Massachusetts
Truck Accident Lawyer

Finding Help After a Crash

A massive truck weighs tens of thousands of pounds more than your car. When they collide, the results are often devastating. A Massachusetts truck accident lawyer can help you recover financially and deal with confusing insurance calls.

If you were injured in a truck accident in Massachusetts, TopDog Law can connect you with an attorney who is ready to discuss your situation. Call (617) 505-1429 today to discuss your case.

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Your Guide to Massachusetts Truck Accident

James Helm, Personal Injury Lawyer

What Makes Massachusetts Truck Accidents Unique

Unlike typical car accidents, crashes with large commercial trucks often result in severe consequences for people in smaller vehicles due to the trucks’ immense size and weight.

A fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh 80,000 pounds or more, while a standard car weighs around 4,000 pounds. 

Due to this huge difference, the force in a truck crash is immense and frequently results in severe damage to the smaller vehicle and catastrophic injuries to its occupants.

Trucks also need much more room to stop, making accidents more likely if a driver isn’t paying close attention.

Common Severe Injuries 

People hurt in Massachusetts truck accidents often suffer serious harm. Common injuries include:

The Emotional Toll

Beyond the physical pain, a serious truck wreck causes deep emotional distress. You might feel constant fear, anxiety, or stress. Dealing with injuries, medical treatments, and financial worries can cause immense strain on families. 

Understanding Who Might Be Responsible

Figuring out who caused a truck accident is often complicated. It might not just be the truck driver’s fault. Several parties could share the blame, and a thorough investigation is needed. 

A Massachusetts truck accident lawyer can investigate the cause of your accident and determine who needs to be held accountable.

The Truck Driver

Often, the truck driver’s actions contribute to the crash. Common examples of driver negligence include:

  • Speeding
  • Driving while tired or violating hours-of-service rules
  • Distracted driving (using a phone, eating)
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Making unsafe lane changes or turns

Proving driver error requires evidence like police reports, witness statements, and sometimes data from the truck’s recording devices.

The Trucking Company

The trucking company that employs the driver or owns the truck can also be held responsible if it:

  • Hired drivers with poor safety records
  • Failed to train drivers properly
  • Didn’t maintain the truck safely (bad brakes, worn tires)
  • Encouraged or forced drivers to break safety rules to meet deadlines

Trucking companies have a duty to operate safely. When they cut corners on safety, they put everyone on the road at risk.

Other Parties

Sometimes, other companies share responsibility. For example, if a defective truck part (like faulty brakes or a bad tire) caused the crash, the part manufacturer could be liable. 

If cargo wasn’t loaded correctly and shifted, causing the driver to lose control, the cargo loading company might be partly at fault. 

A Massachusetts truck accident lawyer can identify and target all responsible parties to help you get full compensation.

Dealing With Insurance Companies After a Truck Crash

Soon after the accident, you’ll likely hear from the trucking company’s insurance adjuster. Be careful when speaking with them. Remember, their job is to protect their company and pay as little money as possible.

The trucking company’s insurer is not on your side. Although they may sound friendly, their goal is to minimize or deny your claim. 

They might ask for a recorded statement, hoping you’ll say something that hurts your case. They could offer a quick settlement that seems like a lot of money, but doesn’t cover your long-term medical needs or lost income. 

Don’t give a recorded statement or sign anything without talking to a Massachusetts truck accident attorney first.

Why You Need a Massachusetts Lawyer With Truck Accident Experience

Truck accident cases involve complex state and federal trucking laws (like those from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration or FMCSA) that don’t apply to regular car accidents. Handling these cases requires specific knowledge.

A truck accident attorney in Massachusetts knows how to gather crucial evidence unique to truck crashes, such as:

  • Driver logs (showing hours on duty)
  • Truck maintenance records
  • Data from the truck’s electronic recorder (“black box”)
  • Company hiring and training policies

This evidence is vital for proving negligence, and your attorney needs to obtain and analyze this information effectively to calculate your damages. 

What Compensation Can You Recover After a Truck Accident in Massachusetts?

If another party’s negligence caused the truck accident that injured you, the law allows you to seek payment for your losses. 

This may include money for:

  • Your medical expenses, including hospital stays, surgeries, therapy, and future care needs
  • The income you lost because you couldn’t work while recovering
  • Lost future wages if your injuries prevent you from returning to your job or earning the same amount
  • Pain and emotional suffering
  • Permanent injuries, scarring, or disfigurement
  • Repair or replacement costs for your damaged vehicle
Personal Injury Lawyer
Detroit SSDI Lawyer, James Helm

Frequently Asked Questions About Massachusetts Truck Accidents

What if I Think I Might Be Partly at Fault for the Accident?

Massachusetts uses a modified comparative fault rule. This means you might still be able to recover compensation even if you were partially responsible for the truck accident, as long as you were not found to be more than 50% at fault.

If you were partly at fault, your potential compensation would be reduced by your percentage of fault.

How Long Do I Have To File a Claim in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts has a time limit, called the statute of limitations, for filing a personal injury lawsuit. Generally, you have three years from the date of the truck accident to file your claim in court.

While that might seem like a long time, investigating a truck accident takes time. The timeline may be much shorter if a government truck was involved.

Seek legal help as soon as possible to preserve evidence and protect your rights before the deadline expires.

What Compensation Can I Get?

If someone else was responsible for the truck accident that injured you, you may be able to recover compensation for various losses:

  • Past and future medical bills
  • Lost wages and reduced future earning ability
  • Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
  • Permanent scarring or disfigurement
  • Damage to your vehicle

Reach Out for Help Today

James Helm with Phone and Cash Bag

TopDog Law Personal Injury Lawyers

Massachusetts Office

361 Newbury St 3rd floor,

Suite 310, Boston,

MA 02115

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