Baltimore Truck Accident Lawyer

Our Baltimore truck accident lawyers have been handling motor vehicle accident cases for nearly 70 years in D.C. and Maryland. Based primarily in Washington, D.C., all our attorneys are licensed in Maryland, and we have an office in Maryland. Unfortunately, truck accidents occur often in Baltimore and Baltimore County. A truck accident is any motor vehicle accident involving a truck or 18-wheeler. It can be a collision between a truck and a car, pedestrian, house, or any other conceivable collision due to negligent or intentional conduct.

Truck accidents are among the most devastating types of personal injury cases. Of course, this is due to the sheer weight of a truck compared to most other motor vehicles on the road. Moreover, large trucks are more difficult to maneuver. Especially on the highway at high speeds, a smaller car or motorcycle can easily slip into the blind spot of an 18-wheeler. While the truck driver still has a duty to drive prudently and reasonably under the circumstances, it is always advantageous to be careful around large trucks.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Though truck drivers are professionals, they still make mistakes. This is not surprising. The time it takes to fully stop an 18-wheeler is longer than for a lighter motor vehicle. Additionally, it is more vehicle to keep from contacting a third party. Below is a list of the most common causes of truck accidents in Baltimore, Maryland.

• Driver fatigue
• Speeding
• Impaired driving
• Distracted driving
• Drunk driving
• Poor vehicle maintenance
• Improper cargo loading
• Bad weather
• Poor driver training
• Impact of Truck Accidents

The impact of a truck accident can be substantial. First, the impact it has on the flow of traffic is noticeable and significant. Even more so if it takes up multiple lanes which, given a truck’s length, is possible. However, on a more personal level, the injuries that can result from a truck accident can be life-threatening and life-altering. Our Baltimore truck accident lawyers have had clients with broken arms, legs, ribs, hands, faces, spines, necks, and more. Lasting disfigurement is a real concern in a truck accident and if this happens to you, you deserve compensation.

Additionally, your car, bike, or motorcycle may have been damaged in your truck accident. If this is the case, and you have a viable claim for negligence, you are entitled to compensation for its property damage. There are different ways to calculate property damage for a vehicle. It will depend on the extent of the damage and if it is reparable. Moreover, you are generally not able to recover for emotional damage related to attachment to your vehicle. The law views your car as personal property and does not allow for this form of recovery. Of course, this is separate from your pain and suffering damages in your personal injury claim.

Legal Recourse

Your legal recourse is against the driver and, in some circumstances, the company the driver works for. This theory is dependent on the doctrine of respondeat superior which imposes vicarious liability on an employer for negligence by an employee acting in the course and scope of his employment. It is not always applicable merely because the truck driver is driving in the company’s truck. Generally, he must be on a job. However, there are exceptions that our Baltimore truck accident lawyers can assist you with.

If you can make a successful negligence claim, then you can recover all your medical expenses. However, we must be able to prove that they were reasonable based on your injuries, and your treating medical provider must relate it to your truck accident. This is something we do daily, so it is not a major concern. However, we can and will only make this argument if it truly related to your accident.

Contact a Baltimore Truck Accident Lawyer

Making a claim against a professional truck driver can be complex. If you have any questions or believe you have a viable claim, call our Baltimore truck accident lawyers today for a free consultation.