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A Maryland rush hour truck accident has severe consequences, not just for the parties in the accident, but for everyone around it. If you are in a rush hour accident, a Maryland truck accident lawyer at Gelb & Gelb can represent your interests at trial. A feature of rush hour is its stop and go nature. For a lighter vehicle like a sedan, motorcycle, or bicycle, this does not require much stopping power. However, it takes significant force for a large 18-wheeler to come to a complete stop. Not only this, but the volume of vehicles on the road in Maryland leads to less room to maneuver. Trucks will leave space between them and the vehicle in front of them to avoid dangerous situations.
As each vehicle fights to move up within the procession, faster cars often cut large trucks off. This is one common reason for rush hour truck accidents in Maryland.
If you are a victim of a truck driver’s negligence, you may have a claim to compensate you for your personal injuries. Or, if you are driving a truck and are cut off by another driver in rush hour traffic, we have successfully resolved hundreds of cases like yours. Victims of Maryland rush hour truck accidents may face physical injuries and financial strain from medical bills, lost wages, and vehicle repairs. If you use your vehicle to earn a living, whether with your truck or even driving for Uber or Lyft, you may have a substantial lost wage claim. Maryland is home to several work hubs that hold a serious place on the national stage. Consequently, aggressive driving can occur for hours a day during the week during rush hour, when getting to those hubs. Call our office today if you are injured in one of these accidents.
Maryland rush hour truck accidents are more dangerous for three reasons:
This is a unique combination that only presents itself during rush hour in Maryland. There are times, like after an accident on the highway, that may meet similar conditions. However, rush hour involves other common factors like grogginess in the morning, stress from work in the evening, and exhaustion. Moreover, rush hour can involve aggressive driving behaviors, such as tailgating, frequent lane changes, and sudden braking. These factors create a dangerous environment that leads to accidents with semi-trucks. This set of factors describes the danger of rush hour in Maryland. Now, consider how larger trucks fare in this environment. When people are on their way to work, they may be texting or emailing for work. While this may feel harmless, it is dangerous and can lead to accidents. An accident may occur when a car unexpectedly brakes in front of an 18-wheeler.
In dense traffic, semi-trucks attempt to create space between themselves and the vehicles in front of them. The visibility of the vehicles behind the trucks is limited because they cannot see around them. Thus, they may not have enough time to stop, which can cause accidents.
There are several reasons why Maryland rush hour truck accidents are so prevalent. Below, we explore the six most dangerous factors.
Heavy traffic congestion is always a problem on the road. And Maryland is no different than any other state because the roads are more congested during rush hour. The sheer number of vehicles on the road increases the chances of collisions. With more drivers, there is a higher probability of the other factors that make rush hour dangerous. For example, a distracted driver is always a potential threat on the road. As there are more drivers during rush hour, there is a higher likelihood of distracted drivers who may cause an accident. Truckers are always more susceptible to dangerous driving. They are less able to maneuver away due to the size and speed of their trucks.
Trucks require much longer distances to come to a full stop. In stop-and-go traffic, sudden braking can lead to rear-end crashes, especially if a smaller vehicle is caught in a truck’s blind spot. When a vehicle in front of you is coming to a stop, there is a chance of a rear-end accident. That is not to say the chances are higher, though they are higher with a semi-truck due to the vehicle’s weight. Moreover, when you are in stop-and-go traffic, the chances for a rear-end collision are higher as you stop more frequently. As stop and go traffic is a hallmark of rush hour, Maryland rush hour truck accidents are more likely.
Drivers are most tired at the end of the day after a hard day at work. Whether you just finished an eight- or 12-hour shift, driver fatigue can quickly set in. This is naturally an issue for other drivers on the road. The same is true in the morning. Some drivers have not had their morning coffee yet as they are still waking up. Fatigue can slow reaction times, increasing the likelihood of mistakes that lead to accidents. All the while, truck drivers may have been on the road for several hours by the time commuters wake up and get on the road first thing. The combination of tired truck drivers and groggy commuters can spell trouble on the road.
When drivers are late for work in the morning on their commute, they are more likely to drive aggressively. This may mean cutting off trucks to get ahead in traffic. The problem with that is trucks cannot always stop in time. Thus, Maryland rush hour truck accidents are more likely to occur in the morning. Furthermore, in the evening, when commuters are heading home, they may be in a rush to see their family. They may be experiencing stress from a hard work day. All of these factors are most present during rush hour. Of course, this causes truck accidents. Unfortunately, when there is one accident, the issue compounds as there is more stop-and-go traffic and aggressive driving to avoid the mess.
Many Maryland highways have narrow lanes with limited room for trucks to maneuver. This makes it difficult for truck drivers to avoid collisions when other vehicles unexpectedly shift lanes or slow down. This is especially true when seemingly never-ending construction takes up the shoulder. In rare instances, you may have a claim against the construction company or state in addition to the driver who hit you.
Trucking companies impose strict deadlines, and delays caused by rush-hour traffic may encourage drivers to take unnecessary risks, such as speeding or making unsafe lane changes. Some companies will reward drivers for completing a route ahead of time. When a trucker feels pressure to complete their route faster, split-decisions are made and accidents happen.
If you are in a Maryland rush hour truck accident, call our office today for a free case consultation at (202) 331-7227.
Copyright © 2025 Gelb & Gelb, P.C. All rights reserved.