New York Personal Injury Lawyers / Boston Truck Accident Lawyers

Boston Truck Accident Lawyer

From a legal aspect, a truck accident is unlike other types of motor vehicle crashes. There are competing interests from the multiple parties involved. The truck driver, the transportation company, and the insurance company will all look after themselves. As these parties dispute what happened, you need a Boston truck accident attorney to uphold your legal rights.

At Jacoby & Meyers, LLP, we help our clients pursue compensation for preventable injuries sustained in truck accidents. Contact our firm’s Boston office for your free case evaluation. We’ll learn about the specifics of your truck accident. Then we’ll discuss the remedies available to you under Massachusetts personal injury law.

Why choose Jacoby & Meyers, LLP, to handle your Boston truck accident claim?

We’ve fought hard for our clients over the last 50 years. Our firm’s case results show our diligence and commitment when pursuing justice for our clients. Our attorneys take on some of the most challenging cases to litigate, including preventable accidents involving catastrophic and life-changing injuries. (Note that our firm’s past results do not guarantee a particular outcome for your Boston truck accident case. Each crash has specific factors that determine its values.)

We know that many truck accident victims experience financial hardship due to their injuries. That’s why our Boston truck accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. We collect our fees out of your settlement. You won’t owe us attorney fees if we don’t win your case. There may be other expenses associated with your case. We can further discuss payment at your free case evaluation.

Boston Truck Accident Guide

• How our Boston truck accident lawyers can help you
• Damages you can claim in a Boston truck accident
• Who may I hold responsible for my Boston truck accident?
• Deadline to file a Boston truck accident injury claim
• 4 Actions to take after a Boston truck accident
• An overview of Boston truck accidents
• Contact a Boston truck accident attorney at Jacoby & Meyers, LLP

How our Boston truck accident lawyers can help you

“Why do I need a lawyer after an accident?” Our firm frequently hears this question from potential clients. Many people feel they can resolve their own disputes. Perhaps they think they have a straightforward claim or trust the insurance to offer an adequate payout.

However, truck accident cases are often more complicated than many people realize. Below are ways the truck accident attorneys at Jacoby & Meyers, LLP, can help you with your legal claim.

We identify negligent parties and hold them accountable for their actions

Truck accidents involve several parties beyond just you and the truck driver. The truck driver’s employer, the truck maintenance company, the sender of shipment, and the insurance companies all have a stake in your legal claim. Each party may be quick to blame another in an attempt to avoid legal responsibility.

Our lawyers identify the cause or causes of your crash through careful research. We build a strong case based on the facts and evidence.

We stand up to aggressive insurance companies

An insurance representative may contact you soon after the accident happens. It’s not unheard of for claims representatives to pursue conversations with truck victims still in the hospital. Insurance company representatives will act friendly and appear to accommodate your needs, but they only care about their bottom lines. Insurance companies want to pay out as little money as possible or even deny a claim outright.

An insurance company’s “caring” nature doesn’t fool our attorneys. Nor will we allow strong-arm tactics to intimidate us.

We handle communication for you

Any time you converse with another party in your case, you risk jeopardizing the damages and compensation available to you under the law. A truck accident lawyer understands your rights and how to protect them best.

You don’t have to worry about what to say or not say when you hire us. Our attorneys take over all accident-related communications on your behalf. You can stay up to date and access your case file online at your convenience. That allows you to rest and focus on your recovery.

We investigate the crash and collect evidence

Determining what party or parties bear liability for your truck accident is critical to building a solid case. We will look closely at the accident and events that led up to the crash. Our Boston truck accident lawyers have the resources to gather evidence to support your claim. Depending on the specific circumstances of your truck accident, your attorney may collect video footage, witness statements, medical records, and employment records.

We account for all of your accident-related damages

The full extent of your injuries and damages will become apparent in the weeks and months after the accident. Our truck accident lawyers work hard to maximize your compensation based on your injuries and other losses. When calculating how much compensation is appropriate, we consider your injuries and the impact the crash has had on your life and your future.

Damages you can claim in a Boston truck accident

One of the first questions potential clients ask is, “How much is the average truck accident settlement?” Every truck accident involves unique facts, and the losses suffered by each victim can range in severity.

The law may entitle you to seek compensation for the financial damages you suffered and the pain and other difficulties you now face. Massachusetts law divides these damages into two categories: monetary and non-monetary.

Monetary damages sustained in a Boston truck crash

Monetary damages have a set cost, such as medical bills, lost wages, and repair or replacement of your vehicle. These damages, also referred to as economic damages, are relatively straightforward. However, the insurance company may attempt to undervalue your future monetary damages, particularly if you suffered catastrophic injuries. A truck accident settlement falls short if it does not include your future medical care or lost income.

Non-monetary damages sustained in a Boston truck crash

Non-monetary damages are the intangible losses you experience due to your preventable injuries. The law may entitle you to compensation for your physical pain, emotional suffering, and psychological distress. These damages are also called non-economic damages. The subjective nature of non-monetary damages can cause the insurance company to dispute them.

Who may I hold responsible for my Boston truck accident?

While a truck driver’s negligent actions may cause an accident, establishing liability in a truck accident is often more complex. Commercial vehicles and large trucks must follow federal regulations for safety and undergo significant scrutiny for maintenance, parts, equipment, and hours of service. Several different circumstances can contribute to a truck accident. The facts of your case could open up liability to more than one party.

Truck driver

Truck drivers who act negligently may bear liability for an accident they cause. Truck drivers may sometimes assume total liability for their actions if they own and operate their trucks and employ themselves.

Truck company or owner

Many truck operators don’t own the vehicles they drive for work. Separate ownership creates an additional layer of liability, as the truck company can bear liability for accidents and injuries. Trucking companies frequently pressure their employees to meet deadlines and take on more jobs. These pressures often tempt drivers and companies to turn a blind eye to mandatory rest periods and hours of service rules to make more money.

Sender of shipment

The company that hires a truck for shipment must ensure its cargo is loaded correctly and secured. The trucker must take extreme precautions when a sender transports inherently dangerous materials. In many cases, the cargo shipper may face liability for an accident for loading the shipment onto a truck improperly. Any truck accident caused by loose cargo, hazardous materials, or shifts in the weight of the cargo can open up liability to the sender of the shipment.

Manufacturer of truck or parts

Many parts and pieces of specialized equipment comprise large commercial trucks. Any defect or catastrophic failure of these parts can cause a truck driver to lose control or contribute to an accident on the road.

Maintenance companies

Commercial vehicle drivers and their employers are responsible for ensuring that their trucks undergo routine inspections, maintenance, and repairs when necessary. Truck companies often contract out the maintenance and repair duties required for a fleet of trucks. Any failure on the part of a maintenance company to identify a problem or to complete repairs could result in the company bearing responsibility for the accident.

Deadline to file a Boston truck accident injury claim

All states enforce deadlines for pursuing truck accident injury claims. The legal term for this time limit is a statute of limitation. According to Massachusetts law, you must file a lawsuit within three years of the date of the accident. If you do not file a personal injury claim by this deadline, you will likely lose your right to seek compensation for your losses under the law.

4 Actions to take after a Boston truck accident

If you suffered injuries in a truck accident, you might feel unsure of what to do to best protect yourself and get the help you need. Below, we provide the following information to help anyone who sustained injuries in a Boston truck accident.

Obtain a copy of the crash report

The truck accident report contains important information. You can request a crash report online from the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV). You can also contact the Boston Police Department for assistance and questions.

Complete the Motor Vehicle Crash Operator Report

The driver of all vehicles involved in the accident must complete a Motor Vehicle Crash Operator Report within five days of the accident. The law allows extra time if the driver is incapacitated due to their injuries.

Follow your medical treatment plan

Proper medical care is crucial to your recovery. If you skip or delay medical appointments, the insurance company may question the severity of your injuries.

Consult a Boston truck accident lawyer at Jacoby & Meyers, LLP

It’s never too early to contact us for a free case evaluation. Seek emergency medical care for your injuries, then give us a call.

An overview of Boston truck accidents

A truck crash can happen anywhere in the Boston metro at any time of the day or night. However, certain locations are more prone to serious accidents.

Boston traffic accident statistics

The Boston metropolitan area is a major transportation hub. Semi-trucks and tractor-trailers make their way through the city via I-90, I-93, and U.S. Highway 1. Passenger vehicles, bicycles, motorcyclists, and pedestrians must share the road with these much larger commercial vehicles.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) maintains crash data.

Some of the most dangerous intersections in Boston are:

• Soldiers Field Road & Cambridge Street
• Morton Street & Harvard Street
• Truman Parkway & Dana Avenue
• Columbia Road & Washington Street
• Riverway & Longwood Avenue

In addition, many John F. Fitzgerald Expressway intersections are the site of frequent accidents.

Common causes of Boston truck accidents

Commercial truck accidents can happen for several reasons, many of which will fall under truck driver behavior, mechanical failure, road issues, and employer oversights.

Negligent truck driver behaviors include:

• Fatigued driving
• Using a cell phone/texting
• Eating and drinking
• Impaired driving due to drug and alcohol use
• Speeding
• Driving too fast for weather conditions

Examples of dangerous mechanical failures are:

• Defective parts, especially braking mechanisms
• Tire blowouts
• Incomplete or faulty truck repairs

These road issues can make accidents more likely:

• Potholes
• Deteriorating pavement
• Missing or damaged guardrails
• Defective or missing traffic signals and signs

Several employer oversights can occur in the commercial trucking industry:

• Putting undertrained drivers on the road
• Creating impossible schedules and deadlines
• Not enforcing required rest times

It’s not unheard of for a truck accident to have multiple causes.

Contact a Boston truck accident attorney at Jacoby & Meyers, LLP

Any delays in acquiring legal representation can hurt your case and its potential outcome. It’s in your best interest not to make any statements after an accident or communicate with insurance representatives or other parties.

You should first contact a Boston truck accident lawyer who can offer you a free evaluation of your case. They can explain your legal options and what damages you may qualify to pursue. Call us now to protect your right to pursue compensation by speaking with a Boston personal injury attorney. You can call our firm’s Boston office at (877) 472-3061 or contact us online.

 

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