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Truck Accidents in Maryland

Our Towson Personal Injury Lawyers Recover Fair Compensation for Accident Victims and Their Families

Like car accidents, truck accidents continue to occur despite the many advances in safety technology. Due to the massive size and weight of the average commercial truck, these accidents tend to be much more destructive than the average car accident. The property damage is often severe, and if the occupants of the passenger vehicle involved in the accident were lucky enough to survive, it is likely that they suffered catastrophic injuries. In one year alone, over 4,000 people lose their lives and another 116,000 are injured in truck accidents in the United States. If you were involved in a wreck with a truck, an experienced personal injury lawyer will ensure that your legal rights are protected and that you receive the financial compensation you deserve.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

There are a number of factors that contribute to truck accidents. However, unlike car accidents, accidents involving commercial tractor trailers tend to be much more complex in terms of who can be held liable for injuries. The following are some of the common causes of truck accidents:

  • Drowsy driving
  • Drunk driving
  • Distracted driving
  • Aggressive/reckless driving
  • Improperly loaded or overloaded cargo
  • Inclement weather
  • Tailgating
  • Tire blowouts
  • Defective brakes
  • Truck company negligence

Oftentimes, passenger vehicles driving in the vicinity of a large truck make unsafe choices, which can also cause serious accidents. Examples include the following:

  • Changing lanes in front of a truck
  • Driving in a large truck’s blind spots, also called the “No-Zones,” located directly behind and beside the truck, where the driver has limited or no visibility
  • Tailgating
  • Unsafe passing
  • Failing to accelerate sufficiently when merging into traffic
  • Driving between two large trucks
  • Driving to the right of a truck that is making a right turn
  • Failing to accurately judge the speed of an oncoming truck while making a left turn

Most truck drivers are safe and responsible drivers. However, there are factors inherent in the trucking industry that can increase the incidence of truck accidents, including:

  • Truck drivers who do not receive appropriate training for driving technique, defensive driving, and other important safety issues.
  • The system of compensation encourages truck drivers to drive longer and faster than is considered safe.
  • Tight deadlines and unrealistic expectations cause drivers to continue driving beyond the recommended hours of service.

Who Is Liable?

Determining who is liable for a truck accident can be far more complex compared to the average car accident. That is because there are multiple parties that may be involved, including the truck driver, the trucking company, warehouse employees, and the truck manufacturer. In the event of a serious wreck, trucking companies may try to distance themselves from the driver in order to avoid liability. They can do this by obtaining the necessary permits to operate the truck, but they do not actually own the tractor trailer. Rather, the company leases the equipment from the owner, and hires the driver as an independent contractor. If the truck driver is involved in an accident, the truck company could argue the following:

  • Because the driver was not an employee, the truck company is not liable for his or her role in the accident.
  • The truck company is not responsible for the maintenance and repair of the truck because it does not own the equipment.

However, current federal law states that the truck company is responsible for accidents involving trucks that have the truck company’s name displayed on the vehicle, regardless of whether the driver is an employee or an independent contractor.

Baltimore Truck Accident Lawyers at Huesman, Jones & Miles, LLC Advocate for Truck Accident Victims

If you have been seriously injured in a truck accident, the Baltimore truck accident lawyers at Huesman, Jones & Miles, LLC understand how traumatic this can be, particularly if you suffered life-threatening injuries. We will take every step necessary to determine who is responsible for causing the accident and hold them liable for your injuries. Our experienced legal team will protect your rights and secure the maximum financial compensation you deserve. To schedule a free, confidential consultation, call us today at 443-589-0150 or contact us online.

Our offices are located in Towson and Hunt Valley, Maryland, where we represent clients in Baltimore, Baltimore County, Bel Air, Bentley Springs, Columbia, Freeland, Hampton, Westminster, Essex, Monkton, Sparks, Glencoe, Parkton, Phoenix, Pikesville, White Hall, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County.

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