Truck Accidents

A Maryland Truck Accident Attorney Helping Victims Rebuild Their Lives

With so many highways and interstates in the Baltimore area, truck accidents are a common occurrence. Thankfully, many of them result in only minor injuries, but unfortunately, truck accidents often result in severe injuries. If you have been injured in a truck accident and aren’t sure what to do, contact a Maryland truck accident attorney to discuss your rights and your options.

A Maryland Truck Accident Attorney Representing Handling All Types of Truck Accident Cases

Tractor-trailers or semi-trucks may be the most widely reported type of truck accident, but truck accidents can involve any type of truck. Whatever type of truck caused your accident, you need an experienced truck accident attorney who understands how the type of truck can make a difference in your case. We help people in the Baltimore area who have been injured in the following types of truck accidents:

• Tanker trucks
• Cement trucks
• Garbage trucks
• Panel trucks and box trucks
• Flatbed trucks
• Refrigerator trucks
• Septic trucks
• Delivery vans and trucks

The type of truck can play a role in the accident, as can the nature of the accident itself. Understanding these factors can help identify the cause of the accident and support your compensation claim. We have over 20 years of experience in handling all types of truck accident cases across the Baltimore region, including the following:

• Jackknife accidents occur when the trailer of a semi-truck swings out around the cab, similar to the opening of a jackknife blade.
• Trailer accidents are caused by a mechanical failure with the hitch or other trailer mechanism.
• Cargo accidents are caused by loads that haven’t been properly secured, affecting the truck’s handling. This can also include cargo spilled onto the road that can cause an accident.
• Override accidents occur when the truck’s cab rides up onto and crushes the vehicle in front of them.
• Underride accidents are when a vehicle slams into the rear of the truck and the vehicle is smashed underneath the truck.
• Rollover accidents happen when the truck rolls over and becomes a hazard to other drivers.
• Sideswipe accidents are when the truck driver makes an unsafe lane change and collides with a vehicle in the next lane.
• Wide turn accidents are when a driver veers left when attempting to make a right turn.

Regardless of the type of truck or the nature of your accident, an experienced Maryland truck accident attorney can ensure you get fair compensation for your injuries and other losses.

Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents

While many truck accidents are caused by things like speeding, tailgating, or unsafe lane changes, there may also be factors unique to truck accidents. Some of these factors are due to the truck’s weight and size, while other factors involve the special skills and experience required to drive a truck safely. Some of the most common factors involved in truck accidents include the following:

• Driving while drowsy. It is no secret that truck drivers spend long hours behind the wheel, even if they aren’t falling asleep. Driving while fatigued means slower reflexes, delayed reaction times, and poor judgment, which can quickly lead to an accident.
• Distracted driving. Truck drivers can become distracted just like any other driver. Common distractions include phones, radios, eating, drinking, looking at the scenery, or daydreaming. Failing to pay full attention or losing focus can make it impossible for truck drivers to avoid accidents when they need to.
• Inadequate training. Truck drivers should undergo extensive training to drive a large truck safely. As their employers, trucking companies are legally obligated to ensure that their drivers have the necessary skills and experience.
• Inadequate supervision. Trucking companies also have an obligation to ensure their drivers obey traffic laws and trucking regulations. In addition, they should take action when their drivers break the law or otherwise fail to drive safely.
• Mechanical failures. Large trucks have significantly higher maintenance needs than the average passenger vehicle. Drivers should carefully inspect their trucks for potential hazards before getting on the road. Trucking companies should ensure that maintenance is performed promptly and professionally so that their trucks are always in good working order. Failure to maintain trailer hitch systems, service braking systems, replace worn tires, or make other repairs can cause accidents.

If you have been injured in a truck accident, it is unlikely that the driver or the trucking company will admit fault. A Maryland truck accident attorney can conduct a thorough investigation of the accident and identify which factors may have caused your accident.

How a Maryland Truck Accident Attorney Can Help

A lawyer can do more than file a lawsuit. They can help you with every aspect of your case so that you can focus on your recovery.

A Truck Accident Attorney Can Evaluate Your Claim

Your lawyer can review your case and determine whether you have a claim for compensation. If they believe you may be entitled to compensation, they can explain your options and provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision.
Your Truck Accident Attorney Can Gather Critical Evidence
If you have been seriously injured, you need to take immediate action to gather the evidence you need to support your claim. This can be extremely difficult for most truck accident victims. Your lawyer will be able to take the following actions to make sure you have the evidence you need:

• They can work with your medical providers to obtain all of your medical records related to your accident.
• They can obtain and organize all of your medical bills.
• They can contact the police to get a copy of the accident report.
• They can document your lost income.
• They can obtain video footage from dashboard or traffic cameras.
• They can get photographs of your injuries, the damage to your vehicle, and the scene of the accident.
• They can interview witnesses and obtain statements.
• They can subpoena records from the trucking company.

A Maryland Truck Accident Attorney Can Manage Your Insurance Claim

Your lawyer can handle the entire claim process on your behalf. This includes dealing with phone calls, emails, and other communications, as well as submitting a formal demand for payment and settling your claim. Ultimately, you get to decide whether to settle your claim and for how much, but they can provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision.

A Truck Accident Attorney Can File a Lawsuit and Represent You in Court

While most truck accident cases are settled, you may need to file a lawsuit to get the compensation you deserve. The court system can be almost impossible for non-lawyers to navigate, and even minor mistakes can jeopardize your case.

An experienced lawyer will know when you need to file a lawsuit and how to build a strong case. Sometimes, filing a lawsuit may even prompt the insurance company to settle the case to avoid a costly trial. If your case still doesn’t settle, your lawyer can handle all aspects of the litigation process all the way through trial.

Who Is Liable When You Have Been Injured in a Truck Accident?

Truck accidents are distinct from passenger vehicle accidents in that various parties may potentially be held liable. You may have to pursue a claim against one or more of the following parties:

• The trucking company: Trucking companies are generally liable for the actions of their drivers, even when the accident is the driver’s fault. Trucking companies can also be liable if the accident was caused by negligence, such as failing to maintain their trucks or supervise their drivers.
• The driver: Truck drivers may be either trucking company employees or independent contractors. If they are an independent contractor, you may not be able to hold the trucking company liable if the driver’s negligence caused the accident. In other situations, the truck driver may have been driving outside the scope of their employment or doing something else that would exempt their employer from liability.
• Other third parties: This could include other drivers who started a chain-reaction accident, the company that improperly loaded the truck, a mechanic who made substandard repairs, or a manufacturer of defective parts.

Identifying the correct party responsible for the accident is vital to the success of your claim. We therefore recommend that you discuss your case with a truck accident attorney before taking action.

Injured in a Truck Accident? Talk to an Experienced Maryland Truck Accident Attorney Today

Timothy A. Dachille & Associates has been helping people who have been injured in truck accidents in the Baltimore area for over 20 years. We understand the challenges you are facing, so you can rely on us to work tirelessly for you until you get fair compensation for your claim. To schedule a free consultation with a Maryland truck accident attorney who knows how to get results, call or email us today.