Glen Burnie Truck Accident Attorney

Because of their massive size and weight, collisions involving semi-trucks and 18-wheelers in Glen Burnie, Maryland, often result in devastating outcomes for those involved.

When truck accidents involve passenger cars, motorcycles, or other smaller vehicles, victims are particularly vulnerable, frequently facing severe injuries or even fatalities when these crashes occur.

Truck accidents are not only physically catastrophic but also leave a lasting impact on victims’ emotional and financial well-being. The aftermath often involves extensive medical treatments, lost wages, and mounting expenses, which can be overwhelming without proper legal support.

This is where an experienced Glen Burnie truck accident lawyer becomes essential to help injured parties seek justice and secure the compensation they need to rebuild their lives.

Understanding the unique nature of truck accident cases in Glen Burnie is critical. Unlike standard car crashes, these incidents involve complex factors such as federal regulations, multiple liable parties, and trucking company policies.

Determining fault and pursuing a claim requires specialized legal knowledge and a strategic approach to hold negligent drivers or companies accountable.

If you or someone you love has suffered injuries in a truck accident you shouldn’t face these challenges alone. With the proper legal guidance, you can fight for compensation to cover property damage, medical expenses, lost wages, and more. The first step toward justice starts with understanding your legal options and partnering with an experienced truck accident attorney in Glen Burnie, Maryland.

Do Truck Accidents Happen Often in Glen Burnie, Maryland?

While Maryland is among the states with a lower percentage of fatal truck accidents—accounting for just 7% of large trucks involved in fatal crashes in 2022—these incidents still occur regularly and have devastating consequences. With its proximity to major highways like I-97, Maryland Route 100, and Maryland Route 2, Glen Burnie sees considerable commercial truck traffic, increasing the risk of accidents in the area.

Nationally, 4,764 people died in large truck crashes in 2022, with most victims being occupants of passenger vehicles. Tragically, truck crashes have been rising, with fatalities 51% higher than in 2009. Maryland’s comparatively lower rate of fatal truck accidents doesn’t mean residents are immune from these risks.

Why Accidents Involving Trucks Are So Dangerous

Large trucks often weigh 20-30 times as much as passenger vehicles, making them significantly more hazardous in collisions. Their size and height create a risk of smaller vehicles under-riding the truck, leading to severe injuries or deaths. Moreover, trucks require 20%—40% more stopping distance than cars, especially in poor weather or when brakes are not well-maintained.

Understanding the dangers posed by truck accidents is critical for Glen Burnie residents. If you or a loved one has been affected, an experienced Glen Burnie truck accident lawyer from Leppler Injury Law can help you navigate the complexities of these cases, hold negligent parties accountable, and pursue fair compensation for your injuries and losses.

Why Are There So Many Trucks on the Road in Glen Burnie, Maryland?

Maryland’s prime location near the Mid-Atlantic coast and the bustling Port of Baltimore makes it a key hub for trucking. The Port handles essential goods like aircraft parts and natural gas, with trucks transporting these items statewide and beyond. Glen Burnie, located near major highways like I-97 and Maryland Route 100, sees heavy truck traffic, increasing congestion and accident risks.

The rise of e-commerce has significantly boosted truck traffic. Warehouses near Glen Burnie keep roads busy as trucks deliver goods quickly to meet demand, further straining infrastructure and increasing crash risks.

What Are the Common Causes of These Truck Accidents?

Driver-Related Factors

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) identifies driver behavior as a leading contributor to truck accidents. Common causes include:

• Driver Fatigue: Long hours on the road often result in tired drivers with impaired reaction times and poor decision-making abilities. Federal regulations allow truck drivers to operate for up to 11 hours at a stretch. Still, surveys reveal that many exceed these limits, increasing the risk of crashes in areas like Glen Burnie.
• Prescription and Over-the-counter Drug Use: Certain medications, whether prescribed or available over the counter, can cause drowsiness or impair judgment. Misuse or failure to follow dosage instructions can exacerbate this risk.
• Distraction: Using mobile devices, eating, or engaging in other distractions while driving diverts attention from the road and increases the likelihood of collisions.
• Speeding: Trucks require significantly more time and distance to stop compared to passenger vehicles. Excessive speed reduces a driver’s ability to react to sudden changes in traffic conditions.

Environmental and Roadway Issues

• Poor Surveillance: Drivers failing to monitor their surroundings adequately can miss hazards like merging vehicles, pedestrians, or unexpected road conditions. Proper training and attentiveness are essential to minimizing these risks.
• Unfamiliarity with the Roadway: Truckers driving through Glen Burnie’s busy routes, such as I-97 or Maryland Route 100, may be unaware of local traffic patterns, exits, or road hazards. This lack of familiarity increases the likelihood of accidents.
• Improper Evasive Actions: In emergencies, taking the wrong evasive action—such as oversteering or slamming brakes—can lead to accidents, especially for large trucks that are harder to control.

Aggressive and Reckless Driving

• Illegal Maneuvers: Actions like running red lights, making unsafe U-turns, or ignoring right-of-way rules create dangerous conditions for all road users.
• Aggressive Driving: Behaviors like tailgating, frequent lane changes, or road rage escalate risks on already congested roads in and around Glen Burnie.

By understanding these common causes, steps can be taken to improve safety measures, from better driver training to stricter enforcement of traffic laws, ultimately reducing the number of truck-related accidents in the area.

For immediate legal assistance from an experienced Glen Burnie truck accident attorney, contact John Leppler today. John offers free consultations and is never too busy to speak with you and answer any questions you may have.

Types of Truck Accidents

Truck accidents come in many forms, each with the potential to cause severe injuries and significant property damage. Below are some of the most common types of truck accidents and what makes them so dangerous.

Jackknife Crashes

A jackknife accident occurs when a truck’s cab and trailer form a sharp 90-degree angle, resembling a folding knife. These accidents usually happen when the driver brakes too hard, causing the trailer’s weight to overpower the cab’s traction. Jackknife crashes can block multiple lanes of traffic and involve numerous vehicles.

Tire Blowouts

A sudden tire blowout can send a truck veering uncontrollably into nearby lanes. These accidents are hazardous for the truck driver and surrounding motorists, as debris and loss of control can lead to multi-car collisions.

Wide Turn Collisions

When a truck driver swings left to make a right turn but fails to account for other vehicles or pedestrians, it can result in a wide-turn collision. These accidents often trap vehicles or people in the truck’s path.

Blind Spot Accidents

Large trucks have significant blind spots along the sides, front, and rear, known as “No Man’s Land. ” Vehicles caught in these blind spots risk being struck or forced off the road when a truck changes lanes.

Underride Accidents

In an underride accident, a smaller vehicle becomes wedged under a truck’s trailer. These are some of the deadliest trucking accidents due to the severe trauma they inflict on passengers.

Improperly Loaded Freight

Poorly secured or overloaded cargo can fall unexpectedly from a truck or shift, leading to roadway debris and multi-car accidents.

Truck Rollover Accidents

Rollovers happen when a truck loses stability, often due to sharp turns, high speeds, or uneven cargo weight. When a large truck tips onto its side, it can crush smaller vehicles and create massive roadway hazards.

Rear-End Crashes

A truck’s immense size and weight make rear-end collisions especially dangerous. These crashes can cause catastrophic injuries and extensive property damage, particularly for smaller vehicles.

Head-On Collisions

The outcome is often devastating when a truck collides head-on with another vehicle. The force of impact can lead to life-threatening injuries or fatalities.

T-Bone Accidents

These occur when a truck strikes another vehicle perpendicularly, often at intersections. Running a red light or failing to yield is a common cause of these crashes.

Each type of truck accident presents unique challenges, but all share the potential for catastrophic consequences. Knowing the risks can help victims and their attorneys build strong cases for compensation.

To learn more about the causes of truck accidents in Maryland, reach out to a skilled Glen Burnie personal injury lawyer at our law firm today. We offer free consultations and can help you understand your legal options after an accident or injury involving a truck in Maryland.

What Are the Laws and Regulations for Truck Drivers in Maryland?

Truck drivers in Maryland must adhere to federal and state regulations to ensure safety and compliance on the road. These laws govern various aspects of commercial trucking, from licensing requirements to operational guidelines.

Federal Laws for Truck Drivers

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) establishes national regulations for interstate trucking. These rules, detailed in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, apply to most trucking operations in Maryland because they often involve crossing state lines.

• Hours of Service (HOS) Regulations: Truck drivers must follow strict HOS rules to prevent fatigue-related accidents. Drivers cannot exceed 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive off-duty hours or work more than 60 hours over seven days. Breaks of at least 30 minutes are required after 8 hours of driving.
• Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Requirements: Federal laws mandate truckers pass knowledge and skills tests to obtain a CDL. Specialized endorsements are required for transporting hazardous materials or oversized loads.
• Drug and Alcohol Testing: Truckers are subject to lower blood alcohol content limits and must comply with random, post-accident, and pre-employment drug screenings. Violations can lead to license suspension or revocation.

Maryland-Specific Regulations

Maryland’s regulations complement federal laws and address local concerns. The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) enforces state trucking rules, such as weight limits, vehicle inspections, and routing restrictions for oversized loads.

• Intrastate Commerce Laws: Truckers within Maryland must follow state-specific guidelines, including intrastate HOS rules and vehicle safety inspections.
• Environmental and Road-Safety Standards: Maryland requires compliance with environmental regulations to limit emissions and maintain road safety standards on heavily traveled routes like I-95 and I-70.

Adhering to these laws helps protect truck drivers, other road users, and Maryland’s infrastructure. Failure to comply can result in severe penalties, including fines, license revocation, and increased liability in accidents.

For more information on Maryland trucking laws, schedule a free consultation with Glen Burnie truck accident lawyer John Leppler today.

What Makes Maryland Truck Accident Claims So Complicated?

Truck accident claims in Maryland are far more complex than typical car accident cases. Several factors contribute to victims’ challenges when seeking compensation for their injuries and damages.

Catastrophic Injuries with Life-Changing Impact

Commercial trucks’ sheer size and weight—often 20 to 30 times heavier than passenger vehicles—create devastating impacts during collisions. Victims frequently sustain catastrophic injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, amputations, internal organ injuries, and multiple fractures.

These severe injuries often require extensive medical treatment and ongoing care and result in significant pain and suffering, which complicates calculating fair compensation.

Involvement of Multiple Liable Parties

Truck accidents often involve numerous parties who may share liability. Besides the truck driver, potential defendants can include the trucking company, cargo loaders, vehicle owners, maintenance providers, or even manufacturers of defective truck parts. Identifying all liable parties is essential to securing full compensation but requires detailed investigations, expert analysis, and thorough legal understanding.

Complex Insurance Coverage

Trucking companies carry high-value insurance policies, often with millions of dollars in coverage limits. While this may seem advantageous, it makes insurers more aggressive in defending claims. They deploy experienced adjusters and legal teams to minimize payouts, often offering lowball settlements or outright denying valid claims. Navigating these tactics requires the expertise of a skilled attorney.

Federal and State Regulations

Truck drivers and companies must comply with various federal and state laws. Violations, such as exceeding hours of service limits or failing to maintain a vehicle properly, can be crucial evidence in your claim. However, proving these violations demands a deep understanding of trucking regulations and access to critical records like logbooks and inspection reports.

Successfully resolving a truck accident claim in Maryland requires strategic legal representation to overcome these hurdles and fight for the compensation victims deserve.

How is Liability Proven in a Truck Accident Claim in Glen Burnie, Maryland?

Proving liability in a truck accident case in Glen Burnie requires a meticulous approach, especially given Maryland’s strict contributory negligence laws. Under this rule, victims who are even 1% at fault for an accident may be barred from recovering compensation. Establishing the other party’s entire liability is essential for a successful claim.

Understanding Negligence in Maryland Truck Accidents

Liability in truck accident claims often hinges on proving negligence. Negligence occurs when a party fails to exercise reasonable care, causing harm to others. Truck accidents might include a fatigued truck driver ignoring safety protocols, a trucking company neglecting vehicle maintenance, or a cargo loader improperly securing freight.

Demonstrating negligence involves showing that the at-fault party breached their duty of care and that this breach directly caused the accident and your injuries.

Identifying Liable Parties

Truck accidents often involve multiple potentially liable parties, including:

• The truck driver for negligent behavior, such as speeding or distracted driving.
• The trucking company for poor hiring practices or failure to maintain vehicles.
• Cargo handlers, if improperly loaded freight, caused the accident.
• Manufacturers of defective parts played a role.

By piecing together evidence and identifying every responsible party, you can build a strong case to overcome Maryland’s contributory negligence challenges and secure the compensation you deserve.

Is Maryland an At-Fault State?

Maryland operates under an at-fault system for vehicle accidents, including truck collisions. This means that the party responsible for causing the accident is liable for compensating victims for their damages. As the injured party, you can claim against the at-fault truck driver or their employer for medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses.

However, Maryland’s at-fault system comes with specific legal nuances, including the role of Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage.

Maryland’s At-Fault System Explained

In an at-fault state like Maryland, you must prove the other party’s negligence to recover compensation. Once fault is established, you can pursue damages through:

• The At-Fault Party’s Insurance: File a claim directly with the negligent driver or trucking company’s insurer.
• A Truck Accident Lawsuit: If the insurance settlement is insufficient, you can sue for additional compensation.

This system contrasts with no-fault states, where drivers rely on their insurance for compensation regardless of fault.

The Role of Personal Injury Protection (PIP)

Maryland requires insurers to offer PIP coverage, which provides no-fault benefits for medical expenses and a portion of lost wages. PIP is particularly advantageous because it allows quick reimbursement without needing to prove fault. However, PIP coverage has limits, often capped at a few thousand dollars, which may not cover all costs in a severe truck accident.

When PIP benefits run out, you must rely on the at-fault driver’s insurance or file a lawsuit to recover additional damages. This combination of PIP and at-fault recovery options makes Maryland’s legal framework flexible and complex, underscoring the importance of consulting an experienced truck accident attorney.

The Importance of Evidence in Maryland Truck Accident Claims

When pursuing a truck accident claim in Maryland, gathering substantial evidence is crucial to proving liability and securing fair compensation. Considerable evidence can counter the defenses of powerful trucking companies and their insurers. Here’s a breakdown of essential evidence types and how they support your case.

Trucking Logs and Black Box Data

Federal regulations require truck drivers to log their hours, ensuring compliance with safety rules. Overworked or fatigued drivers can be held accountable if their logs reveal violations. Additionally, black box data from the truck can provide crucial insights, such as speed, braking patterns, and mechanical performance at the time of the crash.

Maintenance and Inspection Records

Trucking companies are responsible for maintaining their vehicles. Poorly maintained trucks can result in mechanical failures, leading to accidents. These records can reveal negligence in upkeep, supporting your claim.

Police Reports and Witness Statements

A police report is often one of the first documents to establish fault. It may include details about traffic violations, driver behavior, and witness accounts. Eyewitness statements can further corroborate your version of events.

Photographic and Video Evidence

Photos of vehicle damage, road conditions, skid marks, and injuries are robust visual evidence. Surveillance or dashcam footage, when available, can provide a real-time account of the collision.

Expert Testimony

Accident reconstruction specialists and medical experts can clarify complex elements of the case, such as how the collision occurred and the severity of your injuries.

Comprehensive evidence strengthens your case and maximizes your chances of recovering full compensation under Maryland’s at-fault system. An experienced Glen Burnie truck accident attorney can help collect, analyze, and present this evidence effectively.

How Much is My Glen Burnie Truck Accident Settlement Worth?

Truck accidents often result in devastating injuries and extensive property damage, making settlement amounts highly variable. The value of your claim depends on several factors, including tangible and intangible losses and the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Factors Influencing Settlement Amounts in Maryland Truck Accident Claims

• Economic Damages

These include the financial losses you’ve incurred due to the accident. Key components include:

Medical Expenses: Current and future costs for treatment, surgeries, therapy, and medications.

Lost Wages: Income lost due to your inability to work and potential future earnings.

Property Damage: Repairs or replacement of your vehicle and other belongings.

• Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages compensate for the emotional and psychological toll of the accident. These may include:

• Pain and suffering.
• Emotional distress.
• Loss of enjoyment of life.
• Loss of consortium or companionship.

Additional Factors That Shape Settlement Offers

Severity of Injuries: Permanent disabilities, disfigurement, or significant emotional trauma often lead to higher settlements.

Liability and Negligence: Clear evidence of negligence, such as violations of federal trucking regulations, strengthens your claim.

Insurance Policy Limits: Settlements are influenced by the coverage of the truck driver, their employer, and other parties involved.

Attorney John Leppler can ensure you receive a fair settlement by meticulously calculating your losses and advocating for your rights.

Experienced 18-wheeler Accident Lawyer in Glen Burnie, Maryland

When you’ve been injured in an 18-wheeler accident, you need a lawyer who understands the complexities of these cases. John Leppler brings years of experience helping truck accident victims in Glen Burnie secure the compensation they deserve.

Unlike large, impersonal law firms, John provides personalized attention and is never too busy to speak with you or answer your questions. He understands your challenges and is committed to guiding you through every step of the claims process.

Don’t face this alone—contact Leppler Injury Law today to schedule your free consultation and start building your case.

Locations near Glen Burnie, Maryland, which attorney John Leppler serves include Towson, Baltimore, Parkville, Owings Mills, Lutherville-Timonium, Pikesville, and more.