If you’ve been involved in a truck accident in Peabody, the aftermath can be overwhelming and daunting. Seeking the assistance of a skilled Peabody personal injury lawyer is essential to ensure your rights are protected and you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries and damages. A Peabody personal injury lawyer specializes in handling truck accident cases, providing expert legal guidance and support throughout the process.
Who Is Liable For A Truck Accident?
If you or someone you love was injured in a truck accident in Massachusetts, there are numerous parties who could be held liable for your losses. More than one party, such as the following, may be held responsible in some cases.
THE TRUCK DRIVER
If the driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, drowsy, speeding, driving aggressively, driving while distracted, or disobeying traffic laws when the accident occurred, then he or she could be held liable.
THE TRUCKING COMPANY
The company may share in the driver’s negligence if it failed to perform a full background check before hiring, to provide adequate training, or to provide proper supervision. It also could be liable for failing to maintain the truck properly or keep a regular logbook. What’s more, sometimes companies push drivers to work long hours to meet unrealistic deadlines, which could be another factor.
THE MANUFACTURER OF THE TRUCK, TRAILER, OR PARTS
If the truck was manufactured or assembled incorrectly, the truck company could be held accountable for your accident. On the other hand, a defective part, whether it was installed with the manufacturing of the truck or afterward, could have contributed to the collision. If so, the manufacturer may be found liable for damages. Either way, the attorneys at Jason Stone Injury Lawyers in Massachusetts will thoroughly investigate your case and determine who or what caused the accident.
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What Jason Stone Injury Lawyers Can Do For You After A Construction Site Injury
01Notifying the responsible parties of your claim
02Canvasing the location of the incident for video cameras
03Photographing the defective condition
04Obtaining fact witness statements
05Securing medical care for you at a convenient location
06Ensuring your medical bills are submitted to the appropriate insurance companies for payment
07Responding to inquiries from insurance companies and medical providers for you
08Compiling and presenting a compelling account of the physical, emotional, and financial challenges you have experienced
09Negotiating a resolution for an amount that makes you feel whole
10Resolving your case via arbitration or bringing your case to trial when we can’t recommend the settlement offer
We help all construction site injury victims with their premises liability claims, not just those with catastrophic injuries. If you’re concerned that your injuries aren’t significant, you should still call us to see how we can help. When you decide that you Better Phone Stone, there is no obligation, just information. The conversation is free and is a safe and inexpensive way to be confident you fully understand your rights after suffering from a construction site accident.
Our Massachusetts construction site accident lawyers have decades of experience in recovering damages for injured construction site accident victims. We look forward to reviewing your case and exploring your legal options. There are time limitations to be aware of, so please don’t wait to contact us. Call our office today at 800.577.5188 to schedule a free, online or in-person, no obligation consultation.
Peabody Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me 800-577-5188
START MY NO OBLIGATION CONSULTATIONHow Our Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help You
The team at Jason Stone Injury Lawyers in Massachusetts is well-aware of the many tactics insurance companies use to try to reduce the amount of compensation a victim receives.
Immediately after your accident, the trucking and insurance companies will launch a thorough investigation of the crash.
You need someone on your side who will do the same. For each of our cases, Jason Stone Injury Lawyers dispatches a team to examine the scene and help us determine the cause of the accident.
We also have access to a team of trucking industry experts that will help us review different aspects of your case and plan a winning strategy.
Some of these experts are:
- Accident reconstruction experts
- Engineers
- Medical professionals
- Safety experts
- Trucking school instructors
- Toxicology experts
- Caregivers or life-care planners
Our team will investigate by:
- Checking out the scene of the collision for debris
- Measuring skid marks at the scene
- Reviewing company logbooks
- Investigating the trucking company’s history of violating rules
- Interviewing witnesses
- Examining photos or video footage of the incident (if available)
- Obtaining and reviewing the police report
- Looking into the truck driver’s criminal history and driving background
- Speaking to the medical staff about the extent of the victim’s injuries
- Obtaining the driver’s toxicology results
After an accident, trucking companies may try to destroy evidence that would prove they were negligent in some way. But we know their tricks. We will send a notice to the company and other parties involved in your case, legally requiring them to preserve driver’s logs, black box data, and other evidence essential to your case.
FAQ
01MASSACHUSETTS TRUCK ACCIDENT LAWYERS
If you or someone you love has been injured in a truck accident in Massachusetts, you may be coping with suffering, pain, anger, or grief. You’ve suffered a traumatic experience. After all, commercial trucks can weigh up to 30 times more than a standard passenger vehicle. This greatly increases the chance of injury or death, but you don’t want to think about the statistics. You just want to recover. Beyond that, your hands are full. We have represented many victims like you and their families. If you or a loved one have been involved in a truck accident, call us today to schedule a free case evaluation.Let us help you. Since 2004, the legal team at Jason Stone Injury Lawyers in Massachusetts has accumulated the knowledge, resources, and experience to ensure that negligent truck drivers are held accountable for their actions. We want you to receive the justice and compensation you deserve so you can regain the peace of mind you had prior to your injury.
02WHAT ARE THE LEADING CAUSES OF TRUCK ACCIDENTS?
Truck accidents are far too common and can happen in a number of different circumstances. The following could be contributing factors, depending on the circumstances of each crash. Take a look at the most common causes for truck accidents.
DRIVING WHILE DROWSY
Federal regulations limit the hours a truck driver can log consecutively. However, these rules are often ignored. Truck drivers typically work long shifts, sometimes driving through the night to reach their destinations and unload their cargo on time. This isn’t fair when commercial truck companies are to blame for this, pushing drivers to meet deadlines. Driving drowsy means delayed reaction times, blurry vision, and even falling asleep at the wheel. Driving while exhausted, which can be just as dangerous as driving while intoxicated, has led to many serious collisions.
IMPROPER CARGO LOADING
Anyone who loads a cargo truck must abide by specific rules as to how a truck can be loaded. These govern the total size, weight, height, and length of the vehicle and its cargo. Have you ever seen an item sitting in the middle of the road? Well, maybe the proper procedures in securing the cargo for transport were not followed to the letter. When cargo is loaded improperly, it can fall onto the roadway and result in devastating crashes. The driver and/or the trucking company could be held liable in such cases.
03WHAT TO DO AFTER A TRUCK ACCIDENT
04WHAT SHOULD I DO AT THE SCENE OF A TRUCK ACCIDENT?
What should I do at the scene of a truck accident?
All too often, drivers and passengers involved in truck accidents are severely injured. When you are seriously hurt, your only concern should be seeking the medical attention needed. However, if you were able to walk away from the collision with minor injuries, then there are steps you can take to keep yourself free of further harm and to protect yourself financially.
Truck accidents are stressful, but try to breathe and remain calm. Prevent other drivers from colliding with your stopped vehicle by putting your hazard lights on and moving your car out of the flow of traffic as soon as possible. Depending on where the collision occurred and the amount of traffic present, your safest option may be to exit the vehicle and wait some distance from where it is stopped.
After you have successfully stopped your vehicle, you should call 911 and report the truck accident even if you do not think anyone is injured. Failure to report the incident could be illegal, depending on your location and the details of the crash.
If you are physically able to do so, document the scene of the accident and gather evidence. Consider contacting a truck accident attorney to get help in pursuing compensation for your losses.
05IS A TRUCK TIRE BLOWOUT AN AT-FAULT ACCIDENT?
Is a Truck Tire Blowout an At-Fault Accident? Truck tire blowouts occur when a tire suddenly deflates or comes apart. When a blowout occurs, the semi-truck may swerve into the other lane, drive into oncoming traffic, or roll over. The tire or debris left behind can cause devastating accidents, leaving victims with catastrophic injuries. It is possible for victims of truck tire blowouts to recover compensation for their injuries, but determining liability can be challenging. Numerous parties may be liable for damages after a truck tire blowout, including:
- The truck driver: A driver could be liable for the accident for behaving negligently or failing to perform an inspection or maintenance before driving.
- The trucking company: Typically, the trucking company is held liable for a tire blowout. Reasons include failing to perform safety checks, train their drivers, or establish safety protocols.
- The manufacturer: If a tire manufacturer produced a defective product, then they could be found liable for the accident.
Truck maintenance or repair company: Trucking companies often hire out the maintenance and care of their fleet. If the maintenance or repair company was negligent, they could be liable for the accident.
06HOW IS FAULT DETERMINED IN A TRUCK ACCIDENT?
How is Fault Determined in a Truck Accident? Determining fault after a truck accident can be difficult and complex. There may be multiple parties involved that hold varying degrees of liability.
Potential liable parties unique to truck accidents
Potentially liable parties may include:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- The truck manufacturer
- The maintenance company
- The loading company
- A third-party driver
Evidence used to determine fault
Evidence commonly used to determine liability in truck accident cases includes:
- Police report: The police report provides essential information such as who was involved in the accident, where the incident occurred, and whether any driver involved acted negligently.
- Trucker’s driving record: Trucking companies should always check an applicant’s driving history before hiring that person. If the driver has a history of reckless driving behavior, drunk driving charges, or other traffic violations, this could serve as evidence that the company may have been negligent.
- Photos and videos: Pictures of the accident scene, property damage, weather conditions, and skid marks can help determine how the accident occurred. Dashcam or surveillance footage can provide invaluable evidence as to how the accident occurred.
- Blackbox: Most commercial trucks are equipped with a data recorder “black box” that stores data that can help determine the cause of the crash. It can provide GPS coordinates, the speed that the driver was traveling, when the driver braked, and other information.
07WILL MY TRUCK ACCIDENT LAWYER DEAL WITH THE INSURANCE COMPANIES FOR ME?
Will My Truck Accident Lawyer Deal With the Insurance Companies for Me?
After a truck accident, you have enough to worry about without the stress and frustration of dealing with the insurance company. How you communicate with them can greatly affect the payout of your claim, so it’s worth some thought and effort.
But you can get help and regain your peace of mind. One of the benefits of hiring a truck accident lawyer is that he or she will take care of all interactions with your insurance company and the liable parties.
While not all insurance companies are corrupt, they are looking out for their own financial interests. Insurance adjusters often use tactics like denying valid claims or pressuring accident victims into accepting a fast and low settlement offer. They may call accident victims and try to get them to say make an admission of fault.
If you were seriously injured in a truck accident, the insurance company will be working hard to avoid a major payout. They may have a whole team working on your case. Taking on the insurance company can be daunting, especially when you are trying to focus on your recovery.
A truck accident lawyer will assess how the accident has affected your life, calculate the value of your claim, handle all settlement negotiations with the insurance company, and ensure you receive the full compensation you are entitled to.
08ARE TRUCK DRIVERS LIABLE FOR ACCIDENTS?
Are Truck Drivers Liable for Accidents?
Most truck drivers are directly employed by a trucking company. When a truck driver gets in an accident while on the job, it is often his or her employer who is legally and financially liable for the accident. However, there are certain situations where the truck driver may face liability for a truck accident.
A truck driver may be liable for damages when:
- The truck driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol: It is illegal in most states for commercial truck drivers to get behind the wheel with a blood-alcohol level (BAC) of .04 or higher.
- The truck driver was distracted: Drivers who were texting or engaging in any other sort of distracted driving at the time of the accident could be held liable.
- The truck driver failed to follow trucking regulations: All commercial truck drivers are required to obey federal trucking regulations regarding inspection and maintenance, hours of service, securing of cargo, record keeping, etc.
- The truck driver is an independent contractor: Independent contractors are required to hold their own truck insurance.
- The truck driver failed to comply with traffic laws: This could include speeding, tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic, failing to stop for signals or signs, or engaging in any other reckless driving behavior.
09WHAT DAMAGES CAN I RECOVER AFTER MY TRUCK ACCIDENT?
The Massachusetts truck accident attorneys at Jason Stone Injury Lawyers believe that trucking companies, drivers, and manufacturing companies should be held responsible for your pain and suffering. If they have been negligent, they must pay.
10PHONE STONE TODAY
A trucking accident can be devastating for you as a victim and for your loved ones. You deserve a stable future, one where you won’t have to worry about how to provide for yourself and your family. The Massachusetts truck accident attorneys at Jason Stone Injury Lawyers can help provide that for you. We will use the law on your behalf to help you recover the compensation you need to restore your life.
You may be due compensation for:
- Medical expenses (both past and future)
- Cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Physical impairment
- Therapy
- Lost wages (both past and present)
- Loss of support
- Punitive damages
Our legal team is standing by to take your call. Phone Stone at (800) 577-5188 today to set up a free case evaluation. Please feel free to choose any method for your appointment: Skype, Facetime, in person, or whatever is most convenient and comfortable for you.
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