Truck accident
Truck Accident Attorneys in Boston, Massachusetts
The firms in this guide
1. Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, commercial trucking accidents, tractor-trailer collisions, personal injury, motor vehicle accidents
Case Types Handled: 18-wheeler accidents, tractor-trailer collisions, semi-truck crashes, commercial truck accidents, delivery truck accidents, wrongful death from trucking accidents
Legal Services: Accident investigation, evidence gathering, trucking company investigation, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations
Background: Boston-based firm with experience handling commercial trucking accidents throughout Massachusetts. The firm understands how trucking companies operate and conducts thorough investigations to counter their tactics. Serves clients throughout Massachusetts including Bristol, Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, and Worcester Counties.
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Contact: (617) 777-7777 | https://www.jeffreysglassman.com
Consultation: Free consultation
2. Law Office of John J. Sheehan
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, personal injury, motor vehicle accidents, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Tractor-trailer accidents, semi-truck collisions, 18-wheeler crashes, commercial vehicle accidents, interstate highway truck accidents
Legal Services: Independent accident investigation, federal trucking regulation analysis, liability determination, insurance negotiations, litigation, trial representation, wrongful death claims
Background: Boston truck accident lawyers with extensive experience representing victims in lawsuits. The firm conducts independent investigations, analyzes actions of all parties involved, and handles insurance company communications. Works with clients on cases involving strict federal regulations governing the trucking industry.
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Contact: (617) 539-8366 | https://attorneysheehan.com
Consultation: Free case evaluation
3. Altman & Altman, LLP
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, trucking injury litigation
Case Types Handled: 18-wheeler accidents, tractor-trailer collisions, semi-truck crashes, catastrophic injuries from truck accidents, wrongful death from trucking accidents
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations analysis, truck driver negligence investigation, trucking company liability investigation, insurance negotiations, litigation, trial representation
Background: Over 50 years of experience fighting for the rights of Massachusetts truck accident victims and their families. The firm has recovered millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for clients in the Greater Boston Area and throughout Massachusetts. Well-versed in FMCSA and state regulations governing trucking companies. A senior firm partner personally oversees every case.
Location: Offices in Cambridge and Boston, Massachusetts
Contact: (617) 492-3000 | Toll-free: (800) 481-6199 | https://www.altmanllp.com
Consultation: Free initial consultation, available 24/7 including nights and weekends, contingency fee basis (no fee unless recovery)
4. Earley Law Group Injury Lawyers
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, personal injury, catastrophic injuries
Case Types Handled: Semi-truck accidents, 18-wheeler collisions, commercial motor vehicle accidents, delivery truck accidents, garbage truck accidents, cement truck accidents, tanker truck accidents
Legal Services: Accident investigation, crash reports analysis, trucking company record review, black box data analysis, state and federal law compliance review, insurance negotiations, litigation, trial representation
Background: Boston-based firm with over 600 Google reviews and reputation for 5-star customer service. Attorneys Christopher Earley (legal book author, law columnist, frequent speaker for bar associations, recipient of multiple professional awards) and Adam Hornung lead the firm. The firm handles complex truck accident claims requiring knowledge of federal trucking regulations.
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Contact: https://www.chrisearley.com
Consultation: Free consultation, no upfront cost, contingency fee (only pay if they win)
5. DiBella Law
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, commercial truck accidents, personal injury, semi-truck collisions
Case Types Handled: Delivery driver accidents (UPS, FedEx, Amazon), tractor-trailer accidents, 18-wheeler collisions, semi-truck crashes, commercial vehicle accidents
Legal Services: Accident investigation, police report analysis, driver log review, maintenance record investigation, expert testimony coordination, insurance negotiations, litigation, trial representation
Background: Nationally recognized firm providing compassionate and skilled legal representation for over 20 years. Founding partner Christopher DiBella is author of a book on personal injury law. Named Top 100 Civil Plaintiff by The National Trial Lawyers, Top 10 Personal Injury Attorney in Massachusetts by The National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys, one of America’s Top 100 Personal Injury Attorneys, and recognized seven times as a Super Lawyers Rising Star.
Location: Boston, Massachusetts (also serves New Hampshire)
Contact: https://www.dibellalawoffice.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee (No Win, No Fee)
Driver Qualifications, the $2,000 Tort Threshold and Wrongful Death Damages in Boston Truck Crash Claims
The carrier’s records come first in a Boston truck crash: whether the driver met federal qualifications and what the accident register and periodic inspection show. Massachusetts law then sets a medical expense threshold for pain and suffering, compares negligence with all defendants combined and sets wrongful death damages.
Who May Drive
Except as provided in subpart G, 49 CFR 391.11(b) requires a commercial driver to be at least 21, able to read and speak English sufficiently, able by experience or training to operate the vehicle safely, physically qualified, holding a currently valid commercial license issued by only one jurisdiction, not disqualified, and to have passed a road test or hold a license or certificate the carrier accepted as equivalent.
The $2,000 Threshold for Pain and Suffering
Under G.L. c. 231, § 6D, in a tort action for bodily injury arising out of a motor vehicle in Massachusetts, pain and suffering damages are recoverable only if the reasonable and necessary medical, hospital, nursing and funeral expenses exceed $2,000, unless the injury causes death, loss of a body member, permanent and serious disfigurement, listed loss of sight or hearing, or a fracture. Keep every medical bill from the truck crash, because the bills help decide whether the threshold is met.
Accident Register and Annual Inspection
Under 49 CFR 390.15(b), the carrier keeps an accident register for 3 years after each accident, listing date, location, driver, injuries, fatalities and any hazardous materials release, together with copies of required accident reports. Under 49 CFR 396.17, each commercial motor vehicle, including each unit of a combination, must have passed a periodic inspection within the preceding 12 months.
Wrongful Death Damages
Under G.L. c. 229, § 2, damages for a death include the fair monetary value of the decedent to the persons entitled to recover, reasonable funeral and burial expenses, and punitive damages of not less than $5,000 when the death was caused by malicious, willful, wanton or reckless conduct or gross negligence.
Boston Truck Accident Questions
How long do I have to sue the trucking company?
Three years after the cause of action accrues, under G.L. c. 260, § 2A, and three years from the death, or from when the executor or administrator knew or should have known of the basis for the claim, for a wrongful death action under c. 229, § 2.
Can I recover if I was partly at fault?
Yes, if your negligence is not greater than the total negligence of those you are suing. For example, imagine $330,000 in damages and 20 percent of the negligence on the injured driver: under G.L. c. 231, § 85 the recovery would be $264,000.
What if an MBTA vehicle caused the crash?
Under G.L. c. 258, § 2, public employers are not liable for more than $100,000, but claims for serious bodily injury against the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority are not subject to that limit on compensatory damages; the claim must still be presented in writing within two years under c. 258, § 4.