When one thinks of a Maryland truck accident, images of an intoxicated, sleepy, or distracted truck driver often come to mind. And while it’s true that these account for a large number of Maryland truck accidents, equipment failure is also a major – and often overlooked – cause of these serious accidents.
Like all vehicles that are licensed to operate on Maryland’s public roads, semi-trucks must pass certain safety inspections. The Department of Transportation (DOT) requires that all trucks are inspected at least annually. There are six types of DOT annual inspections, some being much more thorough than others. Generally, these inspections review the fitness of the driver as well as the vehicle. In addition to the DOT annual inspection, motor carriers are responsible for performing periodic vehicle inspections. These periodic inspections focus on the various components of the vehicle, such as the braking system, steering system, lights, exhaust, as well as the tires and rims.
When a semi-truck or other large commercial vehicle is not properly inspected, the chance of the vehicle being involved in a serious Maryland car accident drastically increases. These accidents can have a devastating impact on nearby vehicles. Depending on the nature of an equipment failure, there may be several parties that can be held liable for an accident victim’s injuries.
Fatal Multi-Vehicle Truck Accident Claims Four Lives
Late last month, a fatal truck accident in Colorado claimed the lives of four people, and injured several others. According to one national news source, the accident occurred on Interstate 70, outside of Denver.
Evidently, a semi-truck driver was traveling on I-70 at approximately 85 miles per hour as he approached a traffic jam. When the truck driver attempted to apply the brakes, he claims that the truck was not slowing down. The truck driver attempted to move onto the road’s shoulder, but another truck was already parked on the shoulder. The truck driver explained that as his truck approached the stopped cars up ahead, he closed his eyes, thinking he was going to die.
It is estimated that the truck collided with 28 stopped vehicles, killing four of the occupants and injuring several others. The truck driver was initially arrested on suspicion of vehicular homicide; however, no charges had officially been filed as of the writing of the news article. Investigators are looking into the maintenance records of the truck to determine if the accident may have been due to an equipment failure.
Have You Been Injured in a Maryland Truck Accident?
If you or someone you love has recently been injured in a Maryland truck accident, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. At the Maryland-based law firm of Lebowitz & Mzhen, LLC, we represent injury victims in truck accident cases across Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. Our dedicated team of Maryland truck accident lawyers works tirelessly on behalf of Maryland accident victims to ensure that they recover the compensation they need and deserve. To learn more, and to schedule a free consultation with a Maryland personal injury advocate, call 410-654-3600 today.