Whether you’re doing the weekly grocery shopping or buying a new outfit, those items in the store were delivered by a truck. You probably also had a few more deliveries dropped off at your house that made their way there by truck. Trucks are the type of vehicles that are on the road 24/7. The demand to make deliveries can lead to some truck drivers ignoring service hour requirements and cutting corners when it comes to traffic laws, like following the speed limit. This can create a perfect storm of reckless behavior that leads to an accident.
When a fully loaded semi-truck weighing up to 80,000 pounds smashes into a car, it rarely ends well for the car. If you find yourself on the receiving end of a truck collision, you should not be expected to pay for any associated medical bills or to replace your car. Trucking companies are notorious for vigorously defending their drivers and operations. That is why you need your own legal fighter in your corner, like the Baltimore truck accident lawyer at Belsky & Horowitz, LLC.
We have decades of combined experience helping motorists who have been in devastating accidents with commercial vehicles. We bring the full force of our skills and legal expertise into every case. Whether your accident happened on the Pulaski Highway, the Beltway, or downtown, you’re entitled to seek a remedy, and we can provide the guidance and information you’ll need to make the right decision about your next move.
As you consider your options, understanding the nature of truck accidents and the challenges you might face will help you move forward with your accident claim.
How Common Are Truck Accidents?
Truck accidents frequently make the news, as seen in the recent semi-truck rollover caught on surveillance video and reported on WBAL. How common are truck accidents? The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) compiled the following statistics based on its most recent surveys:
- Large truck drivers travel many more miles on average than passenger vehicle drivers.
- A larger proportion of large truck miles is on interstates, which are the safest type of roads.
- In 2023, large trucks made up 5% of all registered vehicles.
- In 2023, large trucks accounted for 10% of all vehicle miles traveled (Federal Highway Administration, 2025).
- In 2023, large truck drivers were involved in 1.3 fatal crashes per 100 million miles traveled.
- The fatal crash rate for passenger vehicle drivers was 1.6 per 100 million miles traveled, higher than for large trucks.
- In 2023, 4,354 people died in crashes involving large trucks. Of those deaths, 16% were truck occupants, 65% were passenger vehicle occupants, and 17% were pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorcyclists.
Why Are Truck Accident Claims So Challenging?
When you get into an accident with another car, determining liability is often straightforward. A car speeds through a red light and crashes into your car. Simple. However, with a commercial motor vehicle accident, there can be added challenges. Consider the following:
Complex Laws and Regulations
Truck drivers are subjected to a series of rules and regulations that don’t apply to the typical car driver. That begins with the additional training and certification that truck drivers need to go through to obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL). After that, they must adhere to the regulations for service hours, vehicle inspection, and cargo securement (to name a few) that have been established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
Just because those rules are in place doesn’t mean they can’t be bent or broken altogether. A trucking company could exert pressure on the driver to exceed the driving hour limits or bypass weigh stations. If those orders can be proven, the trucking company could be partially liable for the accident.
To prove this, your Baltimore truck accident lawyer must have a thorough understanding of all applicable federal and state trucking laws. The attorneys at Belsky & Horowitz, LLC have extensive knowledge of these rules and regulations. We know exactly what to look for and cite for your truck collision claim.
Critical Evidence May Disappear or Be Hard To Come By
You need strong evidence to support your truck claim. Technically, trucking companies are required to maintain detailed records of their drivers’ work hours, truck maintenance, cargo manifests, and other relevant data.
That evidence can establish whether the driver was behind the wheel for more than 11 hours without a break, or if the brakes and tires weren’t replaced when they should have been. The problem is that trucking companies are not always forthcoming with that evidence, and that evidence can include the following:
- Surveillance videos
- Witness Statements
- Truck black box logs
- Police accident report
- Medical records
- Truck’s maintenance and service history
- Driver’s qualification and employment files
Gathering evidence is essential to help establish your liability. It is also vital to move quickly to collect that evidence and ensure the trucking company complies. If you tried to do that on your own, you might run into obstacles. That is why having a skilled truck accident attorney on your side can make a difference.
More Insurance Coverage Is Potentially Available
If you’re in a car accident caused by another driver’s negligence, you can file a claim against their insurance company. However, the maximum amount you could be paid would be restricted by the limitations of the mandate insurance policy. In Maryland, each driver must carry the following:
- $30,000 for bodily injury
- $60,000 for two or more people
- $15,000 property damage
That means, regardless of your losses, you can only claim the amount covered by those policies. If the driver took on more, you could consider that option. Truck insurance is in a whole other category. If a truck travels across state lines with a cargo of over 10,000 pounds, it must carry a minimum of $750,000 in liability insurance. If that truck is transporting hazardous materials, the liability insurance goes up to $1 to $5 million.
With those liability insurance limits in place, there is the possibility of you having the entirety of your economic and non-economic damages fully covered. At Belsky & Horowitz, LLC, our goal is to always fight for our clients to help them get the maximum benefits they are due.
Multiple Parties May Be Responsible
When a truck driver causes an accident, they become the primary at-fault party, but it doesn’t stop there. After conducting a thorough investigation, it could be revealed that there were additional at-fault parties, including the following:
The Trucking Company
If it can be established that the truck company hired unqualified drivers or pressured employees to ignore safety regulations, they could be held accountable for the accident.
The Truck Owner
Sometimes the owner of the truck is not the trucking company but a third-party entity. It might also be the truck driver who is operating as an independent driver. If the vehicle’s owner fails to properly inspect or maintain the truck before sending it out on the road, that could lead to an accident.
The Cargo Loading Team
The driver rarely loads a commercial truck. Instead, a cargo loading crew works at the distribution point. That team has to follow the FMCSA regulations. If a cargo isn’t properly loaded and shifts during transportation, it can lead to a spill or a rollover accident.
A Maintenance Provider
Performing substandard maintenance is another problem that can be tied back to a third party. Suppose those mechanics overlooked a necessary repair or didn’t make the fix properly. In that case, they can be held liable if the accident investigation reveals a failure, such as brakes or tires, that contributed to the accident.
Understanding who is responsible matters because it directly affects liability and available insurance coverage. A skilled Baltimore truck accident lawyer will conduct a thorough investigation to determine every party at fault and ensure insurance companies don’t unfairly shift the blame onto you.
Taking on Truck Company Insurance Carrier
After being involved in a collision with a big rig truck, it’s completely understandable to feel overwhelmed. You’ve just gone through a frightening and trauma-inducing incident. In the aftermath of the accident, you could be dealing with ongoing doctor visits, hospitalization, physical therapy, and missed work. There is also the issue of replacing or repairing your car, which adds burdens on your family. All the mounting expenses contribute to your stress levels and hinder your recovery.
Sadly, this is when the insurance adjuster assigned to your claim will step in and try to take advantage of your vulnerability. At first, they may come across as friendly or concerned. However, their real goal is to close out the claim and settle it for as little as possible.
To move things along, the adjuster might ask you to sign forms, give a recorded statement, or share your medical records. Unfortunately, all of those things can later be used against you to downplay your injuries. Your statements might also provide them an opening to shift the blame for the accident away from the trucking company and directly onto you.
You might also be presented with a quick settlement offer that you’ll be pressured to take because the insurance company will say, “It is final.” What if that offer doesn’t cover the full extent of your damages? Once you accept an offer, you can’t go back to ask for additional funds.
This is why you need to get a strong Baltimore accident truck accident lawyer on your side from the start of the claim process. If the team from Belsky & Horowitz, LLC agrees to help with your claim, we’ll directly take on the insurance carrier. That means routing all communications through our offices, so you won’t be bothered. We’ll keep you fully informed of those communications, but you won’t have to talk to the insurance agent unless we’re with you.
You don’t have to go through this alone. A compassionate truck accident attorney can stand by your side, handle the insurance companies for you, and make sure your rights are protected every step of the way. With the proper legal support, you can focus on your recovery while your lawyer fights for the fair compensation you truly deserve.
Truck Accident Frequently Asked Questions
If you’ve been involved in a collision with a truck, you’ll have questions that you need answers to to help you decide what you should do next. We can provide those answers, including these questions:
What should I do right after a truck accident in Baltimore?
Your priority is to make sure everyone is safe and call 911 to report the crash. Even if your injuries seem minor, you need to get checked out by a doctor because some injuries don’t show up right away. Try to take photos, get witness information, and avoid discussing fault at the scene. Before talking to any insurance company, reach out to a Baltimore truck crash lawyer who can explain your rights and help you avoid costly mistakes.
Should I talk to the trucking company’s insurance adjuster?
It’s best not to. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts or get you to say something that can be used against you. Before giving any statements or signing documents, talk to your attorney. A lawyer can handle all communication with the insurer and make sure your words and actions don’t hurt your claim.
What kind of compensation can I get after a truck accident?
Compensation can cover a wide range of losses, including medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and property damage. If your injuries prevent you from returning to work or require long-term care, your lawyer will also factor in those future costs. The goal is to ensure you have financial support while recovering.
How long do I have to file a claim in Maryland?
In Maryland, you generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, some cases may have shorter time limits. That is especially true if government vehicles or other special circumstances are involved. It’s always smart to contact an attorney as soon as possible so they can start gathering evidence before it’s lost or destroyed.
Why should I hire a local Baltimore truck accident lawyer?
A local attorney knows Baltimore’s roads, judges, and insurance companies. They also understand how Maryland’s state laws differ from those of other jurisdictions. Having a lawyer who’s familiar with local courts and procedures can make a big difference in how smoothly your case moves forward and how much compensation you ultimately receive.
Can a Baltimore Truck Accident Lawyer Help with Your Claim?
When you’ve been hurt in a commercial motor vehicle accident involving a big rig, you deserve a legal team that will stand up to the trucking companies and their insurers. At Belsky & Horowitz, LLC, we know how devastating these crashes can be for victims and their families. Our experienced Baltimore truck accident lawyers are ready to listen to your story. If we agree to work together, we’ll thoroughly investigate the accident from all angles. We’ll fight for the justice and financial recovery you need to get your life back on track.
Don’t wait to get the help you deserve. Call Belsky & Horowitz, LLC today or fill out our online form to schedule a no-obligation consultation. We’re ready to hear what happened.
