Fall River, MA Truck Accident Lawyer

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Crashes involving large trucks have a high propensity to cause severe injuries. For instance, victims of such accidents regularly suffer broken bones, torn ligaments, spinal cord damage, and traumatic brain injuries. These injuries can produce a wide array of economic and non-economic damages.

Unfortunately, many truck accidents happen as the result of negligence exhibited by truck drivers and their employers. If you were hurt as the result of a truck accident, then our experienced legal team can help assess the strength of your claim against the at-fault party. There may be a significant amount of monetary damages available to you.

After suffering a truck accident in Fall River, MA, seek help from our truck accident attorneys by calling the Law Office of John J. Sheehan today at (617) 925-6407.

Why Do Truck Accidents Happen in Fall River, MA?

Many different forms of negligent conduct may lead to truck accidents. For instance, the following are all common reasons that truck accidents occur in Fall River:

Hours of Service (HOS) Violations

HOS regulations dictate the maximum number of hours a truck driver can operate a commercial vehicle within a specific timeframe. Violations of HOS rules, such as exceeding driving time limits or failing to take required breaks, can cause drivers to become fatigued and commit careless mistakes behind the wheel.

Improperly Loading Cargo

Truck accidents can also happen because cargo is improperly loaded. Trucking regulations establish weight limits and cargo securement requirements in order to ensure safe transportation. When any of these regulations are violated, a truck’s stability, maneuverability, and braking can be affected. Our experienced truck accident lawyers can determine if your accident occurred because of improperly loaded cargo.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is another common source of truck accidents. In general, there are three different forms of distraction that can occur.

First, manual distraction happens when a truck driver takes their hands off the wheel. Second, visual distraction occurs when a driver takes their eyes off the road. Lastly, a truck driver becomes cognitively distracted when they take their mind of the task of driving.

There are several types of activities that can distract drivers. Furthermore, some activities like texting can involve multiple forms of distraction. If you were hurt because of a collision with a distracted truck driver, then you may be entitled to significant compensation for the harm you incurred.

Speeding

Additionally, many truck accidents happen because of speeding drivers. When travelling at high speeds, truck drivers may have difficulty stopping in time to avoid collisions when cars in front of them slow down. Furthermore, speeding truck drivers may have difficulty staying in control of their vehicles when making turns or changing lanes.

Unfortunately, high-speed truck accidents are likely to result in serious injuries. In some cases, speeding violations occur as the result of pressure on drivers to meet delivery deadlines.

Failure to Maintain or Inspect Vehicles

Regular vehicle maintenance and inspections are crucial for identifying and addressing mechanical issues that could compromise safety. Violations occur when trucking companies or drivers fail to conduct proper inspections, neglect necessary maintenance, or overlook repairs. This can lead to equipment failures such as faulty brakes or tire blowouts. These failures can result in devastating accidents.

Drug and Alcohol Use

Truck drivers are subject to strict regulations regarding drug and alcohol use. These regulations prohibit driving under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs, or even certain prescription medications that impair drivers’ abilities to operate their vehicles safely. Drug and alcohol use can significantly impact a driver’s judgment, coordination, and reaction times. If you were injured as the result of a collision with an intoxicated truck driver, then you may be able to recover financial compensation.

What to Do Immediately After Suffering a Truck Accident in Fall River, MA

There are specific actions you may take in the aftermath of your truck accident that can enhance your ability to recover financial compensation. The following are examples of the steps you can take immediately after your collision to help your case:

Remain at the Scene and Dial 911

First, you should avoid fleeing the scene of your truck accident. If you leave the scene of your harmful accident, then you may be charged with a hit-and-run. Also, you should dial 911 as soon as possible after suffering your crash. If anyone requires emergency medical attention, then the dispatcher can send an ambulance to the scene. Furthermore, a police officer should visit the scene to create and accident report.

Exchange Information with Other Parties

Next, you should exchange contact information and insurance information with any other drivers involved in your collision. This information may be beneficial when building your claim and determining who to sue.

Further, you should attempt to retrieve contact information from potential eyewitnesses to your accident. Eyewitnesses can offer both written and oral testimonies that explain how or why your crash occurred.

Gather Evidence at the Scene

Attempt to take photos at the scene of your accident if you can. There are multiple ways that photos from the scene of your crash may help support your case.

First, photos from the scene may identify factors that contributed to your accident. As an example, photos of your badly damaged vehicle may be used to prove that the truck driver who struck you was travelling at illegal speeds.

Second, photos from the accident’s scene may help disprove the defendant’s alternative theory of fault. For instance, the defendant driver in your case may argue that your accident is actually related to poor weather conditions, as opposed to their negligence. In that case, photos from the scene depicting clear weather could be presented to discredit the defendant’s assertion.

Finally, photos from your accident’s scene may be used to establish the property damage you incurred. For example, the defendant in your case may argue that your property damage actually stems from some subsequent collision, as opposed to the truck accident at issue. In that instance, photos from your crash scene could be presented to prove the property damage you sustained.