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If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, you may be wondering what your next step is or if you are considering a lawsuit, the lawyers at Regan Zambri Long can help. Our truck accident attorneys have litigated truck accident claims involving a variety of types of trucks, such as semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, tractor-trailers, dump trucks, delivery trucks, tow trucks, and even garbage trucks. Each of these vehicles can be dangerous to other drivers or pedestrians on the roadway.
Call our knowledgeable Baltimore truck accident lawyers today to discuss your legal options.
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If you are considering filing a legal claim for truck accident injuries in Baltimore, one of the many experienced lawyers on our team can help. Hiring an experienced trucking accident attorney will take the burden of proving your case off your shoulders. Our team of personal injury lawyers will build your case and gather all the evidence necessary to win your claim and secure the compensation you are entitled to receive.
Below is sample of recent verdicts and settlements that we’ve won on behalf of our clients.
The first and most obvious difference between truck accidents and car accidents is the higher risk of severe injuries and fatality because of the size and weight of a truck.
Second, insurance coverage for commercial trucks is different than for cars. The minimum coverage limits for trucks are significantly higher for trucks. Maryland requires a minimum of $30,000 in coverage for cars for bodily injury, while the minimum for general carrier commercial vehicles is $750,000.
Because of the likelihood of more severe accidents with commercial vehicles and the difference in coverage minimums, working with insurance companies for commercial vehicles is different from working with insurance companies for smaller passenger vehicles. Commercial vehicle insurers are more aggressive about investigating the facts and evidence regarding trucking incidents, making opposing an insurance company more difficult and time-consuming. An experienced truck accident attorney can help you negotiate with commercial truck insurance carriers and get the compensation you deserve.
It is impossible to predict how much a trucking accident claim is worth without a thorough consultation because each accident is different. Your lawyer will be able to calculate an approximate amount of damages after speaking with you and gathering evidence.
Some of the most common damages awarded in trucking accidents are:
You may also be able to file a wrongful death action based on a trucking accident, which would compensate for the medical bills and loss of companionship of the deceased loved one.
After a free consultation with a lawyer at Regan Zambri Long, your attorney will be able to evaluate your claim and can discuss your legal options and rights with you.
The Federal Carrier Motor Safety Administration (FMCSA) reported 479,103 crashes involving 18-wheelers in the United States between 2019 and 2021. According to the Maryland Motor Truck Association, 162,440 tons of cargo are hauled by trucks in Maryland daily. In Maryland, the FMCSA found that in 2021, there were 3,344 large truck crashes, with 43 of those being fatal, and 1,1442 causing injury.
Baltimore specifically has several interstates that are on east coast trucking routes and trucking accidents are common in the area. Interstate 95, Interstate 895, and Interstate 695 are the most traveled interstates for trucks in Baltimore County, and trucking accidents are very common in these areas.
According to the Federal Carrier Motor Safety Administration, the most common causes of truck accidents are mechanical failures, reckless driving, driving in locations where the driver is unfamiliar with the roadway, the driver’s use of alcohol or drugs, drowsy driving, distracted driving, changing cargo shifts, bad weather, inexperienced drivers, and hazardous cargo.
Mechanical failure is the leading cause of truck accidents and trucking companies have the responsibility of making sure that the truck is in good working order before allowing them out on the road. Most mechanical failures, like tire blowouts or defective brakes, are preventable and the failure to take adequate precautions is negligence.
It goes without saying that reckless or irresponsible driving is another leading cause of trucking accidents. Similarly, driving using drugs or alcohol is a cause of truck accidents. Trucking companies are responsible for doing extensive background checks for new employees to prevent the risk of this happening.
Drowsy driving is especially common with truck drivers because of the nature of the hours driven. Trucking companies are responsible for keeping drivers safe by limiting the number of hours spent driving without breaks or sleep.
Another cause of accidents common to trucks specifically is cargo shifts. When cargo loaders overload a truck past the maximum limit, the truck is destabilized and it is difficult for even an experienced driver to safely maneuver the rig.
Liability for a truck accident can be complicated to determine, but your lawyer will be able to review all the relevant evidence and determine who was responsible for the accident. Some of the most common parties responsible for truck accidents are:
Operating a big truck safely requires a significant amount of training and experience. Maneuvering such large vehicles requires skill and sometimes quick thinking. Due to the size and maneuverability of big trucks, some of the most common types of trucking accidents are:
Trucks are big and heavy, which causes more severe injuries than are often associated with smaller vehicle accidents. Some of the most common injuries associated with truck accidents are:
Concussions are a common trucking accident injury and happen when the head is jerked with the impact of the accident and the brain moves inside the skull, damaging tissue and brain cells. Some head injuries can cause permanent brain damage. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious injury and can cause bleeding in the brain, which is very dangerous. TBIs can cause lifelong personality changes and changed or impaired cognitive function.
Trucking accidents can cause many types of back and spine injuries, such as slipped discs or other damage to the spinal cord. The most devastating spinal cord injuries (SCI) can cause paralysis and require lifetime care. Other injuries are slipped or herniated discs. Slipped discs happen when spinal fluid presses into the outer ring of a spinal disc, which causes the disc to extend. A herniated disc happens when spinal fluid leaks into the spinal canal. Truck accidents can also injure the spinal vertebrae, discs, and nerves in the spine. All of these back and spine injuries can cause severe neck and back pain.
Whiplash occurs when the head and neck are jerked forward and backward with impact. This jerking motion can cause damage to the nerves, tissue, and even the vertebrae and upper spine.
Trucking accidents can cause broken legs, arms, ribs, and other fractures. More serious breaks require surgery and high medical care costs.
Burns are another common injury in trucking accidents. Burn injuries can occur if the accident causes a fire because of gasoline or diesel fuel. Burns can be deadly or can cause lifetime pain and scarring.
There can be serious emotional trauma and distress associated with any accident. Mental distress is often an overlooked trucking accident traumatic injury but can be debilitating and cause mood swings, anxiety, and depression.
We are confident that we can reach the settlement you deserve. Our lawyers often operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning that they are compensated for their services only after you win, and the amount owed is based on the amount you win at trial. Call Regan Zambri Long today or contact us online for a free case evaluation.
