Mike Bottaro car accident attorney

Common Types of Truck Accidents

trucking accidentWhile we understand that no two accidents are the same, the majority of the differing types of trucking accidents in Rhode Island and Massachusetts are caused by driver negligence. Truck drivers may drive in dangerous conditions to meet industry demands or to log extra hours. But vehicles that large require a driver’s full attention, and there’s no room for error.

At the Bottaro Law Firm, LLC, it’s our goal to help victims of trucking accidents get the compensation they deserve. Our lawyers have experience handling many different types of trucking accidents, including:

  • Rollover accidents
  • Jackknife accidents
  • Underride accidents
  • Override accidents

Read below to learn more about some of the most common tractor trailer crashes we see.

Distracted Truck Driving

Rhode Island and Massachusetts Distracted Truck Driving Accident Lawyers

Because truck drivers spend so much time behind the wheel, it can be easy to get distracted. But when their attention isn’t on the road, they can cause severe and even fatal accidents. Some common truck driver distractions include:

  • Answering phone calls or text messages
  • Communicating with dispatch
  • Using navigation systems and radio
  • Eating and drinking
  • Daydreaming

Handheld Cell Phone Use Ban in Commercial Vehicles

Because of the dangers of distracted driving in trucks and other commercial vehicles, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has established rules that specifically ban cell phone use by truck drivers. These rules prohibit texting, emailing, instant messaging, browsing, using two or more buttons to make a call, and talking on a handheld cell phone.

Contact Us Today

If you’ve been injured in a distracted driving truck accident, contact the Bottaro Law Firm, LLC today. Our lawyers have recovered millions of dollars for truck accident victims in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and we’re ready to put our experience to work for you. Call (401) 777-7777 or contact us online today for a free case review.

Truck Driver Fatigue

Rhode Island and Massachusetts Accidents Caused by Truck Driver Fatigue

Driving while tired can be just as dangerous as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Fatigued drivers may experience delayed reaction times and may be more likely to zone out or nod off while driving, which puts everyone on the road at risk.

Some of the most common factors of truck accidents caused by driver fatigue include:

  • Driving for long periods of time
    Truck drivers may feel pressured by their employers to drive extended hours in order to meet deadlines or log extra miles. Although government regulations limit the amount of time drivers spend behind the wheel, these restrictions aren’t always followed.
  • Lack of sleep
    Even if truckers drive only the appropriate number of hours each day, they may still suffer from sleep deprivation.
  • Taking sleeping aids
    Some truck drivers take sleeping aids in order to get the rest they need when they’re not driving. If truckers take sleeping aids while driving or start driving before the medication’s effects wear off, they put themselves and other drivers in danger.
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other over-the-counter medicines
    Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal and extremely dangerous. Oftentimes, drugs and alcohol use cause fatigue. Even cough medicines and other seemingly harmless over-the-counter medications can cause drowsiness.

If you or a loved one were hurt in an accident caused by a fatigued truck driver, the Rhode Island and Massachusetts truck accident attorneys at the Bottaro Law Firm, LLC want to help you pursue compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation—just call (401) 777-7777 to get started.

Truck Accidents Caused by Inadequate Maintenance

Rhode Island and Massachusetts Truck Accidents Caused by Inadequate Maintenance

If you were injured in a truck accident that wasn’t your fault, it’s easy to assume that the truck driver is to blame. And while there are many situations where this is the case, the truck driver may have done everything within their power to prevent the accident.

Because of the long distances they travel, tractor trailers and other commercial trucks require regular maintenance to run properly. Trucking companies, owners, and operators are required by law to keep their trucks in safe and driveable conditions, and the maintenance providers who service them are required to thoroughly inspect trucks and perform the necessary repairs.

Trucking accidents may be caused by improper maintenance of:

  • Brakes
  • Electrical systems, including brake lights
  • Engine components
  • Steering systems
  • Transmissions
  • Tires
  • Parts, hardware, and other components for securing cargo loads

Determining Responsibility for Inadequate Truck Maintenance

If an investigation reveals that inadequate truck maintenance caused an accident, the next step is determining which parties can be held accountable. A truck driver, owner, company, or service provider may be held liable for:

  • Failure to Perform Necessary Maintenance
    If a truck owner, operator, or company fails to adequately maintain their vehicle, they can be held responsible for injuries, deaths, and damages that occur in resulting maintenance-related accidents.
  • Improper or Faulty Maintenance
    If the truck owner, operator, or company took the necessary steps toward proper truck maintenance, the service provider may be at fault. Maintenance shops can be held responsible for accidents and injuries that result from mistakes made during service checks or failure to thoroughly examine the vehicle.

Call Our Rhode Island and Massachusetts Truck Accident Lawyers

If you or a loved one were injured in a truck accident caused by inadequate maintenance, contact the truck accident attorneys at the Bottaro Law Firm, LLC. For more than 12 years, we’ve been committed to helping injured accident victims seek maximum compensation for their losses, and we’re ready to put our experience to work for you. Give us a call today at (401) 777-7777 or complete a free consultation form to get started.

DUI Truck Accidents

DUI Truck Accident Attorney in Rhode Island and Massachusetts

Driving any vehicle under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or over-the-counter medications puts everyone on the road at risk—but when an intoxicated driver is behind the wheel of a semi truck, that risk becomes even greater. Commercial trucks are heavier, harder to stop, and more difficult to maneuver than passenger vehicles, and they can cause more severe damage when involved in collisions.

If a DUI truck accident caused you or a loved one to suffer, The Bottaro Law Firm, LLC is here for you. We’ve recovered millions of dollars for clients injured in commercial truck accidents, and we want to use our experience to help you too. Our consultations are free, so don’t wait. Call us today at (401) 777-7777 for a free case review.

Over-the-Counter Medications Dangerous for Truck Drivers

Alcohol and drug use are responsible for a small fraction of truck accidents, but the most DUI-related crashes involve over-the-counter medications. These medicines are easy to obtain and can be helpful for minor illnesses, but even when taken as directed, they can cause side effects that impair driving abilities.

Some of the most commonly abused over-the-counter medications associated with truck accidents include:

  • Cough and cold medicines
    Dextromethorphan, the active ingredient in many cough and cold medicines, can produce euphoric, dissociative, and even hallucinogenic effects. Many cough and cold medicines also cause dizziness and drowsiness.
  • Sleeping aids
    Truckers who have trouble sleeping or who are on different sleeping schedules often take sleeping aids to get the rest they need. If taken while driving, or if drivers get behind the wheel before a sleeping aid’s effects have worn off, drivers may nod off on the road.
  • Energy supplements
    Often suffering from a lack of sleep or feeling pressured to work long hours, many truck drivers use energy supplements to stay awake and alert while driving. However, people who take these often experience sudden energy crashes when the effects wear off.

Contact the Bottaro Law Firm, LLC Today

If you were injured because of an intoxicated truck driver, contact an experienced Rhode Island and Massachusetts attorney at the Bottaro Law Firm, LLC today. We have the knowledge and resources to investigate your case, and it’s our goal to help you pursue maximum compensation. Call us 24/7 at (401) 777-7777 to get started.

Truck Driver Negligence

Accidents Caused by Truck Driver Negligence

When a driver is operating a 70,000-pound commercial truck, errors behind the wheel, reckless behavior, and other types of negligence can lead to deadly and destructive collisions.

If you or a loved one were injured in a trucking accident caused by a negligent truck driver, the Rhode Island and Massachusetts attorneys at the Bottaro Law Firm, LLC are here for you. We know the severe injuries, expensive bills, and pain and suffering truck accident victims face, and we want to help you get compensation for your losses. Time limits apply, so don’t wait to get the help you deserve. Our consultations are free—just dial (401) 777-7777 now.

Common Examples of Driver Negligence

Some examples of negligent, careless, or reckless driving that may entitle you to compensation include:

  • Failure to check blind spots (merging into other vehicles)
  • Running red lights and stop signs
  • Failure to make wide enough turns
  • Aggressive driving
  • Speeding
  • Tailgating

Failing to pay attention while driving or engaging in behaviors that lead to distracted or impaired driving may create reasonable evidence for filing a negligence claim. These behaviors include:

  • Distracted driving
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Fatigued driving

When truck driver negligence causes an accident, injured parties can seek compensation from the driver and their insurance company. But in some situations, the trucking company can also be held liable. Under a rule known as vicarious liability, trucking companies can be held financially responsible for the negligent acts of their employees.

Rhode Island & Massachusetts Negligent Truck Driving Attorneys

Have you or a loved one suffered because of a truck driver’s negligence? The attorneys at the Bottaro Law Firm, LLC want to help. It’s our goal to help you get maximum compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other losses. Call our legal team 24/7 at (401) 777-7777 for a free consultation, and let us get to work for you.