Like every other part of Maryland, Clinton is connected to the rest of the state through a system of highways, interstate highways, turnpikes and roads. In fact, according to the Maryland State Archives, there are over 29,000 miles of highways and 2,400 bridges used across the state every day by all kinds of drivers.
Every driver has a responsibility to drive safely. Unfortunately, there are many instances of negligence when a driver loses control of their vehicle and causes an accident. If that accident involves one of the thousands of trucks on the road in Maryland, it could be especially devastating.
If you’ve been involved in a crash with a truck, you might be at a loss as to what to do next. Between your medical bills and damage to your car, you could be dealing with multiple insurance claims. You might also be in a situation where the truck driver is attempting to hold you at fault for the accident. That could be because their job is on the line.
The team at GDH Law is standing by to help. We are the right kind of Clinton truck accident lawyer you need to take on the insurance carriers and truck companies.
When you call GDH Law, the lawyer you speak with will ask questions about the series of events that led up to your tractor-trailer collision and provide you with the information you need to take the next steps forward. These will help determine your legal rights in your potential case.
If you’re ready to explore the legal options and possible compensation for your accident-related losses, email or call us today for your initial no-obligation consultation.
Types of Trucks That Become Involved in Crashes in Maryland
When thinking about truck collisions that can demolish a car and cause permanently disabling injuries, 18-wheelers may immediately come to mind.
Tractor-trailers aren’t the only trucks that can cause life-altering impairments, though. In our experience in working with clients who’ve been hurt in truck-related crashes, we’ve found that the following truck types are most commonly involved in wrecks:
- Package delivery trucks
- Logging trucks
- Short-distance box trucks
- Long-haul, cargo-hauling trucks
- Open bed or dump trucks
- Tow trucks
- Fire trucks
- Utility trucks
- Multi-car transport trucks
Wrecks involving big vehicles can seriously harm those involved. We know this from firsthand experiences as our firm’s dedicated attorneys have handled these types of cases with very successful results.
No matter what type of truck you were struck by, our GDH Law team can support you in holding the liable party accountable.
Who You Can Hold Liable for an 18-Wheeler Collision
Just like the many types of trucks that can collide with you, there are a variety of factors that can contribute to big rig accidents. There are also numerous parties who can potentially be held accountable for injuries or fatalities that result from crashes, including:
Tractor-Trailer Drivers
Reckless driving behaviors like distractions, operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, speeding, and generally driving recklessly are almost always attributable to the truck driver’s negligence. When the evidence demonstrates that the crash occurred due to a driver’s negligent behavior, then the truck’s operator is sure to be listed as a primary defendant in any injury lawsuit filed.
Trucking Companies
Trucking companies are under pressure to deliver their cargo on time and at low costs. That attitude can often lead to lax hiring practices. In the rush to put a driver behind the wheel, a trucking company might overlook or not fully vet a driver’s commercial driver’s license (CDL) status or check if their U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) physical is current. There could also be issues with past citations and previous employers that should disqualify a driver.
Once hired, these companies may fail to properly administer randomized drug screenings, re-verify licensing or supervise their staff to ensure they’re adequately adhering to hours of service, pre-trip inspection, and other requirements. Instances in which there’s evidence showing that a fleet company failed to do what was required of them may expose them to legal liability.
The Loading Company
In some cases, a big truck’s operator just shows up at a warehouse, connects their cab to the trailer, and hauls it away. In other words, it is the responsibility of the loading crew to properly load trailers based on Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration cargo securement rules. If cargo isn’t loaded correctly, truckers might not find out until they attempt to brake and the load shifts. That might result in difficulty braking, a jackknife accident, or the tractor-trailer overturning when the operator makes a sharp turn.
In those scenarios, the loading company can be named as a co-defendant.
Mechanics
While trucking companies may have a maintenance person on staff to service their fleet, many truckers are owner-operators, meaning they may be responsible for ensuring their own vehicles are roadworthy by taking them to a mechanic of their choosing. If an employee of the trucking company errs, it may mean that the employer is liable for what happens. Any instance in which a third-party auto repair person fails to fix a known safety issue may leave them potentially liable for harm that results.
Manufacturers
Any company involved in producing individual components that go into manufacturing the truck or after-market parts can potentially face liability for accidents that can be attributed to their failure. For example, if a trucker causes a crash and a later investigation shows that the truck’s power-assisted steering system failed, and the manufacturer knew it was unsafe, you may be able to pursue them for any injuries you suffered because of it.
While some causes of crashes and the liable parties are clear from the get-go, in our experience, that’s not often the case.
What Role Does Crash Scene Reconstruction Play in Truck Wreck Cases?
It’s not uncommon for a Clinton truck accident lawyer to seek the services of a crash reconstructionist when fault and liability aren’t clear. The aim of a truck accident reconstruction is to piece together physical evidence, as well as circumstantial clues, which may shed light on how and why a collision occurred.
Regarding this circumstantial evidence, a reconstructionist may look at whether any of the following could have played a role in the crash:
- Environmental issues: Included in this category are inclement weather conditions or visibility issues, like smog and fog, sunrise and sunset, and even the effects of reflectors and lights.
- Driver errors: There might be issues of reckless driving such as speeding, distracted driving, substance influence, failing to abide by traffic signs and signals, or a failure to signal when making a turn.
- Traffic engineering concerns: Factors such as malfunctioning traffic lights, poor road design, and improperly marked detours are just some examples of contributing factors that a reconstruction expert may uncover.
A reconstructionist will visit a crash scene to see if anything stands out to them or to perform measurements themselves. There are also circumstances in which the data contained in a police report is comprehensive enough that they can prepare 3-D models of what happened and make assessments from there.
No matter what method they use, our attorneys have found these types of analyses and evidence to be invaluable in helping us determine what happened so we can pursue the correct responsible party or parties on our injured or deceased clients’ behalf.
Why You Need to Speak with a Clinton Truck Accident Lawyer if You’re Hurt
The impact of a collision with a truck can be a shock to the system. You’ll need time to recover without the added stress of how you’re going pay for your bills. You need a fast and fair resolution. That is what the GDH Law team strives for with every case.
A Clinton truck accident lawyer from our office is standing by, eager to learn about your collision and advise you of legal remedies that you can pursue in Maryland.
Contact us online, and we’ll connect you with an attorney for a complimentary and risk-free consultation.
