Swinging Turns

Massachusetts Attorney for Truck Accident Victims

Large trucks can cause serious injuries if they make unpredictable or erratic movements on the road. Although drivers undergo training and must obtain a specific license to operate large trucks, some are still careless behind the wheel and have little regard for how their driving affects other motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. A Massachusetts truck accident lawyer at our firm is prepared to assist you in evaluating whether you are owed compensation from a truck driver who caused you to suffer injuries due to negligent driving. It can be difficult to understand whether the driver and/or his or her employer are responsible for your damages, particularly if you are suffering from painful and life-altering physical injuries.

Swinging Turns

Unlike a regular passenger size vehicle, a truck is often substantial in size and weight. Due to the extended trailer, it can be difficult for the driver to make sharp turns or to fit into narrow streets while following the same turning path that a smaller vehicle would follow. This leads many truck operators to engage in wide swinging turns that require the use of an adjacent lane in order for the truck to complete the turn or other maneuver. Executing a swinging turn safely is part of driver training, but that doesn’t always mean that the driver is following the rules. Also, some trucking companies may decide to cut corners, fail to verify that a driver has appropriate training, or hire drivers without proper training in an effort to keep up with transportation demand. It can be difficult to remember the specific sequence of events leading up to an accident, and in many cases the victim had no idea the collision was about to occur when it happened.

Seeking Compensation for Your Damages

If you were injured in a swinging turn truck accident, you can bring a civil claim in court to recover compensation for your injuries and damages. As part of your case, you will be required to show that the defendant failed to use adequate care and skill when executing the turn similar to how a reasonable and prudent truck driver would have acted. Examples of negligent conduct include failing to make a swinging turn in a safe manner, failing to have appropriate training, or driving a large truck while intoxicated.

Massachusetts recognizes the doctrine of vicarious liability, which means you may also be able to sue the truck driver’s employer if you were harmed in a truck accident. This doctrine states that an injury victim can hold an employer responsible where the employee committed a negligent act in the course and scope of his or her employment and while acting in the employer’s interests. This doctrine can get complicated if it is unclear whether the employee was acting in his or her scope of employment at the time of the crash, which is why having a seasoned truck accident lawyer on your side is so important. The employer may also be held liable separate and apart from the driver’s conduct if the plaintiff can show that it violated a state or federal trucking regulation.

The damages that result from a swinging turn truck accident can be devastating and even fatal. There are many different categories of compensation that an injury victim may be entitled to receive, including amounts for past and future estimated medical expenses, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and loss of quality of life. If you need ongoing medical attention, it is critical to ensure that you claim the compensation you will need to handle these bills and continuing expenses. Medical care can become quite costly, especially if the accident led to permanent injuries.

Meet with a Dedicated Truck Accident Lawyer in Massachusetts

If you were injured in a truck accident, you deserve responsive and compassionate legal care from a seasoned attorney. We are available to serve clients in areas around Boston, Cambridge, Waltham, Lowell, Newton, Somerville, Quincy, Dedham, Norwood, Brookline, and Peabody. To schedule a free consultation to discuss your rights call us at  (800) 262-9200 or contact us online to get started.