Any auto accident has the potential to result in serious or even fatal injuries. When a large commercial vehicle is involved, however, the chances of severe harm increase significantly. If you’ve been involved in a crash, a Glen Burnie truck accident lawyer can help you seek compensation for your losses.
At Belsky & Horowitz, LLC, we understand how complicated claims can be, especially when they involve a tractor-trailer. That’s why we’re prepared to represent you and prove you were wronged. We represent clients all over Maryland, including accident victims in Glen Burnie.
Truck Accidents in Glen Burnie
Thousands of truck accidents happen in Maryland every year. A number of those happen in Glen Burnie. For example, in early 2019, a tractor-trailer overturned on I-97. Fortunately, no fatalities occurred, but two people were taken to the hospital with minor injuries. The truck was carrying paper supplies, but had it been hauling more hazardous material, it’s likely the wreck would have caused significantly more damage.
Not all truck accidents involve big rigs. In June 2019, a trash truck veered into the edge of a right lane and nearly hit a utility pole. One of the two workers riding on the back of the truck hit the pole and was knocked to the ground. The other worker was also thrown from the garbage truck. Both men were severely injured.
If you’ve been in a crash in Glen Burnie, you may be confused as to where to turn for legal help. At Belsky & Horowitz, LLC, we’re proud to represent the residents of Maryland. If you’re interested in seeking compensation for your losses, we can work on a personal injury claim that helps you recover financially.
The Dangers of Big Rig Wrecks in Maryland
A successful claim will discuss how and why a crash happened. Determining that involves understanding the unique dangers of tractor-trailer accidents.
- Increased Size. Semi-trucks are longer and heavier than passenger cars. While the average car weighs 3,000 to 4,000 pounds, a loaded truck could weigh up to 80,000 pounds. A standard commercial truck is as long as approximately five full-sized cars.
- Driver Fatigue. Truckers work long hours. This is often the result of tight deadlines. While truck drivers are supposed to balance their driving hours with resting hours in accordance with federal guidelines, that doesn’t always happen. Fatigued driving has similar effects on the body as drunk driving.
- Improper Hauling Techniques. Tractor-trailers haul a variety of goods and services. Care needs to be taken when loading and hauling so no issues arise when the driver is on the road. When a truck is hauling heavy machinery or toxic substances, extra precautions need to be taken to ensure the cargo arrives where it’s supposed to without hurting anyone.
- Large Blind Spots. Tractor-trailers have blind spots on all sides. If they neglect to see a car in front of them or beside them and they accelerate or merge, the car could get hit. There’s also the chance of a car running into the back of a truck because of the rear blind spot.
- Longer Starting and Stopping Distances. Because of their size, commercial vehicles need more time to accelerate and stop. If a semi is merging on the highway, an accident can happen if the acceleration distance isn’t calculated properly. Accidents are also likely in the event a tractor-trailer doesn’t have enough time or space to stop before striking the car in front of them.
Determining Fault After a Tractor-Trailer Crash
Once your lawyer has determined the factors resulting in your crash, they’ll build a case that proves who was at fault. Proving liability for a truck accident can be challenging because it’s possible multiple parties are involved. We’ll be sure to conduct a thorough investigation that proves who caused your crash.
The most obvious at-fault party is the truck driver. The majority of semi crashes are the result of driver negligence. If the trucker was fatigued, drinking while driving, under the influence of other substances, distracted, or simply failed to follow the rules of the road, they can be held accountable.
If there are questions regarding the driver’s qualifications or the maintenance of the truck, the trucking company could be at fault. They are supposed to take careful consideration when hiring and put the required time and energy into training so that everyone that works for them is well aware of how to safely drive a commercial vehicle.
In some situations, a manufacturer could be held responsible for an accident. Auto part manufacturers are supposed to ensure the parts they use on the vehicles they sell are safe. When a defective part results in braking or steering issues and a trucker crashes, they may be liable.
Seek Recovery for Your Losses
As you can see, determining who is responsible for your accident can be a challenge, but with the help of a Glen Burnie truck accident lawyer you’ll be on your way to receiving the compensation you need to cover your accident-related losses. To learn more about the claims process or to begin the filing process, schedule a free consultation with our law firm today.
