Earlier this month, two men were killed as a result of an head-on accident between a semi-truck and a passenger car. According to one local news source, the accident occurred at around 2:30 in the morning on Interstate 70, near Hancock, Maryland.
Evidently, the driver of the semi-truck was heading east in his proper lane of travel when the passenger car crossed over the center line, colliding with the truck. The force from the accident then sent the truck into a nearby abutment on the side of the road. By the time emergency responders arrived on the scene, the truck driver was pronounced dead. The passenger in the other vehicle, a 22-year-old male, also died in the accident.
The driver of the car, a 57-year-old woman from Fruitland, was taken to Shock Trauma and is in serious condition. She is the mother of the passenger who died in the accident.
Police are still looking into the cause of the accident, and they have not released any official report or statement to the media as of yet.
Determining Fault in Maryland Truck Accidents
According to the article, this accident would seem to be the fault of the driver of the passenger vehicle. However, fault in Maryland truck accidents is not always a simple matter that can be determined in the moments following a fatal accident.
Since the accident took place at 2:30 in the morning, it is possible that either or both drivers were operating the vehicle while sleep-deprived. It is also possible that one of the drivers was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the accident. These investigative avenues should be pursued prior to making any kind of fault determination.
The Power of an Investigation
Those injured in Maryland truck accidents are entitled to bring a case against the driver that they believe is responsible for their injuries. Of course, being successful in a lawsuit against a truck driver or trucking company requires a thorough investigation into the surrounding circumstances of an accident.
In Maryland, due to the doctrine of contributory negligence, anyone who is found to be at all at fault in the accident resulting in their injuries is barred from recovery. This doctrine may prohibit the driver of the passenger vehicle in the accident described above from seeking compensation from the truck driver, if it is determined that she was even the slightest at fault in the accident. However, the doctrine would not likely prohibit the passenger of the car from seeking compensation from the truck driver, if it was determined that he was at all at fault. To learn more about the complex laws surrounding these types of accidents, call a dedicated Maryland accident attorney.
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 damages, even if you were in a vehicle that was ultimately determined to be partially at fault for the collision. To learn more, call one of the dedicated accident attorneys at the Maryland law firm of Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers. The skilled advocates at Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers have the experience, dedication, and courage to take your case up against even the largest of corporations or insurance companies. You may be entitled to substantial compensation, including amounts for past medical bills, future medical expenses, and pain and suffering, if you are successful. Call 410-654-3600 today to set up a free consultation.
More Blog Posts:
Semi-Truck Driver Charged in Fatal I-95 Truck Accident, Maryland Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog, published July 28, 2015.
Construction Worker Killed in I-95 Beltsville Truck Accident, Maryland Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog, published July 7, 2015.