Massachusetts Truck Accident Attorneys

Massachusetts Truck Accident Attorneys

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, while only 10,554 square miles, issues approximately 50,000 oversized vehicle permits each year. This means that you are likely to encounter a truck, semi-truck, eighteen-wheeler, or similar commercial vehicle every 5 miles while on Massachusetts’s roads. Accordingly, you should familiarize yourself with your unique rights if you have been involved in a Massachusetts truck accident. An experienced attorney can evaluate your situation and advise you of your legal rights.

Massachusetts’s Trucking Regulations

Did you know that trucks and commercial vehicles traveling on I-90, one of Massachusetts’s major throughways, are subject to different permit, weight, and exit regulations than in other areas of the Commonwealth? Further, Massachusetts requires special hauling permits for oversized loads as well as private tunnel escorts. With such stringent regulations, you may have more options for legal recovery if you are involved in a truck accident than with traditional motor vehicle accidents.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Massachusetts

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, each year nearly 88,000 people are injured as a result of large truck crashes. Unlike traditional motor vehicle accidents, truck accidents differ in that many semi-trucks and eighteen-wheeler accidents are caused by “jackknifing,” which occurs when a truck and its trailer lose synchronization and fold into one another in an “L” of “V” shape. The most common cause of “jackknifing” is loss of traction between the road and either the tractor or trailer wheels. This can be caused by the following conditions:

• improper braking;
• poor wheel conditions;
• slick roads, and
• light trailer loads, which reduce the stability of a tractor-trailer.

Due to the differential weight distribution between a truck and its trailer or load, it is important to recognize the signs of a potential “jackknife” type accident when you are sharing the road with a truck, semi-truck, or eighteen-wheeler.

Reacting to a Truck Accident

Tractor-trailer accidents can happen suddenly, and the shock may cause you to neglect certain essential actions. If you are involved in a truck accident, it is important to collect vital information at the scene, which includes the following:

• Any statements of fault from the involved drivers;
• The names, contact information, and car insurance information for any drivers involved in the accident;
• The names and contact information for any witness or potential witnesses, and
• The badge number and names of the police officers responding to the accident.

It is important to remain calm, polite, and courteous at all times following an accident.

Why to Consult with an Experienced Massachusetts Truck Accident Attorney

With nearly 50,000 different commercial vehicles on Massachusetts’s roads each year, all of which are subject to stringent local, state, and federal regulations, it is essential to contact an experienced truck accident attorney if you have been involved in an accident. Insurance regulations, road restrictions, and permit regulations that may change with each county and highway necessitate a law firm with experience handling truck accident litigation in the Commonwealth to ensure the best results for you.