Experienced Truck Accident Attorneys Serving Boston and Surrounding Communities
Collisions involving commercial trucks — tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers, delivery trucks, and other large vehicles — are among the most catastrophic accidents on the road. Because of the sheer size and weight of these vehicles, truck accidents frequently result in life-threatening injuries, permanent disabilities, and wrongful death.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, the legal process can be far more complex than a typical car accident case. Multiple parties may share liability, federal trucking regulations come into play, and trucking companies and their insurers move quickly to protect their interests — often at your expense.
At True Path Injury Law, we have the experience and resources to take on trucking companies, their corporate insurers, and all responsible parties. We fight to recover full and fair compensation for truck accident victims and their families.
Call (617) 202-6770 today for a FREE consultation.
Why Truck Accidents Are So Dangerous
A fully loaded commercial truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds — roughly 20 times the weight of a standard passenger vehicle. When a collision occurs at highway speeds, the results are often devastating.
Common injuries in truck accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Crushed or amputated limbs
- Severe burns
- Internal organ damage
- Multiple fractures and broken bones
- Wrongful death
Victims of truck accidents often face months or years of medical treatment, rehabilitation, and lost income. Many are left with permanent disabilities that change their lives forever.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Truck accidents can be caused by a wide range of factors, many of which involve negligence by the truck driver, the trucking company, or other parties. Common causes include:
- Driver fatigue — Truck drivers often work long hours under intense pressure to meet delivery deadlines, leading to drowsy and impaired driving
- Distracted driving — Cell phone use, GPS systems, and eating behind the wheel
- Speeding and reckless driving — Large trucks require significantly more time and distance to stop
- Improper loading — Overloaded or improperly secured cargo can shift during transit, causing the truck to roll over or jackknife
- Inadequate vehicle maintenance — Brake failures, tire blowouts, and mechanical defects due to deferred maintenance
- Driving under the influence — Alcohol or drug use, including prescription medications
- Violations of federal trucking regulations — Hours-of-service violations, falsified logbooks, and inadequate driver training
- Poor weather and road conditions — Failure to adjust driving behavior in rain, snow, ice, or fog
Who Is Liable in a Truck Accident?
Unlike a typical car accident, truck accident cases often involve multiple liable parties. Determining who is responsible requires a thorough investigation. Potentially liable parties include:
- The truck driver — For negligent driving, fatigue, distraction, or impairment
- The trucking company — For pressuring drivers to violate safety regulations, failing to properly train or supervise drivers, or negligent hiring practices
- The cargo loading company — For improperly loading or securing freight
- The truck or parts manufacturer — For defective brakes, tires, or other components
- Maintenance contractors — For failing to properly inspect or repair the vehicle
- Government entities — For dangerous road conditions or inadequate signage
At True Path Injury Law, we investigate every angle to identify all responsible parties and pursue maximum compensation.
Federal Trucking Regulations
Commercial trucking is heavily regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These regulations are designed to keep everyone on the road safe. When trucking companies or drivers violate these rules, they can be held liable for resulting accidents.
Key federal regulations include:
- Hours of Service (HOS) — Limits on how many hours a driver can operate without rest to prevent fatigue-related accidents
- Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) — Required devices that track driving hours and prevent logbook falsification
- Vehicle inspection and maintenance requirements — Regular inspections and maintenance schedules to ensure safe operation
- Driver qualification standards — Background checks, drug and alcohol testing, and valid commercial driver’s license (CDL) requirements
- Cargo securement standards — Rules governing how freight must be loaded, distributed, and secured
Our legal team understands these regulations and knows how to use violations as evidence to strengthen your case.
Why You Need an Attorney Immediately After a Truck Accident
Time is critical in truck accident cases. Trucking companies and their insurers typically dispatch investigation teams to the accident scene within hours. Their goal is to gather evidence that protects the company — not evidence that helps you.
Critical evidence in truck accident cases can disappear quickly, including:
- Electronic logging device (ELD) data
- Dashcam and surveillance footage
- Driver cell phone records
- Vehicle maintenance logs
- Cargo loading records
- Drug and alcohol test results
By contacting True Path Injury Law immediately, we can take steps to preserve this evidence, send spoliation letters to prevent destruction of records, and begin building your case from day one.
Compensation Available in Truck Accident Cases
Because truck accidents often cause severe or fatal injuries, the compensation at stake can be substantial. You may be entitled to recover:
- Medical expenses — Emergency care, surgeries, hospital stays, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatment
- Future medical costs — Long-term care, assistive devices, and home modifications
- Lost wages — Income lost during recovery
- Diminished earning capacity — Reduced ability to work in the future
- Pain and suffering — Physical pain and emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life — Inability to participate in activities you once enjoyed
- Wrongful death damages — Funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship for surviving family members
How True Path Injury Law Handles Truck Accident Cases
Truck accident cases demand a level of legal expertise that goes beyond standard personal injury work. Our approach includes:
- Rapid evidence preservation — We act immediately to secure ELD data, driver records, maintenance logs, and other critical evidence before it can be altered or destroyed
- Comprehensive investigation — We work with accident reconstruction experts, trucking industry specialists, and medical professionals to build an airtight case
- Identifying all liable parties — We look beyond just the driver to hold trucking companies, cargo loaders, maintenance providers, and manufacturers accountable
- Aggressive negotiation — We stand up to corporate insurers and will not settle for less than your case is worth
- Trial readiness — We prepare every case as if it is going to trial, which puts us in the strongest possible negotiating position
What to Do After a Truck Accident
- Call 911 and seek medical attention immediately
- Do not leave the scene — wait for law enforcement to arrive
- Take photos of the vehicles, road conditions, skid marks, debris, and your injuries
- Get the truck driver’s name, license number, trucking company name, and insurance information
- Collect contact information from witnesses
- Do not give statements to the trucking company’s insurance representatives
- Contact a truck accident attorney as soon as possible
Schedule a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a truck accident, True Path Injury Law is here to help. We handle all truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. We also advance all litigation costs while your case is ongoing.
Contact us today at (617) 202-6770 or fill out our online form to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
Truck Accident FAQs
How is a truck accident case different from a car accident case?
Truck accident cases involve federal regulations, multiple potentially liable parties (driver, trucking company, cargo loaders, manufacturers), larger insurance policies, and corporate legal teams. They require specialized legal knowledge and resources that go beyond a standard car accident claim.
How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit in Massachusetts?
In Massachusetts, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally three years from the date of the accident. However, evidence in truck accident cases can be lost or destroyed quickly, so it is critical to contact an attorney as soon as possible.
Can I sue the trucking company, not just the driver?
Yes. Trucking companies can be held liable for negligent hiring, inadequate training, pressuring drivers to violate hours-of-service regulations, and failing to properly maintain their vehicles. In many cases, the trucking company bears significant responsibility for the accident.
What if the truck driver was an independent contractor?
Even when drivers are classified as independent contractors, the trucking company may still be liable depending on the level of control they exercised over the driver’s work. An experienced truck accident attorney can analyze the relationship and determine all liable parties.
What should I do if the trucking company’s insurance contacts me?
Do not give any recorded statements or sign any documents without first speaking to an attorney. Insurance adjusters work for the trucking company and their goal is to minimize or deny your claim. Let your attorney handle all communications with the insurance company.
How much is my truck accident case worth?
The value depends on the severity of your injuries, the impact on your life and ability to work, the cost of medical treatment, and many other factors. Truck accident cases often involve substantial compensation due to the severity of injuries involved. Our team will evaluate every aspect of your case to pursue maximum recovery.