Maryland Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyers

Liability for Commercial Truck Accidents

Commercial vehicle accidents pose special challenges because there’s usually at least one extra layer of legal liability to consider. That is, both the driver and the employer or rental company may be considered legally responsible for the crash, depending on a variety of circumstances. This often means that there are also two or more insurance policies covering the accident, requiring victims to sort out liability and insurance coverage issues before they can receive proper compensation for their injuries. Help from an experienced lawyer can make this process much easier.

Determining liability for a commercial vehicle accident is a complex process that often requires a thorough investigation of the circumstances surrounding the accident. The trucking industry involves many rules and regulations that do not apply to non-commercial drivers, and violations of these regulations often indicate liability for a crash. For this reason, you should always have a law firm with knowledge of the trucking industry handling your commercial vehicle or truck accident claim.

Some parties that may be negligent and responsible for a commercial vehicle accident include:

• Commercial drivers
• Trucking companies
• Repair shops
• Cargo loaders
• Truck manufacturers

There are also many forms of negligence that can lead to commercial vehicle crashes, and the following are some of the most common:

• Distracted driving
• Driving too fast for conditions
• Impaired driving
• Fatigued driving
• Driving with serious health conditions
• Violating any Maryland traffic laws
• Violating any FMCSA regulations
• Negligent hiring of potentially dangerous or unqualified drivers
• Negligent retention of drivers who violate the law or fail drug tests
• Allowing hours of service violations
• Not inspecting or maintaining trucks
• Improper repairs
• Improper cargo loading, including over-loading or inadequate securing of cargo
• Defective tires or other truck parts

As you can see, there are many causes of truck accidents that normally would never apply in regular car accident cases. In addition, if a truck driver is negligent, the trucking company that employs the driver can generally be held strictly liable for all injuries and losses, as well, due to a legal principle called “respondeat superior.” This means that you can file an insurance claim against the trucking company’s policy, which will be more substantial than an individual driver’s policy would be. However, insurance claims against commercial insurers can be challenging, so you need the right attorney on your side from the very beginning. Insurance companies will always try to limit liability, often to the huge detriment of accident victims. The right legal representation can help ensure you receive the full amount you deserve.

At Alpert Schreyer Injury Accident Lawyers, we have the resources needed to pursue insurance claims against trucking companies, gather evidence of liability, and more. The sooner you call, the better, as evidence of fault can quickly disappear after a truck accident. Contact us today to discuss getting started on a possible case.

Catastrophic Injuries from Commercial Vehicle Crashes

Due to the large size of commercial vehicles, crashes can often cause catastrophic injuries to victims. A local delivery truck isn’t as large as a semi-truck, but it’s still much larger than the average private passenger car, and almost any type of commercial vehicle can do substantial damage to a smaller vehicle in a collision. In addition to totaling the vehicle, a crash can leave car occupants severely injured or permanently disabled, if they survive.

A catastrophic injury not only requires an extensive amount of costly medical care, but it may cause permanent impairments or disfigurement, often changing the course of your life.

Some catastrophic injuries that we’ve seen in commercial vehicle and truck accident claims include:

• Severe traumatic brain injuries, which can cause an extended coma, as well as lasting cognitive, physical, and behavioral impairments
• Spinal cord injuries, which may result in permanent paralysis
• Traumatic amputations or crush injuries that may require surgical amputations
• Serious burn injuries, which can result in permanent scarring and disfigurement

In addition to being painful and life-altering, these injuries can be extraordinarily expensive to treat, resulting in six or seven-figure costs in some cases. Many people with catastrophic injuries will require ongoing medical treatment for the rest of their lives. They may need home health assistance, medical equipment, and more. In addition, permanent disabilities can prevent a person from returning to their previous job or from ever returning to work.