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Delivery trucks have become a familiar sight on Boston’s busy streets due to the popularity of online shopping and rapid local deliveries. With so many delivery trucks making frequent stops and navigating tight city roads, accidents are increasingly likely, and their consequences can be severe for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians alike.
A Boston delivery truck accident lawyer understands the unique risks these vehicles pose and can help injured victims manage complicated claims, recover financial losses and deal with large delivery companies.
Delivery companies often have dedicated attorneys and skilled adjusters whose sole job is to protect their bottom line. Without professional help, you may be pressured into a settlement that doesn’t fully cover your damages.
At Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP, we combine detailed knowledge of Boston’s roadways, Massachusetts trucking regulations and a relentless approach to negotiation. Having us on your side means you’re equipped with a dedicated legal team who will anticipate challenges and protect your best interests so you aren’t left facing the aftermath of your accident alone.
Delivery trucks typically weigh at least 10,000 pounds, making them significantly heavier and larger than regular passenger vehicles, which average around 3,000–4,000 pounds. Because of their extra size and weight, delivery trucks exert much greater force during a collision, causing more severe injuries, substantial damage to cars and extensive property damage.
Additionally, delivery trucks usually carry many packages in their cargo areas. If cargo doors accidentally open or aren’t properly secured, these parcels can spill onto the road. Loose mail on the road creates hazardous obstacles that other drivers must quickly avoid, potentially leading to further accidents.
Determining who’s at fault in a delivery vehicle accident can be more complex than in a typical car accident, especially when multiple parties might share responsibility.
If the delivery company doesn’t properly maintain its trucks, fails to inspect them regularly or ignores important safety rules, such as tracking how long drivers are on the road, the company itself could be considered legally responsible for the accident.
When the delivery truck involved in the accident belongs to a government agency, getting compensation can become more challenging because there are special legal rules and stricter timelines for filing claims.
However, an experienced delivery truck accident lawyer in Boston understands these unique rules and procedures. They can help guide you through the process, making sure you meet all legal requirements and protecting your ability to recover damages.
When the delivery truck driver directly causes the accident through negligence (like distracted driving or speeding), the driver is usually considered at fault. However, the legal claim typically still involves the insurance policy of the delivery company rather than the driver’s personal insurance, since the driver was likely working and operating the truck on behalf of their employer at the time of the accident.
However, if the delivery driver was acting recklessly or intentionally violating company policies, there might be situations where you could also bring a claim directly against the driver’s personal insurance.
Delivery vehicle accidents can cause painful, frightening and life-changing injuries. These injuries can affect not just physical health, but emotional well-being too. Common injuries include:
These injuries can significantly disrupt your life, making recovery challenging.
Getting compensation after an accident with a delivery vehicle can be challenging because delivery companies typically have large legal teams that aggressively defend against claims. They may try to minimize responsibility, dispute fault or offer low settlements. However, you can take steps to help overcome these challenges and strengthen your claim.
Carefully documenting the scene of the accident by taking clear photos, gathering witness statements and writing down details about property damage can help prevent the delivery company or insurance providers from denying liability later on.
Additionally, keeping thorough records of medical bills, vehicle repair estimates and other accident-related expenses makes it harder for anyone to dispute the seriousness or impact of the accident.
Accidents with commercial trucks can be complicated because they often involve multiple parties. A lawyer who regularly handles delivery truck accident cases knows exactly where to start and how to proceed. They can gather essential evidence, such as vehicle maintenance records, driver logs, eyewitness testimony and company safety records. Because they’ve successfully handled these types of cases before, they’re familiar with tactics delivery companies or insurers may use to avoid responsibility.
Several types of damages are typically available to people involved in a delivery truck accident.
You may seek reimbursement for immediate medical expenses and ongoing treatments required due to the accident. Common medical expenses include:
After an accident, medical expenses can be extensive, so getting fair compensation is important.
If your injuries caused you to miss work, you may be able to recover the wages you lost during your recovery period. Sometimes, permanent injuries stop you from working completely or make advancing your career harder. In those cases, you may also be able to recover money for earnings you would have made in the future.
Large truck accidents can leave emotional and psychological scars that impact your ability to enjoy daily life. Emotional distress may include:
Compensation for emotional distress acknowledges the profound personal impact an accident can have beyond physical injuries alone.
Because delivery trucks are large and heavy, they often cause damage that’s too severe or expensive to repair, leading insurance companies to declare vehicles a “total loss.” In these cases, you’d be entitled to compensation covering the full cost of replacing your vehicle.
Even if the damage isn’t severe enough for your vehicle to be declared a total loss, you can still receive money to cover the costs of repairs so your car can be restored to the condition it was in before the accident.
If you or someone you care about has been hurt by a delivery truck in Boston, you may be unsure about what comes next. At Sweeney Merrigan Law, LLP, we believe that you deserve someone on your side who can handle the legal challenges to give you space and peace of mind to heal.
Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case and help you figure out the best path forward. You don’t have to handle this alone; we’re here to support you every step of the way.