Portage Truck Accident Lawyer Information
If you have a Portage, MI truck accident claim, Portage truck accident lawyers are here to advocate for you. Portage is adjacent to the southern boundary of the City of Kalamazoo. The city was incorporated from the entirety of the former Portage Township on December 31, 1963.
There are two public high schools in Portage, Portage Central and Portage Northern. The pharmaceutical company Pfizer also has operations located there, which in recent years has caused much controversy due to layoffs. 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. Portage is also home to the Kalamazoo Air Zoo.
If you need assistance from a truck accident, call one of the Portage accident lawyers on this website for a free initial consultation.
Portage Semi Accident Injury Attorney
Because a commercial vehicle accident involving an automobile usually results in severe injuries or death, due to the weight difference of a car versus the weight of a tractor trailer, it is essential that you choose an experienced commercial vehicle accident attorney. Commercial vehicles come in all shapes and sizes and are called various names throughout the United States. Here are just some common names and their meanings:
- Truck
- Semi
- Tractor trailer
- 18 Wheeler
- Big-Rig
The above five references usually refer to a vehicle that has, when you count all the axles of both the tractor and trailer, a total of 5 axles, 10 brakes, an average overall standard height of 13´ 6´´, an overall length of 70´ to 80´, a total of 12 gears (10 forward and 2 reverse), and an overall maximum weight of 80,000 pounds without any overweight certificates. Compared to the average weight of an automobile, which is only 5,000 pounds, you can easily see how much more dangerous a large truck like this could be.
Portage Big-Rig Injury Lawyers
Then there are trucks that do certain things and carry certain items:
- Bob-Tail Trucks
- Tanker trucks
- Refrigerated trucks
- Flat bed trucks
- Logging trucks
Then there are trucks that are commercial in nature but do not necessarily involve long haul situations. Some of the examples stay within the State of Michigan and some do not. However, when any one of these is involved in a Portage wreck, it is advisable to retain a Portage attorney with Big-Rig accident knowledge.
- Casino Bus accidents occur running back and forth from Schrier Park;
- Shuttle bus accidents driving to and from the airport, e.g., Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport or Gerald R. Ford International Airport;
- Transportation buses such as Greyhound;
- Portage City Buses.
Portage truck accidents caused by semi trucks, big rigs, 18-wheelers, tractor trailers, buses and commercial vehicles 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, and SH 96.
Portage Truck Accident Lawyers
When driving along a Portage intersection, avenue, or highway, there are many factors that can lead to a commercial semi-truck rollover, jackknife accident, or tractor trailer collision. The consequences can be devastating, with very serious injuries that can even result in death. When truck drivers fail to take the necessary precautions to avoid trucking accidents, they needlessly endanger the lives of people who ride in smaller vehicles. Drivers of semi tractor-trailers and 18-wheelers are often pressured to work long hours in order to meet delivery deadlines. Drivers are required by federal law to take breaks and adhere to safety regulations, but they often take shortcuts when it comes to driver safety, resulting in driver negligence.
Under federal and state laws, a trucking company may be held liable for driver negligence occurring in Portage, Michigan. If you have been a victim of a tractor trailer or big rig truck accident in Portage, Michigan, or a nearby area, you are entitled to compensation for your injuries. A qualified Portage truck accident lawyer or attorney who is familiar with the federal laws as well as Michigan laws and regulations regarding commercial trucking can be a great asset in any potential lawsuit against a trucking company. This is a good reason why anyone involved in a truck collision should consider hiring a Portage truck accident law firm to represent them in their claim against the trucking company. If you live in Portage, your lawsuit 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
View a complete list of courts that serve Portage and Kalamazoo County.
Common Causes of Portage Truck Accidents:
- DUI / Drugs
- Driver Fatigue
- Improper Maintenance
- Hazardous Roads
- Aggressive Driving
- Overloaded Trucks or Trailers
- Loads that Shift Weight
- Faulty Brakes
- Tire Blowouts / Tread Burn
- Rear End / Head-on Collisions / Jackknives
Truck Accident Attorneys Serve Portage and Surrounding Cities
Serving clients throughout Southwestern Michigan, including Battle Creek, Benton Harbor, Benton Heights, Comstock, Eastwood, Fair Plain, Galesburg, Grand Rapids, Holland, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Lancing, Marshall, Oshtemo, Parchment, Pomeroy, Portage, St. Joseph, Texas Corners, Three Rivers, areas in the vicinity of Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport, and other communities in Kalamazoo County.
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.