Frederick Truck Accident Lawyer

Maryland Truck Accident Statistics Reveal Growing Road Risks

The number of registered commercial motor vehicles in the United States is on the rise. And as the number of trucks increases, so does the risk of truck-related accidents.

In Maryland, commercial motor vehicles were involved in 4.7% of all traffic accidents and 11.5% of fatal traffic accidents between 2015 and 2019, according to the Maryland Department of Transportation. In 2022, there were more than 3,600 truck accidents in Maryland, which resulted in 1,605 injuries and 55 fatalities.

Critical Steps After a Frederick Truck Accident

What you do in after a truck accident plays an important role in the outcome of your truck accident claim. The first 72 hours after a truck accident are critical; the following are key steps to take:

Documentation and evidence preservation: take photos of the accident scene, the vehicles involved in the accident, and the road conditions.
Seek immediate medical attention: even if you think there were no injuries sustained in the truck accident, it is important that you seek medical attention immediately. Some injuries don’t present until later, and having a medical record is important for establishing and documenting your condition after the accident.
Reporting requirements in Frederick County: The police should be called when someone is injured, if a driver appears to be intoxicated, when a driver does not have a driver’s license or will not exchange information, or when a driver tries to leave the scene of the accident.

Truck Accident Compensation

When a truck accident injures the driver or other drivers, those harmed may file a personal injury claim to recover compensation. There are different types of damages available to truck accident victims:

Economic compensation: these types of losses are quantifiable, such as medical expenses, lost income, property damage, loss of earning capacity, and property damage.
Non-economic compensation: pertains to losses without monetary value, such as pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of companionship or care, and reduced quality of life.
Long-term impact considerations: when a truck accident results in serious injuries, such as spinal cord injuries or traumatic brain injuries, the impact is long-lasting for the injured person, and this will be reflected in the level of compensation recovered.
Wrongful death claims: Surviving family members may seek compensation for losses caused by negligence by the truck driver or trucking company.

$77M Wrongful Death Settlement

$20M Brain Injury Verdict

$19.5M Wrongful Death Verdict

$16M Premises Liability Settlement

$15.2M Wrongful Death Settlement

$15.2M Wrongful Death Verdict

$15M Medical Malpractice Settlement

$14M Personal Injury Settlement

$14M Car Accident Settlement

See Many More

Liability in Frederick, MD Truck Accidents

Establishing liability in a Maryland truck accident can be challenging. When an accident involves more than one vehicle or when the truck company shares some responsibility for the accident, there may be more than one party involved in a truck accident lawsuit.

Multiple-party liability scenarios: This occurs when more than one entity is responsible for causing or contributing to the incident. Responsible parties may include the truck driver, trucking company, parts manufacturer, vehicle manufacturer, or others who may share fault due to negligence, poor maintenance, or unsafe practices.
Federal trucking regulations and violations: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), regulates vehicle maintenance, weight limits, and driving hours for truck drivers. Violations of these regulations may contribute to truck accidents an lead to liability.
Role of insurance companies: Insurance companies investigate truck accident claims, establish liability, and negotiate settlements. Insurance companies act in their best interests, and securing fair compensation can be challenging.
Commercial driver responsibilities: Commercial truck drivers are responsible for operating the truck safely, obeying traffic laws and federal regulations, conducting routine vehicle inspections, securing cargo, and complying with safety and weight standards.
Maryland’s Contributory Negligence Law: Under Maryland’s strict contributory negligence standard, truck accident victims must prove they hold zero responsibility for the crash to recover damages. Even if you are found 1% at fault, you will be barred from receiving any compensation. This makes thorough investigation and evidence collection crucial for protecting your right to recovery.

Key Legal Challenges in Frederick Truck Accident Cases

There are several complex factors in truck accident cases in Frederick, including federal regulations, multiple-party liability, and commercial trucks’ insurance policies. Determining fault and proving negligence can be difficult.

Commercial insurance policies: Commercial trucks often have specialized coverage and higher liability limits and may only provide coverage when a truck is used for business purposes.

Industry-specific regulations: Regulations limit drive time to prevent driver fatigue, mandate electronic driver logs, specify truck weight limits, establish maintenance requirements, and provide commercial drivers’ licenses.

Black box data analysis: Accessing and analyzing the information from the truck’s data recorder, such as speed and braking, is an important way to determine what transpired prior to truck crashes.

Corporate defense tactics: Trucking companies frequently dispute liability for accidents, shifting the blame to the truck driver, questioning the validity of the evidence, or defending the company’s compliance with trucking industry regulations.

Contact the Frederick, Maryland personal injury lawyers at Regan Zambri Long to protect your rights and secure fair compensation. Our skilled legal team is ready to help you take action today.

Common Causes of Trucking Accidents

Trucking accidents can be caused by driver fatigue, poor maintenance, improperly loaded cargo, and other factors. These are some of the most dangerous accidents on the road, and proper safety can reduce the incidence of commercial trucking accidents.

Driver fatigue and hour violations: Long hours on the road make truck drivers fatigued, which leads to accidents. Truck drivers should not exceed the federally mandated limits on driving and work hours established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which are designed to prevent fatigue-related truck accidents.

Maintenance negligence: This includes failing to properly inspect, repair, and maintain a commercial truck, which can lead to unsafe operating conditions and accidents

Loading errors and cargo shifts: When a truck is improperly loaded this can lead to cargo shifting in the carrier. This imbalance in the weight impacts the truck driver’s ability to properly steer, brake, and control the speed of the truck

Weather-related incidents in Frederick County: Severe weather such as flooding, extreme cold, hurricanes, snow, and ice on the roadways can lead to accidents

Gathering Evidence for Your Accident Claim in Frederick

When you are filing a claim for a truck accident, it is important to gather as much supporting evidence as possible. An accident lawyer will use this information to prepare the strongest truck accident case.

Time-sensitive evidence collection: Take photos of the accident scene, the position of any vehicles involved, road conditions, traffic signs, and any injuries sustained

Expert witness testimony: Obtain contact information from any witnesses to the truck accident

Electronic logging devices: These devices automatically track driving hours and other information to ensure compliance with federal regulations

Accident reconstruction techniques: This practice analyzes the scene of the accident and uses physics, vehicle dynamics, and other methods to determine how and why a motor vehicle accident occurred.

Your Legal Rights After a Truck Accident

You have the legal right to recover damages when you are injured in a truck accident. Negligence on the part of one or more parties must be proven to file an accident claim.

Statute of Limitations for truck accidents in Maryland: Accident victims have three years from the time the injury was discovered to file a truck accident claim

Victim rights under state law: Truck accident victims in Maryland have the right to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering caused by another party’s negligence.

Insurance claim procedures: An insurance claim for a truck crash must be filed with the insurance company immediately after the accident and must include documentation of the incident, such as a police report and photos.

Settlement negotiation process: A Frederick truck accident lawyer will present evidence of the damages you sustained, review the insurance company’s offer, and negotiate on your behalf to reach a fair settlement agreement.

Protect your legal rights after a truck accident. Contact Regan Zambri Long’s Frederick truck accident lawyers for dedicated representation.

Call the Frederick, Maryland Truck Accident Attorneys at Regan Zambri Long

At a time when medical bills and lost wages are mounting after a truck accident in Frederick, you shouldn’t have to worry about upfront legal fees. Our Frederick truck accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case. This arrangement ensures you can access top-tier legal representation regardless of your financial situation.

With decades of experience handling commercial truck accidents throughout Frederick County, we dedicate our resources to building your strongest case while you focus on healing. Call today for a free consultation to discuss your truck accident claim.

Frederick, Maryland Truck Accident Lawyer