Maryland Truck Accident Attorneys

Maryland Truck Accident Attorneys

According to the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration, each year traffic crashes kill more people in Maryland than homicides. It is reported that nearly 4,000 people are killed annually as the result of large truck crashes, and that of those killed, 73% were not large truck drivers. The Center for Disease Control reports that the single most effective way to prevent injury as the result of a trucking accident is to wear a seatbelt, but that more than a third of the truck drivers killed were not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident.

Maryland Trucking Regulations

Maryland law prohibits truck drivers from utilizing cell phones while their vehicle is in motion; however, the law does provide for the use of hand-held radios. If you are involved in a truck accident and believe the truck driver may have been distracted by mobile technology, it will be important to observe whether the truck is equipped with a handheld radio system. Maryland also has a specific “Preventative Maintenance” program, which requires the owners of commercial vehicles over 10,000 pounds to perform vehicle inspections at specific mileage or time intervals in order to reduce the risk of tire “blowout” or axel related “jackknife” accidents.

Types and Causes of Maryland Truck Accidents

Improper maintenance and general wear and tear due to heavy truck, semi-truck, and eighteen-wheeler freight can cause dangerous and unexpected truck accidents. One such accident is known as tire “blowout,” which occurs when one or more of a truck’s tires pops or explodes. The following can cause tire blowout:

• Poor maintenance;
• Improper tire pressure;
• Freight overload, and
• Unexpected road conditions, such as potholes.

Adherence to Maryland’s preventative maintenance program can help reduce tire blowouts on state roads, but certain unexpected road conditions, such as deep potholes or sharp debris, may send a tractor-trailer blazing across your path.

Maryland Truck Accident Checklist

Large truck crashes, especially those that occur on tight Maryland toll and harbor roads, can leave drivers shaken and disoriented. However, if you are involved in a truck crash be sure to protect yourself from further harm by taking the following personal precautions:

• Do not admit fault to another driver or the police;
• Give the other driver(s) only your name and vehicle information; do not provide anyone with your personal contact information, and
• Do not allow anyone to take photos of your license or car registration, even if only for “convenience.”

Contact a Maryland Truck Accident Attorney for Qualified Advice

Commercial vehicles such as trucks, tractor-trailers, and semi-trucks are subject to a plethora of federal, state, and municipal regulations that differ from those applicable to non-commercial vehicles. Accordingly, if you have been involved in a truck related accident be sure to contact an experienced Maryland truck accident attorney who can provide you with the most accurate advice for your case.