Injured in a crash with a tractor-trailer? Don’t count on the trucking company to have your best interest in mind. To protect your rights and preserve your right to compensation for injuries, property damage, and other losses, schedule a free consultation with a College Park truck accident lawyer.
GDH Law is proud to provide experienced, knowledgeable, and tireless legal representation to truck crash victims and their families. If you need help, don’t wait. Secure your no-cost, no-obligation case evaluation today by reaching out to our office.
Types of Tractor-Trailer Crashes
Truck wrecks that occur in Maryland can take on many different forms. This recent accident occurred in the Williamsport, MD area. As reported by Herald-Mail Media, this accident led to that section of the highway being closed for 19 hours.
The most common types of truck accidents include the following:
- Jackknife accidents: These involve the tractor and its trailer becoming misaligned and assuming a “V” formation. These crashes often occur in the wintertime when a semi-truck unexpectedly hits ice on the roadway. They can also occur if a big rig fails to anticipate slowing traffic ahead and brakes suddenly.
- Rear-end crashes: These crashes can occur if the truck driver does not give themselves enough braking distance and needs to make a sudden stop.
- Rollover accidents: Rollover accidents often happen on interstate exit ramps or when truckers are making turns when traveling too quickly, especially if the load weight is improperly distributed in the vehicle. However, these collisions can also occur if a truck is traveling quickly, is struck at an angle, and the operator either loses control or there’s enough force to cause it to topple over.
- Head-on collisions: Wrong-way accidents are the most common examples of these. Truck wrecks like these typically occur when a tractor-trailer operator loses control of their vehicle, whether it’s because they fall asleep at the wheel, are intoxicated from drugs or alcohol, are distracted, or there’s a mechanical failure.
- T-Bone accidents: Crashes like these occur at intersections, such as when a tractor-trailer operator runs a stoplight or sign, colliding in a perpendicular fashion into another vehicle that’s proceeding straight through an intersection, or striking another vehicle mid-turn.
- Sideswipe collisions: Wrecks like these commonly happen when a trucker cannot see approaching motorists traveling in their blind spot and entering their active lane of traffic.
- Underride or override accidents: These wrecks are particularly dangerous; they cause passenger cars to become stuck under a trailer. This often shears off the roof of those vehicles and can result in a trapped car being carried some distance before the truck’s operator realizes they’re underneath.
While this is certainly not a comprehensive list of all the different types of truck crashes that can occur, the above-mentioned accidents are certainly ones that tend to result in the most catastrophic injuries.
If a crash with a tractor-trailer or other commercial vehicle resulted in getting seriously hurt or a close family member losing their life, a truck accident lawyer can assist you in seeking justice for what happened. So, call us to discuss your case now.
Who Can Be Held at Fault for a Commercial Motor Vehicle Accident?
Liability for motor vehicle accidents can be complex. However, when a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) is involved, lines of liability can get easily blurred.
It’s important to work closely with an experienced attorney who is skilled at tracing liability in these types of complex accidents. For example, some of the following parties are examples of who can potentially be held responsible for a truck crash:
- Motor carriers
- Truck drivers
- Cargo loaders
- Truck or part manufacturers
- Vendors
- Third-party drivers
You can’t recover maximum compensation if you don’t fully understand who all played a role in your accident. To learn more about who may be liable for your injuries, please reach out and schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys.
Elements of Fault in Truck Wreck Cases
The responsibility to prove fault belongs to those bringing legal action following the truck wrecks — the victims. To do this, you must be able to show:
- The truck driver and related parties owed you a duty of care
- Those parties didn’t uphold the responsibility they owed you and breached their duty of care
- You suffered harm due to the breach
- That harm left you with financial, physical, emotional and property damages
When these elements are proven by a preponderance of the evidence, you should prevail in your claim.
Proving Liability in Semi-Truck Accident Cases
Liability refers to who is legally responsible for an adverse event. Both an insurance adjuster and your College Park truck accident attorney will typically review the following types of evidence to make their own respective liability determinations when claims or lawsuits are filed:
- Police reports
- Photographs and video showing property damage, injuries, and the crash scene
- Medical records
- Witness accounts
- Electronic data recorder (EDR) or “black box” data from the truck
- Electronic logging device data or truck driver’s printed logbook
In some cases, when liability is unclear, attorneys can hire experts to reconstruct the accidents to establish the cause of the crash. Additionally, lawyers often solicit the services of medical experts to determine whether the wreck could have directly caused the injuries you’re claiming. These third parties’ assessments can prove invaluable when it comes to building a strong case or negotiating settlements with insurers.
How a College Park Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help
Maryland law outlines how victims have three years to file an insurance claim or lawsuit in their case. While that might seem like a lot of time, delay is not uncommon, especially when dealing with insurance companies. With the wide range of truck accidents that exist, proving fault for these crashes can be particularly complicated. You only have one chance to preserve evidence that will aid you in building a strong case, one that proves the at-fault party’s liability for the crash.
Don’t take your chances and jeopardize your right to pursue a claim and compensation.
Let the team at GDH Law provide you with the support and guidance you need to decide the best way to pursue your claim. Schedule a free consultation with a College Park truck accident lawyer now to discuss your potential case.
