Cement trucks, or concrete mixer trucks, are large trucks that road users must share the road with on a daily basis. A recent news report revealed that a driver died in Salt Lake County after a cement truck slammed into his case. The crash occurred at an intersection and occurred when the cement truck went through a red light at the intersection, plowing into a car that was turning. The driver of the car, unfortunately, died at the scene of the accident. An investigation into the crash is still being conducted.
Concrete mixer trucks on average, are said to weigh ten times the amount of a loaded pickup truck. According to Cement Truck Safety, the average empty truck weighs 27,000 pounds, but when filled with wet concrete this increases to an average of 66,000 pounds. These trucks can be especially dangerous, and because these cement trucks are commonly seen on busy, city roads, it can lead to especially risky conditions for all road users sharing the road with them. Cement trucks also are prone to rollovers due to the fact that these trucks carry a lot of their weight in the mixing drum. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration defines truck rollovers as an overturn of a large commercial vehicle, and attributes over 78 percent of rollovers involving driver error. Sharp turns, for example, can lead trucks with heavy loads to rollover.
Drivers of cement trucks should be especially sure to avoid distracted driving, to be mindful of maintaining a safe and slow speed when making turns and give themselves ample time to get to a delivery point in order to avoid feeling the need to speed.
What Is Vicarious Liability in a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
Because cement truck accidents may also involve vicarious liability, it can be important to connect with an experienced personal injury lawyer who has expertise in helping truck accident victims. Vicarious liability, or imputed liability, attaches responsibility for damages caused in an accident to someone else. In this case, it is possible for the driver’s employer to be found vicariously liable for the driver’s negligence. For a court to find an employer vicariously liable for an accident, certain elements must be met. For these reasons, determining whether you may be able to impute liability onto the driver’s employer is something worth talking to an experienced attorney through.
Have You Suffered Injuries in a Maryland Truck Accident?
If you or someone you love has suffered injuries after a truck accident in Maryland in Prince George’s, Charles, Baltimore, or Montgomery County, contact the lawyers at Lebowitz & Mzhen LLC today. Our firm has attorneys with years of experience handling some of the most complicated personal injury cases, and our attorneys are ready to use their expertise to help you. Figuring out which steps to take in a lawsuit can be daunting, but you don’t have to figure this out on your own. Contact us with any questions, and see if we can help with your claim. Call us today at 800-654-1949 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.