Call Now 202-960-4596
Cargo trucks are an important part of the American economy. They are used to haul the household goods, fuel, and food that we use every day. Although these vehicles are indispensable, they can be the cause of major, sometimes fatal, accidents.
If you or your loved one were injured in a cargo truck accident, the Regan Zambri Long cargo truck accident lawyers can help. We offer a free initial consultation with a seasonedtruck accident attorney who will discuss all your legal options. Call today to speak with a truck accident lawyer who will fight for your rights and secure the compensation you deserve.
Schedule a Free Consultation
The Regan Zambri Long cargo truck accident lawyers have more than 100 years of combined experience. We are a nationally recognized firm because we take on large insurance and trucking companies with no fear. We have secured millions for our clients over the years, including a $15.2 settlement for a man who was in an accident with a dump truck. Our lawyers are routinely featured in Best Lawyers and the National Law Journal. We are deeply involved in the Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC communities and are looking to serve the DC Metro Area residents with their legal needs.
We understand that the truck accident you were involved in has changed your life forever. You are dealing with physical injuries, emotional trauma, and financial distress. Our mission is to lighten your burdens and walk alongside you through the claims process. If you are looking for truck accident lawyers with trustworthiness, resources, and results, call the Regan Zambri Long truck accident attorneys today and schedule your free consultation.
A cargo truck is any commercial truck that is used to haul goods, whether it is food, liquid, gasoline, construction materials, equipment, or livestock. The term “cargo truck” is a large umbrella for any truck that hauls freight. A cargo truck can be a cargo van, moving van, box van, or delivery truck. However, it can also be a large truck, like a semi-truck, tractor-trailer, or an 18-wheeler.
The trucks most often used in the DC Metro Area and across the United States are:
No matter what type of accident a commercial truck is involved in, it is extremely dangerous for passenger cars. The size and weight of the truck, especially when traveling at high speeds can make a deadly impact on a car. The most typical types of truck accidents are:
Rollover accidents happen when the cargo in a truck is not secured properly or overloaded, causing the weight of the trailer to shift unexpectedly. The FMCSA has strict regulations regarding cargo securement. The officials made the regulations much stricter in recent years. Cargo loaders, truck drivers, and trucking companies must use enough tie-downs to make sure the cargo does not shift during transport. Even with the stronger regulations, the rules are not always followed. When the cargo shifts in the trailer of a truck, it can cause the truck to roll over onto cars traveling near or it can cause a hazard in the roadway that is unavoidable to crash into.
A head-on collision is when two vehicles crash into each other while traveling in the opposite way. These car accidents are common at intersections and when a driver crosses over into the opposing lane on a highway. The passengers in the smaller vehicle are prone to severe injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries. Many times, these accidents result in the death of one or more passengers.
Jackknife accidents occur when the type of cargo truck traveling is a semi-truck or a tractor-trailer. This type of truck accident occurs when the trailer swings out that it is perpendicular to the tractor, making the shape of an L or a jackknife. When this happens, the truck may hit multiple vehicles on the road as the driver is trying to stop. Or, it can create a large hazard on the road that other vehicles crash into as they are driving. Jackknife accidents happen when the truck driver tries to slam on his brakes too quickly or does not know how to handle the truck while trying to come to a full stop.
An underride accident is when a smaller vehicle crashes into the side or the back of a large truck, like a semi-truck, tractor-trailer, or 18-wheeler. Commercial trailers sit higher off the ground than a passenger car does. The car may only reach the wheels of the commercial truck. The height of the truck creates a space that is big enough for a smaller car to slide underneath. When these accidents happen, the top of the car can be fully sheared off resulting in fatalities for the passengers in the car.
Unfortunately, injuries sustained from truck accidents tend to be more severe than regular car accidents. The extra weight of the truck creates a massive force during the collision that puts more stress and strain on the passengers in the car. Common injuries truck accident victims can sustain are:
These injuries can change the lives of truck accident victims. Recovery can take years if recovery is even possible. The medical expenses, lifestyle changes, and trouble working can send an individual or a family into terrible financial distress. This is why it is so important to call the Regan Zambri Long truck accident lawyers to help you with your claim. Injuries resulting from a truck accident may need lifelong medical attention.
With a Regan Zambri Long truck accident lawyer by your side, we can secure enough compensation to offset all medical expenses related to the accident. Call today for a free consultation with an experienced truck accident attorney who can make sure your injuries do not break the bank.
Cargo truck accidents are not always the result of something happening at the time of the accident. Many cargo truck accidents occur because of the decisions made days or even months before the accident. The most important thing to remember is that most of these causes are due to negligence. If it weren’t for someone else’s thoughtlessness, the cargo truck accident you were involved in probably would not have happened.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the top ten most common causes of cargo truck accidents are:
Another major contributor to cargo truck accidents is distracted driving. Unfortunately, drivers splitting their attention between the road and something else has become the norm. The Department of Transportation found that 660,000 people use their cell phones while driving at any given time. Other studies suggest that up to 80% of cellphone users are on their phones while driving.
In Maryland, Jake’s Law was put into effect in 2014 after five-year-old Jake Owen was killed by a distracted driver. The law gives harsher punishments to distracted drivers who cause serious harm, including prison time and a $5,000 fine.
While distracted driving is dangerous for any driver, it is particularly deadly when a truck driver does not pay attention. The weight of the cargo truck far outweighs a passenger car and can cause massive damage to the car driver and passengers. If you were involved in a truck accident caused by a distracted driver you need a truck crash lawyer by your side. Don’t hesitate: pick up the phone and call Regan Zambri Long to get the claims process started.
Cargo shifts occur in about 4% of commercial truck accidents. Improperly loaded or unsecured cargo can move around in the trailer of the truck, causing the vehicle to roll over, or the driver to lose control. When this happens debris may fly out of the truck, hitting passenger vehicles. The truck may roll over onto another vehicle, or cause a large hazard in the roadway.
Dangerous cargo shifts are rarely the fault of the truck driver. It is up to the trucking company to make sure trucks are in pristine condition and packed correctly before sending them on the road. Many companies have cargo loaders to help secure the freight before the trip. If a truck accident was caused by shifting cargo, our truck accident attorneys will determine who is at fault and hold those parties accountable.
Truck accident claims are more complicated than car accident claims because of the multiple parties that can be held liable for the accident. Since truck companies and drivers must follow state and federal law, there are several layers to an accident claim. When it comes to cargo trucks, companies have high standards they must meet.
The recent FMCSA cargo securement regulations clearly state who is responsible for properly loading a truck before it goes out on the road. The trucking company, as well as the cargo loaders, have the responsibility to make sure the cargo on their trucks will not shift during the ride. The FMCSA limits the weight of the cargo load and increases the minimum number of tie-downs that must be used with each load.
Types of cargo the FMCSA regulates are:
If your accident was caused by shifting cargo, your truck accident lawyer will investigate how it was loaded onto the truck. We will look at vehicle logs, the company’s records, maintenance logs, and cargo logs. If there are multiple liable parties (such as the truck company and the cargo loaders) we will hold each accountable and pursue damages from both parties.
Besides busy highways, cargo trucks can also be found at construction sites. While they are helpful and even necessary for completing a job, they can also cause terrible accidents at the site. If you were injured in a truck accident on a construction site, you may be able to pursue damages against the general contractor, construction company, or the property owner. If you were working on the construction site at the time of the accident, our lawyers will discuss workers’ compensation as well as a personal injury case.
Finally, cargo truck accidents can be caused by individuals who do not have experience hauling heavy material. Moving vans and trucks are frequently used by inexperienced drivers who do not know how to load household items and heavy furniture properly. If you were in an accident with a moving van or truck that was caused by overloaded or shifting cargo, you may have grounds to file a claim against the individual driver or the moving truck rental company.
While you are not required to have an cargo truck accident lawyer during the claims process, your chances to secure maximum compensation greatly increase with a seasoned lawyer by your side. At Regan Zambri Long, we understand the federal and state laws. We will apply them to your case to make sure we secure a settlement or verdict in your favor.
A: There is no way to estimate the exact figure you’ll be able to collect from a truck accident claim. The number is dependent on the severity of your injuries and the damage to your property. However, the Regan Zambri Long truck accident attorneys will look to collect damages for the following:
A: The FMCSA regulates many aspects of the trucking industry to avoid catastrophic collisions. If these regulations are not followed by the truck drivers and companies, it can lead to serious crashes. Truck drivers and companies should follow the following regulations to avoid truck accidents:
A: Contributory negligence is a law practiced in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC that states if the accident victim contributed to the accident in any way, he or she cannot claim compensation. The Regan Zambri Long accident lawyers are equipped to combat this claim. We will obtain the police report, investigate the accident scene, and speak to witnesses to prove you were not at fault for the accident.
