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Boston 18-Wheeler Accidents

Accidents involving 18-wheelers, semi-trucks, and tractor-trailers occur regularly on Boston roadways. Due to the size, mass, and speed of commercial vehicles, collisions with passenger cars result in serious injuries or fatalities. Victims and their families often face immediate physical, medical, and financial challenges.

At Colucci, Colucci & Marcus, P.C., our truck accident attorneys hold negligent trucking companies and drivers accountable. We have a track record of winning results for injured clients throughout Greater Boston, Milton, and Massachusetts. Our team focuses on securing the maximum compensation possible for your injuries and handles every case on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we win your case.

This page explains the common causes of 18-wheeler accidents in Boston, the federal and state trucking regulations that apply, who can be held liable, the insurance compensation available, and the steps to take after a collision. Call Colucci, Colucci & Marcus, P.C. at (617) 958-3807 to schedule a consultation.

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Common Causes of Boston 18-Wheeler and Tractor-Trailer Crashes

Truck accidents are common on Boston roadways like I-93, I-90, Route 1, and the Concord Turnpike. Our attorneys investigate every factor leading up to a crash to determine the exact cause and establish fault. This process identifies whether the commercial driver, the vehicle condition, or the trucking company caused the collision.

Many commercial vehicle crashes result directly from driver negligence. When a truck driver operates a vehicle with reckless disregard for public safety, they can be held liable for the resulting damage. Common examples of driver negligence include:

  • Speeding and reckless or aggressive driving
  • Driver fatigue and hours of service violations
  • Drug and alcohol use
  • Improper lane changes, tailgating, and failure to yield

Truck accidents are not always the result of driver negligence. The trucking company can also be held responsible if faulty hiring or training practices contributed to the accident. Equipment and cargo problems that lead to crashes include:

  • Faulty truck maintenance
  • Improper lighting
  • Overloaded and unsecured cargo
  • Defective brakes, tires, or other parts

Key Takeaway: Boston truck crashes can involve driver negligence like speeding or company failures like poor vehicle maintenance. Identifying the exact cause establishes liability and determines who pays for your injuries.

To find out what caused your crash, our truck accident attorneys can evaluate whether driver and company misconduct contributed to your collision.

Federal and Massachusetts Trucking Regulations (FMCSA)

Truck accident cases involve strict federal and state safety rules. Massachusetts adopts most Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations. These regulations establish the legal standard of care for commercial drivers and carriers regarding drug testing, driving limits, and vehicle maintenance. A violation of these rules serves as direct proof of negligence.

FMCSA Part Subject What It Covers
Part 382 Controlled substances and alcohol Testing requirements for commercial drivers
Part 391 Driver qualification Licensing, medical, and experience standards
Part 392 Driving of commercial vehicles Safe operation rules on the road
Part 393 Parts and accessories Equipment required for safe operation
Part 395 Hours of service Limits on driving time to prevent fatigue
Part 396 Inspection, repair, maintenance Vehicle upkeep and inspection records
Part 397 Hazardous materials Transport, driving, and parking rules

Under Massachusetts law, a commercial vehicle is any vehicle with a gross weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more, designed to carry more than 15 passengers, or used to transport placarded hazardous materials. Documenting an FMCSA violation provides the necessary evidence to build a strong personal injury claim.

Our team can determine which federal regulations apply to your Boston crash and how a violation supports your claim.

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Who Can Be Held Liable for an 18-Wheeler Accident?

Liability in a tractor-trailer crash can extend beyond the driver. Identifying every responsible party is critical because each entity carries separate commercial insurance coverage that contributes to your recovery. Based on the evidence, we can hold the following parties liable:

  • The truck driver: for negligent or reckless operation
  • The trucking company: for negligent hiring, improper training, supervision failures, or hours of service violations
  • The cargo loader: for overloaded or improperly secured freight
  • The maintenance contractor: for defective repairs or missed inspections
  • The truck or parts manufacturer: for defective equipment
  • The freight broker: for negligent selection of an unsafe carrier

If you suffered an injury or lost a family member to wrongful death, we can calculate the total extent of your damages and demand full compensation from all responsible parties.

Attorney Dino M. Colucci can identify every party that may share responsibility for your Boston truck accident.

How We Investigate Your Tractor-Trailer Accident Case

Our attorneys act immediately to investigate your accident. We secure the crash scene and take legal steps to preserve critical evidence before it is lost or overwritten. Our investigation involves gathering and analyzing:

  • Electronic logging device (ELD) and onboard black box data showing speed, braking, and steering
  • Driver logs and hours of service records
  • Truck maintenance and inspection records
  • Driver qualification files and drug or alcohol test results
  • Cargo loading manifests and weight tickets
  • Physical scene evidence, photographs, and witness statements

We combine this evidence with the applicable FMCSA rules to build a clear picture of what happened and who was at fault. Attorney Darin Colucci can begin preserving the electronic and paper evidence in your case before it disappears.

Truck Accident Lawyers in Boston – Colucci, Colucci & Marcus, P.C.

Dino M. Colucci

Dino M. Colucci, Esq.

Dino M. Colucci is the founding partner of Colucci, Colucci & Marcus, P.C. and serves as the firm’s lead trial counsel. Since 1988, he has represented clients in serious personal injury, nursing home negligence, product liability, motor vehicle accident, medical malpractice, and legal malpractice cases, with work that includes major settlements, trial victories, civil mediation, and high-profile litigation.

He has been entrusted with prosecuting claims on behalf of a variety of clients, including victims of the World Trade Center attack on September 11, 2001, aviation disasters, and commercial trucking accidents. His trial record and courtroom preparation drive the results our clients rely on.

Darin Colucci, Esq.

Darin Colucci is the managing partner of Colucci, Colucci & Marcus, P.C. He concentrates his practice in personal injury, tort claims, and civil litigation. His case experience includes motor vehicle and motorcycle accidents, premises liability claims, product liability, nursing home negligence, and construction accidents. 

Legal organizations, including Massachusetts Super Lawyers and The National Trial Lawyers Top 100, regularly recognize his work in personal injury law. He also served as the lead negotiator for one of the largest civil cases in Massachusetts history, which resulted in a settlement of nearly $70 million.

Matthew J. Marcus, Esq.

Matthew J. Marcus, Esq., is a partner at Colucci, Colucci & Marcus, P.C., and is admitted to practice in Massachusetts. He earned his J.D. from Suffolk University Law School and an L.L.M. in Taxation from Boston University School of Law. Mr. Marcus concentrates his practice in estate planning, elder law, mental health law, and disability law. His professional background includes serving as a Hearing Officer for the Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers, testifying as an expert witness in Massachusetts Superior Court, and serving as the lead attorney with BOC Life Solutions. 

Mr. Marcus has held several leadership roles within the legal field, including serving on the board of directors for the Massachusetts chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and as co-chair of the Boston Bar Association’s Elder Law Committee. His dedication to his clients and community advocacy has earned him recognition as a Massachusetts Super Lawyer annually since 2006, as well as being named Citizen Advocate of the Year by The Arc of Massachusetts.

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Federal law requires commercial trucks to carry significantly higher liability insurance limits than passenger vehicles due to the severe damage they cause. Interstate freight carriers must maintain minimum liability coverage of at least $750,000. Many commercial policies also include an MCS-90 endorsement, guaranteeing payment to injured members of the public. These high-value policies provide a path to full compensation, but commercial insurers aggressively defend against these claims.

Depending on the facts of your case, you may be entitled to recover:

  • Past and future medical expenses
  • Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Property damage
  • Wrongful death damages for surviving family members

Key Takeaway: Semi trucks carry high minimum liability coverage under federal law, which increases the compensation available to victims. Recovering that compensation requires proving liability against well-defended insurers.

Our team can pursue every applicable insurance policy to maximize your recovery.

Large truck crashes cause a disproportionate share of serious injuries and deaths. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 5,340 people died in large truck crashes in 2024. The records show that 62 percent of those fatalities were occupants of cars and other passenger vehicles. Because of the extreme size and weight disparity, occupants of smaller passenger cars absorb the physical force of the impact, resulting in a higher fatality rate than collisions involving only passenger cars. 

These statistics demonstrate why commercial vehicle claims require specific legal experience. In Massachusetts, dense traffic congestion and severe winter weather on major Boston corridors elevate road hazards, resulting in catastrophic collisions.

Truck accidents are common on busy Boston area roadways where speed, congestion, and heavy freight traffic combine. Certain corridors see a higher concentration of large truck crashes than others. High-risk routes include:

  • I-93
  • I-90 (the Massachusetts Turnpike)
  • Route 1
  • The Concord Turnpike (Route 2)
  • I-95 / Route 128
  • I-495

We can investigate how road conditions on these Boston corridors contributed to your accident and represent your rights every step of the way.

We represent truck accident victims throughout Massachusetts, including Suffolk, Middlesex, Norfolk, Essex, Plymouth, Bristol, Worcester, Barnstable, Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, Berkshire, Dukes, and Nantucket counties. Wherever your crash occurred in the Commonwealth, our attorneys can help.

The steps you take after a crash can protect both your health and your legal claim. Prompt action helps preserve evidence and keeps you in compliance with state reporting rules. After a truck accident, take these steps when you are able:

  1. Call 911 and seek medical attention for any injuries.
  2. Report the crash to police and request that an officer respond to the scene.
  3. Photograph the vehicles, the scene, and any visible injuries.
  4. Get contact and insurance information from the truck driver and any witnesses.
  5. File the required written accident report under Mass. Gen. Laws c. 90, § 26, which applies when anyone is killed or injured, or property damage exceeds $1,000.
  6. Contact a Boston truck accident lawyer before speaking with the trucking company’s insurer.

Our team can guide you through these steps and handle communications with the insurance company on your behalf.

Our case outcomes in motor vehicle and commercial truck claims demonstrate our commitment to securing maximum financial recovery for catastrophically injured clients. While prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome, they reflect our experience in handling high-value personal injury litigation. Recent results include:

  • $36.5 Million: Motor vehicle accident recovery
  • $6 Million: Motor vehicle wrongful death settlement

We can evaluate the specific facts of your crash to determine the potential value of your claim.

We work on a contingency fee basis on all personal injury cases, including those involving 18-wheeler truck accidents. We charge no upfront legal fees and advance all case investigation costs. You owe no attorney fees unless we successfully recover compensation for your claim, and your initial case evaluation is completely free.

We offer flexible scheduling and responsive client service to support you throughout the legal process. Our attorneys accommodate day, evening, and weekend appointments. Our office is conveniently located six miles from the South Station Tunnel, right off the Expressway near Route 128.

Our team brings decades of combined trial experience to every commercial truck accident claim we accept, fully preparing your case to take on major transportation providers and their insurers.

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Protect Your Rights with a Boston Truck Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one was hurt in a collision with a semi-truck or tractor-trailer, you are likely dealing with serious injuries, mounting medical bills, and pressure from an insurance company. A prompt legal review protects your rights and preserves the evidence your case depends on.

Our Boston truck accident attorneys investigate the crash, apply the FMCSA rules to establish liability, and pursue the full compensation available under the trucking company’s coverage. Call Colucci, Colucci & Marcus, P.C. at (617) 958-3807 to schedule a consultation. Our office is located at 31 Milk St, 4th Floor, Boston, MA 02109, and we serve injured clients throughout Boston, Greater Boston, and Massachusetts.

Frequently Asked Questions About 18-Wheeler Accidents in Boston

Get medical attention immediately, notify law enforcement right away, and document the scene with photos. Collect insurance details from the driver and names of witnesses, then speak with a legal professional before talking to any insurance adjusters.

A trucking company can be held liable for negligent hiring, training, supervision, or for pressuring drivers to violate hours of service limits. The driver, cargo loader, maintenance contractor, parts manufacturer, and freight broker may also share responsibility depending on the facts.

Federal laws mandate that interstate freight haulers maintain high insurance limits, which frequently start at $750,000. Commercial policies also include an MCS-90 form to guarantee that public injury victims receive financial protection.

Under Massachusetts law, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is three years from the date of the accident. Because critical legal deadlines and notice requirements can vary depending on the specific facts of your claim, contact our legal team immediately to preserve your right to compensation.

Tractor-trailer injury claims involve distinct federal safety rules and large commercial insurers that fight payouts. A lawyer steps in to pull black box telemetry, establish fault across multiple entities, and target the maximum limits of these high-value policies.

We handle truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis, so there are no upfront or out-of-pocket costs. You pay nothing unless we win compensation for you, and your initial consultation is free.

Massachusetts adopts FMCSA Parts 382 and 390 through 397 as state law. These sections regulate things like licensing, drug screens, vehicle upkeep, and mandatory driver rest breaks. Showing that a carrier broke one of these rules helps prove liability in court.

Case value depends on the severity of your injuries, your medical expenses, lost income, and the degree of fault involved. Our attorneys can review your circumstances and explain a realistic range based on the evidence.