Needham, MA Truck Accident Lawyer
Because trucks are so large and powerful, they can cause serious damage when accidents occur. If a negligent truck driver hits you in Needham, you may be able to recover compensation for losses due to the accident.
Truck accidents have many consequences for victims. For example, fatal injuries are common, and passenger car occupants are more likely to die in truck accidents than truck drivers. Furthermore, life-altering injuries like traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries are common. To get compensation for your injuries, gather certain evidence at the scene, like the driver’s information. Call the police as well so that officers can document the accident. Truck accident victims can get compensation for all damages related to a claim, like their economic losses. Furthermore, if you experienced pain and suffering following a collision, you might be eligible to recover non-economic damages in Needham.
For a free and confidential case assessment from our Needham, MA truck accident lawyers, you can call the Law Office of John J. Sheehan now at (617) 925-6407.
Consequences of Truck Accidents in Needham, MA
Perhaps the biggest consequence of truck accidents is fatalities. In 2021, 2,495 passenger vehicle occupants died in truck accidents, and 78 truck occupants died in truck accidents. Passenger car occupants made up 97% of all truck accident fatalities for that year, illustrating the fact that these accidents are typically more serious for victims than truck drivers in Needham and elsewhere.
Auto accident injuries depend on the severity of the crash. For example, getting rear-ended by a passenger car might result in whiplash injuries, but getting rear-ended by a semi truck might cause traumatic brain injuries because of the force of impact.
Furthermore, traditionally serious accidents, like T-bone and head-on accidents, are extremely dangerous when large vehicles are involved. If a truck T-bones you, you might sustain crushing injuries to one side of your body. Head-on accidents involving trucks increase the risk of victims sustaining fatal injuries in Needham.
In addition to severe injuries, victims might incur other losses, such as medical expenses, property damage, and lost wages. Our truck accident lawyers can help you intentionally track all losses due to the truck accident in question so that we can present proof of your damages in your claim, whether at trial or during settlement negotiations.
Evidence to Gather After Your Needham, MA Truck Accident
After a crash in Needham, you should focus on collecting certain evidence at the scene. In the following days and weeks, our lawyers can investigate the collision to obtain additional evidence of negligence.
Evidence to Gather at the Accident Scene
While at the accident scene in Needham, ask the truck driver for their name and other information. Ask for their employer’s information, too. Commercial trucking companies might be liable for an employee’s actions, meaning you could possibly sue the truck driver’s employer for compensation.
You can ask eyewitnesses at the accident site if they remember what happened and request their names and contact information.
Always call 911 after an auto accident of any kind. Officers can focus on including the necessary information in a police report, which we can help you get afterward.
Evidence to Gather After the Accident
Our lawyers will look deeper into what happened in the days and weeks following the accident. Even accident claims that seem relatively straightforward must be supported by evidence. Because of that, our lawyers might survey the accident site to confirm if any surveillance systems are nearby. If so, we can contact the owners and request to review security camera footage from the time of the accident.
We can also interview eyewitnesses at this time to see if their statements might be useful to your claim. Expert witness testimony, such as from accident reconstruction experts or medical experts, can also support a victim’s case. For example, an accident reconstruction expert can review the property damage and other evidence to confirm the accident’s cause. A medical expert can assess your specific injuries and diagnoses to shed light on the difficulties surrounding your physical recovery.
If you took any pictures at the accident site, you can give them to our lawyers for review at this time. Furthermore, you should give our attorneys copies of your medical bills and any other documentation of your losses from the accident.
Compensation for Truck Accident Victims in Needham, MA
Victims of truck crashes in Needham can get compensation for all their damages. To do so, they must have proof of their damages and file their claims on time.
First of all, to recover damages after an accident, you must bring your case within the statute of limitations in Needham, which is three years under Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 260, § 2A. Victims who do not file on time risk the court dismissing their claims.
After we file, the defendant might want to engage in settlement negotiations. Our lawyers can discuss an appropriate settlement with the defendant’s counsel during this time. It is important to compare any proposed offers to our calculation of your damages so that you do not accept an unfair settlement. If you do, the matter will settle, and your case will be over, leaving you without an option for additional recovery in the future.
A settlement or jury award should compensate you for all economic damages. This will include losses from property damage, medical expenses, lost income, and other out-of-pocket expenses.
Furthermore, victims may get damages for pain and suffering in Needham. To do so, we will show how the accident has impacted your quality of life. For example, suppose you sustained a permanent spinal cord injury that has left you partially paralyzed and unable to engage in activities you once enjoyed. In that case, non-economic damages may be on the table in your claim.
Call Our Accident Lawyers in Needham, MA Now
Our truck accident lawyers can analyze your case for free when you call the Law Office of John J. Sheehan at (617) 925-6407.
