Ellicott City, MD Truck Accident Lawyer

Ellicott City sits between Baltimore and Washington, DC, making truck accidents a common occurrence. Truck accident victims can experience devastating injuries that might require substantial compensation.

Fortunately, our truck accident lawyers can help you get justice for your injuries. Truckers and trucking companies must follow numerous state and federal regulations, but proving a violation can be difficult. Our firm has years of experience litigating truck accident lawsuit and know what evidence you need to prove your case.

If you have been injured in an Ellicott City truck accident, our truck accident lawyers can help you hold the negligent parties responsible for your damages. Call Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291 for a free assessment of your case.

Mandatory Regulations Placed on Commercial Truck Drivers and Trucking Companies in Ellicott City, MD

In addition to the many Maryland trucking regulations on the books, truck drivers and trucking companies must follow all the regulations put forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These regulations are put in place to ensure that trucks operating on the road are safe to do so and that there are procedures to find and fix problems before they cause an accident. They also provide a standard to help determine how a driver or trucking company acted negligently when pursuing damages in a lawsuit. Our truck accident lawyers can investigate your claim to determine if a trucking regulation violation is the root cause of your accident.

Hours of Service Guidelines

Hours of service regulations refer to the number of hours a trucker is permitted to drive before they must take a mandatory break. However, this might be the regulation most violated. As more and more services can be delivered right to your front door, competition in the shipping industry has become fierce. To maintain a competitive edge, some truck companies and drivers might ignore the service hours rules to get more deliveries completed. Truck drivers should not be operating more than 60 hours in a seven-day period and must document their driving hours in a log. If a driver violated the hours-of-service regulation, our team can help obtain their logs to determine if the violation contributed to your accident.

Maintenance and Repair Guidelines

Another commonly violated set of FMCSA regulations is the maintenance and repair guidelines. Trucking companies must regularly maintain their trucks, including routine inspections before a truck leaves the premises. Trucking companies also must keep records of their inspections and maintenance done on a truck. After being injured in a truck accident, our firm can investigate a trucking company’s records to see when the last time the truck was worked on was. If inspection and maintenance logs are missing, a convincing argument can be made that the trucking company had done nothing to make the truck safe before causing your accident.

Cargo Securement Guidelines

Cargo securement regulation violations can also lead to devasting accidents in Ellicott City. Cargo securement guidelines instruct truckers and trucking companies on the proper ways to load and store cargo for transport. Cargo should be loaded so it cannot shift while transported on the road. This means it should be placed in direct contact with other cargo and secured using appropriate and properly graded straps and tie-downs. Unsecured cargo can cause a driver to lose control of the truck, leading to devasting accidents.

While a trucking company or its driver will typically be liable when an accident is caused by unsecured cargo, they might not be the only party responsible. If a third party was responsible for loading the cargo, their negligence could have contributed to your accident and should be named in your lawsuit. Our truck accident attorneys can help you regardless of the violation that caused your injuries.

Types of Truck Accidents that Occur in Ellicott City, MD

It cannot be understated how catastrophic a truck accident can be. Because of the size and number of wheels on most commercial trucks, they are capable of causing particular types of accidents that are much worse than common car accidents. Our truck accident lawyers can help you recover compensation in these types of accidents or any other.

Rollover Accidents

Arguably the most devastating kind of truck accident is one involving a rollover. Trucks carrying large trailers, tankers, or flatbeds are more prone to losing control and rolling over. If a truck driver takes a turn too fast or sharply or must swerve to avoid another driver, a rollover accident is more likely to occur.

Jackknife Accidents

Jackknife accidents are another terrifying type of accident in which trucks are more likely to be involved. Jackknifing occurs when the trailer turns and folds back towards the truck hauling it. If a truck jackknifes on a busy highway, there is no telling what damage can be done. Jackknifing trucks will often take up several lanes, sometimes in both directions, potentially causing a chain of catastrophic accidents.

Rear-End Accidents

Most trucks are loaded with cargo, making it more difficult to slow down and stop. If a driver is speeding or distracted when approaching another vehicle, they might not have the room to stop before colliding with the car’s rear. While rear-end collisions might seem relatively tame compared to the accidents mentioned above, they can be no less devastating. Most victims have no idea that an accident is about to occur until it happens, giving them no opportunity to prepare and brace for impact. Victims can suffer serious and long-lasting injuries when a negligent truck driver causes a rear-end accident.

T-Bone Accidents

Side impact collisions, or T-bone or broadside accidents, can occur when a truck driver fails to stop at an intersection. If a trucker runs a red light or stop sign and hits an unsuspecting driver, the injuries caused can be devasting and, in some cases, fatal. Our truck accident attorneys can investigate your accident to determine how the liable party caused your injuries.

Our Ellicott City, MD Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help

If you were hurt in a truck accident in Ellicott City, seek support from our truck accident lawyers to recover the compensation you are entitled to. For a free case review, contact Rice, Murtha & Psoras today at (410) 694-7291.