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Brockton Truck Accident Lawyers

Respected advocacy for drivers, passengers, and other truck accident victims in Massachusetts

Given their size and weight, commercial trucks can cause serious damage to the occupants of any vehicle they hit. Trucking accident victims may have severe, life-altering injuries. Some truck accidents are even fatal. If you were injured in one of these accidents, you are likely struggling with the tremendous pain of your injuries and feeling the financial pressure of mounting medical bills and the inability to work. You do not have to face this overwhelming situation alone. Our Brockton truck accident lawyers have the experience and resources to hold truck drivers and trucking companies accountable. We will use our decades of experience and legal resources to help you obtain the settlement or verdict you need and deserve.

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How dangerous are truck accidents?

According to the Federal Carrier Motor Safety Administration, in 2021, 5,904 large trucks and buses were involved in fatal crashes. Cars are simply no match for rigs, tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers, and other large trucks. The sheer size of a commercial truck means that a collision exerts significant force on the occupants of a smaller passenger vehicle. Accident victims often have extensive financial damages due to their intensive medical treatment. Injured victims often require future treatment even as their accident claim is being resolved.

What types of truck accidents do you handle in Brockton?

At the Law Offices of Gerald J. Noonan, we handle all types of truck accidents, including the following:

Accidents that are generally unique to trucks

  • Jackknife accidents
  • Rollover accidents
  • Accidents due to cargo overloads and moving cargo
  • Wide-turn accidents
  • Blind-spot accidents
  • Underride accidents
  • Overpass accidents
  • Delivery truck accidents

Accidents that are common to trucks and other vehicles 

  • Head-on collisions
  • Rear-end accidents
  • Broadsides/T-bone accidents
  • Intersection accidents
  • Single-vehicle accidents
  • Multi-vehicle accidents
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Why do truck accidents happen in Brockton?

Commercial trucks, semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, and 18-wheelers are large, complicated pieces of equipment. Even a small mistake or momentary lapse in judgment can lead to a loss of control and a catastrophic accident. We work with investigators, the police, traffic reconstruction experts, truck part safety experts, and many other professionals and use the discovery process to show how truck accidents happen and why they are preventable.

Common causes of truck crashes include:

Truck driver negligence

  • Drowsy or fatigued driving, which can occur when truck drivers stay behind the wheel past government-mandated hours-of-service limits (as regulated by the FMCSA)
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Traffic violations, including:
    • Speeding
    • Careless or reckless driving, including failing to signal or weaving in and out of traffic
    • Tailgating
    • Improper passing
  • Improper or unsafe cargo loads can cause truck drivers to lose control as improperly secured loads shift in the trailer or cause havoc when the cargo spills
  • Driver inexperience
  • Failure to handle blind spots
  • Unfamiliarity with routes that can cause drivers to end up on roads unsafe for large trucks

Negligence by trucking companies and others

  • Inadequate maintenance and faulty repairs
  • Defective trucks or truck parts such as brakes, hydraulic systems, tires, fuel lines, and cargo ties
  • The failure of trucking companies to conduct background checks on their drivers
  • Pressuring drivers to meet unrealistic delivery schedules
  • The failure to install proper underride safety guards
  • The failure to install quality blind spot technology

Both trucking companies and truck drivers may be liable for non-compliance with the relevant federal and state trucking laws.

Other causes of truck accidents include bad weather, such as heavy rain or fog, and poor road conditions, including potholes or wet road surfaces.

What types of injuries do truck accidents cause in Brockton?

Due to the large size of commercial trucks, injuries in truck accidents are often catastrophic and sometimes fatal. Even if you think you have only sustained minor injuries, you should get checked by a doctor following a truck accident. Some injuries may not appear until hours or days later.

Common truck accident injuries include:

  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). These injuries often change a victim’s life forever. In addition to physical pain and emotional suffering, many TBI victims develop cognitive and communication disorders.
  • Spinal cord and back injuries. These injuries can cause long-term and chronic pain. Since your nerves pass through your spinal cord, you could experience paralysis if your injury is severe enough. Some patients have herniated disks as a result of a truck accident.
  • Traumatic amputations. In some cases, an arm, leg, hand, foot, finger, or toe is so severely damaged that amputation is necessary.
  • Broken bones. Our Brockton truck accident lawyers handle all types of broken bone injuries, including simple, complex, compound, and displaced fractures.
  • Burns. Burns can range in severity and are often extremely painful. They may also become infected if you don’t care for them properly. Burns may require skin grafts and plastic surgery.
  • Strains and sprains. These injuries are usually minor, but they can put you out of commission for several weeks.
  • Bruises, abrasions, and cuts. These are also minor injuries, but if you fail to properly treat abrasions or cuts, they may become infected.

Other injuries that Brockton truck accident victims may suffer include:

Many truck accident victims require surgeries and extensive rehabilitative care, including physical therapy and occupational therapy. Some victims may also require psychological counseling.

Who can be held responsible after a truck accident in Brockton?

At The Law Offices of Gerald J. Noonan, we hold everyone responsible for your truck accident accountable. Our Brockton truck accident lawyers often file claims against the following:

  • The truck driver who negligently operates their vehicle
  • The driver’s employer on the basis of vicarious liability
  • The owner of the truck if they are different than the driver or the employer
  • The freight company, when an accident is caused by an unsafe or shifting truckload
  • The truck maintenance company, if an accident is caused by improper or negligent maintenance of the vehicle
  • The broker that arranges the shipment
  • The truck manufacturer or truck part manufacturer, if an accident is caused by a design or manufacturing defect
  • Other drivers
  • Other responsible parties

Some truck accidents involve multiple claimants and multiple defendants.

How much is my truck accident case worth in Massachusetts?

At The Law Offices of Gerald J. Noonan, our Brockton truck accident lawyers work to ensure that you are fully compensated for your past, ongoing, and future damages. We demand compensation for:

  • Medical expenses of every nature
  • The costs of long-term care, including medical care and home healthcare
  • Lost wages and income for the time you miss from work while recovering from your injuries – and if you have a permanent disability
  • Physical pain and emotional suffering
  • Loss of bodily function
  • Loss of consortium
  • Lost quality of life
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Property damage

If a loved one dies due to a Brockton truck accident, we may file a wrongful death action on behalf of the family members.

How much time do I have to file a truck accident claim in Brockton?

In Massachusetts, you have up to three years from the date of your truck accident to file your personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. If you wait too long to file your lawsuit, the court will almost certainly dismiss your case.

Don’t wait. We need to investigate the accident while everyone’s memories are fresh. We need to review the doctors who are treating you. Our lawyers need to make sure you notify your own insurance companies correctly and in a timely manner.

Immediately after any accident, you should:

  • Contact the police.
  • Get medical help or have someone transport you to the hospital
  • Call our experienced Brockton truck accident lawyers

Do you have a truck accident lawyer near me in Brockton, Massachusetts?

Yes. Our Brockton office is located at 555 Pleasant Street. If your injuries prevent you from traveling, we often make arrangements to meet clients at home or elsewhere. We can also speak with you by phone and through an online conference.

We understand how traumatic truck accidents are. We’re ready to guide you through each step of your claim.

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Get help from our accomplished Brockton truck accident lawyers now

Truck accidents often cause serious injuries to drivers, passengers, pedestrians, bicycle riders, and families. For over 35 years, The Law Offices of Gerald J. Noonan has been helping accident victims secure the compensation they are entitled to. Our lawyers have settled hundreds of insurance injury claims over the last few years and obtained numerous jury verdicts. Call us today or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation. We handle truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis.