Being involved in an automobile crash can be traumatic. When the wreck is between you and a tractor-trailer, however, the consequences may be more severe. You could be dealing with catastrophic injuries and significant financial trouble. If you believe the collision was the result of a negligent driver, you have the right to take legal action to seek compensation for your losses. A Hagerstown truck accident lawyer from Belsky & Horowitz, LLC can provide you with the legal guidance and representation you need to build a successful personal injury claim and get your life back in order.
How Common Are Semi Crashes in Hagerstown?
With Interstates 81 and 70 cutting through Hagerstown, it’s no surprise that truck accidents are a common occurrence. Fatal crashes frequently close portions of those roadways. For example, I-70 was closed in both directions in October 2019 when a tractor-trailer and car collided. While the trucker was taken to the hospital, the passenger car was completely crushed after the crash and the driver died.
As mentioned, fatal crashes also happen regularly on I-81. In June 2019, a fatal crash closed the northbound lane after a tractor-trailer collided with another vehicle. With the number of accidents that happen on those roadways, it’s important for drivers to be aware of the dangers of driving on interstates with tractor-trailers. It’s also important for all drivers to have a comprehensive understanding of what to do in the event they are in a truck accident.
What to Do After a Truck Accident in Maryland
While it’s common for chaos to ensue after a tractor-trailer crash, it’s best for your health and future if you do what you can to ground yourself so you can take control of the situation. First and foremost, remain at the scene of the accident. If possible, leave the vehicles and debris where they landed. This will ensure the scene is preserved when it comes time to collect evidence.
Call 911 and request emergency services. Even if your injuries seem minor, seeking medical treatment will ensure you don’t have any severe problems to worry about. It will also benefit you later to have an accurate record of the injuries you sustained. Your lawyer will use that information to calculate some of the damages you’re owed.
If possible, take photographs or videos of the scene. Your attorney can use that information to recreate the crash scene and determine what happened and why. You’ll also need to exchange information with the other drivers involved. You’ll want the truck driver’s contact and insurance information, in addition to information about the company they work for.
Once you’ve made an official police report and you’ve been examined by a medical professional, it’s time to get in touch with an attorney. The sooner you file your claim, the sooner you’ll have access to the compensation you need to recover and move forward.
Determining Compensation Eligibility
In order to be eligible for compensation, your lawyer will need to prove that neglect played a role in the truck accident. Typically this means showing how the negligent driver disregarded their duty of care and injured you as a result. With truck accidents, the cause is often related to fatigued driving, distracted driving, or reckless behaviors behind the wheel. Other times, however, the trucking company or auto parts manufacturer may be held accountable. Once liability is proven, you can begin settlement negotiations.
In most personal injury cases, economic and noneconomic damages are available. Economic damages refer to those that are calculable with dollars and cents. Medical bills, lost wages, the future cost of care, and property damage are taken into consideration. Noneconomic damages are more challenging to calculate, as they’re based on the effects of the accident. For example, pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment may be looked at. Your lawyer will have experience calculating noneconomic damages, so what you receive is fair.
There are caps on noneconomic damages in Maryland. That figure can change. Your legal representative will have a comprehensive understanding of the state and federal laws that could impact your case. It’s also important to note that because Maryland recognizes contributory negligence, victims are ineligible for damages if they’re found to be one percent or more at fault for the crash.
The Benefits of Working With an Experienced Firm
When you work with a Hagerstown truck accident lawyer from Belsky & Horowitz, LLC, you can rest assured that your case will be handled with the utmost diligence and respect. We understand the challenges of recovering from physical and emotional injuries while balancing financial burdens. That’s why we’ll take on the difficult paperwork and conversations for you. You’ll be kept up-to-date every step of the way, but you can spend the majority of your time focusing on healing.
Working with a lawyer also ensures your claim is filed correctly. The process can be complicated and meeting the required deadlines is crucial to maximizing your chances of receiving full and fair compensation. If you’re ready to file, schedule a meeting with our attorneys today. We’ll review your case and discuss your legal rights and options.
