Any time a semi-truck is involved in an accident with other motorists, it is very likely that there will be significant injuries. Maryland rear-end truck accidents, are no exception. Indeed, it is estimated that rear-end truck accidents are responsible for over 23,000 injuries and 700 fatalities across the country each year.
The most cited reason for the large number of rear-end truck accidents is the stopping distance of large trucks, especially when they are fully loaded and traveling at highway speeds. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, it takes the average truck the length of two football fields to come to a complete stop when traveling at 65 miles per hour.
While the significant stopping distance of semi-trucks certainly plays a role in many rear-end accidents, it is somewhat misleading to label the truck’s stopping distance as the cause of these accidents. In reality, many of these accidents are the result of the truck driver’s negligence. Commercial truck drivers are trained to operate large vehicles at high speeds, and should be familiar with how to do so safely. This includes knowing how long it takes their rig to come to a complete stop. However, often, truck drivers follow too closely, leaving little to no time to react if the vehicle in front of them unexpectedly slows down or comes to a stop.
Maryland’s Rear-End Presumption
In Maryland, when a motorist rear-ends a stopped vehicle, it is presumed that motorist was negligent. This presumption often comes into play in Maryland truck accident cases, where a large truck rear-ends a driver who is stopped in an unexpected traffic jam caused by construction or another accident.
Woman Killed in Semi-Truck Accident
Earlier this month, one woman was killed in a multi-vehicle semi-truck accident. According to a local news report, the collision occurred when a semi-truck rolled over on the highway for unknown reasons. The rollover caused traffic to slow down, and an approaching semi-truck was unable to stop in time. The truck rear-ended a Ford Taurus before rolling over onto two other vehicles that were in the adjacent lane of travel.
The driver of the Ford was pronounced dead at the scene. The drivers in the other two vehicles sustained minor injuries. Police are currently still investigating the accident.
Have You Been Injured in a Maryland Truck Accident?
If you or someone you care about has recently been injured in a Maryland truck accident, you may be eligible to obtain financial compensation for the injuries you have sustained. At the Maryland personal injury law firm of Lebowitz & Mzhen, LLC, we represent injury victims in a wide range of cases across Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., including truck accident cases. To learn more about how our dedicated team of Maryland truck accident attorneys can help you with your situation, call 410-654-3600 today.
More Blog Posts:
Expert Witness Testimony May Be Necessary in Some Maryland Car Accident Cases, Maryland Car Accident Attorney Blog, published February 19, 2019.
Maryland Employers Can Be Held Liable for the Negligent Acts of Their Employees, Maryland Car Accident Attorney Blog, published March 4, 2019.