Massachusetts Truck
Every year there many people who lose their lives in truck accidents. The laws governing truck accidents are very complex and getting to know the cause of a truck accident is very difficult. It is quite obvious that trucks are difficult to control and have longer halting distances. The trucks have blind spots and when they make a turn they have to take a wide circle.
Truck accidents are usually caused because of failure to yield the right of way, unlicensed drivers, inadequate training of drivers, driver error, negligent hiring, speeding, aggressive and reckless driving, failure to inspect the truck parts, failure to maintain safety systems, drunk driving, drugs, brake failure, violations of the rules of the road, failure to signal turns, overloading, defective parts, poor design, shifting loads, driver fatigue, equipment failures, backing carelessly, blind spots, overturning trucks, poor design of the truck or its parts, lack of crashworthiness, sudden stops, spilled loads.
Truck accidents are serious and can cause lifetime damages to a person. It is important that the victims legal rights are protected and he seeks legal advice.
What to do if after a truck accident
A truck accident would result in a personal injury or wrongful death. In such cases contacting a lawyer should be the first thing. He could advice you what should be your claim and how much compensation are you supposed to receive. There would be an immediate scrutiny of the accident. This would involve investigation of the accident scene for skid marks and gouge marks. It is very important to get the court orders to preserve the evidence. The witness also needs to be testified for the statement.
It is important that you contact the investigating agent after the accident, as they would do an accident reconstruction. The previous record of the driver would be of great help in collecting evidence. The schedule of the driver should also be taken into consideration. There are some drivers who defy the federal laws and regulations about time limits for traveling on the road and there are many employers who persuade this act.
It is necessary that in such cases you take the assistance of an experienced lawyer to investigate the case and your claims. Your medical treatment is also of importance. So be sure that you take proper medical treatment for your injuries. The medical report provides a great proof that your injuries were caused as a result of the accident.
Liability for injuries
The truck drivers are held responsible for any injury or death
caused as a result of their carelessness in operating the vehicle. The employers in turn are responsible for the recklessness of the truck driver. The employers are held directly responsible if they have hired an inexpert or unskilled driver. In some cases a third party loads the truck and the load is too much at times, which can result in the goods falling from the truck. If the truck is not properly designed or there are defective parts in the truck then the manufacturer of the truck is held responsible for negligence and for product liability.
Choosing a Massachusetts Truck Accident Lawyer
If you have been a victim of a truck accident in Massachusetts then you should take advice from a good and experienced lawyer who specializes in these cases. Most of the people are unaware of their compensation rights. A lawyer would be able to advise you on these aspects. The lawyer would submit a claim and explain you about the detailed procedure that would be involved in your case. On your part the first thing that you should do is get immediate medical treatment for your injuries. Contact the police so that you have a record of the accident.
The next thing is that you contact your insurance company and get compensation for your first medical bill. Massachusetts has an o-fault law insurance and if your medical bills exceed $2,000 then the expenses are paid by the insurance of the truck driver or the trucking company that employs him/her.
The lawyer will suggest you get compensation for the work that you would have missed as a result of the accident so that you can recover your lost wages. The lawyer would help you in the legal procedures involved while applying for the reimbursement and the dealing with the insurance agent. As per the laws you can recover 75% of the wages that you receive provided you did not receive any pay during the time you were off work. In Massachusetts, if you have private health care, then the insurance agent is expected to pay for medical bills up to $8,000.
In incidents where the accident has occurred as a result of negligence of the driver then you are eligible to get a claim for the pain and the suffering. This is called the bodily injury claim and the lawyers in Massachusetts have knowledge over this issue. On the other hand, in Massachusetts, you can only put forward a claim for common damages if the accident results in death, medical expenses over $2,000 or a permanent disability or mutilation.
It is necessary that you seek protection for you legal rights after a truck accident. You should contact an experienced lawyer who comprehends the complex laws and system in the trucking industry, and one who has the resources and experience to assess and handle your case. Urgent action may be necessary to safeguard all of your rights. All the motor vehicle accidents in Massachusetts are administered by a Statute of Limitations. Some of the accidents also have shorter notice necessities that may be very severe.
