Boston Truck Accident Lawyer

Have you been injured in a truck accident due to someone else’s negligence? At Rubenstein Law, we will evaluate your case for free and help you determine your best path forward.

Boston's trucking industry is an integral part of the city's economy. Thousands of large trucks travel in and out of the city transporting goods and services daily. A major challenge is posed by these big rigs navigating Boston’s narrow roads. It creates a real risk for other vehicles on the roadways.

Imagine a new mom in a small SUV waiting at the stoplight. A commercial tractor-trailer truck looks down at his phone, loses control of the truck, and slams into the SUV, sending it spinning across a busy intersection. The mom gets rushed to the hospital with multiple broken bones and a possible traumatic brain injury. Her life (and her family's) may never return to normal, all because of a truck driver who chose to check his phone while driving.

Unfortunately, sharing roadways and interstate highways with large commercial trucks often results in catastrophic damages when they collide with smaller vehicles. Truck drivers and trucking companies who cause accidents must be held responsible for any losses the injured person suffers.

How a Boston Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help

Truck accident victims should not have to suffer a financial crisis due to a truck driver's negligence. The law in Massachusetts allows anyone injured in a truck-related accident to seek compensation for their damages. If the insurance company won’t pay a fair settlement, you have the right to sue.

The Rubenstein Law Firm offers a free consultation to help you determine if you have a case. We will work to determine the best strategy for getting you the compensation you deserve. You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and even pain and suffering.

Once we evaluate your truck accident case, we have skilled commercial truck accident lawyers well-equipped to provide aggressive legal representation to protect your rights. U.S. News & World Report ranked our personal injury law firm among the best law firms in 2022. When you choose us to represent you in a Boston truck accident case, you can focus on healing while we focus on representing you in court.

How Common are Truck Accidents?

Truck accidents are unfortunately far more common than people realize, particularly in the United States. According to statistics from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, in 2019 alone, 4,415 people died in large truck accidents nationwide. FMCSA estimated that between 2009 and 2015, injuries related to large trucks skyrocketed to nearly 100,000 (a 62 percent increase).

Closer to home in Boston and other cities in Massachusetts, there were 129 deaths and fatal injuries due to truck collisions in 2019, according to the FMCSA. These statistics demonstrate an alarming trend throughout the United States, Massachusetts, and Boston, reinforcing the need for improved public safety efforts regarding these commercial trucks.

Different Types of Truck Accidents

Various factors, including driver error, equipment failure, and poor road conditions, can cause truck accidents. Depending on the cause of the accident, multiple parties may be held liable. Understanding the many types of Boston truck accidents helps determine who is at fault and how to proceed with a personal injury claim.

1. Jackknife Accidents

A jackknife accident occurs when the trailer of a tractor-trailer swings out and hits another vehicle or object. Sharps turns, overloaded cargo, and sudden braking often cause these accidents.

Jackknife accidents are especially hazardous because the trailer can swing around with quick, immense force, hitting other passenger vehicles. These accidents often result in spinal cord injuries and other catastrophic injuries.

2. Rollover Accidents

A rollover accident occurs when a tractor-trailer tips onto its side or roof. These accidents are usually caused by speeding, turning too sharply, or cargo shifting inside the trailer. Poorly secured cargo can cause a rollover accident if it falls out of the trailer and hits another vehicle.

Rollover accidents are dangerous because they often involve multiple vehicles and can result in traumatic brain injuries, fractures, or organ damage.

3. Rear-End Truck Crashes

Rear-end collisions are among the most prevalent types of truck accidents. These accidents occur when tractor-trailers rear-end other vehicles that stop or slow down in traffic. Driver errors, such as distracted driving, driver fatigue, or tail-gating, lead to rear-end collisions.

Rear-end collisions typically result in injuries ranging from whiplash and concussions to herniated discs to facial fractures.

Common Truck Accident Injuries and Damage

A Boston truck accident is traumatic for all parties involved, For the injured, they result in serious injuries, emotional distress, lost wages, and costly property damage.

Depending on the circumstances of the truck accident claims, you might need to hire a Boston truck accident lawyer to ensure you receive payment for all your losses. Knowing the typical injuries and damages related to truck accidents is crucial to pursuing a Boston truck accident claim.

Property Damage

In some instances, property damage can be extensive after a trucking crash. The size of these large trucks makes them capable of causing severe destruction.

The average weight of a commercial tractor-trailer is between 20,000 and 80,000 pounds depending on the truck type and the load it carries. If the truck driver collides with another motor vehicle, the repairs needed for passenger vehicles can include the following:

• Bodywork repair
• Frame repair or replacement
• Suspension repair
• Alignment
• Electrical repairs
• Engine repairs

The cost for the repairs can add up to thousands of dollars fast. According to a report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the average repair cost for a motor vehicle involved in a trucking crash was $11,000 in 2017. This is of course assuming the car can be repaired at all. In many cases, the vehicle will be totaled.

Physical Injuries

The injuries sustained in Boston truck accidents range from minor bruises to death. Common types of physical injuries in commercial truck accidents include:

• Whiplash
• Internal bleeding
• Organ damage
• Paralysis
• Spinal cord injury
• Limb amputation
• Nerve damage

Emotional Distress

After a large truck crash, it is not uncommon to experience emotional disturbances. The trauma of the event may cause you to relive the accident through intrusive thoughts and nightmares, making it difficult to focus on work or enjoy daily activities.

The fear of getting back on the road may cause you to avoid driving, impacting your ability to commute to work and carry out everyday tasks.

No one should underestimate the emotional distress caused by being involved in a truck crash. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFA), those injured in a truck wreck may experience psychological trauma that includes:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Fear
• Nightmares
• Sleep issues

Post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and fear are all common reactions that manifest after large truck crashes. The victims may require professional help from mental health specialists.

What to Do After a Truck Accident in Boston

No one anticipates being involved in a Boston truck accident. Knowing what to do in the aftermath is essential if you or a loved one is involved in a collision with a large truck. Take the following steps if you're ever involved in a truck accident:

1. Get Medical Help

After a truck crash, adrenaline can rush through your body. This "fight or flight" hormone can mask the pain of injuries, so you may feel there's nothing wrong with you physically. It's always best to get checked out by a doctor as soon as possible whether you feel any pain or not. You may have internal injuries that do not exhibit obvious symptoms, such as internal bleeding, kidney damage, or spine injury, that may not exhibit obvious symptoms.

2. Keep Track of All Medical Documents

Your healthcare paperwork is needed when it comes time to file a claim for damages. This documentation provides a paper trail showing how the accident impacted your health and finances. Be sure to save documents, such as receipts, doctor's notes, hospital records, and MRI results. We can order them from the facility later if necessary as well.

3. Gather Evidence

If possible, collect evidence about the accident scene. Take photos or videos of the damage to both vehicles and any injuries that are visible. You should also ask for any eyewitness’s contact information, and truck driver logs. You should obtain a copy of the police report as soon as possible also. This information can help you build a case for a fair truck accident settlement.

4. Avoid Giving Statements

Avoid speaking to the trucking company's insurance adjuster without first speaking to your lawyer. An insurance company's primary focus is profits, not your well-being. They may try to get you to agree to a settlement that won’t even cover your medical bills.

The Insurance Information Institute notes the insurance industry raked in approximately $715 billion in 2021 alone from property and casualty policies, which includes auto coverage.

Some insurance adjusters or representatives use tactics that only benefit their company, such as downplaying the severity of your injuries, offering a lowball truck accident settlement, delaying claims, or outright denying your claim. A lawyer can take on the insurance company on your behalf so you don’t have to stress.

5. Contact a Boston Truck Accident Lawyer

Boston truck accident cases can be complex, as they often involve dealing with multiple parties, such as drivers, trucking companies, and cargo owners. The applicable state and federal regulations, such as truck maintenance requirements and limits, must be considered. These factors help determine fault. It’s important for your case to know whether the truck driver or the truck driver's employer violated those rules and regulations.

A skilled lawyer will help you gather evidence, interview witnesses, and build a solid case for full compensation that you are due under the law. After a life-altering accident, the last thing you want to worry about is dealing with an insurance or trucking company.

What Do Truck Accident Injury Lawyers Do?

If you suffered a life-changing injury in a truck accident, you might wonder if you need a lawyer. Truck accident lawyers can help you pursue legal action if a truck driver or trucking company acted negligently and caused your injuries. Here are the services provided by an injury lawyer to assist you in getting compensated for your damages.

Investigating the Accident Scene

Truck accident injury lawyers will investigate the accident scene to determine what happened and who was at fault in causing the crash. This investigation involves interviewing witnesses, gathering evidence from the scene, and analyzing accounts from both parties involved in the crash. The evidence lawyers collect can determine who's liable for the accident and any resulting injuries or property damage.

Negotiating With Insurance Companies

Insurance companies and their legal teams are often involved in the aftermath of commercial trucking accidents, particularly when substantial damages occur. Your lawyer will need to negotiate with insurance providers to receive fair compensation for your medical expenses, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other costs related to your trucking accident injury.

Additionally, the lawyers will consult with medical professionals to assess your injuries and consider all related expenses during negotiations. For example, if you sustain a traumatic brain injury, your lawyer can ensure that the insurance company covers the costs associated with rehabilitation and the loss of future wages.

Filing a Truck Accident Lawsuit

You can file a lawsuit if negotiations with an insurance company do not result in fair compensation for your injuries. Boston truck accident lawyers help clients receive justice for the harm caused by another party's negligence or wrongful act. Your lawyer will use all evidence gathered to argue your case in court if needed.

Questions to Ask a Truck Accident Lawyer

After being hit by a large truck, you may have serious injuries and mounting medical bills. You may need clarification on your legal rights, guidance on navigating the complex legal process, or insights on whether you can get fair monetary compensation for your losses. A Boston truck accident lawyer can provide legal advice regarding your case.

Here are some questions that you should ask when hiring a Boston truck accident attorney:

1. How long do I have to file my truck accident claim?

Massachusetts law has a three-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. In other words, if the accident happened on December 17, 2022, you must submit your claim to the court by December 17, 2025. Knowing you have a three-year timeline helps your lawyer develop an effective strategy for your case against the truck driver or truck company.

To be clear, there are some exceptions to the three-year statute, so check with an attorney to be sure. Even if the full three years does apply to your case, you should give your attorney as much time as possible to build and prepare your case, so it is always best to seek legal representation as soon as possible after the accident.

2. What happens if I cannot work due to my injuries?

If you get injured so badly that you cannot return to work, your Boston truck accident attorney can help you pursue a lawsuit to recover compensation for lost wages and future earning potential. Additionally, they can advise you on filing for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits if necessary.

3. What is considered pain and suffering compensation?

These damages compensate the injured party for physical pain and emotional suffering. They may also include any physical disfigurement or psychological damage experienced due to the injury. Calculating compensation for pain and suffering damages can be challenging since it is subjective and varies from person to person.

Additionally, these awards are generally higher when there are permanent effects or disabilities associated with the injury. For example, you may receive more compensation if you suffer from long term effects such as chronic pain or disability.

4. What kinds of damages can I claim?

There are two main types of damages to be claimed. They are referred to as economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover things like medical bills, therapy, medicine, surgery, and other healthcare related expenses. It also covers lost wages.

Non-economic damages cover pain and suffering, emotional anguish, and loss of enjoyment in life.

Your Truck Accident Injury Case

After a trucking accident, you need an experienced and reliable personal injury law firm in your corner. The Rubenstein Law Firm has been in business since 1988 and boasts billions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for our clients. With a strong track record of success, the firm can provide you with the best legal representation possible in navigating the justice system.

Schedule Your Free Consultation

At Rubenstein Law, we work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay us nothing unless we win your case. There is absolutely no risk in hiring our team, and no payment out-of-pocket.

To get the compensation you deserve after being involved in a serious accident, schedule a free consultation today with our Boston truck accident injury lawyer.