Earlier this week in Beltsville, Maryland, one man was killed when a semi-truck crashed through a construction site on Interstate 95. According to one local news report, the fatal truck accident took place at around 1:30 in the morning near the crossing with Md. 200.
Evidently, the right lane and the ramp of Interstate 95 northbound were both closed for an ongoing construction project. As the semi-truck was heading north, it failed to negotiate a turn in the road and crashed into a truck with lighted arrow signs on top of it placed to direct traffic away from the project. Both the warning truck as well as the semi-truck continued down the highway after the initial collision and struck another construction vehicle before running over the 65-year-old construction worker.
Preliminary reports indicate that the construction crew had placed all appropriate traffic-control and warning devices. The driver of the semi-truck was taken to the hospital as well, although with only minor injuries.
Police are continuing their investigation of the accident scene, and an accident reconstruction is underway to help investigators determine what may have happened in the moments before the fatal truck accident. Investigators are also looking over the truck driver’s travel logs to determine his ultimate destination as well as where he was coming from.
Was Drowsy Driving Involved in the Fatal Truck Accident?
While the investigation is ongoing, it does seem that investigators are open to the possibility that this accident was caused by trucker fatigue. Given the nature of the accident and the fact that investigators have already mentioned they will be looking into the driver’s logs, it seems that their initial assessment may be that drowsy driving was involved.
Liability in Drowsy Driving Accidents
In Maryland and across the United States, truck drivers are required to get a certain number of hours of rest per trip. In addition, they may not make one trip and then immediately leave for another trip without a break in between. These requirements are put in place to ensure that truck drivers are safe and alert when they are on the road. If a truck driver is found to have violated these rules, that driver, and potentially his or her employer, may be held liable for any injuries or deaths that occurred as a result.
Have You Been Injured in a Maryland Truck Accident?
If you or a loved one has recently been injured in a serious Maryland truck accident that you believe was caused by a drowsy truck driver, you may be entitled to monetary damages. Keep in mind, however, that truck drivers will rarely admit to a violation of state or federal law, and a truck driver’s rest logs must usually be subpoenaed through the appropriate court. To learn more about truck accidents in Maryland, and to speak with a dedicated attorney about your case, call one of the skilled Maryland personal injury advocates at the law firm of Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers. The attorneys at Lebowitz & Mzhen have decades of experience in all kinds of Maryland truck accidents, including those arising from drowsy driving. Call 410-654-3600 today to set up a free consultation.
More Blog Posts:
Tracy Morgan Settles with Wal-Mart Regarding Last Year’s Truck Accident, Maryland Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog, published June 4, 2015.
Queen Anne Semi-Truck Accident Claims Three Lives, Maryland Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog, published May 8, 2015.