When you’re injured in a collision with a large commercial truck, you need a legal team that understands the specific federal and state laws that govern the trucking industry. 

Brooks Law Firm brings extensive trucking knowledge and local Massachusetts experience to every claim we accept. 

We Know Massachusetts

Whether your accident happened on the Mass Pike, I-495 near Marlborough, or a busy route like Route 9 in Framingham, we know how to leverage local knowledge to your advantage. 

Since 2013, we’ve been helping injured people across Massachusetts, and we use our local knowledge to build each client a compelling case for compensation.

Clear Communication

The legal system can be confusing, especially when you’re recovering from an injury. We commit to explaining every step of the process in simple, direct language. You’ll always know the status of your case and the strategy behind our actions.

Results That Matter

Our attorneys have secured over $200 million for our clients, proving we know what it takes to build a powerful personal injury claim in Massachusetts. While every case is different, we bring the same level of compassion and tenacious advocacy to every client we represent.

Call Brooks Law Firm today at (508) 462-9858 or fill out our online form to get started for free.

After a serious truck accident, it may seem like the truck driver is the only one at fault. In many Massachusetts cases, however, more than one party may share responsibility. 

Identifying every liable party is important because it can affect the amount of compensation available to cover your losses. A Massachusetts truck accident lawyer from Brooks Law Firm investigates every possible source of liability. 

Depending on the facts of the crash, liable parties may include:

• The Truck Driver: The driver may have caused the crash by speeding, driving while distracted, driving under the influence, following too closely, or violating Hours of Service (HOS) rules.
• The Trucking Company: The company may be responsible for the driver’s actions or for its own misconduct, such as poor hiring, inadequate training, or unsafe scheduling practices.
• A Cargo Loading Company: A separate company may be liable if improperly loaded or unsecured cargo contributed to the crash.
• A Maintenance Provider: A repair or maintenance company may share fault if poor inspections or service left the truck in an unsafe condition.
• A Parts or Vehicle Manufacturer: A manufacturer may be liable if a defective brake system, tire, or other part played a role in the collision.

Trucking companies and their insurers often have substantial resources to defend these claims, so a thorough investigation matters.

In the days and weeks after a Massachusetts truck accident, critical evidence can disappear. Trucking companies are required to preserve certain records, but they’re not obligated to keep them forever. 

Acting quickly allows your attorney to secure this information before it is legally destroyed or altered. At Brooks Law Firm, one of our first actions is to send an official letter to the trucking company demanding it preserve all relevant evidence. 

This legal notice helps prevent the spoliation of evidence and is a key step in building your claim. Our Massachusetts truck accident lawyers know what to look for and how to use it to show what really happened. 

This evidence is often the foundation for successful truck accident settlement negotiations:

• Event Data Recorder (EDR): This device records critical information about the truck’s speed, braking, and steering in the moments before and during a crash. The data provides an objective account of the truck’s operation.
• Driver Logs: Federal law requires truck drivers to keep detailed logs of their driving time and rest periods to prevent fatigue. We compare these logs with fuel receipts, GPS data, and other records to identify any HOS violations.
• Maintenance Records: A trucking company must maintain its fleet in safe, working order. We request and review all inspection, maintenance, and repair records for the specific truck involved in your accident. 
• Company Communications: Our team can request internal communications, emails, and dispatch records through the discovery process. This information can show if the company was pressuring the driver to speed or violate safety rules to meet a delivery schedule.

A serious truck accident can affect your health, your income, and your daily life. Your personal injury claim should account for the full impact of your injuries, not just your immediate medical bills.

In a Massachusetts truck accident case, you may be able to recover compensation for:

• Medical Expenses: This includes all past and future care, such as hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy, and medications.
• Lost Income: This covers wages you lost while recovering and any time you missed from work.
• Reduced Earning Capacity: If your injuries prevent you from returning to your prior job or limit your ability to earn income, you may recover compensation for those long-term losses.
• Pain and Suffering: Compensation may account for the physical pain and discomfort caused by your injuries. You may pursue payment for anxiety, depression, and other mental impacts of the accident.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If your injuries prevent you from participating in activities you once enjoyed, that loss may be compensable.
• Disfigurement or Scarring: Permanent physical changes may support additional compensation.

What Happens When a Massachusetts Truck Accident Is Fatal?

If you lost a family member in a fatal truck accident, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim. This type of action seeks compensation for the financial losses the family has suffered, such as the loss of the loved one’s income, as well as for the loss of their companionship and guidance. 

Massachusetts law sets a specific deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit, a rule known as the statute of limitations. For most truck accident cases, you have three years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit in court. 

If you miss this deadline, the court will likely dismiss your case, and you’ll lose the right to recover any compensation for your injuries. While three years may seem like a long time, it’s a serious mistake to wait. 

Why Waiting to Act Weakens Your Claim

The first few weeks after a truck crash are a critical period for evidence gathering. The trucking company and its insurance carrier begin their own investigation right away, working to limit their financial liability. Delaying your own investigation puts you at a significant disadvantage.

Over time, key pieces of evidence become harder to obtain. Memories fade, and physical evidence can be lost. Trucking companies are only required to keep certain records for a limited time, and after that period, they can legally destroy them. 

A Massachusetts truck accident lawyer at Brooks Law Firm can take immediate action to secure this critical information before it’s gone forever.

After a truck accident in Massachusetts, the steps you take can affect your health, your claim, and the evidence available in your case. 

To protect yourself, focus on these actions:

1. Gather and Save Your Records: Keep medical bills, discharge papers, prescription receipts, repair estimates, photos, and proof of missed work. These documents can help show how the truck accident has affected your life.
2. Avoid Speaking With the Insurer: The trucking company’s insurer may contact you quickly and ask for a recorded statement or push for a fast settlement. Be careful about what you say; they may try to use your words against you.
3. Stay Off Social Media: Insurance companies may look for posts, photos, or comments they can use to argue that your injuries are not as serious as you claim.
4. Talk to an Attorney: Truck accident cases often involve complex evidence, multiple liable parties, and aggressive insurance defense tactics. A lawyer can protect you from insurers, investigate the crash, and help you pursue full compensation. 

Brooks Law Firm can help you take the right steps after a serious truck accident and pursue the compensation you may deserve. Call (508) 462-9858 or contact us online for a free case review.

You don’t have to handle the pressure of a truck accident claim on your own. Let the experienced legal team at Brooks Law Firm manage the details so you can focus on your health and your family. We’re ready to listen to your story and explain your legal options in a way that makes sense.

For a free case evaluation with a Massachusetts truck accident lawyer, call (508) 462-9858 or complete our online contact form to speak with a member of our team.