Baltimore Trucking Accident Lawyer
Types of Truck Accidents
The trucking industry is an essential part of our nation’s growing economy. But as the need for more trucks increases, so does the risk to other motorists sharing the road. A wreck involving a large commercial truck can cause considerable property damage and inflict catastrophic injuries on the occupants of smaller vehicles. Many of these accidents are the result of negligence on the part of the truck driver or the trucking company they work for.
When this is the case, truck accident victims and their families are entitled to seek compensation for their losses. Maryland truck accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton have helped many injured victims recover substantial awards following a devastating truck accident. We understand the complex nature of trucking accidents and the laws that govern the trucking industry and use that knowledge to achieve exceptional results for our clients.
Following are some common types of truck accidents:
Jackknife Tractor Trailer Accidents
Jackknife accidents happen when a truck’s trailer loses traction and begins to skid, forming a 90-degree angle with the tractor before coming to a stop. While this is happening, other motorists may be unable to avoid hitting the truck or being crushed when the trailer rolls over. Jackknife accidents are frequently caused by either an equipment failure or by a truck driver’s negligent operation of his or her truck.
Underride Accidents
One of the most deadly types of truck accidents, underride accidents occur when a smaller vehicle hits the back of a truck and due to the size difference, slides under the rear of the trailer. While nearly all trucks weighing over 10,000 lbs are required to have underride guards to prevent such a scenario, a series of crash tests performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety revealed that these guards are not always effective. While most guards functioned properly when a car struck the center of the trailer at an impact speed of 35 mph or less, almost all of the guards failed in off-center collisions or higher speed crashes.
Rollover Accidents
Truck rollovers are some of the most common, yet preventable types of truck accidents. Because they have high center of gravity, tractor-trailers are more vulnerable to certain factors such as steep inclines and declines, poor weather conditions, and unstable loads. Many truck rollover accidents happen when an inattentive or poorly trained driver fails to adjust their speed while taking turns or overcorrects their steering after encountering an unexpected obstacle.
Lost Loads
Overloaded or poorly secured cargo can have a number of dangerous consequences. Cargo that becomes loose during transit can fall off the truck onto the roadway or onto another vehicle. Another dangerous scenario involves improperly loaded cargo that shifts, creating an imbalance that can result in a rollover accident.
Blind Spot / No Zone Accidents
Large commercial vehicles have four major blind spots called “No-Zones” that greatly increase the potential for a crash. The precise size and location of these blind spots depends on the type of truck, but in general, the larger the vehicle, the larger the blind spot. Drivers are encouraged to recognize and avoid these areas as much as possible. However, truck drivers must also pay special attention to cars entering or exiting blind spots and should exercise caution when turning or changing lanes.
Rear-End / Head-On Collisions
When a large commercial truck strikes a smaller passenger vehicle in a direct head-on or rear-end collision, the resulting damage to the smaller vehicle and its occupants is often severe. Most of these accidents are a consequence of negligent or reckless acts by drivers. The most common contributing factors for these types of wrecks include speeding, aggressive driving, distracted driving, drowsy driving and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Some truck accidents are the result of poor truck maintenance. Large, heavy trucks already require far greater stopping distances than the average passenger vehicle. This issue is only intensified by faulty brakes, worn tires or broken headlights.
Baltimore Truck Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Successfully Represent Victims of Trucking Accidents
Truck accident cases are more complex and generally involve more severe injuries than typical motor vehicle accident cases. Furthermore, the defendants in these cases often have teams of expensive lawyers who will stop at nothing to deny victims the compensation they deserve. Maryland trucking accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton have the experience and the resources to take on trucking companies and their insurers. We fight hard to achieve maximum compensation for our clients. To find out how we can put our experience to work for you, call 800-547-4LAW (4529) today to schedule a free consultation with one of our Baltimore truck accident lawyers or contact us online. A qualified member of our legal team is available to answer your questions 24 hours a day.
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.