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A sideswipe truck accident in Maryland can be one of the most problematic accidents on the road. There are several reasons for this. Beyond the obvious, large semi-trucks can create immense devastation with a singular accident, but a sideswipe, in particular, can be tricky. Consider this: In a rear-end accident, we can more easily prove liability based on the damage to your vehicle. If the rear of your vehicle has damage, and the front of the semi has damage that corresponds with your damage, then it is relatively clear who is at fault. The property damage tells a murkier story in a sideswipe accident. While our experienced Maryland truck accident lawyers may be able to analyze how the vehicles are damaged and decide, it is not always clear. Moreover, at the least, this will require expert testimony. An attorney is unable also to be an expert witness in your trial.
An expert can raise the cost of litigation, making settlement more appealing in lower value cases. So, what is a sideswipe truck accident in Maryland? A sideswipe is when the side of a commercial truck makes contact with another vehicle traveling parallel to it. It is most common when one vehicle is merging into another lane. It is also common when there is poor visibility, whether in fog, rain, darkness, or snow. Unfortunately, even the slightest impact can cause a vehicle to veer off the road, causing life-threatening injuries. Whether the truck is a U-haul, delivery truck, garbage truck, or some other type of semi, they each weigh far more than the typical vehicle on the road. This makes obtaining justice for the injuries you sustain all the more important.
Call our legal team today for a free case evaluation if you are hurt in a Maryland truck sideswipe accident.
Commercial trucks have large blind spots, commonly referred to as “no-zones,” which make it difficult for truck drivers to see nearby vehicles. Of course, a judge and most juries understand that trucks have a harder time maneuvering on the highway than standard vehicles. This generally allots more deference to a driver of a smaller vehicle regarding their credibility. For example, if it is a pure word versus word case, where there are no witnesses, no dash cameras, just the credibility of the two drivers, a fact finder understands that the sedan driver has an easier job than the truck driver. Truck drivers rely on large side mirrors to check adjacent lanes, but these mirrors do not provide complete visibility. We will often ask the trucker about these mirrors during our examination. This helps you if you are suing the trucker.
But of course, it is not enough to make your case. Rather, it just lends you some credibility. On the other hand, if you are otherwise totally uncredible while the trucker is, you may lose. It is the job of our legal team to prove that the trucker breached some legal duty, in this case the duty to check a blindspot and not negligently merge into another lane. We must prove the driver’s failure to check blind spots is the proximate cause of your accident and your injuries. We have done this thousands of times, and it is a necessary component of your case. In select circumstances, we may also sue the trucking company. We may allege negligent training if they instruct drivers not to check blind spots or encourage drivers to behave aggressively and overtake other cars.
In either event, we may be able to establish liability and expand the coverage available in your case.
The role of speed and road positioning in a sideswipe truck accident in Maryland is significant. Speed has a two-fold impact. First, it makes it harder for either driver to avoid the accident. Due to weight, a semi-truck requires more time and space to slow down. Of course, speed also contributes to how much force is thrown into the other vehicle. Force is equal to mass times acceleration. Clearly, a semi-truck, especially one loaded, has more mass than almost any other vehicle on the road. And when that truck is speeding, that is both a factor that is higher than it should be. This equates to significant force and potentially a deadly accident. Besides speed, road positioning is also a critical factor in sideswipe truck crashes.
If a trucker drives too close to the lane divider or misjudges the space available for a lane change, a sideswipe becomes more likely. That is not to say the trucker is always at fault. If you are a truck driver and are hit by another vehicle, you may also have a claim. We have represented truck drivers in hundreds of cases. But road positioning becomes vital. Within that same vein, you should be careful positioning your car in the blindspot of a commercial truck. While safety technology is onboard some trucks, it is not available to drivers on all trucks. Moreover, some truckers are unfamiliar with the truck they are driving, especially if they pick up a shift to get home for the evening. Accordingly, road positioning is key to protecting yourself and proving liability in your case.
Side-swipe truck accidents in Maryland can happen on any road, but specific environments present a higher risk, depending on traffic conditions and truck behavior. But where is it more common, on highways or city streets? Higher speeds on the highway allow less time to gauge whether a lane-change is safe. It is also more difficult to merge onto a busy highway where no one wants to let you in and you must accelerate to match everyone else’s speed. Meanwhile, urban environments like Baltimore, Bethesda, or Annapolis, have narrower streets. This introduces the issue of road positioning. On the narrowest roads, especially those found around Anne Arundel County, a trucker may struggle to stay in their lane due to the truck’s size and limited space to operate. Meanwhile, while merging is immensely difficult on the highway, there are fewer reasons for a trucker to switch lanes. An experienced trucker may stay in the same lane for hundreds of miles to limit the chances of a sideswipe.
Additionally, city streets require truckers to make wide turns in intersections, which can lead to a sideswipe truck accident in Maryland. A wide turn in Maryland is difficult for any truck. Truckers often turn slightly to the right before making a left-hand turn. Unfortunately, other drivers are not always aware of this maneuver, and may speed up and turn alongside the truck. Ultimately, the trucker would be responsible for the accident if he incorrectly merged into the other lane. Lastly, city streets have more opportunity for truckers to miss their turn, causing them to attempt to turn off at the last moment. When a trucker is attempting to get over to the side to exit, they may negligently merge lanes in an effort not to miss their turn and be late.
If you are in a sideswipe truck accident in Maryland, call our office today for a free case consultation at (202) 331-7227.
Copyright © 2025 Gelb & Gelb, P.C. All rights reserved.