Auto accidents involving trucks can often be devastating because trucks are typically larger and outweigh most other vehicles on the road. Because of their size and the long hours truck drivers usually clock when driving long distances, negligent or reckless behavior by truck drivers can often have significant consequences for the vehicles that share the road with them.
According to a recent news report, a paramedic driving an ambulance was killed after an accident involving a truck. Local authorities reported that the accident took place when the truck was backing up across two lanes of traffic on a major highway and the ambulance was traveling in the opposite direction from oncoming traffic. The paramedic driving the ambulance was killed in the crash, while the passenger of the ambulance was transported to a local hospital in stable condition. The driver of the trailer truck was not injured, and the driver was issued a citation for “violation of backing without safety.”
Following a major accident involving a truck, you and your loved ones may feel at a loss for what to do next—especially if there was significant property damage or injuries. If you were injured or someone you love was killed in an accident involving a truck, you may have grounds to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Before filing a lawsuit, however, injured individuals may wish to file a claim with their auto insurer or the other driver’s insurer first. Because Maryland law requires all drivers to carry a minimum of $30,000 of auto insurance coverage for bodily injury per person and $60,000 per accident, these limits may be enough to cover the property damage or injuries you sustained.
What if a Driver Doesn't Have Enough Insurance Coverage?
In the event that insurance coverage is not enough or disputes arise, however, victims may decide to go to court instead where they can seek additional compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. Sometimes, a victim will file an insurance claim following an accident, only to find out that the at-fault party is arguing that the victim was at fault or shared some of the fault. However, because Maryland follows a contributory negligence model for personal injury lawsuits—meaning that if the victim shared any fault or contributed to the accident taking place, then the victim may be unable to recover any compensation if the court finds that they were even slightly at fault—it is crucial that potential plaintiffs hire an experienced Maryland personal injury lawyer. Under the contributory negligence model in Maryland, even if the at-fault driver is mostly at fault, the victim may be barred from receiving any compensation at all if their own negligence contributed to the accident at all.
Do You Need a Maryland Truck Accident Attorney?
If you or someone you know was recently injured or killed in a Maryland truck accident, contact the attorneys at Lebowitz & Mzhen today for assistance. Our lawyers have collected more than $55 million on behalf of our clients and will work tirelessly to ensure that you receive the support and advocacy you deserve while navigating your legal claim. To schedule a free initial consultation with a member of our team today, contact us at 800-645-1949.