Jay Trucks & Associates, P. C.

Traverse City Personal Injury Lawyers

FREE CASE CONSULTATION

No Fees Unless We Win

After sustaining a personal injury, seeking legal help from a licensed injury attorney can be a positive step forward in your recovery. Jay Trucks and Associates have represented the injured in Grand Traverse County and across Michigan for more than three decades. Our proven track record of recovering more than $500,000,000 in compensation demonstrates our commitment to pursuing maximum compensation for our clients.


We have been handling personal injury claims for more than 30 years and have a proven track record of success including a $2,000,000 recovery for a victim that suffered a traumatic brain injury and the loss of an eye, and a $1,000,000 recovery following the death of a 17-year-old and her unborn child.

I would recommend that anyone who needs legal representation go to Jay Trucks & Associates. They are wonderful people who care about people and their problems…
– B. Thornton

The seasoned Saginaw bicycle accident attorneys of Jay Trucks & Associates have what it takes to fight for what you deserve. We focus exclusively on personal injury law, and as our multiple five-star reviews can attest, we have successfully served injured individuals for several decades. Our founder, Jay Trucks, is a keen cycling enthusiast himself, so he understands the unique challenges injured bicyclists face. You can trust Jay Trucks & Associates to help you through your bicycle injury claim.

Call a Traverse City personal injury attorney at our firm for answers about the claims process and to learn about your legal options for recovering compensation. Initial consultations are a completely free, no-obligation opportunity. If we take your case, you pay us zero upfront costs for our services unless we are successful in achieving compensation for you.


Free Consultation. Ph: Call Now 989-254-6113989-565-9047.


Do I Have A Valid Damages Claim?

There are many types of claims our Traverse City personal injury lawyers handle, including:

  • Injuries resulting from car accidents
  • Dangerous dog bites and attacks
  • Truck collisions
  • Nursing home abuse or neglect injuries
  • Accidents that happened in the workplace
  • Boat accidents
  • Motorcycle crashes
  • Medical malpractice injuries

To have an eligible claim, we must review the details of your accident, the extent of your injuries and be able to establish that your injury was caused by negligence. This means proving these four legal elements:

Duty of Care Existed

The other party owed you a duty of care. This can be established in different ways, depending on the type of relationship. For example:

  • All drivers owe a duty to drive in a reasonable manner, by following traffic and safety laws, to prevent harm to others.
  • Doctors have a duty to provide medical care that not only meets acceptable standards but is also in alignment with what other doctors with a similar background and training would provide.
  • Property owners have a legal duty to invitees and licensees to repair known hazards and maintain reasonably safe premises.

Duty of Care Was Breached

The other party neglected to behave as another reasonable individual would under similar circumstances, such as a motorist who chooses to get behind the wheel to drive while intoxicated, a doctor who fails to properly diagnose a patient, or an owner who neglects to repair an uneven sidewalk on the property.

Establishing a Causal Link To Your Accident

Your injuries also must have been directly caused by someone else’s negligence. This means if the duty owed to you by the other party was not violated, then you would not have suffered harm.

Damages Resulted

You must have suffered damages from the accident. This could include economic damages, such as lost wages or medical bills, as well as non-economic damages, including pain and suffering or mental anguish.

Our Traverse City personal injury lawyers are prepared to assess whether your claim has merit in a free legal consultation.


Give us a call anytime, day or night: Call Now 989-254-6113989-565-9047.


What Is The Value of My Personal Injury Case?

We are prepared to determine the full value of your potential case after reviewing all of the contributing factors, including how the accident happened, how badly you were injured, and how long it may take you to achieve maximum recovery.

Typically speaking, some of the types of compensation you could receive in Michigan include:

Medical Expenses

These are reasonable and necessary medical costs related to the accident, such as:

  • Doctor appointments
  • In-patient hospital stays
  • Required surgeries
  • Diagnostic tests
  • Prescribed medications
  • Physical or rehabilitation therapy
  • Ambulance services
  • Travel to and from medical appointments
  • Medical equipment, such as crutches or a wheelchair

Loss of Wages

You may be compensated for income lost while recovering from your injuries, as well as for a loss of future earnings if you are unable to return to work.

Property Damage

You may be eligible for compensation if you suffered damage or total loss of your personal property. This could include a vehicle, clothes or electronic items.

Pain and Suffering

These damages provide compensation for any physical and mental pain and suffering endured as a result of the accident and your injuries.

Emotional Distress

Part of pain and suffering, these damages may include anxiety, depression, fear and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Loss of Companionship

These damages may be awarded to a spouse or partner when your injuries have negatively affected the relationship.

Loss of Enjoyment of Life

If the extent of your injuries makes it impossible to be able to enjoy your favorite activities, such as going to the gym or taking your daily run, you may qualify for this type of compensation.

Exemplary Damages

In other states, punitive damages may be issued to punish the other party for malicious or intentional negligence. However, Michigan awards exemplary damages. These damages are similar to punitive damages but are awarded in extremely malicious or egregious cases when the other party showed a complete indifference for your rights that caused you to suffer mental anguish, humiliation or outrage.

Michigan’s Damage Caps

In Michigan, there are caps on non-economic damages for medical malpractice and defective product cases. However, for economic damages, there are no caps.

Our Traverse City personal injury lawyers at Jay Trucks and Associates are prepared to aggressively pursue maximum compensation for your injuries caused by another’s negligence.

Are There Any Filing Deadlines in Michigan?

Trying to understand the state’s filing deadlines is complicated. Our knowledgeable attorneys handle these types of cases every day, so we know how to determine which deadline may apply in your situation.

Generally speaking, Michigan’s statute of limitations are as follows:

  • Personal injury – three years from the date of your injury or accident
  • Product Liability – three years from the date of your injury
  • Medical malpractice – two years from the date the malpractice occurred
  • Claims against a government entity – may be as little as 120 days from when you were injured

There may be exceptions to these dates that an attorney could assess on your behalf to ensure you do not miss your filing deadline. Time flies quickly, and if you miss the deadline, you may lose any right to pursue compensation for your injuries.

What Benefits Are There For Hiring a Licensed Attorney?

Many victims who suffer an injury caused by someone else’s negligence may take the first offer from their insurer because they feel their injuries are too small. However, you can really only know the full value of your claim after seeking legal help from a licensed attorney. Victims who hire legal representation often recover more compensation than those who do not.

Our Traverse City personal injury attorneys have extensive knowledge of state laws and other complex legal processes that are available to injured victims. We are prepared to fully investigate what happened and gather supportive evidence to build a strong case on your behalf.

Personal injury victims that hire a licensed attorney recover greater amounts of financial compensation compared to those that do not have legal representation.

Call Jay Trucks and Associates today: Call Now 989-254-6113989-565-9047.


Should I Discuss My Claim With the Insurance Company?

We recommend not speaking with anyone from the insurance company until after you have sought legal advice from an attorney. Our legal team understands the different ways insurance companies will try to devalue or deny claims in an effort to save themselves money.

Adjusters are trained to be friendly and ask leading questions to confuse you and get you to unknowingly admit fault, contradict yourself or make your answers seem untrue. It is important to remember that your insurer is a for-profit business, so operating and avoiding unnecessary payouts is its primary goal.

Other important things to know when dealing with insurance companies includes the following:

  • If you speak with your insurer, we strongly recommend sticking to basic facts only, such as:
    • I had an accident at this location on this date at approximately this time
    • I suffered injuries, but I do not know the extent
    • Please refer to my attorney for any further information
  • If your insurer says you must provide a recorded statement, you are within your rights to decline. It will not delay your claim or risk your ability to pursue damages. An attorney will be able to discuss the purpose of this statement and review the best way to respond to this request.
  • If your insurer offers a quick settlement, do not accept the initial offer. Often insurance companies will make a lowball offer early-on to avoid having to pay for ongoing medical costs.

Our Traverse City personal injury lawyers are ready to handle all communications and negotiations with the insurance company for you. If a settlement is not reached, we are ready to go to trial, if necessary.


Complete our Free Case Evaluation form today.


Important First Steps After a Personal Injury

The most important action after suffering any type of personal injury is to protect your health, but it does not hurt to be mindful of a potential claim in case your injuries cause you to suffer financial and physical damages. This is why our Traverse City personal injury lawyers recommend you take the following steps:

  • Call 9-1-1 to get first responders on the scene – This is especially true after a slip and fall, any car accident, dog bite or other incident where having a police or emergency responder on the scene can be helpful. Be sure to get a copy of the accident report for your records.
  • Seek medical care immediately – Being examined by a medical professional is critical even if you do not see any visible evidence of a wound. There are many injuries, such as soft tissue damage, concussions and internal bleeding, that may be very serious or even life-threatening if not treated early-on. Additionally, your examination and subsequent treatment will be noted in your medical records, creating a causal link to the accident and supporting evidence for a potential claim.
  • Follow the treatment plan – If you fail to follow the doctor’s orders, the insurance company may argue that your injuries are not serious or that they could have been caused by something else.
  • Photograph the scene – If your injuries and the overall circumstances allow you to do this safely, take pictures of the accident scene, including any vehicle damage, debris on the road, other property damage, skid marks, and weather and road conditions.
  • Take pictures of your injuries – If you can, photograph your injuries at the scene, but also take pictures throughout your recovery period to help establish the extent of your injuries.
  • Keep a daily journal to document your pain and recovery – Consistently documenting details about your accident and resulting injuries can help to create an accurate picture of your pain and suffering. Start with a clear description of how the accident happened and then document daily about your pain level, how your injuries limited your ability to do normal tasks, and any activities you are unable to do. Also note any feelings of depression, anxiety or stress you may be suffering.

Common Injuries Caused By Negligence

Even seemingly insignificant harm can result in expensive medical bills and lost wages while you recover. This is why hiring an attorney is a good idea for many different kinds of injuries caused by another’s negligence, including:

  • Soft-tissue injuries
  • Simple or compound fractures
  • Loss of one or more limbs
  • Whiplash
  • Nerve damage
  • Hearing loss
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Internal organ damage
  • Whiplash
  • Vision loss
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Back injuries

Get Legal Help From a Traverse City Personal Injury Lawyer

Did you or a loved one suffer a personal injury caused by another’s negligence? If so, Jay Trucks and Associates is prepared to help.

Our legal team offers 150 plus years of combined experience advocating for injured victims in Michigan. Our firm’s founder Jay Trucks and President Todd Trucks are active members of the Michigan Association for Justice.

Do not delay finding out whether you may be able to pursue compensation for your damages. There is no financial risk to contacting our firm and taking advantage of the free legal consultation we offer. If we take your case, there are zero out-of-pocket costs unless we first obtain compensation on your behalf.


Jay Trucks and Associates. Ph: Call Now 989-254-6113989-565-9047.