Salem, MA Truck Accident Lawyer
Highway accidents are not unusual, but they can be extremely dangerous and frightening for those involved. Catastrophic injuries are somewhat common, and you might need a lawyer to help you initiate legal action for fair compensation. Not only may the negligent trucker be held responsible, but so might their employer and possibly others.
Generally, negligent truckers often cause truck accidents, but they might not be the only ones legally responsible. Their employers might be held vicariously liable and made to cover your damages. Others might also be implicated, depending on how the accident happened. Speeding, distractions on the road, and improperly loaded cargo are just a few examples of common factors in truck crashes. As mentioned, injuries can be quite severe in truck crashes, and your damages might be very high. Medical bills, property damage, pain, and suffering are just a few possible damages you should discuss with your lawyer. It is best to speak to a lawyer now, as you only have 3 years from the day of the accident to file your case.
Receive a private evaluation of your case for free from our truck accident attorneys at the Law Office of John J. Sheehan by calling us at (617) 925-6407.
Who May Be Held Responsible for a Salem, MA Truck Accident
Truck accidents are often large-scale events that impact numerous drivers and passengers on the highway. While injured victims are often quick to place blame on the truck driver, which is fair, other people or parties might also be implicated. Your attorney should help you work with the authorities while they investigate to determine who should be held responsible.
Truck Drivers
Truck drivers tend to get the majority of blame for accidents for a very good reason. So many truck accidents are directly related to some form of trucker negligence. One of the biggest aspects of most truck accident cases is figuring out what the truck driver did or did not do that caused the collision.
A common example of truck driver negligence is speeding. This is common for almost all drivers on the road, but it can be especially serious when committed by truckers. Trucks are enormous, heavy vehicles. If they are moving at high rates of speed, they are capable of severe destruction. On top of that, a truck’s heavy weight makes it much harder for truckers to hit the brakes.
Another possibility is that the truck driver was distracted and not paying attention when they caused the accident. Driving distractions are at an all-time high nowadays, and truckers are no exception. Not only might they be distracted by their phone or GPS, but they might also be distracted by employers. Truckers usually must stay in contact with their employer, and they might be communicating with them while also driving, splitting their focus.
Truck Companies or Businesses
If the trucker involved in the accident negligently caused the accident, their employer might also be held responsible for your injuries and damages. Under the legal theory of respondeat superior, if an employee negligently causes injuries while in furtherance of typical job duties, their employer may be held vicariously liable for the injuries. This means our truck accident lawyers may include the trucker’s employer, the trucking company, in your case. This is often a good idea, as truck companies tend to have more financial resources with which to pay for damages, and you may be more likely to get everything covered.
Other People or Parties
Still, others might be implicated in the case that we do not yet realize. Perhaps another driver on the road other than you or the truck somehow contributed to the accident. For example, a negligent driver in a car might have recklessly cut off the trucker before slamming their brakes, causing the trucker to swerve into traffic and hit you and others. In such a case, the trucker might be held responsible, but so might the first driver who cut them off.
In some cases, third parties who were not present for the collision may be held responsible. A common example is manufacturers of faulty, defective, or damaged truck parts. Suppose the trucker tried to avoid the accident by hitting their brakes, but the brakes failed. The company that produced the defective brakes may be held liable. However, we might not know if faulty truck parts caused the crash until after a thorough investigation by the authorities.
Possible Causes of a Truck Crash in Salem, MA
The cause of a truck accident might be hard to say without a lengthy investigation. Knowing what caused the collisions is crucial, as it might point us in the right direction to finding who is responsible and evidence to prove it.
Speeding
A common cause of truck accidents, and many other accidents, is speeding. While speeding is dangerous for any driver, it is particularly dangerous when large trucks are involved. Trucks are often too heavy to stop on a dime. If someone were to cut off a speeding trucker, or some debris were in the street, a speeding trucker might not be able to stop in time to avoid a collision. Even if speed is not the direct cause of the accident, it will likely make the resulting damage and injuries much worse.
Inattentive Truckers
Other accidents are the result of distracted or inattentive truck drivers. Distractions are a very common problem on the road today and may be becoming increasingly common as people become more reliant on electronic communication. Cell phones and GPS devices are very common distractions and might be the reason why the trucker in your case caused the crash. It is also possible that the trucker was on their phone talking to their employer. Truckers often have to remain in contact with their employers while on the road, and it is not unusual for them to be on the phone while driving.
Unbalanced Cargo
Trucks carry heavy cargo regularly, and cargo must be loaded in a certain way to keep the truck balanced and everyone safe. If cargo is loaded in a way that causes the trailer to become unbalanced, it could topple over on the road. If the trucker stops short or makes a too-tight turn, the trailer and its cargo might fall over. Cargo must not only be balanced but it must be secured so it does not shift in transit. We can check things like trucking logs and company records to determine if cargo is loaded incorrectly or negligently.
Receive Legal Help Now From Our Salem, MA Truck Accident Attorneys
Receive a private review of your claims for free from our truck accident lawyers at the Law Office of John J. Sheehan by calling us at (617) 925-6407.
