Maryland Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog

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.

Fatal Tow Truck Crash Kills One and Injures Two

April 21, 2024 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Heavy vehicles on the road can do a lot of damage in a crash. The danger of not wearing your seatbelt is compounded when a truck or other large vehicle is involved. That goes for people in the large vehicle as well as others on the road. Bigger road vehicles like tow trucks and SUVs are larger than other vehicles and often transport more passengers or cargo. That means that large automobiles can become difficult to maneuver in emergency situations, preventing drivers from turning or stopping suddenly due to the weight of their vehicle and cargo.

What Are the Possible Causes of a Truck Accident?

Even without heavy cargo or large trailers, big vehicles are heavy, making accidents involving them inherently dangerous. Additionally, long-distance drivers are under extreme pressure to spend significant hours on the road, as they may have to meet delivery 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. It is vital to wear your seatbelt while on the road and stay aware of large vehicles that could be merging onto your road. A recent news article discussed a serious heavy vehicle accident.

According to the news article, a crash between a tow truck and a passenger vehicle occurred on Tuesday, April 2, at 3:30 pm at the intersection of Van Born and Gulley roads. The Dearborn Heights crash involved a tow truck and a passenger vehicle and left two people hospitalized and one person dead. Officials say their preliminary investigation revealed that the tow truck was traveling westbound on Van Born Road near Gulley when it crashed with the passenger vehicle turning onto northbound Gulley from eastbound Van Born.

Common Causes of Maryland Truck Accidents

March 30, 2024 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Truck accidents can occur for a number of reasons. From drivers’ negligence to a faulty vehicle part, there are several issues that can lead to a truck accident. No matter the cause of the accident, it is important to understand your options for recovery if you have suffered serious injuries. A Maryland truck accident attorney can help you gather evidence and develop the strongest possible argument to recover damages.

According to a recent news article, a Maryland truck accident shut down all lanes of southbound I-95. The crash involved a car and a tractor-trailer, which was parked on the shoulder when the accident occurred. Fortunately, there were no fatalities reported.

What Are the Causes of a Maryland Truck Accident?

A Maryland truck accident can have several overlapping causes. First, a truck driver may have negligently operated their vehicle. In general, distracted driving is a common cause of auto accidents. When drivers fail to pay attention to the road, they may fail to respond to traffic patterns or lose control of their vehicle. Due to the size of a typical truck, truck drivers must stay extra vigilant and minimize distractions to avoid causing a serious crash. When a truck driver fails to exercise reasonable care, their negligent behavior may lead to an accident. On the other hand, a distracted driver may crash into a truck, which occurred in the accident discussed above. Consequently, staying focused on the road can help both car and truck drivers avoid an accident. In addition to drivers’ negligence, a truck accident can result from a manufacturing or design defect in a piece of equipment. For example, a truck’s braking system may have a design flaw that prevents truck drivers from braking quickly in the event of an accident. Alternatively, a mechanic’s shop may have negligently repaired the brakes. Finally, a local government may have negligently maintained the roads, resulting in an increased risk of an accident.

Multi-Vehicle Maryland Dump Truck Crash Leaves Three Hospitalized

March 15, 2024 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

According to a recent news article, three people were injured and a road in Germantown, Maryland was closed after a three-vehicle crash on Friday, March 1, 2024. According to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services, one of the vehicles involved was a dump truck. Officials stated that the crash occurred on Frederick Road and Snowden Farm Parkway around 4 pm, shutting down the roads until approximately 8:30 pm. One of the vehicles crashed into a tree and a person had to be extricated, officials said. Three people, including a teen and an adult, were transported to a hospital. The northbound lanes of Frederick Road from Clarksburg Road to Snowden Farm Parkway were closed as officials responded to the incident. According to officials, a utility pole on the road was damaged during the incident.

How Important Is Seatbelt Use?

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.

Maryland maintains minimum insurance requirements for drivers in the state. Minimum insurance requirements are designed to ensure sufficient compensation is available to victims of car accidents should it be required. As a result, Maryland drivers are required to purchase at least $30,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person, $60,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per accident, and $15,000 in property damage liability coverage.

Fatal Truck Crash Leaves Multiple People Dead, Including Two Young Children

February 20, 2024 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Automobile accidents involving larger vehicles such as trucks and pickups can be devastating. The mass, speed, and size of larger vehicles increase the severity of collisions, often turning accidents into fatal incidents. Many people have a basic understanding of the risks associated with driving near larger vehicles, such as pickup trucks, but not many people just how dangerous these crashes have become. According to the statistical analysis organization Policy Advice, truck accidents have increased by 52% since 2009, and 74% of all fatal passenger vehicle accidents include large trucks. A local news article discussed a recent fatal Maryland crash involving a truck.

According to the local news article about the fatal Maryland truck crash, the accident occurred in the afternoon on Sunday, February 5, 2024, resulting in three dead and two injured. According to authorities, a Ford F-600 Super Duty pickup truck struck the rear of a Honda Civic that had two adults and two children in it. The mother and two children in the Honda were killed and the other adult in the car was taken to a nearby hospital to have his injuries treated. The driver of the Ford was taken to the hospital for minor injuries according to the police.

What Makes Truck Accidents so Dangerous?

Accidents involving pickups, trucks, busses, and other large-sized vehicles such as SUVs are more dangerous than other types of collisions for a number of reasons. Busses, especially very heavy ones such as passenger buses inherently result in more serious accidents when they are involved in crashes due to their weight, size, and speed. These features similarly make accidents involving SUVs more dangerous, as SUVs tend to be larger than sedans and other standard automobiles. Additionally, the conditions that many large vehicle drivers, such as greyhound truck operators, operate under force them to drive extreme distances, resulting in fatigue. Further, large emergency response trucks, such as fire trucks, are often driving at extremely high speeds and operating under different driving rules than ordinary traffic, creating more opportunities for accidents. Finally, commercial trucks also carry heavy cargo, complicating truck crashes and accidents.

Fatal Three Dump-Truck Highway Crash Leads to Injuries and One Dead

January 31, 2024 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

The danger of any vehicle accident is likely to be more severe when a truck or other large vehicle is involved in the crash. Large-sized commercial vehicles like trucks are on the road to transport heavy items and cargo over long distances. That means that trucks can become difficult to maneuver in emergency situations, preventing truck drivers from turning or stopping suddenly due to the weight of their vehicle and cargo.

What Makes Semi Trucks So Accident-Prone?

Even without heavy cargo or large trailers, trucks are heavy, making crashes involving them inherently more dangerous than accidents involving smaller automobiles. Additionally, truck drivers are under extreme pressure to spend long hours on the road, as they need to meet delivery 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. The large size of trucks and other commercial vehicles can also inhibit the driver’s view, leading to more blind spots on the vehicle. A recent news article discussed a fatal multi-truck accident.

According to the news article, a dump truck rear-ended another dump truck, causing a collision with a third dump truck on January 3, 2024, around 12:15 pm in the afternoon. The Trenton Police Department stated that the preliminary investigation revealed that there was one fatality and the other two dump truck drivers were being treated for minor injuries at Capital Health Regional Medical Center. Law enforcement officers stated that no other vehicles were involved in the crash. The Trenton Police Department was alerted to the issue when the Trenton Radio Room 9-1-1 operators began receiving multiple calls regarding a multi-dump truck crash on Route 129 between Cass Street and Lalor Street. The Trenton Police, Trenton Fire Department, TEMS, and Paramedics were dispatched to the scene. Around 12:26 pm the Trenton Fire Department reported an extended rescue operation at the scene, and a person was reported extricated from the dump truck crash around 12:30 pm.