Semi-trucks can cause serious damage to victims in the event of an accident in Maryland. Because of this, it’s important for passenger car drivers to know the most common causes of semi-truck accidents in Maryland.
The most common causes of semi-truck accidents in Maryland are tailgating, turns, lane changes, and driver errors. Improper vehicle maintenance on behalf of the trucking company can also cause semi-truck accidents in Maryland. If you’ve been injured in an accident involving an 18-wheeler in Maryland, you can file a lawsuit to hold the responsible parties accountable. Depending on the accident’s cause, you may be able to sue both the individual driver and the trucking company for compensatory damages.
The Maryland lawyers at Rice, Murtha & Psoras can help you file a lawsuit after a semi-truck accident. Our attorneys are dedicated to helping victims recover damages and hold negligent drivers responsible. Call the Maryland semi-truck accident lawyers at Rice, Murtha & Psoras for a free case evaluation today at (410) 694-7291.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Semi-Truck Accidents in Maryland?
Semi-trucks or 18-wheelers are large trucks often used by companies to transport goods across the country. They’re commonly spotted on big highways or trying to squeeze down residential streets. Because of their large size-semi trucks can cause serious damage to victims in an accident. It’s important to know the most common causes of semi-truck accidents in Maryland so that passenger car drivers can stay safe on the road.
Tailgating
Generally, semi-trucks don’t drive as fast as other vehicles on the highway. They’re very large trucks and can have a harder time making sudden stops or starts. That can cause them to drive more slowly than the flow of traffic. Because of this, a common cause of semi-truck accidents in Maryland is tailgating.
Two tailgating scenarios can cause an accident. the first is if a passenger car is driving too close to an 18-wheeler. It’s hard to see around these large vehicles, so you may not be able to anticipate a stop, causing you to rear-end the semi-truck. Another common cause of tailgating accidents is if the semi-truck hits a passenger car from behind. If the truck driver was following you too closely, it might not have been able to stop quickly behind you.
Turns
Semi-trucks need a lot of space in order to make a turn properly. An accident may occur if a truck driver doesn’t cut the wheel well enough or other cars don’t notice the truck turning. Making improper turns is a common cause of semi-truck accidents in Maryland. These trucks have 18 wheels, so they’re relatively large. If a driver cannot see well in their mirrors, they may miss a smaller car in the way. Trying to make quick turns to hit a green light or turning down a narrow street can result in an accident that causes injuries to victims.
Lane Changes
Changing lanes can be simple in a passenger car but much more dangerous in a semi-truck. In order to change lanes safely, there needs to be plenty of space between cars in the lane a driver is heading to. Semi-truck drivers may attempt to change lanes and do so improperly, resulting in an accident. Because these 18-wheelers are so high off the ground, they may not see a smaller car in the other lane until it’s too late.
There’s another scenario where driving close to a semi-truck can cause an accident. Say you’re sandwiched between two 18-wheelers on the highway. If you want to change lanes, you may not see properly because of the large trucks obstructing your view. A frustrating attempt to change lanes can result in an accident, causing injuries to yourself or others.
Driver Error
Sometimes, an improperly trained driver can make an error, causing a semi-truck accident in Maryland. When drivers work for trucking companies, they may be under pressure to make a delivery on time. This could cause a driver to act impulsively or negligently while driving, resulting in an accident for you or others on the road. If a driver error caused you to be injured in a semi-truck accident, a lawyer, like those at Rice, Murtha & Psoras, can help you recover compensatory damages. Unfortunately, driver error is a common cause of semi-truck accidents in Maryland.
Improper Vehicle Maintenance
It’s possible that a trucking company does not properly maintain its semi-trucks. If that happens, it could result in an 18-wheeler accident in Maryland. A semi-truck could break down unexpectedly, causing a collision. Improper vehicle maintenance is the trucking company’s fault, which means you could pursue litigation for compensation if you were injured.
Can You File a Lawsuit for Semi-Truck Accidents in Maryland?
If you were injured in a semi-truck accident in Maryland, you could sue for compensatory damages with the help of a skilled lawyer, like those at Rice, Murtha & Psoras. But who specifically can you sue?
You may be able to sue both the responsible driver and the trucking company that hired them. If a trucking company did not properly maintain the vehicle in question, and that is the accident’s cause, the company would be the defendant in a lawsuit. Most states, including Maryland, require semi-truck drivers to obtain a commercial driver’s license before operating an 18-wheeler. If the trucker acted negligently, but the company that hired them did not require them to obtain a license, both could be held financially responsible for your injuries. the trucking company can often be held responsible just because they were the employer of a driver who committed negligence while on the job. However, if the driver is an independent contractor and not an employee of the trucking company, you cannot sue the company for the individual’s negligence.
Hiring an Ocean City truck accident attorney, like those at Rice, Murtha & Psoras, can help victims of a semi-truck accident in Maryland recover the damages they deserve. Accidents involving an 18-wheeler can be extremely damaging to victims, both physically and financially. Because of that, victims are entitled to file a lawsuit after a semi-truck accident in Maryland.
Call Our Attorneys If You Were Injured in a Semi-Truck Accident in Maryland
Our skilled lawyers are here to help file a lawsuit for compensatory damages if you were injured in a semi-truck accident in Maryland. To schedule a free case evaluation, call the Baltimore semi truck accident lawyers at Rice, Murtha & Psoras today at (410) 694-7291.