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Truck Accidents

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Swartz & Lynch LLP

Boston Attorneys with 74 Years of Combined Experience Helping Truck Accident Victims

There is no contest in an accident between a truck and a passenger vehicle

Truck accidents destroy lives. When there is a crash on a Massachusetts roadway between an 18-wheeler weighing up to 80,000 pounds and a passenger vehicle that averages between 3,000 and 3,500 pounds, the odds are against those in the car. It’s easy to see why truck accidents cause the most severe injuries of any vehicular accidents.

In fact, while there are more accidents between automobiles, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reports that in 2011, 88,000 people were injured in truck accidents and 3,757 were killed. With nearly 75 years of combined legal experience, the attorneys at Swartz & Lynch LLP have the know-how to help those who have suffered serious injuries — or the loss of a family member — in a trucking accident. We understand that a truck crash is a life-altering event, and our lawyers aggressively pursue all avenues of compensation for victims and their families.

In a truck accident, the driver may not be the only liable party

A truck accident is infinitely more complicated than a car accident. Not only are the injuries more catastrophic, the laws surrounding commercial tractor-trailer, semi or big-rig truck operations are complex and involve both state and federal regulations.

In an admittedly dramatic example, let’s say that a truck hit you while the driver was speeding. In addition to driving above the posted limit, it turns out that the trucker was under pressure from the truck company and had to skip a mandatory rest period to remain on schedule. When trying to stop — which takes a semi traveling at 55 miles per hour the length of two football fields to complete — the brakes did not work properly. A nearly new tire blew out. What’s more, the truck was loaded beyond the legal weight capacity.

So, who is to blame for this accident? As it turns out, multiple parties may be liable:

  • The truck driver — By breaking the speed limit, the trucker created a situation that could have caused the accident. The driver would also be liable in cases of drunk driving, distracted driving or if he or she chose to ignore mandatory rest breaks.
  • The trucking company — If the trucking company has unreasonable deadlines that contribute to driver fatigue, it can also be held liable. What’s more, if the company’s name is on the truck, the trucking company may also be liable for accidents caused by maintenance problems — bad brakes, for instance. If the trucking company uses a third-party maintenance company, that company may also be responsible for malfunctions.
  • The cargo company, shipper or loader — When other entities are responsible for dangerous truck overload, including unbalanced or shifting cargo that may cause a driver to lose control, they bear responsibility for an accident.
  • The manufacturer of defective trucks, truck components or tires — If a manufacturing defect caused a tire blowout that led to an accident, the tire maker (or the manufacturer of any other defective part) may be held liable.

Serious injuries call for strong representation

Unraveling the cause of a truck accident can lead to multiple liabilities and multiple sources of compensation. If you have suffered a catastrophic injury, whether head trauma, organ damage, blindness or severe burns, or if a truck accident has left you paralyzed, aggressive legal representation will help you obtain all the compensation you are owed and will need to cover current and future expenses.

The AV-rated attorneys from Swartz & Lynch fight for you and your family. We have a track record of successfully recovering maximum damages for injured clients and helping surviving family members obtain justice in wrongful death cases.

The compassionate care you want and the vigorous representation you need from a Boston truck accident injury lawyer

If you or a family member has been hurt in a truck accident, it is imperative that you get legal help immediately. Lost evidence can mean lost time, lost opportunity and lost compensation. To discuss your needs, please contact an injury lawyer online or call us at 857-250-0664 and schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced attorney with Swartz & Lynch LLP. We will gladly meet you at your home or hospital if you are unable to travel.