When a loved one is injured a Maryland truck accident, the challenges can be overwhelming. The financial, physical, and emotional burden can be enormous, both for victims and their families. Financial compensation from a personal injury lawsuit can help alleviate some of these burdens.
In Maryland personal injury cases, different damages may be available to victims and their families depending on the specifics of the case. Plaintiffs in Maryland accident claims may able to recover compensation for medical expenses, mental suffering, wage losses, and other damages. The plaintiff has the burden to prove damages in the case. Generally, damages can be divided into two types: special and general damages.
Special damages normally include economic damages, such as past and future medical bills, loss of wages, diminished earning capacity, and others. General damages normally refer to non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering. Apart from special and general damages, punitive, or exemplary, damages are available in some cases. Punitive damages are intended to punish the defendant for his or her conduct and also to act as a deterrent to others. To be awarded punitive damages, a plaintiff has to prove, by clear and convincing evidence, that the defendant had actual knowledge of the wrongful act at issue.
Truck Driver Charged in Fatal DUI Crash
A 62-year-old man was recently charged for DUI-related offenses after a tragic crash earlier this month. In the 11-vehicle crash in Indiana, a husband and wife were killed, according to one news source. The husband and wife were both 80 years old. Another victim suffered serious injuries and remained in the hospital. According to police, witnesses saw a white dump truck driving erratically for several miles before it rear-ended another car. It then crashed into a van carrying the older couple. The dump truck driver failed a sobriety test after the crash, and reportedly admitted to police that he snorted heroin earlier that day. Records showed that the driver pled guilty to DUI and cocaine possession in March, 2015.
The 62-year-old driver was charged with six felonies in connection with the crash. The felony charges comprised of two counts of reckless homicide, two counts of causing serious bodily injury operating a vehicle while intoxicated, and two counts of causing death operating a vehicle while intoxicated. He also faces a non-felony charge of leaving the scene of an accident.
Has Your Family Member Been Hurt in a Truck Crash?
If you or a loved one has been injured in a Maryland truck accident, you may be able to recover damages for the injuries. Drunk drivers and other negligent drivers should be held responsible for their actions. The personal injury attorneys at Lebowitz & Mzhen represent accident victims in Baltimore and throughout Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. Our personal injury attorneys take pride in advocating for the rights of victims, and understand the complex issues that can arise in Maryland personal injury cases. Contact us today at 1-800-654-1949, or fill out our online form to set up a free consultation. Calling is free, and we will not bill you for our assistance unless we can help you obtain compensation for your injuries.