Mt. Airy, MD Truck Accident Lawyer

Truck accidents happen across the United States every day. Maryland is no exception. When truck accidents happen, they are likely to cause a lot of damage because commercial trucks are so massive. Injuries sustained by victims of truck accidents are often very nasty and require immediate emergency medical care. The cost of this care can easily “max out” insurance premiums and leave victims high and dry, wondering what they should do next.

If you were injured in a truck accident, you should strongly consider pursuing a truck accident lawsuit. Many truck accidents are caused by “negligence,” or carelessness, that gets other people hurt. When you are injured because of carelessness, you can take those responsible for your injuries to court and get financial compensation for the injuries they caused.

To get a free analysis of your potential injury case, call our truck accident lawyers from Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291.

Who Can You Sue in a Mt. Airy, MD Truck Accident Lawsuit?

There are multiple parties you may want to sue in your truck accident lawsuit. The primary reason for this is that multiple parties can be responsible for your injuries. Accordingly, it is often a very good idea to at least entertain the idea of filing against multiple parties. Below are some of the parties you may want to consider suing in your truck accident lawsuit.

Truck Drivers

You should virtually always include the truck driver involved in your accident in your lawsuit. This is because they were in direct control of the vehicle when the accident took place. Truck drivers can be responsible for your accident when they are negligent or careless on the road. For example, a truck is negligent if it speeds, drives aggressively, or drives under the influence or for longer than FMCSA rules allow.

Trucking Companies

There is also a very good chance that you should include a trucking company in your truck accident lawsuit. Under a legal principle called “respondeat superior” or “let the master answer,” employers can be responsible for the negligent acts of their employees. The catch is that the employee must be doing something work-related when they are negligent in order for liability to latch onto the employer. For example, if a trucker hits you while pulling out of a gas station, their employer will likely be liable for your injuries because getting gas is related to their job. However, if that same trucker decides to skip work and hits you on the way to their friend’s house, the employer will likely not be liable because going to a friend’s house is not related to their job as a truck driver.

Another important thing to remember is that a trucker’s employer may not be immediately obvious. Even if one company’s logo and name are emblazoned on a trailer, that may not be the trucker’s employer. More likely, the trucker is employed by a third-party delivery company or fulfillment center. Our truck accident lawyers can work with you to figure out the correct employer to sue in your truck accident lawsuit.

Manufacturing/Repair Companies

Sometimes, the truck itself is responsible for the accident, in a sense. If a truck has a popped tire, faulty brakes, or is otherwise defective, liability may fall on a truck manufacturing company, repair center, or mechanic shop. Alternatively, defects that are part of a truck’s inherent design may attach liability to the company that designed or built the vehicle.

Government Entities

Some limited circumstances may make it a good idea to file a lawsuit against a government entity. One of the most common reasons for this is if a truck accident is caused by poor road conditions since state, local, and municipal government entities are frequently responsible for road maintenance. You can also file against a government entity if you are hit by a vehicle they control. For example, if a USPS truck hits you, you may be able to file against a government entity.

Be aware that there are special rules for suing government entities. You often have less time to prepare and file your suit, and there may be other steps our truck accident lawyers need to take. For this reason, you should speak to our attorneys in greater detail if you believe this applies to you.

Damages in Mt. Airy, MD Truck Accident Lawsuits

If you win your lawsuit, you will be awarded damages by the court. The idea behind damages is to get plaintiffs back – as much as possible – to the state they were in before they were injured. For this reason, damages for each lawsuit are unique and based on your condition after you get injured. Below are some of the things you can get damages for in a truck accident lawsuit.

Medical Bills

One of the most common damages items in truck accident lawsuits is the cost of medical care. Expenses for emergency surgery, pain management medication, hospital stays, and long-term care can easily add up. Accordingly, you can provide evidence of your medical expenses and base our damages on them.

Lost Wages/Income

You can also get damages for lost wages or income. If you have to recover from injuries you got in a truck accident or you face permanent disabilities after the accident, you may not be able to earn a full income. You can get damages to make up for all lost income.

Pain, Suffering, and Mental Anguish

Damages for pain, suffering, and mental anguish are different because they do not have receipts for their value. For example, there is no price on how much a broken bone hurts. You can, however, argue its worth with the help of our lawyers and get damages for pain, suffering, mental anguish, and, in some cases, emotional distress.

Talk with Our Mt. Airy, MD, Truck Accident Attorneys

Rice, Murtha & Psoras’s truck accident attorneys can help you with your case when you call (410) 694-7291.