Maryland Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog

Who Is Responsible After a Maryland Truck Accident?

January 31, 2025 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Accidents involving large commercial vehicles often result in devastating injuries or fatalities. In Maryland, trucking laws impose strict responsibilities on drivers and companies to minimize risks to others on the road. A recent fatal collision in Florida between an International truck and a Mack semi-truck illustrates the significant dangers posed by tractor-trailers. While this case occurred out of state, examining Maryland’s regulations provides insight into how similar accidents are handled locally.

Truck Driver Obligations Under Maryland Law

Maryland enforces stringent requirements for commercial drivers, emphasizing safe operation and regular inspections. Commercial truck operators must adhere to state and federal laws, including compliance with hours-of-service regulations to prevent fatigue. When a driver fails to meet these obligations, accidents can lead to liability for the individual operator and their employer.

Understanding Liability and Establishing Fault After a Snow Plow Accident

December 21, 2024 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Snow plow accidents, like the recent fatal collision in Perth East, highlight the unique dangers associated with winter road maintenance vehicles. In this case, a 33-year-old driver tragically lost their life after a plow truck collided with their passenger vehicle. While investigating this specific accident continues, snow plow incidents often raise challenginglegal questions about liability and fault. These cases are distinct from typical vehicle collisions due to the roles and responsibilities of snow plow operators and the challenging conditions in which they operate.

The Dangers of Snow Plow Accidents

Snow plows are essential in maintaining road safety during winter, but their operation carries inherent risks. These large, heavy vehicles often operate during severe weather conditions, reducing visibility and increasing the likelihood of collisions. Additionally, snow plows frequently maneuver in ways that may be unexpected to other drivers, such as reversing, crossing lanes, or spreading materials like salt or sand. The size and weight of a plow truck can significantly increase the severity of an accident, particularly when passenger vehicles are involved.

Who Is Liable in Fatal Maryland Truck Accidents Like the Recent I-95 Crash?

November 25, 2024 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Earlier this month, a devastating crash on Interstate 95 in Belcamp claimed the life of a pickup truck driver after rear-ending a parked tractor-trailer on the shoulder. The collision, which led to a fire requiring hours of cleanup and traffic rerouting, has raised important questions about liability in truck accidents involving parked vehicles. Understanding your legal rights after such incidents is critical for victims and their families.

Liability Issues in Truck Accidents Involving Parked Vehicles

In accidents like the I-95 crash, determining liability often hinges on the circumstances surrounding the tractor-trailer’s presence on the shoulder. Maryland law imposes strict requirements on commercial truck drivers to ensure the safe operation and parking of their vehicles. Tractor-trailers parked on the shoulder must comply with federal and state regulations, including using reflective warning devices and ensuring that cars are visible to oncoming traffic. Failure to adhere to these rules can make the driver or trucking company liable for contributing to a collision.

Driver Dies in Single-vehicle Dump Truck Crash in Prince George’s County

October 30, 2024 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Large commercial vehicles can do a lot of damage in a traffic accident, wrecking passenger cars and other trucks, and possibly injuring or killing multiple victims. Due to the extreme weight of many semi tractor-trailers and other large commercial trucks, the occupants of relatively smaller passenger cars can be severely or fatally injured even in vehicles with advanced safety features. Riding in an airbag-equipped vehicle and wearing safety belts may not always protect passengers whose vehicle is crushed between two massive commercial trucks during a highway collision.

That said, passenger car occupants are not the only ones at risk in a serious commercial truck wreck; truck drivers themselves can often be hurt or killed as a result of a bad tractor-trailer collision, or even a crash involving a smaller commercial truck. In mid-August this past summer, a single-vehicle trucking accident in the Carriage Hill area of Prince George’s County ended with the driver dying at the scene after the dump truck he was operating left the roadway and drove into a stand of trees.

Even without heavy cargo, a large commercial vehicle like a dump truck still has a great deal of mass. Hitting a fixed object, such as an overpass abutment or large-diameter tree can cause the cab of the vehicle to be crushed by the rear-most portion of the truck during the collision. While truck cabs are designed to withstand crashes of some magnitude, if the vehicle’s speed is high enough, the structure may not be able to fully protect the occupants. Once cargo or a utility trailer has been added into the equation the forces involved in a high-speed trucking accident can easily result in a fatal outcome.

Understanding Your Legal Rights After a Maryland Truck Accident Involving Hazardous Materials

October 28, 2024 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Tragedy struck in Illinois when a tanker truck carrying toxic chemicals was forced off the road, resulting in a deadly crash that took five lives. The accident occurred when a 17-year-old minivan driver, attempting to pass the tanker, caused the truck to swerve off the road to avoid a head-on collision. The truck, carrying 7,500 gallons of anhydrous ammonia, jackknifed and struck a utility trailer, puncturing the tank and releasing a hazardous chemical spill. The plume of toxic gas led to the deaths of five people, including three family members, and forced the evacuation of around 500 people from the surrounding area. This heartbreaking event highlights the catastrophic consequences that can occur when trucks carrying dangerous materials are involved in accidents. Understanding the legal implications of such accidents under Maryland law is essential for victims and their families, as the consequences can be devastating, both physically and emotionally.

Truck Accidents and Maryland Law

In Maryland, victims of truck accidents have the right to pursue compensation when they suffer injuries or the loss of loved ones due to someone else’s negligence. Large commercial trucks, like the one involved in the Illinois accident, carry unique risks, especially when transporting hazardous materials such as chemicals. These materials pose dangers to those directly involved in the crash and surrounding communities, as evidenced by the need for widespread evacuations in the Illinois case.

Maryland School Bus Accident Highlights Legal Challenges

September 30, 2024 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

School buses are common on Maryland’s roads, ensuring children get to and from school safely. Unfortunately, school bus accidents can and do happen, just like any other vehicle. While the recent school bus crash in Chillum, Maryland, involved no injuries or children, it highlights the potential dangers posed by school buses and the importance of understanding your legal rights if you’re involved in such an accident.

Due to the size and weight of the vehicles involved, school bus accidents in Maryland are similar to truck accidents. Both can cause severe damage, especially when smaller passenger cars are involved. Maryland personal injury law allows school bus or truck accident victims to seek compensation for their injuries, medical bills, and other losses. However, these cases can be more complicated when they involve public entities like school districts, which specific legal doctrines, such as governmental immunity, may protect.

Understanding how Maryland law applies to your case is crucial if you’ve been injured in a school bus accident. Here’s what you need to know.

Maryland State Police Investigate Fatal Truck Crash in Frederick County

August 31, 2024 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Tractor-trailer accidents are among the most serious on the road, often resulting in severe injuries or fatalities. Various factors, including driver error, mechanical failures, or hazardous road conditions, can cause these accidents. Under Maryland law, determining who is responsible for a tractor-trailer accident is crucial for ensuring that the victims or their families receive the compensation they deserve. Liability can often extend beyond the driver, including trucking companies, vehicle manufacturers, or maintenance providers.

Fatal Tractor-Trailer Crash in Frederick County

Maryland State Police are currently investigating a fatal crash involving a tractor-trailer that occurred on Tuesday morning near the Washington-Frederick County line south of Cascade. The incident happened around 7:40 a.m. when the tractor-trailer driver lost control of the vehicle on Raven Rock Road, also known as Md. 491. The truck overturned, and the driver, who was trapped inside the car, tragically died at the scene.

Tragic Multi-Vehicle Accident in Montour County

July 30, 2024 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

A devastating accident earlier this summer in Montour County resulted in the deaths of two individuals and significant injuries to another. This four-vehicle crash involved a dump truck loaded with stone material traveling at an unsafe speed. The dump truck swerved into the opposite lane, colliding head-on with a tractor-trailer, which led to a chain reaction involving two more vehicles. The collision caused the dump truck and the tractor-trailer to catch fire, and the fuel from these trucks ignited one of the cars involved. The drivers of the dump truck and the tractor-trailer died at the scene, while the driver of the burning car was rescued but sustained serious injuries. This tragic event underscores the severe dangers and legal challenges associated with multi-vehicle truck accidents under Maryland law.

What Are the Dangers of Large Truck Accidents?

Large truck accidents, such as those involving dump trucks or tractor-trailers, pose significant dangers due to their sheer size and weight. When a truck loses control or collides with other vehicles, the impact can be catastrophic, often resulting in severe injuries or fatalities. Trucks carrying heavy loads, like the dump truck in the Montour County accident, can cause even more destruction due to their increased momentum and potential for hazardous spills.

Legal Concepts in Maryland Truck Accident Lawsuits

June 24, 2024 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Being involved in a truck accident or losing a loved one in such an incident can be devastating. At Lebowitz & Mzhen, we understand the pain and confusion you may be experiencing. If you find yourself in this situation, knowing some basic legal concepts can help you navigate through this difficult time.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident?

Liability is a crucial concept in truck accident lawsuits. Unlike car accidents, truck accidents can involve multiple parties who may share responsibility. Here are some potential parties that could be held liable:

Truck Driver: If the driver was negligent, such as driving under the influence or being distracted, they can be held responsible for the accident.

Serious Multi-Truck Crash Shuts Down Northbound I-95 Lanes

May 31, 2024 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

The danger of not wearing your seatbelt is compounded when a truck or other large vehicle is involved in the crash. That goes for people in the truck as well as others on the road. Large commercial vehicles like trucks are on the road to transport heavy items over long distances. That means that trucks can become difficult to maneuver under the best of circumstances. This danger is compounded in emergency situations, preventing truck drivers from turning or stopping suddenly due to the weight of their vehicle and cargo.

Even without heavy cargo or large trailers, trucks are heavy, making accidents involving them inherently more dangerous than collisions between two smaller vehicles. Additionally, truck drivers are under extreme pressure to spend long hours on the road, as they often need to meet delivery or cargo deadlines. This can lead to exhaustion and impaired judgment on the roads. Tired drivers are more likely to make mistakes when driving, increasing the likelihood of accidents. This is why you often see semi-trucks pulled off on the side of the road, as drivers will sometimes take naps or rest in the midst of their long-haul rides.

According to a recent news article, Maryland State Police said a tractor-trailer was stopped on the right shoulder around 6:10 a.m. in the northbound direction near the Beltway exits in Rosedale. According to a preliminary investigation, a second tractor-trailer rear-ended the stopped tractor-trailer. The driver of the second tractor-trailer was taken to Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. Their condition was not immediately released. Police did not specify whether the other driver was injured. The express toll lanes were shut down at Interstate 895. The left two main travel lanes were shut down on northbound I-95 at the site of the crash. The scene was cleared by the afternoon. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.