Maryland truck accidents always present a serious danger to those involved in the accident. However, the dangers of an accident only increase when it occurs on the highway. Between the high speeds involved and the proximity of other motorists, the likelihood of a chain reaction accident greatly increases when an accident occurs on a Maryland highway.
Chain reaction truck accidents occur when two or more vehicles are involved in a collision, and, in the aftermath, other motorists who are unable to avoid the wreckage end up crashing into the other vehicles or crash as they attempt to avoid the other vehicles. Determining which party or parties are responsible for causing a chain reaction truck accident can be complex.
Under Maryland law, anyone who is injured in a Maryland car accident can bring a lawsuit against those they believe to be at fault. However, since Maryland law applies the strict doctrine of contributory negligence, only those accident victims who are completely free of fault will be permitted to recover compensation for their injuries. Thus, it becomes very important for Maryland truck accident victims to speak with a personal injury attorney as soon as practicable to discuss their case and prepare for the potential defenses other drivers may raise.
Chain reaction accidents, in particular, are difficult for juries to apportion fault. Thus, an unprepared accident victim can easily be assigned some portion of the fault by a confused or frustrated jury, essentially defeating the accident victim’s claim.
Highway Accident Results in Six Subsequent Collisions
Earlier this month, an accident on a Louisiana highway triggered a chain reaction accident involving six subsequent collisions. According to a local news report covering the accidents, the initial collision occurred around mile-marker seven. As authorities cleaned up the scene of the initial accident, traffic began to back up. Just before authorities had finished the clean-up, another accident was reported at mile-marker eight. Then there were other accidents at mile-marker 12 and 22. The accident at mile-marker 12 then caused another chain reaction accident involving three other, smaller accidents.
In all, at least a dozen vehicles were involved in the chain reaction accident. While several of the motorists were transported to the hospital, none of the injuries was reported as serious. Authorities do not know what caused the initial collision but believe that each of the subsequent collisions was caused by backed-up traffic.
Have You Been Injured in a Maryland Truck Accident?
If you or a loved one has recently been injured in a Maryland truck accident, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. The dedicated Maryland personal injury and wrongful death attorneys at the law firm of Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers have extensive experience handling a wide range of Maryland truck accident claims, and they know what it takes to succeed on their clients’ behalf. To learn more, and to speak with a dedicated attorney about your case, call 410-654-3600 to schedule a free consultation with an attorney today.
More Blog Posts:
Maryland Underride Accidents and How They Can Be Prevented, Maryland Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog, published December 19, 2017.
Trucking Industry Opposes New Regulations Requiring Electronic Rest Logs, Maryland Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog, published January 4, 2018.