigan Truck Claims Compensation

First-party benefits (medical & wage)

After a truck crash involving a motor vehicle, Michigan’s system can provide first-party benefits to keep you afloat while the case develops. We coordinate:

Medical bills & rehab (hospital, surgery, PT/OT, prescriptions, medical equipment)
Mileage to appointments and medically necessary transportation
Wage loss when injuries keep you off work
Replacement/attendant services for help with daily tasks

Which insurer pays first depends on policy priority (the vehicles and policies involved). We identify the right carrier, route bills correctly, and prevent gaps in care.

Third-party damages

When a truck driver or company is at fault and Michigan’s injury threshold is met, you can pursue non-economic damages such as:

Pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life
Scarring/disfigurement and other permanent harms
Wrongful death claims (for eligible family members)

We gather medical and day-in-the-life proof to show how the injuries changed your everyday routine, relationships, and future.

Economic losses

Serious injuries often create long-term financial needs. We document and claim:

Past and future medical expenses (including revisions and future surgeries)
Lost earning capacity and career impact, with economists and vocational experts
Home/vehicle modifications (ramps, bathroom changes, hand controls)
Attendant and in-home care, therapy, and durable medical equipment

Property damage & business losses

Whether you drive a family car or manage a fleet, we address the financial hit to your property:

Vehicle repair or replacement, including diminished value when applicable
Cargo/contents claims and spoliation-safe inspections before disposal
Rental costs and downtime (for commercial owners/operators)

UM/UIM coverage

If the at-fault driver fled or carried too little insurance, Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) can fill the gap. We:

Audit all available policies (personal, household, commercial, umbrella)
Present a well-supported claim so your own insurer treats you fairly
Coordinate UM/UIM with other coverages to maximize total recovery

Don’t Let the Carrier Control the Narrative — Free Oakland County Truck Crash Case Review

A devastating truck crash can derail your health, your work, and your finances overnight. Evidence fades fast, trucking companies deploy their lawyers immediately, and insurers move to limit payouts. Don’t let them get ahead of you. Put an experienced Oakland County truck accident team on your side now.

At Liss, Shapero & Mitnick (LSM), we know how to investigate motor carriers, secure black-box data, and build a compelling case for full and fair compensation—from medical care and wage loss to pain and suffering and future needs. You’ll get clear communication, a personalized strategy, and our entire team fighting for you from day one.

Your consultation is free, confidential, and no-obligation — and you pay nothing unless we win. We can meet in person, at the hospital, by phone, or via secure video to fit your recovery and schedule.

Contact Liss, Shapero & Mitnick (LSM)
Phone: 248-584-1300
Toll-Free: 1-855-LISS-LAW (1-855-547-7529)
Address: 2695 Coolidge Highway, Berkley, MI 48072

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