Springfield MA Truck Accident Lawyer
Hit by a tractor trailer, semi, or commercial truck? The trucking company's insurer starts building its defense the day of the crash. Attorney Daniel A. Pava has fought for injured people in Western Massachusetts since 1981. No fees unless we win.
- ★ Rating 100+ five-star Google reviews
- $180,000 Tractor trailer recovery
- 40+ Years Of legal experience
- Bilingual English & Español
Free Truck Accident Case Review
Tell us what happened. We'll respond within one business day.
Your information is confidential. No obligation. Submitting this form does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Why Truck Accident Cases Are Different
A crash with an 80,000-pound truck isn't a bigger car accident. The injuries are usually worse, and the case works differently.
More Than One Party to Blame
The driver, the trucking company, the cargo loader, a maintenance shop, or a parts maker can all share responsibility. We look at every one, because each can mean another source of compensation.
Federal Safety Rules
Interstate truckers must follow federal rules on driving hours, rest breaks, driver qualifications, drug testing, and vehicle maintenance. When a company cuts corners on those rules, it can help prove your case.
Bigger Insurance Policies
Federal law requires most interstate freight carriers to carry at least $750,000 in liability coverage, far more than a typical driver. Trucking insurers know that, and they defend these claims hard.
The Evidence in a Truck Case Disappears Fast
Trucking companies often send investigators to the scene within hours. Some of the records that prove what happened only have to be kept for months. Here's what we move to lock down right away:
- Electronic driving logs (ELD)How long the driver had been on the road and whether they broke hours-of-service limits.
- The truck's "black box" (ECM)Speed, braking, and throttle data from the moments before impact.
- Dispatch and GPS recordsDelivery schedules that may have pushed the driver to speed or skip rest.
- Maintenance and inspection filesBrake, tire, and equipment problems the company knew about or should have caught.
- Driver qualification fileLicensing, training, past violations, and drug and alcohol testing.
- Dashcam and nearby videoTruck cameras, business cameras, and traffic footage that can be overwritten in days.
A preservation letter puts the company on notice that this evidence must be saved. The earlier it goes out, the more there is to save.
Truck Accident Results
Real recoveries for Western Massachusetts clients hurt in crashes with commercial trucks.
Highway accident in which the client was operating a tractor trailer in the course of employment and was struck on the rear driver's side. He sustained post-concussive syndrome, loss of three upper teeth, and right sacroiliac joint dysfunction requiring injections.
Highway accident in which the client's vehicle was struck by a tractor trailer. He sustained left elbow ligament sprain, sprains of both knees, thoracic back sprain, lumbar sprain, and neck sprain.
Crashes with large trucks often cause concussions and brain injuries; see our brain injury lawyer page. See more results on our recent settlements page. Each case is unique. The settlements shown above were obtained for specific clients in specific circumstances; your case may have different facts and result in a different outcome.
Truck Crashes We Handle
If it's a commercial vehicle, the rules and the insurance are different. We handle cases involving:
- Tractor Trailers & 18-WheelersRear-end, sideswipe, jackknife, and underride crashes on the highway.
- Box Trucks & Delivery VansPackage and freight delivery trucks making tight, rushed stops in city traffic.
- Dump & Construction TrucksHeavy trucks working in and around construction zones and road projects.
- Garbage & Municipal TrucksCity and contractor vehicles, which can carry special notice deadlines.
- Utility & Bucket TrucksIncluding a $75,000 recovery for a client struck by a truck's bucket arm.
- Tow Trucks & Work VehiclesCompany-owned pickups, service vans, and other vehicles driven for work.
Where Truck Crashes Happen in Western Mass
Springfield sits where I-91, I-291, and the Mass Pike meet, so heavy truck traffic runs right through our communities. We know these roads.
Hurt in a highway work zone? Read about who is responsible in a construction zone crash.
How It Works
Three simple steps from first call to compensation.
Free Case Review
Call us or fill out the form. We'll listen to what happened, answer your questions, and tell you honestly whether you have a case. No cost, no pressure, no obligation.
We Lock Down the Evidence
We send preservation letters, gather records and video, deal with every insurance company involved, and build your case while you focus on getting better.
You Get Paid
We push for the maximum settlement possible. If the insurer won't be fair, we're prepared to go to trial. You pay us nothing unless we win money for you.
What Our Clients Say
Real reviews from real clients. See all 100+ five-star Google reviews.
"The work team of Daniel Pava — Jamie, Sandra and the staff — did an excellent job. They found a way to get the most in my case until the last moment. I recommend them."
"I promise you you will not regret being under this tremendous lawyer and his staff. Very good treatment and the end of the cases is the best."
"I recommend Pava Law to anyone that needs an attorney! They're very professional people and friendly. Jamie is always on top of what needs to be done with the case. Super helpful."
Truck Accident Questions
Straight answers to what people ask us most after a crash with a truck.
Who can be held responsible when a truck hits me?
Often more than one party. Depending on the facts, that can include the truck driver, the trucking company that employs or contracts with the driver, the owner of the trailer, the company that loaded the cargo, a maintenance shop, or a parts manufacturer. Every responsible party can mean another insurance policy, which matters when injuries are serious.
How much is a truck accident case worth?
Every case is different, and no honest lawyer can promise a number up front. The things that usually drive value are how serious the injuries are, whether you needed surgery, how much work you missed, whether the injury is permanent, how clear the fault is, and how much insurance is available. Our recent truck results are shown above as examples. For how treatment affects a claim, see does needing surgery change the value of my case?, but past results don't guarantee a future outcome.
What if the truck driver says the crash was my fault?
Massachusetts uses a comparative negligence rule. You can still recover as long as you were not more than 50% at fault, and your recovery is reduced by your share of the blame. More on that in what if the accident was partly my fault? Trucking companies often argue fault early, which is one more reason to get the driver's logs, the black box data, and any video before it disappears.
How long do I have to file a truck accident claim in Massachusetts?
In most cases, three years from the date of the crash. Claims involving a city, town, or state vehicle have special notice rules with earlier deadlines. The legal deadline is rarely the real problem, though. Evidence is. Some trucking records only have to be kept for months, so the sooner we can send a preservation letter, the better.
Whose insurance pays my medical bills after a truck accident?
In Massachusetts, your own auto policy's Personal Injury Protection (PIP) pays the first $8,000 of medical bills and lost wages no matter who was at fault (who pays my medical bills?). Beyond that, we pursue the trucking company and its insurer for the rest of your losses, including pain and suffering when the law allows it. See can I get pain and suffering in Massachusetts?
The truck was from out of state. Does that matter?
Usually not for where you can bring your case. If the crash happened in Massachusetts, you can generally pursue it here. Trucks that cross state lines also have to follow federal safety rules, and violations of those rules can help prove the company was careless.
Should I talk to the trucking company's insurance adjuster?
You don't have to give a recorded statement to the other side's insurance company, and it's usually wise not to until you've spoken with a lawyer. Adjusters for trucking companies are trained to collect statements that limit what they pay. A free call with us first costs you nothing. More in what to know before talking to an insurance company.
Related Questions About Injuries & Claims
About Attorney Daniel A. Pava
Daniel A. Pava was born, raised, and educated in Springfield, Massachusetts. After graduating from Classical High School, he attended American International College and earned his B.A. with High Honors before going on to law school.
For more than 40 years, Daniel has represented injured people across Western Massachusetts, including people hurt in crashes with tractor trailers and commercial trucks. He personally handles every case from start to finish.
Car accident lawyer · Recent settlements · Truck accident FAQ
Trucking Companies Don't Wait. Neither Should You.
Their investigators and insurers start working the day of the crash. Talk to a lawyer before key evidence is lost. The call is free, and you owe nothing unless we win.