Commercial Motor Vehicle and Truck Accidents in Boston, MA
A commercial vehicle is any motor vehicle operated for profit, usually involving the transport of goods or passengers. In the United States, there are approximately 6.8 million commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are currently more than 3.5 million truck drivers in the United States — a figure that does not include other large-vehicle drivers such as those who operate buses and cargo and delivery vans.
Quick Statistics on Truck and Commerical Vehicles in Boston and Massachusetts
- 129,360 Trucking industry jobs in Massachusetts (1 in 24 jobs in the state)
- 16,500 Trucking companies in Massachusetts
- As of 2017, Massachusetts had a rate of fatal crashes 60% lower than the national average
- In 2019, there were 32 large trucks involved in fatal crashes in Massachusetts (7.1% of all fatal crashes).
Each year, commercial trucks in the United States travel a collective total of 450 billion miles, moving roughly 11 billion tons of merchandise from ports to factories to warehouses to stores and, ultimately, to consumers.
2019 Large Truck Traffic Safety National Findings by NHTSA
- In 2019 there were 5,005 people killed in crashes involving large trucks. This number was almost the same as in 2018 (5,006).
- Seventy-one percent of people killed in large-truck crashes in 2019 were occupants of other vehicles.
- Seventy-seven percent of the fatal crashes involving large trucks in 2019 occurred on weekdays (6 a.m. Monday to 5:59 p.m. Friday).
- Two percent of the drivers of large trucks involved in fatal crashes in 2019 had blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) of .08 grams per deciliter (g/dL) or higher, much lower than drivers of other vehicle types (29% for motorcycles, 20% for passenger cars, and 19% for light trucks).
- In 2019 drivers of large trucks in fatal crashes were less likely than drivers of passenger cars to have previous license suspensions or revocations.
- Large-truck drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2019 had a higher percentage (22.9%) of previously recorded crashes compared to drivers of other vehicle types (motorcycles, 22.0%; passenger cars, 18.9%; and light trucks, 17.8%).
- The American Trucking Association (ATA) estimates roughly 72% of all consumer goods are moved by trucks, making the industry worth more than an estimated $800 Billion per year.
What is a Commercial Motor Vehicle?
Every 15 minutes in the United States, tractor-trailers or semi-trucks crash and injure or kill someone, adding up to over 555,000 truck accidents annually. Thousands more accidents happen each year involving other types of commercial vehicles, like delivery vans, rideshare vehicles, or buses.
Examples of commercial motor vehicles (CMV) include:
- Armored trucks
- Big rig trucks (18-wheelers, tractor-trailers, or semis)
- Chemical or biohazard trucks
- Construction vehicles (like concrete mixers, cement trucks, etc.)
- Delivery trucks (Amazon, FedEx, UPS, etc.)
- Dump trucks
- Forklift trucks
- Livestock trucks (carrying bees, deer, pigs, cows, etc.)
- Log trucks
- Moving trucks
- Plow trucks
- Septic tank or sewage trucks
- Snow plow trucks
- Tanker trucks (gasoline or fuel trucks)
- Train trucks
- Tow trucks
In addition to commercial trucks, we can also help with accidents involving other types of commercial vehicles, like:
- Buses (for cities, schools, or companies like Greyhound)
- Taxicabs or rideshare vehicles (like Uber or Lyft)
- Vans (moving vans or Amazon delivery vans)
When accidents happen involving commercial trucks, the passengers in a non-commercial vehicle are 6 to 10 times more likely to suffer injuries and fatalities than passengers of the truck.
Also known as tractor-trailers or 18-wheelers, semi-trucks crash and injure, or kill someone, every 15 minutes in the U.S. Annually, this adds up to about 555,000 truck accidents and accounts for nearly 5,000 fatalities, according to the FMCSA. Collisions with trucks kill more people than accidents involving planes, trains, ships, and interstate buses combined.
Trucking Accidents vs. Passenger Vehicle Crashes
Several factors differentiate commercial trucking accidents from passenger vehicle crashes, most notably the following:
- Higher likelihood of serious, catastrophic, or fatal injuries
- Increased vehicle and/or personal property damage
- The size of the company (or companies) involved and their insurance provider(s)
Common Types of Truck Accidents in Boston, MA
Different types of truck accidents can include:
- Blind-spot accidents (when the driver loses sight of nearby vehicles)
- Brake failures
- Head-on and rear-end truck collisions
- Jackknife accidents (when a tractor-trailer brakes suddenly, the trailer can swing out at a 90-degree angle, potentially leading to rollovers)
- Overturn or rollover accidents (when the tractor-trailer rolls over)
- Reversing or backing-up accidents
- T-bone accidents
- Tire blowouts
- Too-wide turns
- Underride accidents (when the smaller vehicle gets stuck under the tractor-trailer)
Vision Zero Campaign in Boston
“In 2015 the City of Boston committed to Vision Zero, a data-driven effort to eliminate serious and fatal crashes on city streets by 2030. Nearly six years later, the City of Boston has demonstrated consistent and measurable progress toward its goals, and has much to be proud of, including continuing to reduce pedestrian fatalities during a year when they skyrocketed across the country.”
Involved in a Truck Accident?
Get in touch with our experienced legal team to learn more about your legal options and how we can help.
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Common Causes of Commerical Truck Accidents in Boston, MA
Commercial truck accidents can happen for any number of reasons. However, they can often be the result of the commercial motor vehicle (CMV) driver neglecting to comply with federal safety standards.
Many trucking companies encourage truck drivers to cut corners as a way to maximize their profit, even though it can put those sharing the road in danger.
Causes of Truck Accidents
When a truck is involved in an accident, the injuries and damages can be much more severe because trucks are often 20 to 30 times as heavy as standard passenger vehicles.
Due to their additional size and weight, commercial trucks require nearly double the amount of brake time compared to ordinary vehicles. A truck traveling at 65 mph needs to start braking 525 feet before reaching a full stop. A passenger vehicle driving the same speed, on the other hand, may only need 300 feet or less.
Causes of commercial vehicle accidents include:
- Distracted driving: According to the FMCSA, 71% of large-truck crashes happened when the trucker was doing something else while driving, like eating, using a cell phone, or checking the map.
- Driver fatigue or drowsiness: Driver drowsiness can impair a driver’s response time to on-the-road hazards, which increases the risk of accidents. According to the Large Truck Crash Causation Study (LTCCS), 13% of CMV drivers were fatigued at the time of the crash. Another study found that 3 out of 4 commercial vehicle drivers experienced at least one type of driving error as a result of drowsiness.
- Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol: 17% of CMV drivers at the time of the crash were using over-the-counter drugs, some of which (like cold pills, allergy medicines, and sleeping pills) can induce drowsiness, according to the FMCSA.
- Failure to maintain tires, brakes, and other parts
- Following too closely: 5% of truck crashes happened when the driver followed the vehicle ahead of them too closely, not giving themselves adequate time to brake in the event of an emergency, according to the LTCCS.
- Inadequate surveillance: 14% of large-truck crashes occurred due to the CMV drivers’ inadequate surveillance or failure to see approaching traffic, like during a lane change, according to the LTCCS.
- Overloading trucks
- Pay structures that encourage dangerous driving, like speeding and exceeding the maximum driving hours
- Speeding: 23% of large-truck wrecks involved the truck driver traveling too fast for weather or road conditions, according to the LTCSS.
- Unfamiliar roadways: 22% of large-truck crashes occur when the driver is unfamiliar with the roadway, likely due to their having to check the map while driving.
- Unqualified or untrained drivers
Common Truck Accident Injuries in Boston, MA
Commercial truck accidents often involve far larger vehicles, both in size and weight, than everyday car accidents. This means the injuries many sustain can be more severe, and accidents are more likely to result in fatalities.
Large commercial truck and bus crashes that caused injuries increased 62% from 2009 and 2015, before increasing an additional 13% between 2016 and 2019, according to data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
If you or your loved one were injured in a truck accident, you may be able to pursue compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and more from the negligent driver and company through a commercial truck accident lawsuit.
Truck accidents can cause a range of serious injuries, including:
- Broken bones
- Disfigurement
- Hearing or vision loss
- Lacerations
- Loss of limb(s)
- Paralysis
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Death
On top of serious or fatal injuries, insurance companies aim to minimize the extent of damages and injuries resulting from commercial trucking accidents. Their goal is to get any injured parties to accept as small of a payout as possible in the shortest time possible, to lower their liability and overall costs.
Commercial Motor Vehicle and Truck Accident Lawsuits in Boston, MA
Insurance companies are prone to offering low settlements that don’t come close to the true cost of your auto ordeal. Victims often have no choice but to pick up all pieces on their own after such accidents occur without any help coming from those responsible–the drivers who caused them pain and the companies that often cut corners leading to their commercial drivers being put in harm’s way.
You may be able to file a commercial vehicle accident lawsuit if you or your loved one were:
- Involved in a commercial motor vehicle accident (like a bus, truck, or van)
- Suffered injuries as a result of the accident
How to File a Commercial Truck Accident Lawsuit
Collisions with large trucks and other commercial vehicles can be devastating, leading to a range of potentially severe injuries that can interfere with your daily life and ability to work. That’s why you need an experienced law firm that can make the process easier for you.
If you become a Sokolove Law client, your commercial vehicle accident lawyer and legal team can handle every step of the legal process for you. This way, you can focus on your health and family, while we focus on your case.
Though every crash case differs, the legal process generally involves us:
- Determining your eligibility to take legal action during a free consultation
- Gathering all of the evidence needed to build your case and prove your truck accident claim
- Filing a commercial truck accident lawsuit against the driver or company on your behalf
- Pursuing truck accident compensation in the form of a settlement or verdict
Truck Accident Settlements and Verdicts
After filing a lawsuit, truck accident compensation can generally be secured in one of two ways:
- Truck accident lawsuit settlements: In legal cases, truck accident settlements refer to when your legal team and the defendant are able to agree on an amount of compensation for your injuries, usually before the case proceeds to trial.
- Truck accident trial verdicts: If a truck accident settlement isn’t reached, your case may proceed to trial, where a judge and jury can hear your case and give a verdict that decides the outcome.
Involved in a Truck Accident?
Get in touch with our experienced legal team to learn more about your legal options and how we can help.
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Choosing a Boston Truck Accident Injury Lawyer
Without the help of an experienced truck accident attorney, it can be difficult for truck accident victims to successfully navigate the legal system and hold the responsible parties accountable.
But finding the right attorney, one who can offer you all of the skills and resources you need, can be difficult if you don’t know what you’re looking for.
What to Look for in a Truck Wreck Lawyer in Massachusetts
To find the best truck accident lawyers for your case, be sure to look for a law firm that can offer you:
- Free Case Evaluations: Don’t keep wondering what your legal options are. During a free, no-obligation case review, a member of our team can listen to your story and let you know if you may be able to take legal action.
- Decades of Experience: Sokolove Law has handled personal injury cases like this for over 40 years, helping injured clients pursue the justice and compensation they deserve.
- Nationwide Availability: If you want experienced legal representation near you, look no further than Sokolove Law. As a national commercial truck accident law firm, we can help clients across the country.
- A History of Success: Our personal injury attorneys have successfully recovered over $8.6 Billion for thousands of injured clients nationwide.
- Truck Accident Legal Help at No Upfront Cost: There are no out-of-pocket fees to work with our truck accident attorneys. We’ll only get paid if we’re able to secure compensation on your behalf.
Get Help From Our Truck Accident Attorneys in Boston, MA
The Boston truck and commercial motor vehicle accident attorneys with Sokolove Law are ready to help if you have reason to believe you have been injured in a truck accident through no fault of your own. Our firm has more than 40 years of experience and a long track record of success.
Sokolove Law started in Boston more than 40 years ago. Since then, our firm has expanded across the country. We have decades of experience and a long track record of success, recovering over $8.6 Billion for injured clients nationwide.
Our Boston truck accident attorneys commonly take on new lawsuits on what’s known as a “contingency fee” basis. Simply put, this means a victim pays nothing upfront and does not pay for anything out-of-pocket.
A victim’s legal team will be apportioned a certain percentage of the total settlement amount, only if a lawsuit is successful in securing compensation. If a truck accident lawsuit does not succeed in securing compensation for the victim’s injuries, the victim’s lawyer(s) will not be paid an attorney’s fee.
Your initial consultation will be free, and our attorneys only get paid if you do. Our staff of registered nurses will also be available to support you throughout your case.
Call (800) 995-1212 or fill out our contact form to find out more about how we may be able to help.
Sokolove Law Has Served Boston & New England as a Truck Accident Law Firm
In 1979, Jim Sokolove founded Sokolove Law in Boston. One of his goals was to help the families of people injured in auto accidents get the justice and compensation they deserve. Sokolove Law has become a nationwide firm because of Jim’s determination and vision.
We help people from all walks of life — including those of different races, genders, and economic statuses — file truck accident legal claims. We provide free legal case evaluations to our clients and will dedicate a team of legal professionals to your case, including an experienced truck accident attorney, paralegal, and nurse case manager.
You and your family matter to us. Let us fight for you.
Our Boston Office Location
1330 Boylston Street, Suite 400
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
Call Us Now at
(800) 647-3434
Sokolove Law Affiliations and Recognition
Our Professional Affiliations
- American Association of Justice
- Massachusetts State Bar Association (Located in Boston, MA)
Recognition
- National Trial Lawyers – Top 100 Trial Lawyers
- Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys
- Top 10 Asbestos & Mesothelioma Trial Lawyers
- U.S. News & World Report – 2022 Best Law Firms / Best Lawyers
- Martindale-Hubbell – 2022 Peer-Reviewed for Ethical Standards and Legal Ability
Sokolove Law Local Reviews
- Better Business Bureau® (BBB) – A+ Rating since 2013
- Average Google Rating: 4.6/5
Local Service Areas
Wherever you are, we’re ready to work with you and serve you and your family.
- Boston
- Brockton
- Brookline
- Cambridge
- Chicopee
- Fall River
- Framingham
- Haverhill
- Lawrence
- Lowell
- Lynn
- Malden
- Medford
- New Bedford
- Newton
- Peabody
- Plymouth
- Quincy
- Revere
- Somerville
- Springfield
- Taunton
- Waltham
- Weymouth
- Worcester
- And more
List of Boston Hospitals and their Safety Grades
Boston Hospital Safety Ratings
There are 10 major hospitals located in or very near Boston. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is a letter grade that scores hospitals based on how well they protect patients from errors, injuries, accidents, and infections.
When compared to an A-rated hospital, your chance of dying increases by 35% in a B-rated hospital and 88% in a C-rated hospital. This research was conducted at the Armstrong Institute for Patient Safety and Quality, Johns Hopkins Medicine.
List of Boston Hospitals and Their Grades
- Massachusetts General Hospital
55 Fruit Street
Boston, MA 02114
Hospital Safety Grade: A
- Tufts Medical Center
800 Washington Street
Boston, MA 02111-1552
Hospital Safety Grade: A
- Boston Medical Center
1 Boston Medical Center Place
Boston, MA 02118-2908
Hospital Safety Grade: B
- CHA Cambridge Hospital
1493 Cambridge Street
Cambridge, MA 02139-1099
Hospital Safety Grade: C
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
330 Brookline Avenue
Boston, MA 02215-5491
Hospital Safety Grade: B
- Brigham And Women’s Hospital
75 Francis Street
Boston, MA 02115-6110
Hospital Safety Grade: A
- CHA Everett Hospital
103 Garland Street
Everett, MA 02149
Hospital Safety Grade: B
- Mount Auburn Hospital
330 Mount Auburn Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
Hospital Safety Grade: A
- St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center
736 Cambridge Street
Brighton, MA 02135-2997
Hospital Safety Grade: B
- Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital
1153 Centre Street
Boston, MA 02130-3400
Hospital Safety Grade: A
Boston Neighborhoods We Serve
- Allston-Brighton
- Back Bay
- Beacon Hill/West End
- Charlestown
- Chinatown
- Dorchester
- Downtown Boston
- East Boston
- Fenway-Kenmore
- Hyde Park
- Jamaica Plain
- Mattapan
- Mission Hill
- North End
- Roslindale
- Roxbury
- South Boston
- South End/Bay Village
- West Roxbury
Boston Zip Codes We Serve
- 02108
- 02109
- 02110
- 02111
- 02112
- 02113
- 02114
- 02115
- 02116
- 02117
- 02118
- 02119
- 02120
- 02121
- 02122
- 02123
- 02124
- 02125
- 02126
- 02127
- 02128
- 02129
- 02130
- 02131
- 02132
- 02133
- 02134
- 02135
- 02136
- 02137
- 02163
- 02196
- 02199
- 02201
- 02203
- 02204
- 02205
- 02206
- 02210
- 02211
- 02212
- 02215
- 02217
- 02222
- 02241
- 02283
- 02284
- 02293
- 02297
- 02298
Cities We Serve Surrounding Boston
- Arlington, MA
- Belmont, MA
- Brookline, MA
- Cambridge, MA
- Chelsea, MA
- Everett, MA
- Malden, MA
- Medford, MA
- Melrose, MA
- Milton, MA
- Revere, MA
- Somerville, MA
- Watertown, MA
- Winchester, MA
- Winthrop, MA