Protecting Your Rights After a Truck Accident
September 6, 2017
When you consider that the average semi-truck weighs up to 80,000 pounds, it should come as no surprise that an accident involving one of these massive vehicles can cause devastating injuries and fatalities, as well as catastrophic property damage. When the other vehicle involved in a truck accident is a passenger vehicle, it is rarely the truck driver that sustains serious injuries. In fact, if the occupants of the passenger vehicle are lucky enough to have survived the crash, they often suffer debilitating injuries including traumatic brain injuries, amputations, and serious internal injuries. Luckily, such injuries are compensable.
A traffic accident is considered a truck accident if one of the vehicles involved weighs 10,000 pounds or more. The American Association for Justice (AAJ) reports that both the number and size of trucks on the road are increasing. In addition, while the average weight of a semi-truck is 80,000 pounds, some trucks haul double, or even triple trailers, which can weigh 20 times more than the average passenger vehicle and measure longer than a Boeing 737 plane. This gives an idea of just how massive these semi-truck vehicles can be, and the resulting damage they can cause.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
It is a well-known fact that truck drivers work long hours and often suffer from driver fatigue. In fact, drowsy driving is the leading cause of truck driver-related accidents. In addition to driver fatigue, the following are examples of common causes of semi-truck accidents:
- Negligence
- Mechanical failure
- Disregard of trucking regulations
- Inclement weather
- Poor road conditions
In the event of a truck accident, the driver of the truck will most likely be held liable for any injuries or property damage. However, depending on the circumstances of the wreck, liability can also fall on the trucking company, the owner of the truck, the company that is responsible for maintaining the vehicle, the manufacturer, or the company responsible for loading the trailer.
Trucking companies have the resources to hire a team of investigators, insurance adjusters, and attorneys, all of whom are paid to protect the interests of the company. Oftentimes, they arrive at the scene of the accident within minutes so that they can begin to prepare a defense should the occupants of the other vehicles involved file a claim. It is crucial that the other drivers involved have an experienced legal team that is dedicated to protecting their interests and ensuring that their rights are protected at all times.
Baltimore Truck Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Advocate for Victims of Semi-Truck Crashes
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured or suffered a fatality in a truck accident, you are urged to contact the Baltimore truck accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton as soon as possible. We have a proven track record of providing strategic legal counsel to our clients who have been involved in a truck accident. Our dedicated team will protect your interests throughout the entire process and seek the maximum financial compensation you deserve. To schedule a free, confidential consultation, do not hesitate to call us at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.
Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to represent truck accident victims in 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, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.
