Baltimore Truck Accident Lawyers: Common Causes of Semi-Truck Accidents

Posted on

Truck accidents involving large semi-trucks are among the most dangerous because few cars can withstand the sheer impact of a vehicle as heavy and massive as a large truck. Recent statistics show that close to 5,000 people in passenger vehicles were fatally injured in truck accidents each year. Comparatively, only 700 people who were inside the semi-trucks suffered fatal injuries in the same wrecks. There are a number of factors that can cause truck accidents, some of which are driver-related and others which are vehicle-related. Regardless, semi-truck accidents can result in considerable damage to a vehicle and devastating, often fatal, injuries.

The following are some of the most common causes of semi-truck accidents:

  • Poor Maintenance: Federal regulations require all operational semi-trucks to be properly maintained and kept in good condition. If certain parts malfunction, like brakes, tires, or engines, it can result in very serious accidents. Truck companies must comply with federal regulations and perform regular maintenance checks on all trucks.
  • Distracted Driving: Distracted driving can be dangerous no matter what type of vehicle you are driving, but when truck drivers are distracted, they can cause devastating accidents. Whether it is using a cell phone while driving, changing the radio station, eating, checking the GPS, or talking to another passenger, these are all forms of distracted driving. Due to the nature of the job and the long, tedious hours on the road, this is a common problem among truck drivers.
  • Driver Inexperience: If a driver has not been properly trained, or has very little experience driving a semi-truck, the risk of causing an accident increases. However, while many companies cover the costs of trucking courses, too often they send new drivers out on the road with little experience because they can pay them less than a more experienced driver.
  • Improper Loading: When cargo is loaded improperly, uneven weight distribution can lead to jack-knife accidents. This can happen when individuals load the truck too quickly, or if inexperienced packers do not know how to load the cargo so that the weight is evenly distributed.

Baltimore Truck Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Provide Experienced Legal Counsel to Truck Accident Victims

If you have been injured in a semi-truck accident, contact the Baltimore truck accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton as soon as possible so that we may begin to gather the necessary information to protect your rights and pursue the maximum financial compensation. We are on your side and will not stop fighting on your behalf until justice has been served. To schedule a complementary consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.

Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie and Towson, allowing us to represent injured truck accident victims and their families throughout Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Southern Maryland and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Parkville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood and Elkridge.