A Maryland truck driver is scheduled to plead guilty to several charges stemming from the fatal 2013 accident that took three Fredericksburg residents’ lives. According to one local news report, the court had scheduled a four-day trial to determine whether the truck driver was criminally responsible for the deaths of the three individuals, but the man’s attorney notified the court that he will likely plead guilty instead.
Evidently, back in 2013, the truck driver rear-ended a Toyota Camry on State Route 3. The accident occurred as the Toyota was stopped at a red traffic signal. The accident involved 10 vehicles total, after the Camry and the truck spun out and collided with other nearby cars and trucks.
The Toyota had five passengers in it. The three in the back seat were killed immediately as a result of the high-impact collision, while the front seat passenger and the driver were both hospitalized. Thankfully, they both pulled through after being provided emergency medical care.
After the police conducted their investigation into the fatal accident, they determined that drugs or alcohol were not involved, but that the cause of the accident was driver error. Although the article does not specifically say it, it would seem that the cause was due to the truck driver’s distracted driving at the time of the accident.
Trucks and Distracted Driving Don’t Mix on Maryland Roads
Distracted driving is never a good idea. Whether it be using a cell phone, having an in-depth conversation with a passenger, or reading the newspaper on the way to work, this type of behavior increases the risk of getting into a serious or fatal accident.
However, when a driver is operating a semi-truck loaded with thousands of pounds of cargo, the danger intensifies. Large trucks, whether loaded with cargo or empty, have a longer stopping distance than most cars. Once a truck driver makes the decision that he needs to stop or slow down, it may take several hundred feet for the truck to come to a complete stop. Therefore, it is critical that truck drivers are constantly giving the road their utmost attention in case they need to quickly slow their vehicles.
When a truck driver does get into an accident like the one above, he can often be held both criminally and civilly liable for the injuries or deaths caused by the accident. To learn more about Maryland truck accident cases, speak to a dedicated Maryland personal injury attorney.
Have You Been Injured in a Maryland Truck Accident?
If you or a loved one has recently been involved in any kind of accident with a large truck, you may be entitled to monetary damages based on the truck driver’s negligence. In some cases, the employer or owner of the truck can also be held liable. The skilled advocates at the Maryland law firm of Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers have years of experience handling all kinds of personal injury claims against negligent drivers, including semi-truck accidents. Call 410-654-3600 to set up a free initial consultation with one of the attorneys at Lebowitz & Mzhen. There is no risk to calling, since we won’t bill you unless we are able to secure a recovery in your case.
More Blog Posts:
Several Inmates and Correctional Officers Killed in Fatal Bus Accident, Maryland Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog, published January 20, 2014.
Williamsport Bicyclist Injured When Hit By Dump Truck, Maryland Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog, published October 10, 2014.