Earlier this in New Jersey, a tragic accident claimed the lives of two motorists when a semi-truck rolled over on top of a car, engulfing both vehicles in flames. According to a report by one local news source, a truck was heading down New Jersey Route 21 around 7:30 in the evening when a car cut off the truck.
As the truck lost control, it slammed into the guardrail and eventually toppled over on top of another car. The truck and the car it fell on top of both caught fire. Shortly thereafter, another vehicle crashed into the wreckage.
After the truck driver got out of the vehicle, he ran over to the car that was still on fire. Witnesses report that he tried to help get the people trapped inside out of the car. Unfortunately, he was unable to get them out, and both passengers in the car were pronounced dead at the scene. The truck driver is expected to be fine.
The car that cut off the truck continued on, failing to stop and render aid. Police are still investigating the accident and have not yet pressed charges against anyone else involved.
Semi-Truck Accidents on Maryland Roads
In the case above, it seems clear that the semi-truck driver was not at fault for the accident. However, accidents are not often as cut and dry as this one seems to be.
In many cases, we see there are several parties that share the responsibility for an accident. In some cases, more than one party may be considered a “victim” of an accident. However, under Maryland law, no person who is at all at fault for an accident can recover financially for the incident. This is due to the law of contributory negligence.
Contributory Negligence and Maryland Personal Injury Suits
Contributory negligence bars recovery for any person who is found to be at all at fault for an accident. This makes the early stages of a Maryland personal injury suit especially important. In order to avoid even a small portion of the blame being shifted onto the accident victim, any accident victims should be sure to contact a dedicated Maryland personal injury attorney to discuss their potential case.
Have You Been Injured in a Maryland Truck Accident?
If you or a loved one has recently been injured or killed in a Maryland truck accident, you may be entitled to monetary damages based on the other driver’s negligence. However, keep in mind that other drivers will be able to escape all liability if they can shift just a small portion of the fault onto you. Don’t let this happen to you. Contact one of the dedicated accident attorneys at Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers today. The skilled and dedicated attorneys at Lebowitz & Mzhen have decades of experience in all kinds of Maryland personal injury actions, including truck accidents. Call 410-654-3600 to set up a free consultation today.
More Blog Posts:
Truck Driver’s Negligent Driving Causes Serious Accident in Hagerstown, Maryland Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog, published September 2, 2014.
Williamsport Bicyclist Injured When Hit By Dump Truck, Maryland Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog, published October 10, 2014.