Big trucks can cause massive injuries. Truckers are held to exacting standards. For instance, they must have a valid commercial driver’s license, abide by strict federal trucking regulations, and take other critical measures to drive safely. The reason for such accountability is obvious: Semi-trucks and other large commercial vehicles have the capacity to cause tremendous devastation. Given the size and weight of such vehicles, tractor-trailer accidents often cause serious and even fatal injuries. That’s why you need an experienced truck accident lawyer to stand up for your rights when you’ve been hurt by a Boston truck driver or driver company error.
Why Truck Accidents Happen
Despite strict laws and regulations, trucking accidents are still far too common. According to data available from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), we know that during the latest reporting year across the country, there were:
- 4,657 large trucks involved in fatal accidents
- 107,000 large trucks involved in injury crashes
A significant number of those injuries were the result of truck driver negligence, including:
If you or a loved one has been injured by a negligent truck driver, contact the law firm of Colucci Colucci Marcus, P.C. Our Boston lawyers aggressively pursue maximum compensation for people who have been injured due to truck driver or trucking company negligence.
Truck Accidents Lead to Catastrophic Injuries
Truck regulators say that these vehicles can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded with cargo. There are several types of commercial trucks that cross the highways and streets of Boston on a regular basis. This includes semi-trucks, garbage trucks, package delivery vehicles, flatbeds, tanker trucks, cement mixers, and more. Unfortunately, when these large trucks collide with traditional passenger vehicles, victims inside the smaller vehicles are likely to sustain severe injuries. At Colucci, Colucci & Marcus, P.C., our lawyers regularly help clients who have sustained:
Truck Driver Fatigue Accidents
One common cause of truck accidents is driver fatigue. Since truckers are paid by the mile and are expected to log significant miles, they often drive for extended periods of time without taking adequate rest breaks. Truckers know the risks of driver fatigue, but all too often they cut corners to make extra wages.
Truck drivers are also required to follow strict hours of service requirements set forth by the FMCSA. Briefly explained, truck drivers are allowed 11 hours of driving time within a 14-hour driving window. This 14-hour driving window will begin after a driver has had ten consecutive hours off duty. Drivers are also required to have a 30-minute break if they have been driving for more than eight consecutive hours.
Additionally, drivers can operate for 60 hours over a seven-day period or 70 hours over an eight-day period. Drivers can reset a workweek by taking 34 more consecutive hours off duty.
What Type of Compensation is Available for a Truck Accident?
If you or somebody you care about has been injured due to the negligent actions of a truck driver or trucking company, there may be various types of compensation available for your claim. It is important to remember that trucking companies are required to carry insurance with limits above and beyond what traditional passenger vehicle drivers have to carry. At Colucci, Colucci & Marcus, P.C., our Boston truck accident attorneys regularly help clients secure the following:
- Full compensation for their medical bills
- General household out-of-pocket expenses
- Lost income if they cannot work while recovering
- Pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life damages
- Possible punitive damages against a driver or trucking company for gross negligence
Deadline to File a Lawsuit Against Negligent Truck Drivers and Companies
Every state sets timelines for how long victims have to file lawsuits in the aftermath of sustaining an injury caused by another party. The Massachusetts personal injury statute of limitations is three years from the day the injury occurs. This means that anybody harmed due to the negligent actions of a truck driver or trucking company in Boston has a three-year window with which to file a lawsuit to recover compensation. Failing to do so within this time frame will result in a victim being unable to secure the coverage they need.
Discuss Truck Driver & Driver Company Errors With a Seasoned Boston Attorney
To properly handle truck accident claims, our attorneys have an excellent working knowledge of trucking laws and regulations, complex insurance coverage issues, and trucking company policies. We thoroughly investigate Boston truck driver & driver company errors and aggressively pursue damages from every responsible party.
At Colucci, Colucci & Marcus, P.C., attorneys have the experience, resources, and commitment to protecting your rights. We seek maximum compensation on behalf of our clients for pain and suffering, past and future medical expenses, lost wages, and other forms of available relief. As a result of our meticulous investigation and trial preparation, we have a strong record of results. Since 1995, we have obtained more than $75 million in compensation on behalf of accident victims. We thoroughly investigate the cause of accidents and go to significant ends to prove liability and damages. Our approach is adaptable to meet the challenges of each case. We have the ability to use accident reconstruction experts, video reenactments, computer software, and other innovative means to prove that truckers were driving while fatigued or otherwise negligent. To learn more about Boston truck driver & driver company errors and how our team can help, contact us today.
