18-wheelers and other large commercial vehicles must always be handled with care. Unfortunately, there are a plethora of factors that could cause a truck driver to lose control of their vehicle and cause a head-on collision. When this happens, a truck driver and their employer could be held liable for a victim’s injuries. If you or a family member was injured in a head-on collision, contact an experienced Baltimore head-on truck accident lawyer today.
At Rice, Murtha & Psoras, we have an unwavering commitment to providing our clients with the diligent legal representation that they deserve. A head-on truck accident can leave a victim with long-term or fatal injuries due to the negligence of a truck driver in Baltimore. To schedule a free legal consultation, contact Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291, or contact us online.
5 Common Causes of Head-On Truck Collisions in Baltimore, MD
A head-on collision is when the front-end of a vehicle crashes into the front-end of another vehicle. Head-on crashes are the most dangerous type of car accidents because there is a high-potential for severe or fatal injuries. There are several reasons that a head-on truck accident may occur in Baltimore.
Driver Error
The driver of an 18-wheeler or large commercial vehicle should be adequately trained in how to operate their vehicle with care. However, a lack of proper training can result in a truck driver being negligent behind the wheel of a vehicle. For example, if a truck driver is navigating a tight turn but miscalculated the angle of the turn, they can veer into oncoming traffic and cause a head-on collision.
Speeding
Truck drivers are often tasked with delivering packages within an unreasonable timeframe. As a result, a truck driver may frequently exceed the speed limit in an effort to meet their stringent deadlines. When this happens, it becomes easier for a truck driver to lose control of their vehicle and veer into another lane, especially if they are driving in adverse weather conditions.
Additionally, the combination of overloading a commercial vehicle and speeding can also be extremely dangerous. When a tractor-trailer is overloaded, the extra weight of the vehicle can make it more difficult to maneuver when a driver is speeding.
Fatigue
In addition to having to deliver items on a tight schedule, truck drivers may sometimes work fatigued. the work hours of a truck driver are heavily regulated to ensure that a driver does not work while they are fatigued. Unfortunately, some truck drivers and trucking companies will push the limit of their driving hours in order to earn more profits.
If a person drives while fatigued, they could easily fall asleep while driving and enter other lanes of traffic.
Impaired Driving
Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs will severely impact the judgment of a driver. Even just one or two drinks can impair a driver and may cause them to react poorly to events on the road or cause them to become drowsy while driving.
Inadequate Maintenance
Commercial vehicles are used to travel hundreds of miles every week in Baltimore. Due to this large amount of use, trucking companies and truck drivers should frequently inspect their vehicles to ensure that they are operating efficiently. However, due to the extra expenses of repairs and maintenance, some trucking companies may perform infrequent maintenance on their vehicles.
Commercial vehicles that are not adequately serviced can cause several issues that could lead to a head-on collision. For example, failure to repair a worn-out tire could result in a tire blowout that could cause a truck driver to lose control of their vehicle.
Brake failure is another common cause of head-on collisions. In addition to failing to properly maintain vehicle brakes, some negligent trucking companies may attempt to unhook their brakes to avoid wear and tear. As a result, a trucking company will place other motorists on the road in danger with their recklessness.
There are many other causes of truck accidents that are not listed above. If you were injured due to the negligence of a truck driver, you may be entitled to pursue compensation for your injuries.
When a trucking accident happens, the truck driver and their employer could be held liable if the accident within the scope of the driver’s employment. This is referred to as vicarious liability, and it can help victims pursue compensation against multiple parties that may be responsible for their injuries.
Our Baltimore Head-On Truck Accident Attorneys are Ready to Work with You
If you or a family member was a victim of a head-on truck accident, consult with an experienced Baltimore head-on truck accident attorney. Personal injury lawyer Randolph Rice will work tirelessly to help you hold a negligent truck driver and trucking company accountable for their actions. To schedule a free legal consultation, contact Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291.