Semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, and other commercial trucks are much larger, heavier, and more powerful than the average vehicle. Because of this, victims who are involved in accidents with trucks are often left with life-altering or even fatal injuries. If you suffered serious injuries or lost a loved one in a fatal truck accident, you may not know where to begin or what your options are. You may be out of work, or have lost your family’s main source of income, all while you’re facing a pile of medical bills.
At Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC, our Massachusetts truck accident lawyers have the experience to take on powerful trucking companies and their insurers. Our Massachusetts personal injury lawyers can take some of the pressure off of you by fighting for your compensation. You can leave the legal process to us while you focus on your recovery. Call now to get started with a free case review.
Damages You Can Recover After a Truck Accident in Massachusetts
If you were hurt in an accident with a commercial vehicle, our law firm can help you seek financial compensation. While the damages you can recover will depend on the details of your case, truck accident victims can often pursue compensation for:
- Medical expenses, including the cost of doctor’s appointments, hospital stays, assistive medical devices, prescription medications, surgeries, imaging, and more
- Physical pain and suffering for the discomfort your injuries cause
- Emotional distress, especially if you now suffer from anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Property damage, such as damage to your car, clothing, jewelry, or any other broken or lost personal items
- Reduced earning capacity, if your injuries do not allow you to work and earn the same amount of money as you could before the crash
- Lost income for the time you missed at work
- Loss of enjoyment of life and reduced quality of life if your injuries hold you back from participating in activities you once enjoyed or living your life to the extent you once did
- Scarring and disfigurement for physical scars that alter your appearance
Our legal team will collect evidence to support your case and prove you deserve compensation for the suffering you endured.
Filing a Wrongful Death Claim After a Fatal Truck Accident in Massachusetts
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s 2022 State Highway Safety Report, truck accident fatalities are on the rise in Massachusetts, with fatalities increasing from 413 to 434 between 2021 and 2022. Each one of these numbers represents someone who left loved ones behind.
In the unfortunate event that a truck crash is fatal, the victim’s loved ones may be able to file a wrongful death claim against the negligent driver. Surviving family members could be entitled to compensation for lost income, medical bills, burial costs, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of relationships.
Consulting a wrongful death attorney could benefit your case, as there are strict time limits and complex legal issues involved in these cases. We can help grieving families understand their options and legal rights.
Our Proven Record of Success for Truck Accident Victims
At Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC, we are proud of our track record of success on behalf of our clients who have been victims of truck accidents. Here are some of the results we’ve achieved for people who were hurt through no fault of their own and deserved financial compensation:
| Award Amount | Type of Case |
| $840,000 | Client whose vehicle was T-boned by a utility truck, resulting in back, neck, and foot injuries that required surgery and therapy. |
| $834,000 | Client whose vehicle was struck head-on by a truck, resulting in a severe concussion along with neck, back, and leg injuries. |
| $500,000 | Our client, a truck passenger, suffered leg and back injuries when he was struck by another truck, requiring surgery and therapy. |
| $445,000 | After a truck made an improper lane change and struck our client’s vehicle. She sustained neck, back, and shoulder injuries, needing surgery and physical therapy. |
What Does a Truck Accident Lawyer in Massachusetts Do for Accident Victims?
When someone is driving safely, they should be reasonably safe from harm. However, a negligent truck driver or trucking company can cause an accident that results in injuries, causing drivers who were following the rules of the road to require medical care, surgery, and therapy.
If you have found yourself in this all-too-common situation, you may be thinking about filing a claim for compensation. The team at Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC can help you build your case by:
- Handling all case communication for you. We’ll speak to the liable party, their legal team, and any insurance companies involved on your behalf. We can also speak to anyone who witnessed the accident.
- Assessing the full extent of your damages. We will consider all your losses, even those that do not come with a fixed price. You deserve repayment for your tangible and intangible losses.
- Explaining your legal options. You may be eligible to file an insurance claim and a fault-based lawsuit, depending on the facts of your case.
- Fighting your case in court, if necessary. While not every personal injury case will go to trial, our team will support you if yours does.
- Answering all your questions. We know the legal process is difficult to navigate alone. Our team is here to provide answers to all your questions and walk you through each step of your case.
- Investigating the cause of your accident. We can gather evidence to support your case, such as cell phone records, surveillance footage, photos of the accident scene, and witness statements.
Trying to manage this claim on your own can be quite difficult. Our accident attorneys are here to guide you through this entire process and make sure you are supported every step of the way.
What Makes Truck Accidents More Challenging Than Car Accidents?
Any vehicle accident can be difficult to manage. However, collisions with commercial vehicles present unique challenges, and the average accident victims are not well-equipped to manage such claims. Here are just some of the reasons you may want to consider hiring an attorney from our team:
Multiple Parties Could Be Involved With Your Claim
When you are in an accident with a semi-truck, you may think you only have to deal with a trucker and their insurer. However, liability is far from simple in these cases.
For example, let’s say an intoxicated trucker crashed into your car. While the truck driver may have acted negligently, they may not be the party that you seek compensation from. You would likely have to go after their employer, as companies are often liable for the actions of those they employ. However, these companies may try to claim they have no responsibility for the driver’s actions, which can be hard to dispute without legal help.
Additionally, the logistics of a trucking operation means that cargo loading, maintenance, and truck ownership could all involve different parties, and they will all try to deny responsibility for the crash. Our lawyers are ready to navigate these complex matters and figure out what party should pay for your losses.
Complex State and Federal Laws Apply to Your Case
Trucking in Massachusetts is regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and Massachusetts laws. Violating these regulations puts everyone at risk, and it is up to our team to see if a party failed to uphold any of these laws.
These laws can be confusing, and it is easy to overlook important laws that could be relevant to your case. Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC’s lawyers have decades of experience in this area of law, and we know how to examine these regulations to help support your claim.
Bigger Losses Means Insurers Have More at Stake
Truck crashes can be utterly devastating for victims. Victims need large payouts or verdicts to help pay for catastrophic injuries and losses, but insurance companies will put up a fight to try and reduce your payout. Victims often feel intimidated while going up against big companies and may feel pressured to accept any settlement offered.
Our team is here to protect your right to seek compensation and negotiate for a fair payout, rather than a lowball sum that the other party may offer. You deserve an advocate that looks out for you, not the insurance company’s bottom line.
Who Can You Take Legal Action Against After a Truck Crash in Massachusetts?
If you were hurt in a truck accident in Massachusetts, you may be able to take legal action against several parties. These include:
- The truck driver: If the truck driver caused the crash due to negligence like speeding or distracted driving, you can sue them for damages. Their trucking company may also be responsible.
- The trucking company: Trucking companies can be sued for not properly training or supervising their drivers. They can also be liable if trucks were not properly maintained.
- Manufacturers: You might be able to take action against truck or parts manufacturers if defective equipment contributed to the crash.
- Shippers: If hazardous cargo was improperly loaded or labeled, legal action is possible against the shipping company or manufacturer.
- Other drivers: Depending on the circumstances of the crash, other passenger vehicle drivers involved may also be sued for negligence.
Our accident lawyers can help determine all parties who may be liable after a commercial truck collision causes harm in Massachusetts.
How Long Do You Have to File a Truck Accident Claim in Massachusetts?
You have limited time to file a truck accident claim in Massachusetts. For personal injury or wrongful death cases, you typically have three years from the date of the crash to take legal action, per Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 260 § 2A. There are exceptions in certain circumstances, such as when the victim is a minor or is incapacitated or when the responsible party has left the state.
With truck wrecks, there can also be strict notification deadlines for filing with insurance companies. Missing these can jeopardize your case. It’s important to consider hiring an attorney immediately after any collision with a big rig or semi-trailer. A Massachusetts truck accident lawyer can help take quick action to gather evidence, notify insurers, and protect your right to compensation.
Get a Free Consultation With a Truck Accident Lawyer in Massachusetts
Whether your accident happened on Route 28, Route 9, or city streets, you could be facing years of recovery and bills. Don’t miss out on your chance to receive fair compensation after a devastating truck accident. Get a free case assessment from our legal team with no upfront costs or obligations.
Trantolo & Trantolo, LLC helps injury victims and grieving families across Massachusetts after serious wrecks involving commercial trucks, 18-wheelers, and other large vehicles. We have decades of experience in truck accident litigation and push aggressively to hold negligent drivers fully accountable. Don’t Fight Solo—call us today to get started on your case.