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Baltimore 18-Wheeler Accident Attorney
Victims involving large trucks can find themselves in a compromised position. In this article, we’ll discuss how to deal with the aftermath of that situation. We’ll also get into different topics related to staying safe around large truck accidents so you can avoid potential accidents.
How Common Are 18-Wheeler Accidents in Baltimore, Maryland?
The threat posed by 18-wheelers and large trucks in Maryland is real. All Baltimore County drivers must be mindful of that threat as they take to the road. To further illustrate how dangerous large trucks can be, let’s take a closer look at some numbers. According to the National Safety Council, 107,000 large trucks were in crashes, leading to injuries in 2020.
That number is slightly down from where it was in 2019, but it also represents the fifth year in a row that the total of large truck accidents that caused injuries was over 100,000.
Fatal large truck accidents have also remained on the high side. Maryland crash data shows that a total of 4,842 large trucks were involved in fatal accidents in 2020. In total, 4,965 people died due to their involvement in those tragic incidents.
Most of the people who died in those accidents were occupants of other vehicles. More specifically, 70.7% of those fatalities were people driving and riding in other vehicles. An additional 12.5% of the total fatalities recorded were cyclists and pedestrians. October was the deadliest month for truck accident victims in 2020, with August and June not trailing that far behind.
We also need to discuss tractor trailers. Although tractor trailers account for a small percentage of accidents, the statistics show that they are more likely to cause serious injury and even death.
There is no denying the worrisome nature of the numbers related to truck accidents. Therefore, it would be in your best interests to learn the contact details of a 18 wheeler accident lawyer in Baltimore so you know who to call if you are ever involved in one of those incidents.
Where Are 18 Wheeler Accidents Happening in Maryland?
As much as possible, you do not want to be in a situation where you need a Baltimore 18 wheeler accident attorney. However, to avoid ending up in that situation, you can try staying away from the roads that large trucks frequent. Interstate 95 is a road that has developed an unfortunate reputation for being unsafe. In a way, I-95 developing that reputation was inevitable because truckers commonly use it. Even if the road itself is not in poor condition, it can still be difficult to navigate because of the large trucks that frequent it.
MD 90 can also be a tricky road to traverse for Towson and Baltimore County residents. Traffic can creep up on you quickly while you are on MD 90. If you are not keenly aware of your surroundings, you could end up rear-ending someone. Like I-95, MD 202 can be dangerous for motorists because of the heavy traffic. Pedestrian accidents are also common on MD 202, so always keep an eye out for people emerging from the sides of the road.
What Is Causing These Accidents?
Knowing the common causes of 18-wheeler accidents can help you recognize the warning signs for a potentially catastrophic incident. Learn more about the common causes of those large truck accidents in this section of the article.
Driver Fatigue
One of the leading causes of large truck accidents is driver fatigue. Many truck drivers haul cargo for hours on end. In some cases, they must be on the road for hours on end with little sleep to hit their deadlines. The trucking companies responsible for putting their workers in those situations should be held accountable for any accidents.
Distracted Driving
Distractions can be deadly on the road. Therefore, truck drivers should always keep their eyes on the road in front of them because even a momentary lapse of concentration could have fatal consequences. Seek help from an 18 wheeler accident attorney in Baltimore if you believe that a distracted driver caused your accident.
Intoxicated Driving
Some truck drivers may turn to alcohol and illegal substances to deal with the stress of long hauls. However, when they consume any of those substances and quickly return to the road, they present a grave danger to all the motorists around them. Hold an intoxicated driver responsible for their actions by enlisting the help of a Baltimore 18 wheeler accident lawyer.
Equipment Failure
An 18 wheeler and other large trucks require diligent maintenance. If the trucking companies fail to maintain their vehicles properly, they could directly cause deadly accidents.
Poorly Loaded Cargo
Poorly loaded cargo can also be the cause of a large truck accident. In that case, the company responsible for loading the cargo could bear the blame for what happened.
Steps to Take after Being in an Accident Involving an 18 Wheeler
You must always be mindful of your actions following an accident because they can directly impact your chances of claiming compensation. For this section of the article, we will highlight the steps you must take after the crash.
Examine Your Body for Injuries: The first thing you must do after the accident is to check yourself for injuries. You should also check on the people you were traveling with to see if they are okay.
Call 911: Next, call 911 and request an ambulance if someone is hurt. You should also tell the dispatcher to send police officers to the scene of the accident.
Speak to the Truck Driver: If you are not badly injured, you can get up and speak to the truck driver to ask for their name, address, contact details, and insurance information. During this conversation, you must also obtain the name and contact details of the trucker’s employer.
Collect Evidence: While at the scene of the accident, you should also collect pieces of evidence with pictures and videos; this would also be a good time for you to speak with witnesses so you can gather their statements.
Share What Happened to the Police Officers: Talk to the police officers as soon as they arrive. Tell them what happened, and do not allow the driver to control the narrative. You must also obtain the names and contact details of the police officers because you and your Baltimore 18 wheeler accident attorney will likely need their help later.
Undergo a Medical Examination: Truck accidents can cause serious injuries. Drop by a nearby hospital and undergo an examination to be certain that you are in relatively good condition.
Enlist the Help of an 18 Wheeler Accident Lawyer: If you do not have a legal representative, you need to change that quickly. Hire a lawyer as soon as you can because their assistance will be crucial as you pursue compensation.
Tell Your Insurer About the Accident: Lastly, you should notify your insurer about the accident. Simply tell them you were involved in an accident so they can create a report but leave it at that. Let your lawyer handle the more detailed conversations with your insurer.
How Is Liability and Responsibility Determined in a Tractor Trailer Accident?
Truck accidents tend to be more complicated than car accidents because more parties can be responsible for what happened. The fault for the accident could fall on the truck driver, but it could also be on the trucking company, a partner company, or certain manufacturers. To assign responsibility properly in a tractor trailer accident, you must first identify the nature of the issue.
If the cause of the accident was the driver being impaired or reckless, then they should be primarily responsible for the accident. It would be a potentially different story if the driver had been sleep-deprived when the accident occurred. One could argue that the trucker’s employer is to blame because they forced the driver to work despite fatigue.
Manufacturers can be accountable if the malfunctioning parts cause an accident. A partner company could also be to blame if their negligence led to the cargo coming loose while the truck was in transit. As you can see, many parties could be on the hook for causing a truck accident. A Baltimore 18 wheeler accident lawyer can investigate your case to determine which parties should compensate you.
I Was Injured in a Semi Truck Accident. What Is My Injury Claim Worth?
It is difficult to pin down a specific number for your injury claim because many factors will impact its value. For example, the compensation you receive will change based on the severity of your injuries. Victims who suffer serious injuries like severe concussions are more likely to end up with substantial settlements.
The value of your injury claim will also be determined in part by the losses you sustained. Plaintiffs who missed out on wages or had their property damaged are in line to receive more money. Your pain and suffering will also factor into the worth of your personal injury claim.
Let’s not forget that Maryland is a state that follows the rule of contributory negligence. Because of that rule, you could end up with no compensation whatsoever if the court finds you even 1% to blame for the accident. Prevent something like that from happening by partnering with a Baltimore 18 wheeler accident attorney.
What Are the Trucking Companies Sometimes Involved in These Lawsuits?
Over the years, certain trucking companies have been more involved in vehicular accidents compared to others. The companies in question include:
- Swift Transportation
- Werner Enterprises
- Schneider National Carriers
- Western Express
- USA Truck
- Prime Inc.
- Stevens Transport
- Marten Transport
- Con-way Inc.
- Knight Transportation
Going up against those trucking companies is a huge undertaking for any private citizen. So do your best to prepare for your upcoming legal battle by hiring an attorney experienced with 18 wheeler cases. We at Leppler Injury Law are ready to lend our legal expertise if you aim to recoup compensation from those trucking companies.
About Baltimore City
If you never lived in Baltimore, MD, you may know the place best for its delicious seafood and starring role in certain films and TV shows. Of course, there is way more to Charm City than only those aspects of it. For example, did you know that the population in Baltimore City skews young? The median age of Baltimore residents is close to thirty-five years old. To put that number into context, the national median age in the United States is just a little over thirty-eight years old.
Baltimore is also a great place to live from a cost-of-living standpoint. According to BestPlaces.net, the overall cost of living in Baltimore City is well below the national mark, and it looks even more favorable compared to the rest of the state. Housing costs play a big role in lowering the overall cost of living for the city’s residents. The median cost of a home in the United States stands at $291,700. In Baltimore City, that number drops to $175,500.
Do not forget about the other selling points of living in Baltimore. The city boasts a thriving arts scene, and sports fans will love going to Orioles and Ravens games. It is also underrated in terms of its natural beauty. Baltimore has plenty to offer potential residents. Consider staying there if you are looking for a new home.
Experienced Baltimore Lawyer
Get in touch with our injury law firm if you need a Baltimore 18 wheeler accident lawyer to handle your case. Attorney John Leppler has considerable experience when it comes to large truck accident cases, and you can count on him to claim proper compensation on your behalf. Some of the locations in and around Baltimore County we serve include Towson, Lutherville-Timonium, Pikesville, Baltimore, Owings Mills, and more.