Prince George’s County Truck Accident Lawyers

Cars and trucks pass each other every day on the Beltway, Route 50, I-95, and roads throughout Prince George’s County, and most of the time these encounters are uneventful, although when a commercial truck driver makes a mistake, the results can be life-altering. Large commercial trucks have incredible momentum, which means that collisions involving these vehicles often lead to serious injuries, long recovery periods, and financial losses that can overwhelm even the most prepared families. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, please don’t hesitate to contact the dedicated Prince George’s County injury lawyers here at Miller Berman for a free consultation today.

What Makes Truck Accidents Different from Car Accidents?

Truck accidents are different from ordinary car accidents in more ways than most people initially realize. Some of the most important differences between truck and car accidents are as follows:

• The massive size and weight of trucks, leading to far greater force during collisions
• A much higher likelihood of catastrophic injuries, including traumatic brain injuries and spinal damage
• Federal trucking regulations that apply only to commercial drivers and companies
• Higher insurance limits, which often result in insurance carriers aggressively defending claims
• The possibility of multiple responsible parties, including the trucking company or a maintenance provider

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Truck accidents happen for a wide range of reasons, just as car accidents can, but certain causes are especially common in commercial trucking due to long driving hours, tight schedules, and the sheer size of these vehicles. That said, some of the most common causes of truck accidents that our firm sees are as follows:

• Distracted driving involving phones, dispatch devices, or GPS
• Fatigue due to long hours spent on roadways
• Impaired driving involving alcohol or drugs
• Speeding or driving too fast for traffic or weather conditions
• Improperly secured cargo that shifts during travel
• Brake failures or tire blowouts caused by inadequate or negligent maintenance
• Aggressive driving or tailgating in heavy traffic
• Inexperienced or inadequately trained commercial drivers
• Road construction zones that require sudden lane changes or slow-downs

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Truck Accident?

Liability in a truck accident can be complicated because several parties may share responsibility for the collision. Obviously, the truck driver may be liable if he or she was speeding, fatigued, distracted, or otherwise negligent. That being said, the trucking company may also share liability if they failed to properly train or supervise the driver, or if they pressured the driver to violate federal hours of service rules.

In other cases, third-party maintenance companies, cargo loading businesses, or even the manufacturer of a defective part could be held accountable if their negligence contributed to the crash. For this reason, determining liability in a truck accident requires a detailed investigation, which our dedicated personal injury lawyers are prepared to perform.

Important Federal & Maryland Trucking Regulations

Federal trucking laws play a major role in determining whether a truck driver or trucking company acted negligently. These regulations exist to protect everyone on the road by limiting hours of service, enforcing mandatory rest periods, and ensuring proper training for all commercial drivers. Some of the most important regulations are as follows:

• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rules regarding hours of service
• Electronic logging requirements that track driving hours
• Commercial Driver’s License qualifications and testing
• Weight and load restrictions on Maryland highways and county roads
• Mandatory safety inspections
• Hazardous materials transport rules
• Drug and alcohol testing requirements for commercial drivers

Compensation Available

If you were injured in a truck accident, you may be entitled to a wide range of damages under the law. The financial compensation you may receive in a successful personal injury claim can include the following:

• Medical expenses, including hospital stays, surgery, rehabilitation, and future treatment needs
• Lost income and loss of earning ability for those unable to return to work
• Pain and suffering for physical harm experienced as a result of the crash
• Emotional distress and psychological trauma associated with the accident
• Permanent disability or disfigurement that results from catastrophic injuries
• Wrongful death damages for families who lose a loved one in a truck collision

How Long Do You Have to File a Truck Accident Claim in Maryland?

In Maryland, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is three years from the date of the accident. This means that you will generally have three years to file a lawsuit against the negligent party responsible for your injuries. However, while three years may sound like plenty of time, you should not wait. Evidence in truck accident cases can disappear quickly, and driver logs, black box data, and other crucial records may only be kept for a limited time.

Contact Our Maryland Truck Accident Lawyers

If you believe you have a valid claim, please don’t hesitate to contact our knowledgeable and experienced Prince George’s County truck accident lawyers for a free consultation today. We’re here to fight for the full and fair compensation to which you are entitled.