Maryland Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog
An injured party may present a negligent truck driver’s traffic citation as evidence of negligence when the truck driver violates traffic law and causes an injury as a result. Anyone who has received a speeding ticket knows that state traffic laws govern all Maryland drivers; however, truck drivers are also governed by additional state and federal regulations. If a truck driver violates any of these laws and causes a car accident, the injured party may use that violation as evidence of the truck driver’s negligence.
The Maryland accident attorneys represented the victim of a truck accident where the truck driver violated Maryland law and caused the victim’s injuries. The victim was traveling on the highway when the driver of the speeding tractor trailer lost control of the truck and violently crashed into the rear of the victim’s automobile. The police on scene ticketed the truck driver for speeding and failing to control his vehicle. As a result of the accident, the victim suffered a broken pelvis and other serious injuries. The victim’s counsel relied upon the truck driver’s tickets to prove that the truck driver had acted negligently.
In Maryland, the court will accept a violation of the law as evidence of negligence if three elements are satisfied: (1) the plaintiff is the type of person protected by the statute the defendant violated; (2) the injury that the plaintiff suffered was the type of injury the statute was designed to prevent; and (3) the defendant’s violation was the actual cause of the plaintiff’s injury. Maryland traffic laws are designed to protect drivers and pedestrians on or near the state’s roadways. Additionally, state traffic regulations are designed to prevent injuries stemming from accidents, and the truck driver’s failure to abide by Maryland law caused the plaintiff’s injury. The victim’s attorneys compiled strong evidence that the defendant’s statutory violations were evidence of his negligent conduct toward the victim.
With the assistance of the Maryland accident attorneys, the plaintiff received a substantial recovery for his pain and suffering, medical bills, and lost wages.