Springfield Truck Accident Lawyers

At Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers, we understand that a crash with a commercial truck can change a life in seconds. Tractor-trailers, box trucks, tanker trucks, cement mixers, and construction rigs tower over passenger cars and weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded. When one of these massive vehicles collides with a family sedan on I-91, the Massachusetts Turnpike, or State Route 20, the resulting injuries are often catastrophic. We explain how truck accident cases differ from ordinary car wrecks, summarize the applicable law in Massachusetts, and outline how our experienced Springfield truck accident lawyer can protect your future. Contact our Springfield personal injury law firm now for a free consultation if you have been injured in a collision with a semi-truck.

Commercial trucks are subject to a complex web of federal safety rules enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and state traffic statutes, such as those in Massachusetts. The evidence profile is much broader, encompassing driver qualification files, “black box” ECM data, electronic logging devices (ELDs), dispatch notes, bills of lading, GPS breadcrumbs, maintenance inspections, and post-collision drug and alcohol test results, all of which can significantly impact a claim. Insurance limits are far higher; interstate carriers must carry at least $750,000 in liability coverage (up to $5 million for hazardous cargo), and many companies purchase commercial umbrella policies. Multiple entities may share blame: the truck driver, the motor carrier that employed or contracted with the driver, a freight broker, the company that loaded the trailer, a repair shop, or even a parts manufacturer that produced a defective brake component. Injuries are often catastrophic, such as spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injury (TBI), multiple fractures, or wrongful death, so the stakes for lost wages, future medical care, and pain and suffering are dramatically higher.

• Driver fatigue. FMCSA hours-of-service rules limit a property-carrying driver to 11 hours behind the wheel after 10 consecutive hours off duty, yet logbook violations remain rampant.
• Distracted driving. Cell-phone use, on-board computers, and dispatch messages draw eyes from the road.
• Excessive speed and aggressive passing. Tight delivery windows can lead to dangerous maneuvers, especially near the I-91/I-291 interchange or the “thickly settled” stretches of U.S. 20.
• Improperly secured or overloaded cargo. Shifting freight can destabilize a rig or cause it to spill onto the roadway.
• Mechanical failures. Worn brake shoes, under-inflated tires, and neglected air-brake reservoirs lengthen stopping distances.
• Poor weather and road conditions. Snowstorms rolling off the Berkshires, fog along the Connecticut River, or construction zones on the Mass Pike reduce traction and sight lines.

• Statute of Limitations: Under M.G.L. c. 260 § 2A, you generally have three years from the crash date to file a personal injury lawsuit. A three-year statute of limitations also governs wrongful death actions, but the clock may run from the date the executor knew or should have known the defendant’s identity.

• No-Fault Threshold: Massachusetts is a no-fault state for ordinary auto accidents, meaning your insurance company pays your medical expenses and lost wages up to $8,000. If you sustain serious injuries or medical bills over $2,000, you can step outside the Personal Injury Protection (PIP) system and pursue the at-fault parties. Truck wrecks almost always meet or exceed that threshold.

• Comparative Negligence: Massachusetts follows a 51 percent modified comparative negligence rule. You may recover damages so long as your share of fault does not exceed 50 percent, but any award is reduced in proportion to your responsibility.
• Punitive Damages: Not generally available in negligence actions, but a wrongful death claim under M.G.L. c. 229 § 2 allows punitive damages if the defendant’s conduct was “willful, wanton, or reckless.”

• Spoliation of Evidence: State and federal courts recognize a duty to preserve evidence once litigation is reasonably anticipated. Sending an immediate litigation-hold letter to the motor carrier can prevent logbooks, ELD data, or dash-cam video from “accidentally” disappearing.

• Electronic Control Module (ECM) speed and brake application data
• Driver’s hours-of-service logs and ELD downloads
• Pre-trip and post-trip inspection reports
• Annual FMCSA compliance audits and violation history
• Driver qualification file: CDL status, prior crashes, medical certificates, and drug tests
• Bills of lading and weight tickets showing load type and distribution
• On-board video from dash-cams or in-cab cameras
• Event data from third-party telematics (Omnitracs, Samsara, PeopleNet)
• Dispatch memos and delivery schedules that reveal time pressure
• Cell-phone call and text records

At Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers, we move quickly to send preservation demands, subpoena records, download electronic data, and, when necessary, retain accident-reconstruction engineers who can model vehicle dynamics and prove fault.

• Truck driver: for speeding, fatigue, distraction, or impairment
• Motor carrier or owner-operator: for negligent hiring, training, supervision, or negligent maintenance of the equipment
• Freight broker or shipper: for pressuring unrealistic delivery deadlines or loading cargo in violation of weight-distribution rules
• Trailer owner: When the tractor and trailer are separately owned under a lease arrangement, and maintenance lapses cause brake failure
• Parts manufacturer: If a defect, such as a tire tread separation or brake-chamber fracture, contributed to the loss of control
• Government entity: when poor roadway design, missing guardrails, or unmarked construction zones created an unreasonably dangerous condition

• Medical expenses: hospital bills, rehabilitation, prosthetics, home-health aides, and future surgeries
• Lost income: past wages plus diminished earning capacity for permanently disabled clients
• Pain and suffering: physical pain, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life
• Scarring and disfigurement: particularly common in burns or degloving injuries
• Loss of consortium: the harm to a spouse’s companionship and intimacy
• Property damage: repair or replacement of your vehicle and personal items
• Wrongful death damages: funeral expenses, lost financial support, and punitive damages where reckless conduct is proven

• Seek medical attention even if you feel “okay.” Adrenaline can mask serious internal injuries.
• Call 911 so that the Massachusetts State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Section or local police department can document the scene and weigh the truck if necessary.
• Photograph the vehicles, skid marks, road debris, and traffic signs before they are moved or cleaned.
• Collecting witness contact information and independent observers is invaluable when a trucking company disputes liability.
• Do not give a recorded statement to the motor carrier’s insurer without first speaking with an attorney. Adjusters are trained to minimize the value of your case.
• Contact Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers to secure critical electronic data before it is overwritten.

Q: “How long will my case take?”

Complex trucking litigation can span 12 to 48 months, primarily when multiple defendants dispute fault. Early settlement is possible once liability is clear and medical treatment stabilizes, but we prepare every case for trial to maximize leverage.

Q: “What if I was partly at fault?”

You may still recover if you were less than 50 percent to blame. We scrutinize electronic data, witness statements, and maintenance logs to shift as much fault as possible onto the trucking entities.

Q: “Will my case go to court?”

Most claims are resolved through negotiated settlements or mediation; however, our trial team has successfully litigated truck cases in Hampden Superior Court and the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts when insurers refused to offer fair compensation.

Q: “How much does it cost to hire your firm?”

We work on a contingency-fee basis. You owe no legal fee unless and until we obtain compensation for you.

• Decades of trucking litigation experience with a proven record of multi-million-dollar results for injured clients across the Commonwealth.
• A rapid-response investigation team is on call 24/7 to photograph the scene, locate surveillance video, and secure electronic evidence before it is lost.
• I have established relationships with top experts in accident reconstruction, human factors analysis, life-care planning, and vocational economics, enabling me to present compelling, quantifiable damages.
• Personalized attention: Clients receive direct contact with an attorney, regular updates, and a dedicated case manager.
• Aggressive negotiation and trial advocacy are backed by the resources to stand toe-to-toe with national motor carriers and insurers.

• Electronic data overwrites: Many ELDs rewrite themselves within 30 days.
• Vehicle repairs: Once a truck is back on the road, physical evidence such as brake-pad thickness, underride damage, or bumper heights may be destroyed.
• Witness memories fade: The sooner statements are recorded, the more credible they are to a jury.
• Comparative negligence arguments tend to strengthen over time, as d elays allow defense experts to speculate about alternative causes.

Prompt legal action preserves leverage and positions your case for the highest possible recovery.

Suppose you, a family member, or a coworker has been struck by a semi-truck anywhere in Western Massachusetts. In that case, you deserve advocates who are familiar with federal regulations, understand the dynamics of Hampden County juries, and possess the resources to battle multinational trucking corporations effectively. The legal team at Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers combines relentless investigation with compassionate client service to guide your family through this crisis.

Take the first step toward justice and financial security. Call (413) 278-0645 or complete our online form for a free, no-obligation consultation. We charge no fee unless we win.

Springfield Office

1500 Main St, 8th floor
Springfield, MA 01115
Phone: (413) 278-0645