Massachusetts highways are a widely used roadway system not only to the millions of Massachusetts residents, but commercial providers moving their products down the Eastern corridor and over the rest of the country as well. Personal vehicles and large commercial trucks and trailers travel next to each other every day, and the risk for an accident between the two is always present. These accidents, sometimes involving more than one car due to their large sizes, tend to be more serious than an average collision between two personal vehicles. Large trucks can weigh anywhere from 10,000 to 80,000 pounds, while the average personal car ranges only from 3,000 to 5,500 pounds. Because truckers often have deadlines they must meet, sometimes they compromise the safety of other drivers by speeding, not checking their blind spots, failing to get enough sleep, or other forms of reckless driving.

There are regulations in place to ensure truck drivers do not drive too much and become too exhausted in one day. In an accident involving a truck or trailer, one of the most important pieces of evidence will be the truck driver’s log. This log records what the driver is doing to ensure he or she is following the in place safety requirements while on the road. Commercial laws dictate that the truck driver may be on duty for a maximum of 14 hours. Only eleven of these hours, however, may consist of driving time. The other three hours include truck maintenance, loading and delivery, paper work, fueling, or any non-driving activities. Your attorney will use this log to ensure the truck driver who caused your injury did not exceed the legal limitations on driving.

If the accident is not the fault of the driver, there are still many ways to pursue litigation against the company. These reasons can include mechanical failure, poor equipment maintenance, non compliance with legal standards, a history of bad hiring, among others.

Because these accidents are relatively common, companies will be armed with an insurance company a large team of lawyers, adjusters, and specialists, whose jobs are to minimize the potential recovery compensation for victims. They are trained to act swiftly while the victim is still recovering or the family is still grieving over the loss of a loved one. This zealous representation may leave you feeling powerless and unable to do anything to gain compensation for your injuries or loss. It is important you contact an experienced truck accident attorney immediately to ensure you receive the best representation possible in your case. We will work to ensure you receive the best possible compensation for your accident.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a trucking or tractor trailer accident in Massachusetts, you need attorneys with the experience, credentials, and resources to stand up to these insurance companies. Please contact us by filling out the form to the right or calling an experienced Boston attorney at Sheff Law at 617-227-7000 or 888-423-4477 (toll free) to schedule a free of charge initial consultation.