Injured in a crash with a tractor-trailer? Don’t count on the trucking company to have your best interest in mind. To protect your rights and preserve your right to compensation for injuries, property damage, and other losses, schedule a free consultation with a College Park truck accident lawyer.
GDH Law is proud to provide experienced, knowledgeable, and tireless legal representation to truck crash victims and their families. If you need help, don’t wait. Secure your no-cost, no-obligation case evaluation today by reaching out to our office.
Types of Tractor-Trailer Crashes
Truck wrecks that occur in Maryland can take on many different forms. The most common types of truck accidents include the following:
- Jackknife accidents: These involve the tractor and its trailer becoming misaligned and assuming a “V” formation. These crashes often occur in the wintertime when a semi-truck unexpectedly hits ice on the roadway. They can also occur if a big rig fails to anticipate slowing traffic ahead and brakes suddenly.
- Rear-end crashes: These crashes can occur if the truck driver does not give themselves enough braking distance and needs to make a sudden stop.
- Rollover accidents: Rollover accidents often happen on interstate exit ramps or when truckers are making turns when traveling too quickly, especially if the load weight is improperly distributed in the vehicle. However, these collisions can also occur if a truck is traveling quickly, is struck at an angle, and the operator either loses control or there’s enough force to cause it to topple over.
- Head-on collisions: Wrong-way accidents are the most common examples of these. Truck wrecks like these typically occur when a tractor-trailer operator loses control of their vehicle, whether it’s because they fall asleep at the wheel, are intoxicated from drugs or alcohol, are distracted, or there’s a mechanical failure.
- T-Bone accidents: Crashes like these occur at intersections, such as when a tractor-trailer operator runs a stoplight or sign, colliding in a perpendicular fashion into another vehicle that’s proceeding straight through an intersection, or striking another vehicle mid-turn.
- Sideswipe collisions: Wrecks like these commonly happen when a trucker cannot see approaching motorists traveling in their blind spot and entering their active lane of traffic.
- Underride or override accidents: These wrecks are particularly dangerous; they cause passenger cars to become stuck under a trailer. This often shears off the roof of those vehicles and can result in a trapped car being carried some distance before the truck’s operator realizes it’s underneath.
While this is certainly not a comprehensive list of all the different types of truck crashes that can occur, the above-mentioned accidents are certainly ones that tend to result in the most catastrophic injuries.
If a crash with a tractor-trailer or other commercial vehicle resulted in getting seriously hurt or a close family member losing their life, a truck accident lawyer can assist you in seeking justice for what happened. So, call us to discuss your case now.
Who Can Be Held at Fault for a Commercial Motor Vehicle Accident?
Liability for motor vehicle accidents can be complex. However, when a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) is involved, lines of liability can get easily blurred.
It’s important to work closely with an experienced attorney who is skilled at tracing liability in these types of complex accidents. For example, some of the following parties are examples of who can potentially be held responsible for a truck crash:
- Motor carriers
- Truck drivers
- Cargo loaders
- Truck or part manufacturers
- Vendors
- Third-party drivers
You can’t recover maximum compensation if you don’t fully understand who all played a role in your accident. To learn more about who may be liable for your injuries, please reach out and schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys.
Elements of Fault in Truck Wreck Cases
The responsibility to prove fault belongs to those bringing legal action following the truck wrecks — the victims. To do this, you must be able to show:
- The truck driver and related parties owed you a duty of care
- Those parties didn’t uphold the responsibility they owed you and breached their duty of care
- You suffered harm due to the breach
- That harm left you with financial, physical, emotional, and property damages
When these elements are proven by a preponderance of the evidence, you should prevail in your claim.
Proving Liability in Semi-Truck Accident Cases
Liability refers to who is legally responsible for an adverse event. Both an insurance adjuster and your College Park truck accident attorney will typically review the following types of evidence to make their own respective liability determinations when claims or lawsuits are filed:
- Police reports
- Photographs and video showing property damage, injuries, and the crash scene
- Medical records
- Witness accounts
- Electronic data recorder (EDR) or “black box” data from the truck
- Electronic logging device data or truck driver’s printed logbook
In some cases, when liability is unclear, attorneys can hire experts to reconstruct the accidents to establish the cause of the crash. Additionally, lawyers often solicit the services of medical experts to determine whether the wreck could have directly caused the injuries you’re claiming.
These third parties’ assessments can prove invaluable when it comes to building a strong case or negotiating settlements with insurers.
Compensation After a Truck Accident
A collision with a tractor-trailer can turn your life upside down in an instant. You may be facing mounting medical bills, time away from work, and the overwhelming stress of trying to recover while wondering how you will make ends meet.
At GDH Law, we are here to help you fight for the compensation you need to move forward.
Depending on your case, you may be able to recover damages for:
- Medical expenses from emergency care and hospital stays to ongoing therapy and future treatments
- Lost income for the wages you have already lost and any future earning capacity if you cannot return to work
- Pain and suffering to account for the physical pain and emotional trauma you’ve endured
- Property damage to repair or replace your vehicle and any other personal property damaged in the crash
- Wrongful death damages if you have tragically lost a loved one in the accident, we can help you seek justice for your family
Trucking companies and their insurance carriers are often quick to protect their own interests, and they rarely offer fair compensation without a fight. You want to have an experienced College Park truck accident lawyer by your side to stand up for your rights and pursue the full recovery you deserve.
FAQs About College Park Truck Accident Claims
Our College Park truck accident lawyer has answers to your most pressing questions:
How much time do I have to file a truck accident claim in Maryland?
In Maryland, you have three years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit. That may sound like plenty of time, but truck accident cases are complicated, and evidence can disappear. The sooner you talk to a lawyer, the better chance you have of protecting your rights.
What if the truck driver wasn’t directly employed by the company?
Even if the driver was labeled an “independent contractor,” the trucking company could still be responsible. These cases involve multiple layers of liability, and an attorney can dig into the details to hold the right parties accountable.
Can I still get compensation if I might have been partly at fault?
Maryland has strict rules about fault. If you are found even a little bit responsible, you may not be able to recover damages. You will want to work with a lawyer who knows how to push back against unfair blame.
What evidence will help strengthen my case?
Black box data from the truck, driver logs, maintenance records, accident photos, and witness statements can make a big difference. Our team can also bring in experts to reconstruct the crash and show exactly what happened.
Are truck accident claims worth more than car accident cases?
Since truck crashes cause more serious injuries and involve commercial insurance policies with higher limits, the payouts can be higher. But every case is different. The value of your claim will depend on the severity of your injuries, your medical needs, and how the crash has impacted your life.
How a College Park Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help
Maryland law outlines how victims have three years to file an insurance claim or lawsuit in their case.
While that might seem like a lot of time, delay is not uncommon, especially when dealing with insurance companies. With the wide range of truck accidents that exist, proving fault for these crashes can be particularly complicated. You only have one chance to preserve evidence that will aid you in building a strong case, one that proves the at-fault party’s liability for the crash.
Don’t take your chances and jeopardize your right to pursue a claim and compensation. Let the team at GDH Law provide you with the support and guidance you need to decide the best way to pursue your claim.
Schedule a free consultation with a College Park truck accident lawyer to discuss your potential case.
