Maryland Truck Accidents: What are the Dangers?

While all car accidents have the ability to cause serious and even fatal injuries to all involved, collisions involving tractor trailers much more frequently end in such injuries due to the nature of the vehicles involved. In the United States, a truck is officially deemed a commercial vehicle and requires a special license when it weighs at least 26,001 pounds, although such vehicles often weigh much more. In comparison, the average passenger vehicle weighs between 3,000 and 8,500 pounds. When such vehicles collide with tractor trailers, the most devastating effects are usually felt on the passenger vehicle.

According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 3,380 people killed and 74,000 injured in truck crashes in the U.S. during 2009. Of the people who were killed, 75 percent were occupants of a vehicle other than a truck, 10 percent were non-occupants (pedestrians, bicyclists, etc.), and 15 percent were occupants of a large truck. During the same year, there were 51 fatal truck crashes in Maryland.

Due to the heavy and large nature of tractor trailers, even small accidents can result in severe injuries to those involved, with occupants of small vehicles and pedestrians having a greater likelihood of dying in such crashes. Additionally, trucks can be involved in accidents that no other vehicle can cause due to their unique nature. These include jackknifing; runaway trailers; and dangerous chemical/fuel/hazardous substance spills. Often, truck accidents result in multiple cars being involved in the wreck and nearby buildings, residential areas, and bystanders being affected by the accident.

While not every truck accident results in injuries or death, such crashes have a much greater chance of ending with such results. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident due to the negligence of a truck driver and/or trucking company, the Bowie truck accident lawyers at Alpert Schreyer can help you receive full and fair compensation for the injuries and losses caused by the crash. Contact our offices today at (866) 444–6363 for a complimentary consultation on your case by our experienced law team.