Boston Car Accident Lawyer Blog

November 30, 2017

Driverless Cars – Wave of the Future or a Disaster Waiting to Happen?

Driverless cars will likely be the main mode of transportation in the future, but that future may be a bit more distant than expected. A self-driving taxi pilot project in Las Vegas ended with less-than-desirable results last week. After only a few hours of shuttling people around the city, the driverless van collided with a delivery truck as it was backing into an alley to make a delivery. According to the initial investigation, the human driver did something that the robot car couldn’t have anticipated.

Last Wednesday, the pod-like shuttle was on day one of offering complimentary rides around a small loop in Vegas. No one was injured in the collision, but it is cause for concern. It also brings to light a glaring issue that designers of driverless vehicles have yet to figure out – how can self-driving vehicles effectively interact with those driven by humans?

“This is exactly the kind of real-world scenario that this pilot is attempting to learn from,” said John Moreno, AAA spokesman. “This is one of the most advanced pieces of technology on the planet, and it’s just now learning how to interact with humans and human driving.”

Robots Don’t Understand Nonverbal Communication

The reality is, humans use nonverbal communication signals when driving every day. The truck, which was backing up when it shouldn’t have been, collided into the driverless pod stopped behind it. Had a human been driving the pod, he or she would have likely given in to the truck’s nonverbal request to “get out of my way,” by backing up. Had there not been another vehicle behind the pod, it may have done the same. However, the pod appeared to freeze in place, unable to determine how to react – can’t move forward, can’t back up.

According to a reporter who was on board at the time of the incident, a human would have probably responded differently. “We had about 20 feet of empty street behind us (I looked) and most human drivers would have thrown the car into reverse and used some of that space to get away from the truck,” wrote Jeff Zurschmeide, a reporter for Digitaltrends.com. “Or at least leaned on the horn and made our presence harder to miss. The shuttle didn’t have those responses in its program.”

Police arrived at the scene, issuing a ticket to the truck driver.

The purpose the the AAA-sponsored pilot program is to expose riders to driverless technology and determine how these vehicles perform in real-world situations. There is a human operator on board during the pilot rides, but the incident simply happened too quickly for the operator to react. A Boston car accident lawyer can help you determine how to proceed if you’ve been injured due to another’s negligence.

The Las Vegas pilot project incident isn’t the first crash involving a driverless car. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) criticized Tesla Inc.’s semi-autonomous systems in September, referencing a fatal 2016 accident involving the Tesla Model S. The Model S allows the driver to go “hands-free” for an extended period. Basically, it can steer itself. Unfortunately, a driver in Florida was killed when his Model S, which was steering itself at the time, crashed into a truck. NTSB ruled that, although the human drivers were the main cause of the accident, the autopilot design was a contributing factor.

This recent self-driving accident in Las Vegas shows the difficulties that driverless vehicles have when it comes to nonverbal communication. This type of communication occurs with great frequency between human drivers every day. The truck driver may not have seen the pod, but it’s more likely that he expected it to move.

“He probably had an expectation that the shuttle would back off and allow him to do his thing,” said Duke University robotics professor Missy Cummings. “Obviously that doesn’t work. There wasn’t the logic inside this little shuttle to anticipate this.” A MA auto accident attorney can help you recover damages if you’ve been injured due to another’s negligence. Continue reading

November 21, 2017

How to Prepare Your Vehicle for Winter Weather in New England

by Altman & Altman

Harsh winters and less-than-ideal driving conditions are a fact of life in New England. If we could all avoid driving when roadways are covered with snow and ice, winterizing our vehicles wouldn’t be so important. But the reality is, most of us can’t avoid driving when the weather outside is frightful. The need to commute to work, shuttle the kids to and from school and sports practices, and run errands doesn’t go away during the winter months. Read on for more information about how to dramatically reduce your risk of being involved in a winter weather-related motor vehicle accident.

Don’t Get Left Out in the Cold

Follow the tips below to ensure that your vehicle is ready for winter driving conditions.

Check your windshield wipers. The life cycle of a wiper blade is not particularly long; they generally need replaced every year. Get new wipers if you’re due, and make sure that your wiper fluid is full while you’re at it.
Get an oil change and ensure that you use the right type of oil for the season. Oil thickens when the temperatures drop, so you may need a thinner oil than you would use during summer months.
Keep your gas tank as close to full as possible during winter months. If you get stranded, you can’t run the heat if your car runs out of gas. A Boston auto accident attorney can help you determine how to proceed if you’ve been injured in a car accident.
Take your vehicle in for a check up. Winter weather can take a toll on batteries, belts, and hoses. To give your car a chance, it’s a good idea to ensure that these parts are in solid, working order at the start of the season. Repair shops can determine if your battery is strong enough to hold a charge, and that your belts and hoses don’t have excessive wear and tear. If you have four-wheel drive, your mechanic can also make sure that it’s working properly.
Good tires are essential during winter months. Poor inflation and / or tread can result in poor traction, a situation which is only made worse when roads are covered in snow, slush, or ice. Tire pressure generally drops with outside temps. Consult your owner’s manual to determine what your tire pressure should be, and fill it to that level. Keep in mind that over-inflated tires can be just as dangerous as under-inflated tires. Also ensure that your tires have adequate tread. “Bald” tires can be deadly any time of year, but especially in winter. If it’s time to invest in new tires, consider getting snow tires.
Put an “emergency kit” in your truck. If you have an accident or break down on a less-traveled roadway or late at night, you may be stranded for a few hours or more. Keep yourself safe and comfortable by storing the following items in your car during winter months:
Blankets
Boots, gloves, and scarf
Set of warm clothes, including socks
Bottles of water and non-perishable snacks
Flashlight
Snow shovel
Ice scraper
Flares
Spare tire
Jumper cables
Tools to change a tire
First-aid kit
A bag of sand or kitty litter for traction if stuck in snow
If you do get stranded, stay with your vehicle unless you know exactly where you are and how to quickly walk to safety. If you have cell reception, call for help. Light your flares and place at both ends of your vehicle. A MA injury lawyer can help you recover damages if you’ve been injured in a car accident.

November 3, 2017

Motor Vehicle Accidents Are Leading Cause of Teen Fatalities

by Altman & Altman

According to recent research, car crashes are one of the top causes of death for U.S. teens. Fortunately, the vast majority of these deaths are easily preventable. Research conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) concluded that this risk is highest during the first 18 months after a teen becomes licensed to drive. In fact, novice teen drivers have four times the risk of their more experienced counterparts.

“Teen drivers, particularly novice ones, are overrepresented in U.S. fatality and injury crash statistics. The extraordinarily high teen crash rates are unacceptable and it is our core mission to save lives,” said Charlie Klauer, a VTTI researcher and head of the institute’s Teen Risk and Injury Prevention Group. “We believe that we can reduce these high crash rates through education, engineering, and enforcement for all of the risks that face teen drivers.” A Boston motor vehicle accident lawyer can help you recover damages if you’ve been injured in a car accident.

Primary Risk Factors

The combination of inexperience and the feeling of invincibility among teen drivers can be a recipe for disaster. Inexperience can only be solved with time and practice. If possible, new drivers should avoid driving at night, with non-adult passengers, and on the interstate for at least the first few months. The feeling of invincibility common during the teen years is more of a challenge. The best way to combat this problem is through education, constant safety reminders, and the modeling of good driving behaviors. Remind your kids about the risks of speeding and distracted driving. They might seem annoyed, but studies show that parents who preach and practice safe driving behaviors have kids who do the same. The key risk factors of teen drivers include:

Distraction
Speeding
Hard braking
Driving at night

According to Klauer, increasing distractions brought on by the impact of mobile devices is one of the greatest risks affecting teen drivers today. And this risk doesn’t appear to be going away any time soon.

“One out of every five young drivers in the United States is involved in a collision within the first six months of driving, often because they are distracted. We cannot stress enough the importance of educating teen drivers, parents, and the public at large about potential risks and the best methods to alleviate them. That way, we can provide the guidance and best practices teen drivers need to stay safe on the roads,” Klauer said. A MA car accident attorney can help you determine how to proceed if you’ve been injured in an auto accident.

Teen Crash Statistics

More than 5,000 teens between the ages of 16 and 20 die annually in car accidents.
More than 400,000 teens in the same age group are seriously injured in car accidents every year.
The risk of being killed in a car crash is highest for teen drivers between the ages of 16 and 19.
Teens make up approximately 10 percent of the U.S. population, but account for 12 percent of all fatal auto accidents.
Teen drivers account for more about 30 percent of all total car accident costs in the U.S., that’s approximately $26 billion annually.
The motor vehicle accident death rate is more than one and a half times greater for male teens than for female teens.

October 27, 2017

The Dangers of Fatigued Driving

by Altman & Altman

The dangers of driving drunk are well known. But what about driving tired? According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), fatigued or drowsy driving leads to more than 100,000 reported accidents annually in the United States.

When it comes to driving, fatigue is an impairment, much like alcohol. One major difference between fatigued driving and drunk driving, however, is that fatigue cannot be easily measured with a breath or blood test. If you think a fatigued driver is responsible for your injuries, a Boston personal injury lawyer can help you recover damages.

Symptoms of Fatigued Driving

If you think you are too tired to drive safely, don’t get behind the wheel. Unfortunately, people often don’t realize they are fatigued until it’s too late. Below are some common symptoms of driver fatigue. If you notice yourself doing any of these things, pull over.

Repeated yawning
Difficulty focusing, both visually and cognitively
Head nodding
Daydreaming
Drifting in and out of your lane
Rubbing your eyes
Frequent blinking
Hallucinating

Risk Factors for Fatigued Driving

Most of us have had at least one or two experiences with fatigued driving, but some people drive while drowsy on a daily basis. This is of special concern for long-haul truck drivers, late shift workers, and medical professionals who put in 12 and 14-hour shifts. Driver fatigue is also common among people with obesity, certain health problems, and those who smoke. Some prescription and over-the-counter drugs are also notorious for causing driver fatigue. Talk to your health care provider about these risks if you are currently taking any type of medication. You may have a high risk of driver fatigue if you:

are between the ages of 16 and 29.
are a shift worker who works irregular hours, or at night.
have sleep apnea or another sleep disorder, such as narcolepsy.

Fatigued driving can be just as dangerous as driving while intoxicated. In both scenarios, our reaction time is slower, our judgment is impaired, and our overall awareness is significantly decreased. We may also develop aggressive behaviors and become moody or irritable when fatigued, none of which support safe driving practices. When we are unfocused and agitated, the chance for a collision increases dramatically. Not to mention, fatigued driving can lead to falling asleep behind the wheel, which rarely ends well.

Fatigued Driving Statistics

The statistics below provide a deeper look into the problem of fatigued driving, and how you can avoid becoming a statistic.

Approximately one in 25 adults say they have fallen asleep behind the wheel in the previous 30 days.
Individuals who snore are more likely to fall asleep while driving.
More than 6,000 traffic fatalities annually are caused by fatigued or drowsy driving.
Men are nearly twice as likely as women to fall asleep behind the wheel.
Fatigued driving is more common among adults with young children in the household.
An Australian study revealed that being awake for 24 hours produces a level of impairment equal to that of an intoxicated person with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .10, which is well above the legal limit.
A poll conducted by the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) revealed that only about one in five drivers pulls over to nap when fatigued.
Younger adults are less likely to pull over when tired than their older counterparts.

If you feel fatigue coming on while driving, protect yourself and anyone with whom you share the road. Pull over. A 20-minute nap may just save your life. A MA auto accident attorney can help you determine how to proceed if you’ve been injured by another driver’s negligence. Continue reading

October 10, 2017

The Dangers of Using Social Media While Behind the Wheel

by Altman & Altman

It should be obvious, shouldn’t it? Using Facebook or Instagram while driving is a bad idea. But knowing what’s right and doing what’s right are two entirely different things. Unfortunately, statistics show that although we may know the dangers of using social media while driving, we’re still doing it. A recent survey sponsored by the National Safety Council revealed that 74% of those surveyed use Facebook while driving, and 37% use Twitter. YouTube and Instagram came in close behind. People are even playing video games while driving. Last year, a Maryland man crashed into a parked police car while playing “Pokemon Go.”

In 2008, Jennifer Smith’s mother was killed when a 20-year-old who was using her cell phone drove through a red light. “As I’m talking to new families, more and more of them are telling me, ‘It’s Snapchat,’ ” said Smith. “It’s Snapchat today, but then what is it tomorrow? You know, we’ve got the ‘Pokemon Go’ coming, and then it’s the next thing.” Smith works full time to lobby for legislation that will prevent accidents like the one that killed her mother. “Social networking while driving is not necessary and should not be done by anyone, in any way, who’s driving. Period. And somehow we’ve got to make the whole country understand that.” A MA auto accident lawyer can help you determine how to proceed if you’ve been injured by a distracted driver.

Distracted Driving Likely a Factor in One-Quarter of all Crashes in Massachusetts and Around the Country

Unfortunately, it looks like we have a long way to go before drivers – especially young drivers – change their distracted-driving habits. In a recent survey of 2,500 teens, nearly 70 percent admitted to using apps while they drive. Only six percent of those surveyed said they think that social media is the most distracting behavior while driving. But distracted driving kills an average of eight people every day, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. And that is likely a massive underestimation. Proving that an accident was caused by distracted driving isn’t an easy thing to do. The National Safety Council estimates that distracted driving is actually responsible for about 25 percent of all crashes.

Social Media Slows Reaction Time More than Alcohol

In fact, according to a study conducted by the Transport Research Laboratory and the Institute of Advanced Motorists, the reaction time for a driver who has been drinking is reduced by 12 percent; for someone on their smart phone, it’s a 38 percent reduction. And the use of social media is making things even worse. Kids are growing up in a society where it’s socially acceptable to post a picture of the congested traffic they’re sitting in on their drive home. Distracted driving is never ok. A Boston auto accident attorney can help you recover damages if you’ve been injured by a distracted driver. Continue reading

September 25, 2017

Why Are There So Many MBTA Accidents?

by Altman & Altman

Every day thousands of people in and around the Boston metro area rely on the Massachusetts Bay Transit Association (MBTA) for transportation. MBTA provides several public transportation options, including busses, ferries, commuter rail, and the subway. According to the American Public Transportation Service, MBTA’s commuter rail service – nicknamed the “T” – is one of the busiest in the nation. On the average weekday, more than one million people use its subway system. Unfortunately, with such high ridership – and some serious maintenance issues – MBTA accidents are relatively common. When an injury accident is a result of negligence, the victim may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages.

Common Carriers

According to MA state law, MBTA and other transportation companies are held to a higher standard of care due to their classification as “common carriers.” When this standard is violated, MBTA may be liable for resulting injuries and damages. Although some accidents occur due to the excessive speed of trains or busses, they are more likely to occur at MBTA train and subway stations due to unsafe conditions on platforms, stairs, or escalators. A Boston MBTA accident lawyer can help you determine how to proceed if you’ve been injured in a MBTA-related accident.

Recent MBTA Accidents

In August, a female pedestrian was killed after being struck and run over by a MBTA swing-loader. The vehicle was being used in a three-month bridge project near the Central Street MBTA station. In 2016, a male pedestrian in Dorchester was hit by a MBTA bus, suffering life-threatening injuries. The victim later died. Also last year, the engine of an Orange Line MBTA train overheated, igniting some trash. Train cars quickly filled with smoke, and passengers had to break windows to escape. Fortunately, everyone survived, but three people were hospitalized.

Some of the Orange Line trains are decades old, and maintenance has been marginal at best. Sadly, the incidents above are just a few of the many MBTA-related accidents that have occurred over the last few years. Many have been fatal. So, what’s going on?

Drowning in Debt

Lack of funding and maintenance issues have plagued MBTA for years. The company is drowning in debt and has a repair backlog in the billions. “The problem we have is a problem of literally decades of disinvestment,” said former Massachusetts DOT director Jim Aloisi. But ridership only continues to grow. A MA personal injury attorney can help you recover damages if you’ve been injured in a MBTA-related accident.

Types of Accidents

Accidents involving trains and subways often result in serious injuries, including head trauma, bone fractures, and internal injuries. Minor injuries, such as sprains and bruising, may also occur. In recent years, MBTA accidents have involved:

Trains colliding with vehicles
Pedestrian accidents involving trains and busses
Slip and fall accidents due to negligent maintenance of MBTA locations
Passengers falling when trains stop suddenly and unexpectedly
Negligent railway design
Lack of adequate warning signage for hazards or oncoming trains
Train derailment
Fatigued or distracted conductors and drivers
Hazardous cargo spills
Excessive speed

September 25, 2017

Lyft/Uber crash claims in Boston

by Altman & Altman

Ride sharing apps like Lyft and Uber have taken cities by storm. Being able to herald a ride from anywhere at any time is not only incredibly convenient (not having to rely solely on the T is certainly a positive), it also makes the streets safer as fewer people are inclined to engage in inebriated driving when such a service is available. But what happens if your driver crashes and injures you? In such a case, our experienced Boston personal injury attorneys are here to help.

Drivers who sign up to be a part of Uber or Lyft must undergo checks for safe driving and background checks to ensure that they don’t have a history of criminal activity. For Uber, potential drivers must fork over a whole host of information, including their full name, date of birth, social security number, driver’s license number, a copy of their driver’s license, vehicle registration, insurance policy information and proof of a valid, completed vehicle inspection. Drivers must also have reliable cars that do not pose a safety risk to passengers.

However just because these checks are implemented prior to the drivers earning employment with the companies, this does not ensure that they will be properly checked for continued safety standards throughout the length of their employment. Perhaps their car has experienced a recent mechanical issue that makes the car unsafe, but the driver does not disclose this fact to Uber of Lyft for fear of being let go.

September 18, 2017

Pedestrian Accidents in Massachusetts

by Altman & Altman

Traffic-related accidents involving pedestrians are shockingly common. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, pedestrians accounted for about 13 percent of total traffic-related fatalities in 2010, and more than 70,000 pedestrians were injured that year. These are nationwide figures, but MA is no exception. Read on for more information about pedestrian accidents, and what to do if you are injured by a negligent driver while walking.

Most traffic-related pedestrian accidents are the result of drivers or pedestrians who are simply not paying attention. As little ones rarely pay attention to their immediate surroundings, it’s not surprising that children under 15 account for more than one-third of annual pedestrian injuries.

In MA, pedestrians have the right of way when using a crosswalk, or crossing at an intersection with a green light or walk signal. If such signals are not present – or if they are malfunctioning – it is up to the driver to yield to any pedestrian using a crosswalk. If the driver fails to do so, and the pedestrian is injured, the driver may be liable for any resulting damages. A Boston personal injury lawyer can help you determine how to proceed if you’ve been injured due to another’s negligence.

What do Do if You’re Injured as a Pedestrian

Immediately after a traffic-related accident in which you are injured as a pedestrian, following the steps below will help to protect you now, and in the future:

Call police immediately if no one has already done so. If medical assistance is required, police can call for help. They will also file an accident report, which will be invaluable if you choose to file a personal injury claim in the future.
Photograph the scene, including injuries and property damage. If your lap top was smashed, and you have a cut on your leg, use your cell phone to take pictures. You should also photograph anything that may have contributed to the accident, such as a blocked stop sign or patch of ice on the road.
Ask any witnesses for their names, addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers. Do this as soon as possible. Unless injuries are severe, witnesses don’t often stick around for too long.
Exchange information with the driver, and anyone else involved.
Once you get to a safe place, record details about the accident, including the date and time, weather conditions, and possible causes. For example, if you saw the driver texting just before you were struck, write this down. Memories fade quickly. Preserving your memories in writing will help immensely if you decide to file an injury claim.
Contact an experienced MA pedestrian accident lawyer You should consult with an attorney before speaking to the insurance companies. It is the insurance investigator’s job to figure out how not to pay for your damages. Anything you say can be used against you at a later date. An attorney can help you navigate this process effectively so that you can get the compensation you deserve in a timely manner.

September 11, 2017

Back to School Safety Tips for Your Teen Driver

by Altman & Altman

Poor driving habits and inexperience are the main factors involved in teen driving accidents. Parents often look forward to the moment when their teenage children can drive themselves to school and sports practices, but this momentous occasion can also result in parental anxiety and fear. Considering that auto accidents are the leading cause of death for teens in the United States, parents have a reason to feel anxious. Fortunately, most of these accidents are preventable. This back to school season, teach your teen driver how to avoid being seriously injured or killed in a preventable auto accident.

Teens have a tendency to feel invincible. This “Superman Complex,” coupled with a lack of experience behind the wheel, can be extremely dangerous. Poor driving habits such as speeding, and reckless and distracted driving, are common factors in teen driving accidents. As a parent, the first step in combating these behaviors is to provide a good example. Practice what you preach; don’t text or talk on your cell phone when behind the wheel. If you must take a call, find a safe spot to pull over before doing so. Keep your phone in the glove box or stashed away in your purse while driving. Our children pay attention to our behaviors more than we think. A Boston auto accident lawyer can help you determine how to proceed if you’ve been injured due to another driver’s negligence.

Safety Starts with the Vehicle

In addition to setting a good example, it’s important to set your teen driver up for success. This means providing your young one with a safe vehicle to drive. It doesn’t mean you have to spend $30,000 on a trendy, brand new car. Older cars can be just as safe if they are well-maintained. Check tires to ensure they are properly inflated and have sufficient tread. Bad tires are more prone to hydroplaning on wet roads and blowing out at high speeds. A young, inexperienced driver is less likely to respond appropriately in either of those situations.

8 Danger Zones

According to the CDC, at least one of the eight scenarios below is a factor in most teen car accidents.

Inexperience
Driving with teen passengers
Driving at night
Distracted driving
Fatigued driving
Not wearing a seatbelt
Reckless driving
Impaired driving

Safety Tips From the Insurance Information Institute

If you have teen drivers in your household, educating them about good driving behaviors can help reduce their chances of becoming a statistic:

Before purchasing a car for your teen, do your research. Check to make sure the vehicle has performed well in crash tests and ranks highly for safety.
If your area or school offers a driver education or “safe driver” class, enroll your child in the program immediately.
Talk to your children frequently about the dangers of impaired driving, distracted and reckless driving, speeding, and other bad driving behaviors. Even if they roll their eyes, they are
Teen drivers should avoid having teen passengers for at least six months to a year after they get their license.
Always model good driving behaviors for your teen.

August 31, 2017

Trucking Accidents in Massachusetts – More Common Than You Think

by Altman & Altman

Accidents involving 18-wheelers are more likely to result in serious injury and death due to the sheer size and weight of these massive vehicles. Fortunately, most large truck accidents are preventable. Unfortunately, when accidents are caused by the negligence, substance abuse, or inadequate training of the truck driver, unsuspecting occupants of passenger vehicles may have little control of what happens next. That is why defensive driving is the number one way to avoid being involved in a collision with a tractor-trailer. And in order to drive defensively, one must never be distracted.

Top 10 Causes of Trucking Accidents

In some cases, a passenger vehicle driver is responsible for a collision with a truck. But the fault often lies with the truck driver, trucking company, or a third party. The top 10 causes of trucking accidents are:

Speeding
Truck driver fatigue
Cargo shifting or improper loading
Truck driver’s failure to obey the rules of the road
Under-inflated tires on large trucks
Truck driver substance abuse
Faulty or defective truck parts
Improper braking
Blind spots
Truck driver’s reckless or careless driving

With proper training, many of the factors above can be dramatically reduced. However, problems such as speeding, fatigue and substance abuse may indicate a more deeply-seated problem. The industry culture around trucking often promotes excessively-long hours and rewards speedy deliveries. For these reasons, speeding and driver fatigue are a very real problem. Trucking can also be a lonely job, and one that requires the driver to stay awake for extended periods of time. For this reason, substance abuse is a common issue, and many truck drivers battle addiction. A Boston trucking accident lawyer can help you determine how to proceed if you’ve been injured in an accident involving a large truck.

Trucking Accident Statistics

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the number of truck accidents has increased by 20 percent over the last two decades.
Fatal large truck accidents cost more than $20 billion annually in the United States alone.
Driver fatigue is a factor in about 30 percent of all large truck accidents.
Approximately 130,000 people are injured in trucking accidents annually.

Who is Responsible?

Determining who is responsible for a trucking accident can be an extremely complex process. There may be multiple parties involved, including the:

Truck driver
Truck owner
Trucking company
Truck or parts manufacturer
Shipper of the truck’s cargo
Loader of the truck’s cargo

In some cases, only one party is responsible for a trucking accident. Other times, multiple parties are on the hook. For example, if an improperly-loaded cargo caused a truck to veer into oncoming traffic, the loading or shipping company may be responsible. But if the fatigued driver didn’t turn the wheel in time to stop the accident, he may be liable for continuing to drive while fatigued, and the trucking company may be liable for encouraging him to drive the excessive hours that led to his fatigue. A MA trucking accident lawyer can help you recover damages if you’ve been injured in a trucking accident. Continue reading