Trucking Company Liability

Massachusetts Attorney for Victims of Tractor-Trailer Accidents

Trucks can cause seriously devastating accidents due to their massive size and weight. Although drivers must undergo training before being permitted to operate these vehicles on the roadway, many trucking companies cut corners in an attempt to make more money and move more cargo. In most cases, truck drivers are retained by a trucking company and assigned different routes or deliveries. Although you may have a claim against a truck driver for injuries that result from a truck accident, you may also have a claim against the trucking company who employed the driver either as an employee or a contract driver. A compassionate Massachusetts truck accident lawyer at our firm is standing by and prepared to help you fight for your rights.

Trucking Company Liability

One of the first questions truck accident victims usually ask is whether they can recover compensation from the driver of the truck that caused the accident to happen. When it comes to accidents involving trucks, you may have a claim against the driver of the truck as well as the involved trucking company if there was an employment relationship. In Massachusetts, you can bring legal claims under a doctrine called vicarious liability. This doctrine can be used to hold employers liable for torts that their employees commit on the job.

There are many ways that a truck driver may act negligently and cause an accident to happen. If a driver is not paying attention behind the wheel, then he or she may not be able to react to sudden changes in traffic. This is especially important for tractor-trailers that are incredibly heavy and require long stopping distances. Truck drivers also drive for many hours at a time and can become fatigued, which reduces their ability to drive safely. Unfortunately, some truck drivers resort to illegal substances to keep themselves awake and alert, but in reality, these can further compromise their ability to drive safely.

Finally, if a driver does not perform regular safety inspections of the vehicle as required by law, then a malfunction of the vehicle can lead to a devastating accident. This includes ensuring that the brakes are functioning properly and that any cargo is loaded and secured properly. A seasoned truck accident attorney may be able to help you prove trucking company liability based on any of these factors if applicable in your case.

Seeking the Compensation That You Deserve

If you were injured in a truck accident, you can bring a personal injury lawsuit to recover compensation for your injuries and damages. In the accident, you must prove that the defendant failed to act with the reasonable care and skill that a prudent truck driver would use when facing the same situation, such as by driving while fatigued. If the truck driver was employed by a trucking company at the time of the crash, then you should also name the trucking company in the lawsuit in an effort to prove vicarious liability. Even if the trucking company did not do anything negligent that caused your injuries, the trucking company may be responsible for any damage that its driver caused. Naming the trucking company in the lawsuit can help you seek to hold it responsible, gather evidence, and pursue the outcome that you deserve.

After proving that the defendant(s) failed to act with reasonable care and/or that the trucking company was the driver’s employer at the time of the crash, be prepared to provide evidence showing the amount of damages that you suffered as a result. This includes past and future medical bills, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Diligent Truck Accident Lawyer Serving Massachusetts

If you were hurt in a truck accident, you deserve experienced legal representation to help you protect your rights and potentially establish trucking company liability. The legal system can be complicated even if your accident was clearly not your fault. A knowledgeable truck accident attorney at our firm is available to serve Massachusetts clients in areas around Boston, Cambridge, Lowell, Newton, Somerville, Waltham, Dedham, Norwood, Quincy, Brookline, and Peabody. To schedule your free consultation, call  (800) 262-9200 or contact us online to get started.