Boston Truck Accident Lawyer
We're Here to Help You Recover After an Accident
Due to their size, commercial trucks tend to cause an extreme amount of damage when they are involved in a collision. If you have been injured in an accident with a negligent truck driver, our Boston truck accident attorney wants to help! At the Law Office of Steven R. Whitman LLC, we are dedicated to providing our clients with top-notch legal representation. With over 55 years of combined experience, you can be assured that a lawyer from our firm can come to your aid.
Contact our office today to request a free consultation.
We Investigate All Possibilities of Truck Driver Negligence
Duty of Reasonable Care
Whenever commercial drivers are given the privilege of driving a commercial truck they are legally obligated to follow a duty of reasonable care. A duty of reasonable care is a moral obligation to maintain a certain degree of care while driving.
Some examples of reasonable care include:
- Performing required maintenance
- Yielding when the situation calls for it
- Refraining from distracted driving
- Following the law
- Stopping at stop signs and red lights
- Watching the road
- Driving sober
If you were in a truck accident and the driver has breached their moral and legal obligation of reasonable care, they could be held liable for their negligence.
Truck Accident Statistics
The US Department of Transportation estimates that in 2017, almost 4,200 people were killed and over 340,000 injured in collisions with commercial trucks. Statistically, errors made by truck drivers are the cause of most trucking accidents. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA) performed a study and found truck drivers themselves are the most common cause of trucking accidents than other factors like road conditions and weather. Many truck drivers try to push their driving to the brink in response to pressures from their employers to deliver goods quickly.
Another study examined what factors were causing truck drivers to make driving errors and found that the most common truck driving errors were:
- Drunk driving
- Due to the use of prescription and over the counter drugs
- Speeding
- Fatigue
- Inattention
- Distracted driving
- Unfamiliarity with the road
- Equipment failure
- Shifting cargo
Who Can Be Held Responsible?
Depending on the specific circumstances of your accident, one or several people and/or organizations be deemed responsible. Examples include:
- The truck driver
- Truck driver's employer
- Truck parts manufacturing company
- Truck maintenance provider
- Loading companies
- The city for negligently designed or poorly maintained roadways
If you were driving for work while in an accident with a big truck, you may also be able to pursue worker's compensation benefits. Our Boston truck accident lawyer will help you figure out the details of your case and put together a strong claim to get you the maximum compensation you need and deserve.
Statute of Limitations - Massachusetts
In the state of Massachusetts, an injured victim has three years from the date of the accident to file a claim for their injuries and property damage. The statute of limitations law is very strict; if you miss that deadline, you lose your right to pursue compensation. It is important to act quickly after an accident to file your claim, especially when that accident involves a truck driver. Important evidence needs to be gathered as quickly as possible to help the outcome of your case.
Get Started in a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one has been involved in a trucking accident you have likely sustained moderate to severe injuries. By contacting an experienced truck accident attorney, you could recover the costs for your medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. Our Boston truck accident attorney can help you gather the evidence you need to prove the other driver’s negligence.
Call (617) 227-8118 to schedule your free consultation today.
