Any motorist who has driven for any length of time on a dirt road knows the potential dangers involved with doing so. Indeed, dirt roads can pose a major hazard to motorists who find themselves needing to use them. Many dirt roads are bumpy and rough and are little more than dusty paths. The dangers of dirt roads are increased when the road is one that is commonly used by large trucks.
In most cases, dirt roads are on private land, and depending on the circumstances, the owner of the road may be responsible for maintaining the road. Landowners owe a general duty of care to maintain their property in a safe manner. Of course, landowners cannot know of all hazards on their property, so generally landowners only are required to address known issues. However, the condition of a dirt road may be exactly the type of hazard that a landowner should address, especially when the condition of the road is suspect.
When a landowner fails to address a known hazard, and someone is injured as a result, the injured party may be able to bring a Maryland premises liability lawsuit against the landowner, seeking compensation for their injuries.
Man Killed in Dirt-Road Trucking Accident
Earlier this month, one man was killed in a trucking accident occurring on a dirt road in Maine. According to a local news source covering the accident, the fatal accident occurred in the morning hours when a motorist operating a pick-up truck ran into the back of a logging truck that had stopped on the dirt road.
Evidently, the motorist was traveling on the dirt road when it became impossible to see, due to a dust cloud that was created by the truck ahead. The motorist was caught off guard as he approached the rear of the truck, and he was unable to stop in time. The motorist was killed in the rear-end collision.
Police responded to the scene, along with an accident reconstructionist, and an investigation is underway. Authorities believe that the accident occurred due to the dust cloud caused by the truck, but they are unsure why the logging truck was stopped in the middle of the road. It was noted that the road on which the accident occurred is privately owned land that belongs to a paper company that used the road in order to access the forest to harvest raw material.
Have You Been Injured in a Maryland Truck Accident?
If you or a loved one has recently been injured in any type of Maryland truck accident, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. The dedicated Maryland personal injury attorneys at the law firm of Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers are well versed in all types of personal injury law, and we know what it takes to be successful in courts across Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Call 410-654-3600 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case with a dedicated Maryland truck accident attorney today.
More Blog Posts:
Slowed Highway Traffic Creates Major Hazard for Sleepy or Distracted Bus Drivers, Maryland Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog, published July 12, 2017.
Liability in Truck Accidents Caused by Faulty Equipment, Maryland Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog, published June 26, 2017.