Semi-trucks are a common sight in Maryland. These vehicles traverse through various states to haul consumer goods to their destination.
While they are an essential part of the economy, semi-trucks are dangerous. They are often long and heavy, weighing as much as 80,000 pounds.
They cause major accidents when they collide with other vehicles.
These accidents often result in life-changing and life-threatening injuries.
After a truck accident, time is of the essence. Trucking companies have high-powered lawyers at their disposal. They’ll try to ignore your case.
That’s why you need a team of aggressive lawyers to guarantee they pay.
That’s where the Baltimore truck accident lawyer at Furman | Honick Law comes in.
We’ll work hard to get you full and fair compensation. Schedule a free consultation with our office today.
Causes of Truck Accidents
Unfortunately, truck crashes are common occurrences.
Here are some reasons why truck accidents occur:
- Distracted driving. Truck drivers are behind the wheel for long periods and occasionally get distracted like the rest of us. They may be using their cell phones, reading, eating, or engaging in other driving behaviors, which leads to accidents.
- Truck drivers work long hours, and to stay awake, they may use alcohol or drugs. However, these substances harm drivers, reducing judgment and coordination.
- Being behind the wheel of a large truck for 10+ hours per day is tiring. It is not uncommon for truck drivers to get exhausted at the end of the day, with some even nodding off while driving.
- Truck drivers often have strict deadlines. This means they may be in a hurry to get to their destination so they may be speeding. A speeding truck is harder to stop, so it’s more likely to cause an accident.
- Poor training. A person cannot simply jump in a semi-truck and know how to drive it. These vehicles are large and hard to drive properly. They require a lot of room and know-how. A driver who is not properly trained will easily cause an accident.
- Poor maintenance. Trucking companies like to save money, so many do not maintain their trucks like they should. They forego regular maintenance, which means tires and brakes may suddenly fail, causing loss of control.
Contact Furman | Honick Law Today
Truck accidents are often catastrophic or even fatal due to the size of the truck involved. If you have been a victim, you must seek legal help immediately to preserve your rights and understand your options.
Truck accidents are complex. Don’t tackle it alone.
Get the help you need to succeed from the experienced Baltimore truck accident lawyer at Furman | Honick Law.
We have the knowledge and tenacity to help you get the compensation you deserve. Call (410) 844-6000 or fill out the online form to schedule a free consultation.
Types of Truck Accident Injuries
Truck accidents often cause severe and life-altering injuries due to the sheer size and weight of these vehicles.
Here are some common injuries victims may experience after a truck accident:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): The force of a truck collision is enough to cause significant head trauma, leading to concussions, brain bruising, and even long-term cognitive issues. These injuries often require extensive rehabilitation and may affect memory, behavior, and physical abilities.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Spinal injuries typically result in partial or complete paralysis, affecting a person’s mobility and independence. These injuries often demand lifelong medical care and drastically alter a person’s quality of life.
- Broken Bones: The impact of a truck accident easily breaks bones, especially in the arms, legs, and ribs. Some fractures are severe, requiring surgeries, metal implants, and lengthy recovery periods.
- Internal Injuries: Internal bleeding and damage to organs like the liver, spleen, or lungs are common in high-impact truck accidents. These injuries may not be immediately visible but still life-threatening without prompt medical attention.
- Whiplash and Neck Injuries: Sudden jolts during a truck collision cause whiplash, strained muscles, and other neck injuries. While some neck injuries heal with time, severe cases can lead to chronic pain and limited mobility.
- Burns: In accidents involving trucks catching fire or hazardous materials, victims may suffer severe burns. These injuries are excruciating, require multiple surgeries, and leave lasting scars.
- Amputations: The force of a truck crash leads to crushed or severely damaged limbs, sometimes resulting in amputation. This life-altering injury requires extensive rehabilitation and the use of prosthetics.
Truck accident injuries are often catastrophic, leaving victims with physical, emotional, and financial burdens.
If you’ve suffered due to a truck accident, a Baltimore truck accident lawyer from Furman | Honick Law helps you pursue the compensation you need for your recovery.
How Truck Accidents Differ from Car Accidents
Here’s what sets truck accidents apart:
Greater Risk of Severe Injuries
Due to their size and weight, commercial trucks like tractor-trailers and garbage trucks cause more damage than passenger vehicles in collisions.
Many truck accidents lead to life-changing injuries requiring extensive medical treatment and ongoing medical expenses.
Involvement of Federal and State Regulations
Truck drivers and trucking companies are governed by strict federal and state regulations that don’t apply to other drivers in typical car accidents.
Violations of these rules strengthens a Baltimore truck accident claim by proving negligence in a truck accident lawsuit.
Multiple Parties May Be Liable
Unlike most car accidents, a serious truck accident often involves multiple liable parties, such as the truck driver, trucking company, truck manufacturer, or even cargo loaders.
Complexity of Insurance and Personal Injury Claims
Trucking companies carry extensive insurance policies, and their insurers often work aggressively to minimize payouts.
Investigation and Evidence Requirements
Truck accident cases demand a thorough investigation. Accident reconstruction specialists analyze factors like driver fatigue, distracted driving, and mechanical failure to build a strong case.
Baltimore truck accident attorneys also review medical records, driver’s employment history, and maintenance logs to uncover evidence that supports the victim’s personal injury claim.
Truck accidents require a distinct approach due to the serious injuries sustained, the unique regulatory environment, and the involvement of commercial vehicle operations.
Working with a Baltimore truck accident attorney ensures that truck accident cases receive the attention and know-how needed to secure fair compensation for personal injuries and other damages.
Schedule a free consultation with a skilled accident lawyer to learn more about your rights after a truck accident.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident Case?
In a truck accident, determining liability often involves multiple parties beyond just the truck driver. Baltimore truck accident attorneys thoroughly investigate each truck accident case to identify all potentially responsible parties.
Here’s a closer look at who may be held liable in a Baltimore truck accident claim:
- Truck Driver
When truck drivers engage in negligent actions, such as distracted driving, reckless driving, or fatigued driving, they bear significant responsibility. - Trucking Company
Trucking companies are often liable when they neglect critical safety protocols. These companies sometimes pressure truck drivers to meet strict deadlines, contributing to driver fatigue and unsafe driving practices. - Cargo Loaders
Improperly loaded cargo often causes semi-trucks or tractor-trailers to become unbalanced, leading to rollover accidents and other hazards. - Maintenance Providers
Large trucks require regular inspections and maintenance to ensure they operate safely. Whether performed by the trucking company or an external provider, poor vehicle maintenance typically leads to mechanical failure and serious accidents.
A maintenance provider’s negligence may make them liable if a semi-truck accident results from equipment failure. - Truck and Parts Manufacturers
Defective truck parts, such as faulty brakes or tires, often play a role in trucking accidents.
When defective equipment causes a truck accident, the manufacturer may be held accountable through a personal injury lawsuit.
Identifying all liable parties in truck accident cases is essential for ensuring full and fair compensation.
An experienced Baltimore truck accident lawyer establishes responsibility across each layer, from the truck driver to the trucking company and beyond.
If you’ve been injured in a trucking accident, contact a Baltimore personal injury attorney for a free consultation to discuss your options.
Common Defenses Used by Trucking Companies
Trucking companies and insurers often work aggressively to reduce or deny claims after an accident.
Here are some of the common defenses they may use:
Contributory Negligence
Trucking companies frequently argue the accident was partially or fully the other driver’s fault.
Disputing the Severity of Injuries
Insurers might question the extent of the victim’s injuries, suggesting that the injuries are exaggerated, unrelated to the accident, or pre-existing.
Challenging Evidence
Trucking companies often dispute evidence, such as witness testimony, accident reports, or surveillance footage.
Blaming Third Parties
To shift blame, trucking companies sometimes claim that another party, such as a cargo loader or maintenance provider, bears responsibility.
Compliance with Regulations
Trucking companies may argue they fully complied with state and federal trucking regulations, suggesting they followed safety guidelines and were not at fault.
Trucking companies use these strategies to limit their liability in truck accident cases. Anticipating these defenses and preparing strong counterarguments with legal support is essential for a successful claim.
How a Lawyer Helps After a Truck Accident
Hiring a lawyer after a truck accident makes a crucial difference in navigating complex legal processes and securing fair compensation.
Here’s how an experienced truck accident attorney assists victims:
- Investigating the Accident Thoroughly
A lawyer conducts a detailed investigation, gathering evidence from police reports, accident scene photos, witness statements, and even black box data from the truck. - Identifying All Liable Parties
Truck accident cases often involve multiple parties beyond the driver, such as the trucking company, cargo loaders, or manufacturers. - Negotiating with Insurance Companies
Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts or deny claims. - Handling Complex Legal and Regulatory Issues
Trucking accidents involve unique regulations at both federal and state levels. - Calculating Full Compensation
To receive fair compensation, a lawyer assesses all damages—medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and future rehabilitation costs. - Preparing for Trial, If Necessary
While many cases settle out of court, some require litigation.
Working with a lawyer after a truck accident provides vital support, from investigating and negotiating to fighting for justice in court if necessary.
This guidance allows victims to focus on recovery while securing the compensation they deserve.
Why Choose Us
When you’re facing the aftermath of an injury, you deserve a legal team that fights for your recovery and respects your well-being.
Our partners, Dustin and Allen, bring years of experience handling complex cases across Maryland and Washington, D.C., and have earned a trusted reputation among judges, colleagues, and clients alike.
Their commitment is clear: they’re ready to fight for your desired results when they step into the courtroom. And whenever you need them, they’re available to guide you every step of the way.
From the moment we take your case, we prepare meticulously for trial, ensuring we know it inside and out by the time we reach the courthouse steps.
Our record speaks to our dedication and success, with over $75 million recovered for our clients. Some of our notable results include:
- $10,000,000 – Eight-figure medical malpractice recovery
- $2,700,000 – Civil rights verdict for an unjust injury
- $800,000 – Settlement for a personal injury involving facial scars
- $500,000 – Premises liability verdict for severe injury due to negligence
- $402,500 – Lyft accident verdict
- $350,000 – Personal injury verdict due to restaurant negligence
When you choose us, you’re choosing a team that values transparency, thorough preparation, and unwavering commitment to your case.
Let us stand by your side, handle the legal battles, and secure the justice you deserve.