Maryland truck accidents are more common than most people believe. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and National Highway Transportation Safety Board (NHTSB) conduct periodic studies that analyze the cause and number of accidents occurring in each state in a given year. Both entities report on which type of vehicle is most likely to be involved in an accident and what the resulting damages are. The studies are periodically released as they are conducted.
The most recent report compiled data from 2016 and was published in May 2018. Some startling key findings were that despite stricter standards and more extensive training, truck accidents have been increasing since 2015. In fact, there has been a 5.4 percent increase in individuals killed in large truck accidents from the last study.
For the purposes of the study, a large truck includes any medium or heavy truck, not including buses or motor homes. The gross weight of the vehicles in this study was over 10,000 pounds. On average, dump trucks can carry over 30,000 pounds.
With this increase in truck accidents comes a corresponding higher rate of serious injuries or death to those involved in an accident with a truck. The study reported that 72% of the fatalities were of occupants of other vehicles, 11% were individuals such as pedestrians and bikers, and 17% were occupants of the truck. In Maryland, there were 746 vehicles involved in fatal crashes, and over 8% of them involved large trucks.
Three Fatalities in Maryland Dump Truck Accident
Recently, three people were killed in a Maryland dump truck accident. According to a news report covering the accident, law enforcement officials told reporters that the accident between the dump truck and an SUV occurred in Charles County at around 3:00 p.m on May 15. Initial reports indicate that the dump truck driver and his passenger were taken to a local hospital. There has been no word if there were any other injuries. Maryland State Police are still investigating the accident to determine the exact cause of the accident and whether any charges will be filed.
Have You or a Loved One Been Injured in a Maryland Trucking Accident?
If you or a loved one has been injured in a Maryland trucking accident, you should contact the dedicated and experienced attorneys at the law firm of Lebowitz & Mzhen. As studies have elucidated, trucking accidents are, unfortunately, becoming more prevalent throughout the United States. In many situations, the individuals who are injured are not those in the dump truck but other people involved in the accident or in the vicinity of the accident. It is important that those who are injured get the compensation they deserve for the injuries they have sustained. Contact the law firm of Lebowitz & Mzhen at 800-654-1949 to schedule your free initial consultation to discuss your case with a dedicated Maryland truck accident attorney.
More Blog Posts:
Filing a Personal Injury Claim after a Maryland Truck Accident, Maryland Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog, published May 17, 2018.
Court Finds in Plaintiff’s Favor in Recent Public Transit Accident Case, Maryland Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog, published May 3, 2018.