As a truck accident victim, one dilemma you will face is deciding whether to hire an attorney. Read on to find out why you may want to consider calling a truck accident lawyer in Boston.
If you’re a motor vehicle accident victim in Boston, there are hardly enough words to describe what you’re going through. However, while every traffic crash causes traumatic experiences, truck accident victims typically have it worse. They’re at high risk of substantial financial losses, severe/life-altering injuries, and even death. In such a situation, it’s normal to wonder if you can maximize your compensation by contacting a Boston truck accident lawyer.
The truth is that you can decide to handle your truck accident claim yourself. However, it is important to consider whether it’s the wisest choice. Trucking and insurance companies would typically hire an experienced attorney to avoid paying you the maximum financial compensation. That puts you at a considerable disadvantage at the negotiation table.
So, the simple answer to whether you should hire personal injury attorneys for your truck collision case is yes. Aside from the reason above, numerous other factors make an auto accident lawyer necessary for your personal injury claim. We’ll discuss them in this article.
Common Causes of Trucking Accidents
Truck crashes are typically due to human errors and bad weather or road conditions. They are also caused by:
Driver Fatigue
Truck drivers are highly prone to fatigued driving. This is primarily because they drive long hours and distances. They also don’t get adequate sleep. As such, it’s pretty common to find a truck driver sleeping off behind the wheels.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), 13% of fatal truck crashes in 2019 involved a drowsy truck driver. The CDC states that fatigued driving can lead to slow reaction time, poor driving decisions, lane drifting, and tunnel vision.
The effects of fatigued driving are highly devastating due to the truck’s enormous weight and size. Motorists can prevent drowsy driving by taking longer breaks, eating healthy and balanced diets, and avoiding night driving.
Overloaded Trucks
Many commercial trucks in Boston are overloaded. That’s typically because truck companies are greedy and want to maximize profit per trip, not caring about the consequences. Overloaded tracks predispose road users to accidents because the truck’s tires can burst due to the weight.
The tires may also wear out due to friction due to overloading. Again, too much load on a truck makes steering a lot more difficult for the trucker.
Blind Spots
Every automobile has blind spots that are difficult to see as they drive. That’s why we have side and rear-view mirrors to extend our sight range. However, trucks have a more extensive blind spot, making them more prone to collision than personal vehicles. In fact, a truck’s blind spot can fully cover a small car.
Truck drivers can easily cause blind spot accidents when they fail to watch out for other road users before maneuvering.
Drunk Driving
Drinking and driving is one of the most dangerous driving activities ever. It’s so risky that DUI (driving under the influence of alcohol) is a serious crime in Boston.
If the negligent party in your case was driving under the influence of alcohol, it means they couldn’t act rationally. Drunk driving produces the same effect on a driver as a sleeping motorist.
Distracted Driving
From operating a cell phone to watching roadside distractions, distracted driving is an everyday activity among Boston drivers. While this behavior is dangerous for all motorists, the consequences are more severe when the at-fault driver is a trucker. Like DUI and fatigued driving, taking your eyes off the road leads to slow reaction time.
Mechanical Failure
Just like equipment failure can cause a work accident, mechanical failure can result in a horrible road collision. Mechanical failures that cause truck accidents can include faulty brakes and tires, lack of brake fluid, defective horns, etc. While mechanical failure can be due to a lack of vehicle maintenance, the truck’s manufacturers may also be at fault.
Inclement Weather and Adverse Road Conditions
Sometimes, bad weather can cause road accidents for even the most experienced drivers. It’s challenging to maneuver a truck through heavy rain, high wind, snow, and fog. Bad roads can also contribute to truck accidents.
A good rule of thumb is to drive as slowly as possible in inclement weather or bad roads. If the trucker cannot navigate properly, it’s best to wait out the bad weather. Regardless of unfavorable climatic conditions, motorists will still be held responsible for an auto crash.
Am I At Risk of Severe Injuries in a Truck Collision?
You are at risk of numerous catastrophic injuries when you get into a truck accident. They include:
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
Traumatic brain injuries happen when there’s physical damage to the brain. This is typically a result of an object piercing through your brain tissue upon impact. TBI can be mild, moderate, or severe and may be deadly. Common types of traumatic brain injuries include concussions and blunt head trauma. Symptoms include slurred speech, confusion, bleeding from the head, difficulty with sleeping, etc.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Any injury to the spinal cord can be debilitating. In fact, spinal cord injuries are among the most devastating any accident victim can suffer. It leads to permanent paralysis and can affect the entire body’s functioning.
In severe cases, spinal cord injuries lead to Quadriplegia. Quadriplegia is a condition where accident victims lose all their extremities. That means the victim loses function in all four limbs and will need help with daily activities like eating, bathing, etc.
Back and Neck Injuries
Back and neck wounds are among the most common injuries in a truck wreck. Even a minor accident can cause significant damage to your back and neck. Whiplash, herniated disc, neck sprain or strain, and soft tissue damage are common back and neck injuries. They can be excruciatingly painful.
Broken Bones/Fractures
Some of the worst fracture cases result from serious truck accidents. Many times, they require surgery to repair. Broken bones cause severe physical pain, whether they are non-displaced, displaced, or compound fractures.
Fractures can also cause internal bleeding, nerve damage, infections, and permanent deformity. Generally, broken bones are not life-threatening. However, they require urgent medical attention to eliminate the risk of fatal complications.
Burns
Truck accidents can cause fires and explosions that result in severe burns. Asides from that, victims can suffer friction burns upon ejection from the vehicle to the ground. Severe burns are medical emergencies and are life-threatening. They can cause disfigurement and may require plastic surgery.
Cuts and Lacerations
A truck accident will almost always result in cuts and lacerations. This is typically due to sharp metals, shattered glass, auto frames, etc., piercing the skin. Cuts and scratches can be disfiguring, especially when they affect the face.
Wrongful Death
Truck accident injuries can become fatal. In such cases, the deceased person’s personal representatives can file a wrongful death lawsuit for compensatory damages.
How a Boston Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help With Your Claim
As an injured party in a Boston trucking accident, these are important reasons to hire a personal injury attorney:
You Wouldn’t Have To Worry About Making Mistakes
The legal process for personal injury claims can be highly complicated. There are deadlines to meet, paperwork to draft, and many rules and regulations to follow. Failure to follow the proper stages and meet requirements can adversely affect the claim process. Even saying the wrong things can get you in a big mess.
There’s no need to jeopardize your claim by trying to handle it alone. This is what your lawyer has been doing for years, and they’re so adept at it, that they will hardly make a mistake. Therefore, hiring an attorney means that you don’t have to worry about making errors too.
Trucking Industry Regulations Are Complicated
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has provided safety regulations for stakeholders in the trucking industry to follow. They include scheduling regular maintenance and truck inspections, maintaining qualifications and rules about logging time/rest periods, etc. Unfortunately, many of these companies don’t follow the rules.
Since the regulations are complex, discovering what law the at-fault driver flaunted can be challenging. With an experienced attorney, you don’t have to worry about that. They understand the rules like the back of their palms. Your lawyer will ensure that the trucking company pays for all regulations they violated.
The Driver or Trucking Company May Not Be the At-Fault Party
There may be more than one person responsible for an automobile crash in Boston. When several parties are to blame for your truck accident, your case becomes more complicated. It can be difficult to decide whether to go after the truck driver or their company, the truck’s mechanic, the manufacturing company, or another at-fault driver.
You’ll also need to learn about Boston’s comparative fault rule and its application to your case. Your truck wreck lawyer has experience determining who to hold liable for your accident. So, you wouldn’t have to make the mistake of going after the wrong party.
A Truck Accident Attorney Has the Resources Carry Out Investigations and Gather Compelling Evidence
If you want to get fair compensation in your trucking accident claim, you need compelling evidence to prove all your allegations. Unfortunately, you may not have enough proof. Even if you do, you wouldn’t know how to leverage them for a successful claims process. Again, this is where an attorney comes in.
If there is no ample evidence to prove your claims, your lawyer can carry out investigations to find them. When they gather enough proof, they know how to use them to your advantage.
Hiring an Accident Injury Attorney Is Cost-Effective
Many injured victims avoid hiring lawyers because they don’t have enough money to pay attorney fees. That is usually the worry when claimants have to pay professional fees at an hourly rate. Fortunately, many personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis.
A contingency fee agreement means that you wouldn’t have to pay your lawyer until you get compensation from the insurance company. Also, if your claim isn’t successful, you wouldn’t have to pay anything. This risk-free arrangement puts you at a higher advantage than if you didn’t hire an attorney.
A Skilled Attorney Will Provide Aggressive Representation in Accident Lawsuits
Sometimes, to hold the responsible party liable for your injuries, you will have to file a lawsuit. This is one aspect where the importance of legal representation is glaring. Convincing the court to award compensation in your favor requires extensive knowledge of the law and impeccable persuasive skills. Only a seasoned lawyer has the correct qualifications and confidence to handle a truck accident lawsuit.
When Should I Contact a Boston Truck Accident Lawyer?
The best time to call your personal injury lawyer is shortly after the accident. However, these are telltale signs that the meeting with your attorney is overdue:
- You Have Limited Knowledge About Personal Injury Law
If you’re not conversant with the personal injury laws and best practices in your locality, that’s a clear sign that you need a lawyer. Also, the claims process may differ depending on the particular circumstances in your case.
- Your Claim Was Denied, or Insurance Is Offering Meagre Settlement
It would be best if you didn’t wait till you get a claim denial before contacting your attorney. However, if this is your situation, you can get better results with your lawyer’s help. It’s the same thing when the insurance company offers low compensation.
- The Insurance Company Has Refused To Negotiate
Sometimes, insurance companies may not show any interest in your case. They may do this by refusing to reply to your claim or delaying investigations. However, you can’t wait forever to get maximum compensation as the Statute of Limitations is counting.
An attorney knows how to make the insurance company take your claims seriously. If they continue dragging feet, your lawyer can explore other options (like a lawsuit) to get your damages.
- You Can’t Figure Out What Financial Damages Are Fair
When you file a truck accident claim, it’s because you need as much compensation as possible. However, this may be challenging to achieve when you don’t know what maximum damages amount to.
When you have a personal injury attorney handling your case, they’ll assess your situation to determine the appropriate damages. In some cases, you may be entitled to additional compensation, much more than you thought you deserved.
What Amounts To Adequate Compensation
You’re entitled to economic damages and non-economic compensation in your truck accident claim or lawsuit. They include the following:
- Medical bills
- Wage loss
- Loss of future earnings
- Property damage expenses
- Pain and suffering damages
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of quality of life
- Punitive damages
- Burial expenses
This list is not exhaustive as you may be entitled to so much more. The amount of damages you receive depends on your case’s details and the quality of your attorney.
Schedule an Initial Consultation With an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer in Boston ASAP
You cannot underestimate the importance of an accident injury attorney in a truck accident claim. From carrying out investigations to providing evidence, negotiation, etc., truck collision lawyers are necessary for a successful claims process. They even go the extra mile to provide you with emotional support to aid your speedy recovery.
However, not every lawyer can provide the results you desire. As such, more than just hiring an attorney, you should check that they’re experienced enough to handle your case’s complexities. Some of the qualities to look out for include extensive experience, integrity, and a track record of success.
To save you time and stress, it’s best to speak with the truck wreck attorneys at our personal injury law firm. More than just offering you top-notch legal representation, we ensure that we proffer solutions tailored to meet your specific needs. We’ve got all it takes to ensure that your claims process is seamless and the results are beyond satisfactory.
If you’re an injured truck accident victim, call our law office ASAP to schedule a free consultation. At Michael Kelly, we work on a contingency fee basis. So, book a free consultation today.
