Trucking accidents are amongst the top in the crash categories that are known to cause devastating injuries. A passenger vehicle is no match for the size and weight of the trucking industry vehicles. At higher speeds on the highways coupled with a negligent, distracted, or fatigued truck driver, these large trucking vehicles present a significant danger of serious or fatal injuries to other drivers.
Mahaney & Pappas have represented injured clients in all types of truck accidents for over 35 years. If you’ve been injured in an accident involving an 18-wheeler (also known as tractor-trailers), dump truck, flatbed, delivery van and/or delivery tractor trailer, box truck and concrete mixers, you need expert representation.
The Right Approach to a Trucking Accident Lawsuit is Crucial to Being Successful
Each type of truck accident has its own unique aspects. The approach taken with a nationwide delivery company for example is completely different from the approach with a local trucking company. What further complicates matters is that out-of-state trucking companies, even foreign trucking companies, regularly travel the roadways in Massachusetts. That means you have insurance companies from all over the country, and outside of the United States as well, that will challenge the facts surrounding an accident.
When dealing with out-of-state or foreign trucking companies, it’s vitally important to conduct accident investigations as soon as possible after an accident. It is common practice that trucks involved in accidents are towed out of the Commonwealth almost immediately to their home base locations. So often evidence of an accident is gone before an injured party can confer with an attorney.
Today, major transportation and logistics companies such as Amazon, UPS, FedEx, DHL, Old Dominion Freight, and J.B. Hunt all systems and departments in place to immediately react to an accident with one of their employees. You need experienced counsel acting on your behalf.
Additionally, it is all too common that trucking companies are struggling with tight shipping deadlines and tight cost margins that can result in failure to adhere to established guidelines, putting other drivers on the road at significant risk. When working to establish negligence in a commercial trucking accident case, it’s necessary to have a complete understanding of motor carrier safety regulations.
You Need a Lawyer Who’s Familiar With Trucking Regulations
The commercial trucking industry is heavily regulated for good reason - in large part due to the simple physics involved. Commercial vehicles are large, heavy, and difficult to maneuver and/or stop. Commercial vehicles are competing against smaller passenger vehicles every day on the roadways, and it’s no surprise that in a truck versus car collision, the truck will almost always win. It is for this reason that commercial trucks are regulated differently than personal vehicles.
The rules and regulations promulgated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and known as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) acknowledge the unique aspects of large, heavy commercial trucks as opposed to personal automobiles. The FMCSR applies to trucks weighing more than 10,000 pounds, vehicles carrying more than 16 passengers, or vehicles involved in the transportation of hazardous material.
Truck drivers basically have their own special rules of the road—they are outlined in the FMCSR. The goal of the FMCSR is to improve safety on the road. Sadly, despite these efforts, the number of trucking accidents on the nation’s roads is increasing annually. If you have been involved in an accident with a commercial vehicle that falls under the requirements of the FMCSR, then your attorney must have a good working knowledge of the regulations.
Experience Matters When It Comes to Trucking Accidents
An experienced truck accident lawyer will understand the specific safety standards trucking companies and their drivers are required to maintain concerning both the maintenance and operation of their vehicles. An experienced truck accident lawyer will recognize issues such as driver fatigue, improper loading, cell phone distraction, defects in trucking equipment, improper maintenance, and drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Early involvement with an experienced truck accident attorney can ensure you are receiving proper medical treatment, obtaining the right compensation for lost wages, remove you from the burdens of communications with insurance carriers, properly and thoroughly investigate the facts surrounding the accident, obtain witnesses statements and evaluate all available sources of insurance coverage.
Contact Our Experienced Massachusetts Truck Accident Attorneys Today
If you were seriously hurt in a trucking accident, you should educate and inform yourself about the personal injury process from these types of crashes. You should request of copy of our Guide to Handling Your Commercial Truck Injury Case authored by Attorney Joseph Mahaney at no cost to you. We have recovered millions for truck accident victims and know how to recover the maximum compensation you deserve for your injuries. We are available to answer all questions you have regarding this complicated area of negligence law.