Truck Accident Lawyer in Somerville, MA
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident in Somerville, MA, it’s important to understand your rights and options for seeking legal recourse. Truck accidents can result in devastating injuries and significant damages, but pursuing legal action to fight for compensation can help offset those costs. Unfortunately, navigating the legal process can be overwhelming. That’s where our Somerville truck accident lawyers come in.
At the Fogelman Law Firm, we’ve helped many residents of Somerville and beyond understand their legal options and pursue legal action. We understand how overwhelming this time can be and strive to relieve stress by shouldering the legal burden. If you’ve been injured due to another’s negligence in a truck accident, we can help.
Common Causes of Somerville Truck Accidents
Semi-truck accidents in Somerville can be the result of various things, including:
- Distracted driving
- Failure to yield
- Driver fatigue
- Driver error
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- Driving under the influence or while intoxicated
- Improper maintenance
- Inadequate training and inexperience
- Inclement weather
- Mechanical failures
- Equipment failure
Common Injuries in Semi-Truck Accidents
When semi-trucks collide with other vehicles on the road, particularly smaller vehicles, the resulting injuries can be devastating. These injuries may include:
- Bruises
- Lacerations
- Broken bones
- Soft tissue injuries
- Crush injuries
- Amputations
- Head and neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
Understanding Somerville Truck Accident Lawsuits
The legal system can be complicated and overwhelming, especially when dealing with a life-altering injury after a serious accident. Your lawyer will help you understand the basics of the process, shouldering much of the burden to allow you to focus on recovery, but it’s important to have a general idea of what to expect.
Statute of Limitations
Each state sets specific statutes of limitations for different types of lawsuits, including personal injury suits. These are the timeframes you must file your claim before you lose your ability to do so.
According to Massachusetts law, those injured in truck crashes have three years to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party. If you don’t file your claim within this timeframe, you may forfeit your ability to pursue legal action against the at-fault party forever. Given these time constraints, it’s important to act quickly and contact a knowledgeable truck accident lawyer in Somerville to ensure you stay abreast of applicable deadlines.
Determining Liability
In a Somerville truck accident lawsuit, liability plays a pivotal role, as it determines who is legally responsible for the injuries and damages the victim suffers. Multiple parties can be held liable for such accidents, including:
- The trucking company
- The company responsible for maintaining the truck
- The truck manufacturer
- The company that loaded the truck
- Another driver on the road
Determining who is liable can be a complex process, as sometimes multiple parties are partly to blame. If you share some of the blame in the accident, any damage award will drop by that percentage, as Massachusetts is a modified comparative fault state.
This means you can pursue compensation from the at-fault party as long as you’re less than 50% at fault for the collision. If you’re more than 50% at fault, you can’t pursue compensation from the other party. However, if you’re less than 50% to blame, your damages will drop in proportion to the percentage of fault.
Available Damages
In Somerville truck accident cases, two primary types of compensation are available: economic and non-economic. Economic damages apply to the financial losses surrounding your case, such as medical bills, lost wages, and loss of future earning capacity.
Non-economic damages, on the other hand, cover the non-monetary losses associated with your case, including pain and suffering and mental anguish. Given that these losses are subjective, lawyers often base the amount on the economic damage amount.
In a select few cases, a third type of damages, called punitive damages, may be available. The courts award these damages in cases involving gross negligence and/or willful, wanton, or reckless acts to punish the at-fault party for their actions. However, given the requirements for these damages, they’re rare in personal injury cases.
How a Somerville Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help
Seeking legal representation after a truck accident might be the last thing on your mind, especially if you’ve sustained a serious injury. However, while it may not be a top priority, it’s an essential step in pursuing compensation from the at-fault party.
That’s where our Somerville truck accident lawyers can help. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident due to another’s negligent actions, we can help you navigate the legal process. We’re your advocates through every stage and will fight to secure the best possible outcome.
We will:
- Evaluate your case to determine your legal rights and options
- Offer solid legal guidance to help you make informed decisions
- Conduct an investigation to gather crucial evidence, such as police reports, surveillance footage, and witness testimonies
- Determine which party or parties are liable for the accident
- File appropriate documentation within applicable deadlines
- Negotiate settlement offers with the at-fault party’s insurer
- Represent you in court if you don’t receive a fair settlement offer
Consult With Our Knowledgeable Truck Accident Lawyers in Somerville, MA
Truck accidents can be life-changing, leaving you with serious injuries and steep medical bills. While we can’t undo the trauma you experienced, we can help you fight for compensation to offset the financial burden of the accident.
Our experienced Somerville, MA, truck accident lawyers at the Fogelman Law Firm have helped many individuals navigate the intricacies of their cases and can help you do the same. Contact us today at (617) 559-1530 or complete our online contact form to get started with a free consultation.
