Falling Debris

At the Law Offices of John C. Manoog III, our truck accident attorneys have more than 146 years of combined experience representing Cape Cod residents who have been hurt in big rig and other crashes. We understand the devastating consequences that often come with these collisions, and we have dedicated our legal careers to helping victims and their families get the compensation that they deserve. Our record of excellence in the courtroom and at the negotiating table include a number of six-and seven-figure settlements.

Truck accidents can be caused by a variety of factors, from hazardous driving and operator fatigue to unsafe road conditions and malfunctioning equipment. Drivers who fail to take the necessary precautions can either directly cause an accident or contribute to the damage by making the wreck worse. A driver who fails to properly tie down the load he or she is carrying, for instance, makes driving dangerous for anyone traveling behind or near the vehicle. Whether it is heavy equipment, concrete and other solid building materials, or even food and retail products, debris that falls from a truck creates an instant hazard by crushing or damaging other vehicles or causing them to swerve into traffic to try to avoid a collision.

A person who is injured in a crash caused by someone else’s carelessness generally has the right to seek damages from those responsible. The legal remedies typically available in truck and other vehicle collision cases may include money for missed wages, doctors’ bills, property damage, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. In certain cases, a spouse or other family member can also get damages for an accident, even if they were not physically injured in the crash. Massachusetts law recognizes claims for “loss of consortium,” or the loss of companionship, emotional care, support, and affection that results from crash-related injuries.

In most truck accident cases, the injured individual must prove that the person or entity being sued (the defendant) was negligent and that this negligence caused the crash. Drivers generally owe others on the road to operate their vehicles in a reasonably safe manner. If they fail to meet this standard, such as by failing to properly secure cargo, they will likely be found legally responsible for any injuries and damages that result directly from that carelessness.

Unfortunately, some truck accident cases turn tragic and result in fatalities. The family of a person killed because another party was negligent usually has the right to seek legal remedies by filing a claim for wrongful death. Essentially, wrongful death actions are those alleging that the defendant’s negligence caused someone to die. In falling debris cases, negligence or wrongful death claims may be appropriate against both the truck driver and his or her employer. This is because the employer may have been directly responsible for improperly overloading the truck, or it may have failed to properly train the driver in how to load it. Companies also often can be named as defendants under the theory of vicarious liability, which holds employers accountable for the carelessness of employees who are acting in the scope of the employment relationship.

At the Law Offices of John C. Manoog III, we understand the law relating to negligence and wrongful death claims, and we have the resources, skill, and experience to assert the rights of accident victims. We also have significant insight on dealing with insurance companies, since firm founder John C. Manoog III began his career in insurance defense. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a Massachusetts motor vehicle collision, the injury lawyers at the Law Offices of John C. Manoog III can help. We are conveniently located in Hyannis and Plymouth, and our lawyers are happy to travel to you if you cannot make it to us. We do not charge a fee in many cases unless we are successful. Call us at 888-262-6664 or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation. Nós Falamos Português.