Every hour of every day, big trucks drive through Boston. 18-wheelers speed down I-93 and the Mass Pike at highway speeds, while Delivery trucks drive slowly through the narrow streets of Back Bay and Beacon Hill. When these trucks hit passenger cars, the laws of physics don’t give them a break.

The people in those cars could get injuries so bad that they change their lives forever and ruin their families. This is why, after an accident involving a commercial vehicle, working with our experienced Boston truck accident lawyers is crucial.

The moments following a truck crash set the stage for everything that follows. Within hours, trucking companies deploy rapid response teams to the accident scene. Their investigators photograph evidence from angles that favor their narrative. Their lawyers start building defenses before victims even leave the hospital.

Insurance adjusters calculate the lowest possible settlement while you’re still processing what happened. This immediate, coordinated response exists for one reason: to protect corporate profits by minimizing what they pay victims.

Our truck accident attorneys in Boston, at The Law Office of Burns Jain levels this uneven playing field. We understand federal trucking regulations, electronic logging requirements, and the tactics insurance companies use to devalue legitimate claims.

We help Massachusetts families recover from devastating truck accidents by responding promptly and aggressively to preserve evidence and protect their rights. While you focus on healing, we focus on preserving evidence, securing witness statements, and building the strongest possible case for your recovery.

How The Law Office of Burns Jain Helps You With Your Truck Accident Claim in Boston

A fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh 80,000 pounds, about 20 times the average car. When a commercial truck hits your vehicle, you face insurance companies with teams of lawyers working against you from day one.

The Law Office of Burns Jain responds immediately to preserve critical evidence before trucking companies destroy it. We send spoliation letters within hours, not days, to protect the black box data, driver logs, and maintenance records that prove your case.

Unlike general personal injury firms, we understand the complex federal regulations governing the trucking industry. Our Boston truck accident lawyers regularly handle cases involving 18-wheelers, semi-trucks, and delivery trucks across Massachusetts.

What to Do After a Truck Accident in Boston

Your actions in the first moments after a crash can make or break your case. Evidence disappears quickly, and trucking companies begin building their defense immediately.

Call 911 and Get Medical Care

Seek emergency medical attention even if you feel fine. Internal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal damage may not show symptoms right away. The medical report creates an official record linking your injuries to the accident.

Document Everything at the Scene

Take photos of vehicle positions, skid marks, debris, and all damage. Capture the truck’s company name, DOT number, and license plate. If possible, photograph the driver and get the witness’s contact information.

Preserve Electronic Evidence

Commercial trucks are equipped with Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) and Engine Control Modules (ECMs) that record speed, braking, and driver hours. This data can be overwritten if it is not preserved promptly, so we must act quickly to secure it.

Avoid Insurance Company Calls

The trucking company’s insurer will contact you quickly with a low settlement offer. Never give recorded statements or sign documents without legal representation. These companies use your words against you later.

Contact our skilled legal team immediately for evidence preservation and legal protection.

Who Is Liable After a Truck Accident in Massachusetts?

Truck accident cases often involve multiple responsible parties, unlike typical car crashes. Identifying every liable entity maximizes your compensation potential.

Truck Driver Negligence

Driver error causes most commercial vehicle accidents. Common violations include:

• Hours of Service violations: Driving beyond the 11-hour federal limit after required rest periods.
• Distracted driving: Using phones, eating, or adjusting GPS while operating large commercial trucks.
• Impaired driving: Operating under the influence of fatigue, alcohol, or prescription medications.
• Aggressive driving: Speeding, tailgating, or unsafe lane changes to meet delivery deadlines.

Trucking Company Liability

Companies face liability for their drivers’ actions during work hours under vicarious liability rules. They can also be directly responsible for:

• Negligent hiring: Employing drivers with poor safety records or DUI histories.
• Inadequate training: Failing to train drivers on safety procedures correctly.
• Pressuring drivers: Creating unrealistic delivery schedules that encourage violations.
• Poor maintenance: Failure to complete required vehicle inspections and repairs.

Third-Party Defendants

Other parties may share responsibility for your injuries:

• Cargo loading companies: Improperly secured loads that shift and cause rollovers.
• Maintenance contractors: Faulty repairs that lead to brake or tire failures.
• Parts manufacturers: Defective components that malfunction during operation.

What Evidence Must Be Preserved Immediately?

Trucking companies retain certain records for only a short period before legally destroying them. We act within hours to secure proof of negligence.

Critical evidence includes Electronic Logging Device data showing driver hours, Engine Control Module records of speed and braking, and GPS tracking showing route deviations. We also preserve dashcam footage, maintenance logs, and driver qualification files before they disappear.

Traffic cameras at Mass Pike toll plazas and downtown Boston intersections often capture crashes, but this footage gets overwritten quickly. Our investigators work with authorities to obtain these recordings before they’re lost.

What Damages Can You Recover After a Truck Accident?

Massachusetts law allows full compensation for all losses caused by another’s negligence. Truck accident settlements are typically much higher than car crash cases due to the severe injury potential.

Medical Expenses and Future Care

You can recover all medical costs, including emergency treatment, surgery, rehabilitation, and ongoing care needs. We work with medical experts to project future treatment costs for permanent disabilities.

Lost Income and Earning Capacity

Compensation covers wages lost during recovery and reduced future earning ability if injuries prevent returning to your previous job. For example, a construction worker who can no longer lift heavy materials due to back injuries.

Pain and Suffering

This addresses the physical pain and emotional trauma from your injuries. Massachusetts allows these damages when medical bills exceed $2,000, or injuries involve fractures or permanent disfigurement.

Property Damage

You’re entitled to vehicle repair or replacement costs, as well as reimbursement for damaged personal belongings. We also recover rental car expenses during repairs.

How Massachusetts Law Affects Your Truck Accident Case

State-specific regulations impact your claim’s value and timeline. Understanding these rules protects your rights and maximizes recovery.

Personal Injury Protection and the $2,000 Threshold

Your auto insurance provides the first $8,000 in medical benefits through Personal Injury Protection (PIP), regardless of fault. To recover pain and suffering damages from the truck driver, your medical expenses must exceed $2,000.

Comparative Fault Rules

Massachusetts follows a 51 percent comparative fault rule. You can recover damages even if partially at fault, as long as your responsibility is 50 percent or less. Your award gets reduced by your fault percentage.

Three-Year Statute of Limitations

You have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. However, crucial evidence disappears within weeks, making immediate legal action essential.

Where Do Truck Accidents Happen Around Boston?

Our firm handles cases throughout the Greater Boston area, with extensive experience on the region’s most dangerous roads for commercial vehicles.

City Streets and Low Bridge Hazards

Storrow Drive experiences frequent truck accidents due to drivers ignoring low-bridge warnings. GPS systems often fail to alert truckers to height restrictions, leading to crashes under overpasses.

Downtown areas such as Kenmore Square and Leverett Circle pose challenges for large trucks navigating tight turns and heavy pedestrian traffic.

Major Highways

Interstate 90 (Mass Pike), Interstate 93, and Route 128 experience high-speed truck crashes with catastrophic results. These accidents fall under the Massachusetts State Police jurisdiction, requiring specific procedures for evidence collection.

Common Truck Accident Injuries

The massive size difference between commercial trucks and passenger vehicles often results in life-changing injuries requiring extensive medical treatment.

Traumatic brain injuries can cause permanent cognitive impairment and memory loss. Spinal cord damage may result in partial or complete paralysis requiring lifelong care. Crushed limbs often need amputation, while internal organ damage can be life-threatening.

Burns from fuel fires, causing permanent scarring and disfigurement, and psychological trauma from witnessing deaths, also occur in severe crashes involving multiple vehicles.

Types of Commercial Vehicle Cases We Handle

Our experience spans all commercial vehicle categories and crash scenarios throughout Massachusetts.

We represent victims of 18-wheeler jackknife accidents on highways, delivery truck blind spot collisions during turns, and garbage truck backing incidents in residential areas. Construction vehicle cases often involve unsecured loads spilling onto roadways or equipment malfunctions.

Each vehicle type presents unique challenges requiring specific knowledge of industry regulations and safety standards.

Dealing With Trucking Insurance Companies

Commercial trucking insurers have significantly more resources than typical auto insurance companies. They employ teams of adjusters, investigators, and lawyers to minimize payouts.

These companies often contact victims within hours, offering quick settlements before the full extent of injuries is known, exploiting common misconceptions in settlement negotiations. They may request recorded statements designed to trap you into admissions that hurt your case later.

We handle all insurance communications to protect your interests while you focus on recovery. Our experience in the trucking industry ensures you don’t fall victim to their tactics.

Timeline for Truck Accident Claims

Truck accident cases typically take longer to resolve than standard car crashes due to their complexity and higher stakes involved.

The first few days focus on preserving evidence and securing medical treatment. Investigation and discovery can take several months as we examine driver records, company policies, and vehicle maintenance histories.

Negotiation with insurers may last additional months before reaching a fair settlement. If necessary, litigation can extend the process one to two years, but often results in higher compensation.

Why Choose The Law Office of Burns Jain for Your Boston Truck Accident Case

Our firm brings over 35 years of experience representing accident victims against large corporations and their insurance companies. We’re not a high-volume settlement mill but trial lawyers who provide personal attention to every client.

We understand the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations governing the trucking industry and have relationships with expert witnesses who can explain complex technical issues to juries. Our track record includes successful outcomes against major trucking companies and their insurers.

You work directly with experienced attorneys Neil Burns and Roshan Jain, not paralegals or junior associates. We keep you informed throughout the process and never settle without your approval.

Truck Accident Frequently Asked Questions

Do I Need to Meet the $2,000 Threshold to Claim Pain and Suffering in Massachusetts?

Yes, to recover pain and suffering damages, your medical expenses must exceed $2,000 or involve fractures, permanent disfigurement, or substantial loss of hearing or sight.

How Quickly Can You Send a Spoliation Letter to Preserve Evidence?

Once retained, we promptly send spoliation letters to trucking companies requesting that they preserve evidence related to your crash.

How Long Do Trucking Companies Keep Electronic Data?

Electronic truck data, such as ECM and ELD records, can be overwritten or lost quickly, so prompt legal action is essential to preserve evidence.

Who Pays My Medical Bills First – PIP or Health Insurance?

Depending on your policy, Personal Injury Protection and health insurance may help cover medical expenses until a settlement is reached, much like homeowners’ insurance covers injuries occurring on residential property.

Can I Still Recover if the Driver Is an Independent Contractor?

Yes, we can often establish company liability through negligent hiring, inadequate supervision, or an agency relationship, even with contractor drivers.

Contact Our Boston Truck Accident Attorneys Today

Time is critical after a truck accident. Evidence disappears, insurance companies build their defense, and medical bills accumulate while you’re unable to work.

Our skilled Boston personal injury attorneys at The Law Office of Burns Jain provides free consultations and works on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case. We’re available 24/7 to begin protecting your rights immediately.

Contact us today to speak with an experienced Boston truck accident lawyer who will fight for the compensation you deserve while you focus on healing.