Columbia, MD Truck Accident Lawyer
Trucks are significantly larger than most vehicles that share the road with them. and like other motorists, truck drivers are liable to drive in a reckless or careless manner, including texting while behind the wheel and excessively speeding to meet a scheduled delivery. Often, these behaviors have no harmful consequences, but when a truck collides with another vehicle, the injuries sustained could be catastrophic.
If you or a loved one was injured in a crash involving a truck, contact our Columbia truck accident lawyer. the experienced lawyers at Rice, Murtha & Psoras have the resources and skill to represent your best interests. Call (410) 694-7291 today to schedule a free consultation.
Accidents Involving Trucks on Columbia, MD Highways and Roads
Truck drivers often make the same mistake as other motorists, but their errors could result in significantly worse consequences due to the massive size and weight of their vehicles. Additionally, losing control of a truck due to a malfunction or poor road or weather conditions often leads to catastrophic crashes. Our seasoned Columbia truck accident lawyers have represented Maryland residents injured in accidents involving trucks, multiple other vehicles, and single truck accidents.
Every vehicle on the road has areas where the driver’s visual perception is restricted. These blind spots also limit a truck driver’s vision to a much greater extent. the area directly in front of the cab, along the sides of the trailer, and behind the trailer have reduced visibility. When a truck driver fails to set their mirrors properly or neglects to use the mirrors before changing lanes or turning, they are liable to sideswipe a car that was riding along in the blind spot.
Truck cabs and trailers experience different forces than smaller vehicles. Because of this, when a truck driver loses control of their truck, the trailer becomes especially dangerous to other motorists. A jackknifing trailer propelling across the highway could lead to devastating collisions with cars in its path.
Truck drivers are not immune to the poor habits and decisions that plague other motorists. Accidents occur because truck drivers get behind the wheel when their mental and physical capabilities are compromised due to drugs or alcohol. Also, fatigue due to long shifts endangers the truck driver and others on the road.
Establishing Negligence in Columbia, MD Trucking Accidents
All motorists on Columbia roads and highways have a duty to operate their vehicles safely without endangering other drivers. This includes truck drivers, who are required to exercise extra caution due to the size and weight of their vehicles. If a truck driver fails to adhere to this duty, they could be found negligent and held accountable for any harm or damages if an accident occurs.
Following, are some examples of negligent conduct by truck drivers that cause accidents.
- Driving their truck under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Driving while tired or for more hours than is allowed.
- Texting, talking on a mobile phone, adjusting the radio, or another activity that distracts their attention
- Failing to obtain training or without adequate experience
- Driving recklessly or aggressively
Types of Injuries Sustained in Columbia, MD Truck Accidents
There is a significant disparity in size between trucks and most other vehicles on the road. When a truck collides with a smaller car, the potential injuries could be catastrophic and even deadly. Some common injuries include:
- Spinal cord injuries and nerve damage
- Head injuries and brain damage
- Broken bones and fractures
- Severe lacerations and perforations
- Permanent Paralysis
Determining Liability for Columbia Truck Accidents + Injuries
Determining who is financially liable for injuries and damages in a truck accident is not always straight forward. Typically, if the truck driver is at fault, they should be held accountable. However, other factors and parties could have contributed to the crash.
Sometimes the responsibility could be shared by the trucking company that employed the driver. If a company is negligent in its hiring practices, supervision, or training, a truck driver could lack the necessary skills or experience to be safely operating their vehicle. Additionally, a trucking company could be held responsible for any injures or damages if it did not appropriately maintain its trucks.
Often, road conditions contribute to truck accidents. Poorly designed on or off-ramps or a lack of warning signs could lead to a truck overturning or losing control. Furthermore, road construction could create a dangerous situation for both trucks and cars. An uneven pavement or debris in the roadway could result in truck crash. Our Columbia truck accident lawyers carefully examine all factors related to your accident to establish who should be held accountable.
In addition to the truck driver, an injured motorist could have contributed to the accident. If this is the case, or if a jury finds that an injured driver was partially at fault, then the truck driver will not be required to pay any compensation. Maryland follows the harsh “contributory negligence” doctrine which means that if a plaintiff is found to be even 1% responsible for the accident, they are prohibited from collecting compensation from the defendant. Our Columbia attorneys are well versed in Maryland personal injury law and will work to establish that no blame rested with you.
Call Our Columbia, MD Truck Accident Lawyer to Schedule a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one was injured in an accident caused by a truck driver’s reckless driving, call our Columbia lawyer for truck accidents immediately. Our experienced injury attorneys at Rice, Murtha & Psoras have represented hundreds of Maryland residents and are committed to providing you professional and diligent service. Call (410) 694-7291 today to schedule a free consultation.
