Monroe County is Michigan's Ohio-border trucking gateway
I-75 enters Michigan at the Ohio state line in Bedford Township and runs north through Monroe County for approximately 25 miles before crossing into Wayne County. This stretch carries the heaviest interstate truck volume in southeast Michigan — Toledo is a major intermodal rail hub, and virtually all just-in-time auto industry freight to Detroit's plants, the Ford Rouge Complex, GM Detroit-Hamtramck, and Stellantis Mack Avenue moves through this corridor.
Monroe County recorded 3,569 traffic crashes in 2024 with significant CMV involvement (Michigan State Police 2024 Statewide Year-End Report). The Monroe County Health Department reports 74 transport-related deaths in the five years ending 2024 (Michigan Department of Health and Human Services).
The most dangerous I-75 segments in Monroe County
- I-75 / Ohio state line (Bedford Township) — Ohio-Michigan transition where freight enters at full speed.
- I-75 / US-24 / Telegraph Road interchange — major freight diversion point.
- I-75 / M-50 (Dixie Highway) — Monroe city exit.
- I-75 / Nadeau Road, Stewart Road, LaPlaisance Road — local truck stop and warehouse access.
- I-75 / Newport Road (Newport) — Frenchtown Township freight corridor.
- I-75 / South Huron River Drive (South Rockwood) — Wayne County transition.
Cities and townships we serve in Monroe County
- Monroe
- Frenchtown Township
- Bedford Township (Lambertville, Temperance, Samaria)
- Newport
- South Rockwood
- Carleton
- Luna Pier
- Erie
- Ida
- Dundee
Why a Detroit-area firm makes sense for Monroe County trucking
Monroe is 35 minutes from our Southfield office via I-275 / I-75. Court appearances in Monroe County Circuit Court are routine, and we travel statewide for depositions, mediations, and trials. Most Monroe County truck cases involve out-of-state defendants (Ohio, Indiana, Tennessee carriers) where the firm's reach beyond Monroe is critical. We've found that Monroe County clients value local-friendly representation that also has the resources to pursue national carriers and corporate defendants.
Auto-industry freight cases
A significant share of Monroe County trucking involves just-in-time delivery to Detroit auto plants. When these shipments crash, the legal questions can extend beyond the driver and carrier to:
- The shipper (Tier 1 supplier, often Toledo-based)
- The OEM consignee (Ford, GM, Stellantis)
- The logistics broker
- The dedicated fleet operator
Auto industry just-in-time contracts often include aggressive on-time penalties that motivate carriers and drivers to violate hours-of-service rules. ELD data in these cases routinely shows pattern HOS violations.
Frequently asked questions
Why is I-75 through Monroe County a major truck crash corridor?
I-75 through Monroe County is the primary freight route between Toledo, Ohio (a major intermodal and trucking hub) and Detroit's automotive supply chain. Just-in-time auto industry logistics push enormous truck volume through this 25-mile segment 24 hours a day. Monroe County recorded 3,569 traffic crashes in 2024 (Michigan State Police 2024 Annual Report), with a disproportionate share involving commercial vehicles. The Monroe County Health Department reports 74 transport-related fatalities in the most recent five-year period (Michigan Department of Health, 2020-2024).
Should I hire a Michigan lawyer or an Ohio lawyer if my crash was near the border?
If the crash occurred in Michigan, Michigan law applies and you generally need Michigan counsel. Michigan's no-fault system is unique — you should not allow an Ohio attorney unfamiliar with Michigan no-fault to handle your PIP claim. We coordinate with Ohio counsel when needed for out-of-state defendants, depositions, or related actions, but the core Michigan case stays with us.
Most trucks I see on I-75 are from out of state — can they still be sued in Michigan?
Yes. Any commercial truck operating on Michigan highways can be sued in Michigan courts for crashes that occur here. The motor carrier may be headquartered in Ohio, Indiana, Tennessee, Texas, or elsewhere — none of that prevents Michigan jurisdiction. Out-of-state carriers maintain registered agents in Michigan specifically because they expect to be served here. We sue carriers nationally and depose witnesses wherever they are located.
What about cargo-loading defendants — can shippers in Toledo be sued?
Often, yes. If a truck's cargo was improperly loaded or secured at an Ohio shipper's facility and caused or contributed to a Michigan crash, the shipper can be brought in as a defendant. Cargo securement issues are governed by 49 CFR Part 393, Subpart I (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations). We routinely add shippers when discovery shows loading defects.
Does Monroe County have any large local PI firms?
Not in the way Detroit and Southfield do. Most large Michigan PI firms are in metro Detroit, and most local Monroe firms are small general practices rather than dedicated trucking specialists. This gap is part of why we built a dedicated I-75/Monroe practice — Monroe County truck crash victims have historically been under-served by the legal market.
Monroe County I-75 crash? Don't go through Toledo.
If your crash happened in Michigan, you need Michigan counsel — not an Ohio firm. Free consultation. Bilingual. We come to you in Monroe if needed. 248-996-9954.
Call 248-996-9954 Back to Truck Accidents