Dedham, MA Truck Accident Lawyer
Trucks are extremely large, extremely heavy, and extremely dangerous. Accidents with large trucks and trailers often lead to catastrophic injuries for other drivers. Exactly how these kinds of accidents happen can sometimes be hard to decipher, but common factors include high rates of speed, overly tired truckers, and cargo loading issues. A lawyer can help you determine what went wrong and how to get justice.
When you begin a lawsuit for a truck accident, it is important to take a thorough and accurate accounting of your damages. Economic and non-economic damages might amount to a large amount of financial compensation. As your case progresses, we must find as much evidence as possible to prove your claims. Where we find evidence depends on where and how the crash happened, and you should speak to a lawyer sooner rather than later. Time is of the essence.
Get a confidential case evaluation from our truck accident attorneys at the Law Office of John J. Sheehan by calling us at (617) 925-6407.
Common Factors in Dedham, MA Truck Accident Cases
It is common for truck accident survivors to have little memory of the crash. These kinds of accidents are often sudden and traumatic, and people often have no idea what went wrong until the authorities investigate. While you might not know what happened, understanding how the accident occurred can help our truck accident lawyers determine who should be named in a lawsuit and where to get evidence to back up your claims.
A very common and dangerous factor in many truck accidents is speed. Speeding truck drivers pose a significant threat to everyone else on the road. Trucks cannot slow down quickly, making it difficult for truckers to stop. If another car cuts off the truck or the trucker needs to hit the brakes suddenly, they are likely to crash, possibly injuring many other drivers.
Fatigued drivers are another major problem on the road. Truck drivers are known for driving long distances and making very long trips. Sometimes, truckers are on the road for days at a time. Truckers should be making regular stops so they can rest, but trucking companies often pressure truckers into skipping rests so they can complete trips faster. As a result, we have many overly tired truck drivers behind the wheel. If they doze off, even for a second, it could spell disaster.
Other accidents do not result from the truck driver’s actions but rather from what is inside the truck’s trailer. The cargo hauled by these trucks tends to be large and heavy. The cargo must be loaded in a certain way to make sure the trailer remains balanced on the road, and that cargo does not slide or shift in transit. Imbalanced cargo could cause the trailer to swerve or even tip over. When combined with other factors, like a high rate of speed, imbalanced cargo can be extremely dangerous.
Claiming Damages in a Dedham, MA Truck Crash Case
Under Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 231 § 6D, Massachusetts adheres to no-fault insurance laws, and injured drivers must submit claims to their own insurance policies instead of filing with the other driver’s insurance. Generally, claims with your own insurance are required, and you typically cannot sue the other driver unless you have a “serious injury.”
You may sue the other driver for damages if your medical bills exceed $2,000 or your injuries lead to death, the loss of a body part, serious disfigurement, or the loss of hearing or vision. If you have experienced these kinds of injuries, tell your lawyer so you can begin preparing your lawsuit.
Damages in truck accident cases can be very high, and you should make sure all damages are evaluated so that compensation is maximized. Your economic losses alone might be extreme. For example, medical expenses, car repairs, and numerous damaged or lost personal items might be astronomical. We should also consider your ability to work after the accident. If you cannot return to work for a while, you can claim your lost wages and income.
Non-economic injuries should also be evaluated. A truck accident is often considered a serious near-death experience, and lots of injured drivers are mentally and emotionally traumatized by the experience. Depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms are not unheard of in truck accident survivors. These experiences might not directly relate to financial expenses, but they should still be compensated.
Collecting Evidence for Your Dedham, MA Truck Collision Case
Evidence in truck accident cases can be truck to get ahold of. It is not uncommon for important pieces of evidence to be in the hands of the truck driver or the trucking company they work for, and we might have to request to see it during the discovery phase of your lawsuit. If the opposing party refuses to comply, we can ask the court to order the defendant to turn over the evidence.
We should first check to see if there are photos or videos of the accident scene. For example, a lot of accidents are caught on camera. Nearby stores and businesses might have had security cameras that recorded everything. If that is the case, we need to reach out to those places and ask about video footage, as it might be deleted. The trucks themselves might have security cameras equipped, which would almost certainly provide illuminating footage of the crash.
We should also talk to other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians who were at or near the accident scene. These people might make for excellent eyewitnesses in the courtroom. If you could not exchange contact information with others at the accident, we can check the police report. The authorities might have interviewed some witnesses during the course of their investigation, and their information might be included in the report.
Call Our Dedham, MA Truck Accident Lawyers for Help Right Away
Get a confidential case evaluation from our truck accident lawyers at the Law Office of John J. Sheehan by calling us at (617) 925-6407.
