Brookline, MA Truck Accident Lawyer
Large commercial trucks like 18-wheelers, semi trucks, and other big-rig vehicles are incredibly dangerous when not driven or taken care of properly. The consequences and injuries of truck accidents are devastating for the victims. Medical bills will likely reach the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Moreover, many injuries sustained in truck accidents will change the way victims live their lives forever.
In such dire situations, it is important to have competent legal counsel in your corner to fight for you. We have represented victims of truck accidents in the past and are ready to put our skills to work in helping you get what you need and deserve after a truck accident.
For a free case review, call our truck accident lawyers from The Law Office of John J. Sheehan at (617) 925-6407.
Causes of Truck Accidents in Brookline, MA
Truck accidents can happen for many reasons. However, there are a handful of circumstances that cause truck accidents with particular frequency. While the cause of a truck accident may be the last thing on your mind after getting injured, it is actually very important to our truck accident lawyers because it informs how we go about pursuing your claim and how we argue your case.
Most truck accidents are caused by some form of negligence. Negligence is simply a legal term indicating that someone, somewhere, was careless and that their carelessness caused your injuries.
Driver Negligence
One of the most frequent direct causes of truck accidents is that the driver did not act as they were supposed to when behind the wheel. Truck drivers are held to strict professional standards because the injuries that happen in truck accidents are catastrophic when they mess up. These standards include commonly expected driver behavior like following speed limits, not being under the influence, and abiding by other basic traffic rules that every motorist must follow. However, there are other professional standards that truckers must follow that go beyond what may be expected of an ordinary driver. For example, although it is a bad idea for anyone to drive while they are very tired or fatigued, truckers have explicit rules limiting how long they are supposed to be behind the wheel published by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
Another example of a trucker-specific requirement is the possession of a commercial driver’s license (CDL). Generally, having a CDL is a requirement to be hired as a trucker. However, that does not mean that all truckers will have their CDL. Some trucking companies may be trying to save costs or otherwise not be acting in an above-board manner, or the trucker’s license may have lapsed or been revoked, and they did not tell their company. If a trucker who did not follow professional truck driving standards hit you, they may be negligent and responsible for your injuries.
Trucking Company Negligence
Negligence can also happen on the part of the trucking company. For example, while it will certainly be the trucker’s fault for going out on the road without a CDL or when they are tired or under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the trucking company may share some of the blame.
Trucking companies are required to make sure that all of their truckers are properly certified and in good shape to drive. If the company intentionally hires unqualified drivers or ignores qualification requirements entirely, it will likely be liable in a truck accident lawsuit. Similarly, if they push drivers to get on the road when the driver is in no shape to do so, that could also impart liability on the trucking company.
Improper Loading
One reason for truck accidents that may not be readily apparent is improper loading of the truck. Commercial trucks carry a great deal of cargo when they are underway on the road. Accordingly, there are certain rules and procedures that need to be followed so that trucks are loaded safely. If these rules are not followed, a truck can become imbalanced, and that can lead to it moving in strange, unpredictable ways, which can cause an accident.
The party responsible for loading the truck can be different depending on the circumstances. Sometimes, the trucking company requires that the driver is responsible for loading their own trailers. In other circumstances, dedicated loaders may be responsible for making sure everything is tied down securely and safely, and in other cases, trailers and cargo beds may arrive pre-loaded by a third party. It is important to track down these details so that our truck accident lawyers can build the best case possible for you.
Truck Manufacturer Negligence
Another reason for truck accidents is a problem with the construction of the truck. These are called manufacturing defects. A defect, in a legal sense, is something wrong with a product that causes it to be dangerous when used. Examples of manufacturing defects that could plague a commercial truck include improperly installed brakes, faulty transmissions, or the use of inappropriate materials in the construction of the truck.
Truck defects can be especially dangerous because they may not be apparent to a truck driver or a trucking company despite their best efforts. While it is true that trucking companies often inspect their vehicles, some problems can slip through the cracks, especially if such defects do not reveal themselves until a truck is driving out on the road.
If you believe that a defect caused your truck accident, it is important to track down who was responsible for the construction or maintenance of the truck so that you can take it to court.
Talk to Our Brookline, MA, Truck Accident Lawyers
The Law Office of John J. Sheehan has truck accident lawyers ready to discuss your case when you call (617) 925-6407.
