Maryland Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog

Who is Liable for an Autonomous Truck Accident in Maryland?

August 14, 2022 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Throughout the country, truck companies are increasingly exploring the use of autonomous trucks in order to increase profits and decrease reliance on drivers. As a result, autonomous truck accidents in Maryland will likely become more common as a greater number of these vehicles hit the road. As autonomous truck accidents in Maryland increase, the fault of drivers in such accidents will also begin to evolve. The addition of autonomous driving software to trucks fundamentally changes the role and concept of the driver. While autonomous trucks currently often have safety drivers, people in the cab monitoring the artificial intelligence driving the truck autonomously, leading autonomous truck development companies have increasingly used completely driverless trucks on the roads. In December of 2021, a truck completed an 80-mile trip in Arizona on public roads.

Given the increasing risk of being involved in an autonomous truck accident, drivers should be aware that this could fundamentally impact how fault is determined in Maryland truck accidents. Currently, Maryland uses contributory negligence in truck accident cases, which can dramatically impact a victim’s recovery if they are at fault. The introduction of autonomous trucks to the road may change that process. A recent news article discussed an autonomous truck accident that occurred in April 2022.

According to the news article, the accident occurred when an autonomous truck suddenly veered left, cutting across the I-10 highway and smashing into a concrete barricade. At the time, there was a driver and an engineer on board, and the company blamed human error. However, regulatory disclosures and internal documents reveal that there may have been issues with the autonomous software operating the vehicle at the time. An internal report on the incident, states that the truck veered suddenly because the person operating the vehicle did not properly reboot the system before engaging the autonomous driving function, causing it to execute an outdated command. In this case, the truck engaged in a left-turn command that had been made 2 ½ minutes prior, resulting in the accident.

Bicyclists Injured by Truck Drivers Could Have Maryland Personal Injury Claims

July 31, 2022 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Every year, about two percent of motor vehicle collision deaths are attributed to bicyclists. These bicyclists often share the road with larger vehicles, including heavy trucks like commercial trucks and dump trucks. Despite the relative size of these vehicles on the road, heavy truck drivers still owe bicyclists all the care and consideration when driving that they owe other, larger forms of transportation like passenger cars. Even so, truck drivers often forget to look for smaller vehicles and bicycles when sharing the road. This can be particularly devastating in the event of a collision because of the relative sizes of vehicles and the protections they afford. If this lack of care causes an accident, it may lead to a personal injury lawsuit.

According to a recent report, a bicyclist died of crash-related injuries 10 hours after they were struck by a dump truck driver. Witnesses to the scene say the driver and bicyclist were traveling side by side when the truck took a left, hitting the bicyclist. One witness said the truck driver wasn’t looking before turning, leading to the bicyclist’s death. The accident remains under investigation, and police have not determined who is liable for the accident.

Responsible drivers owe each other the bare minimum of looking before making a turn. Bike lanes often run next to traffic, meaning drivers should be aware of the possibility of a bicyclist riding next to them, especially when trying to turn. In Maryland, drivers, including truck drivers, are responsible for using reasonable care when operating a vehicle, including truck drivers. When truck drivers breach this duty of care, the victim or the victim’s family could bring a personal injury claim.

Maryland Truck Accidents Involving Intoxicated Drivers

July 10, 2022 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Sharing the road with big trucks requires all drivers to take caution, and requires that drivers pay close attention to the road and their surroundings to keep everyone safe. Tractor-trailer drivers are required to have a special license and typically spend many hours on the road. To the surprise of many, while operating heavy vehicles, there have been numerous occasions where truck drivers are cited for driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. According to the National Drunk Driving statistics shared by the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility, in 2019, alcohol-impaired driving fatalities made up 32.1 percent of total fatalities in the state of Maryland.

A commercial motor vehicle means a motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicles used to transport passengers or cargo and includes any combination vehicles with a gross combination weight of 26,001 or more pounds, as well as any vehicle which is designed to transport 15 or more passengers, including the driver. A commercial motor vehicle can also include a vehicle of any size that transports hazardous materials, which require placarding.

In a recent news article, a driver of a tractor-trailer was criminally charged ten days after a deadly crash that resulted in the death of four individuals in Georgia. A tractor-trailer struck another vehicle in a southbound lane, and then struck a second vehicle. Then the tractor-trailer traveled through the center median into the northbound lane. The tractor-trailer was struck by a Nissan, Honda, and another tractor-trailer before coming to a final stop. Two individuals were found dead at the scene, and these two individuals were passengers in the trailer-tractor of the now-criminally charged driver. The accident caused a total of 12 people to be taken to a hospital for treatment. Two additional individuals later died from their injuries as a result of the accident. The driver of the tractor-trailer was also taken to the hospital, and later arrested and charged with misdemeanors. His charges include an open container violation, following too closely, improper lane change, DUI, and four counts of homicide by vehicle.

Pick-Up Truck Accidents Pose Risks for Pedestrians and Drivers on the Road

June 20, 2022 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Each year, three million people are injured in auto accidents according to the CDC. Auto accidents involving pick-up trucks, however, may be particularly devastating for all parties involved. Pickup trucks are distinct in size, shape, and design, and generally have a separate frame and an open box. These trucks tend to have tall hoods and large blind spots and can be deadly for pedestrians and drivers of smaller vehicles when accidents occur. According to the National Center for Statistics and Analysis, within the light trucks category, SUVs and pickup trucks are the vehicles most likely to be involved in roller crashes. Rollover crashes are a specific type of vehicle crash in which a vehicle tips over onto its side or roof.

Are Larger Vehicles More Dangerous to Pedestrians?

Consumer Report testing has found that bigger vehicles in general have a harder time avoiding crashes. Another Consumer Report analysis showed that the hood height of passenger trucks has increased by an average of at least 11 percent since 2000 and that new pickups grew 24 percent heavier on average from 2000 to 2018. Consumer report data shows that drivers have poorer front sight lines, creating a blind spot that can hide a pedestrian or smaller car right in front – and these alarming developments may lead to more accidents and injuries.

The Potential Dangers of Driving Utility Terrain Vehicles in Maryland

May 31, 2022 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

As the weather warms up, more people are heading outdoors to enjoy the sunshine and sunny skies. Among various outdoor things people enjoy outdoors during the warmer months, riding utility terrain vehicles (UTVs) or dirt bikes is a common activity. UTVs, however, may not be as safe as they seem—and can pose significant dangers to drivers and passengers alike if they are used improperly.

According to a recent news report, a man driving a UTV was killed when a dump truck backed into him. Local troopers reported that the dump truck was traveling up a hill when it was no longer able to continue uphill and backed into the UTV that was driving behind it. The dump truck pushed the UTV off the left side of the road, where it overturned and the dump truck came to a rest on top of it. The driver of the UTV was pronounced dead on the scene, but the driver of the dump truck was not injured in the crash. The accident remains under investigation by local authorities.

What Are the Risks of Driving a UTV?

Although UTVs include seat belts and a roll cage, they can still pose significant risks to those who drive them and their passengers. Most accidents involve drinking and driving, inexperienced operators, and not driving UTVs as they were intended by failing to use safety equipment or speeding. Outside of driver error, however, UTVs carry many other risks. They often do not have the metal protective exterior of a full car and can be more difficult for some drivers to see on the road. Without a helmet, multi-point harness, or proper eye protection, drivers are often vulnerable to significant injuries if an accident takes place. In addition, UTVs carry a higher risk for rollover than other similar vehicles because its weight and center of gravity do not allow it to shift to balance on corners. Even with a better suspension than similar types of vehicles, UTVs are often at risk of rolling over if the driver turns a corner too quickly or is not careful on bumpy terrain.

Understanding Maryland Truck Accident Lawsuits

May 10, 2022 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Truck accidents are often devastating when compared to accidents that take place between just passenger vehicles. This is often because when a truck is involved in an accident, it is usually larger in size, heavier in weight, and harder to control by the truck driver when compared to a passenger vehicle. This often results in an increased chance of property damage, significant injuries, or death to those involved.

According to a recent news report, an accident involving a U-Haul truck and a state department of transportation safety vehicle resulted in a serious accident. The state transportation safety vehicle was present on the road at the time to keep workers working on construction nearby safe. Based on an initial investigation, local authorities believe that the driver of the U-Haul was distracted in the moments before it crashed into a safety vehicle. As the accident remains under investigation, it remains unclear whether anyone was injured in the accident or if any charges will be filed.

Who should I consider as defendants in a truck accident case?

Following a truck accident, it can often be a confusing and complicated situation figuring out who exactly to bring a personal injury lawsuit against. Although your first instinct may be to sue the truck driver as an individual, it may actually be more strategic to also sue the company that employed the truck driver or even the manufacturer of the vehicle itself. Who you bring suit against ultimately depends on specific circumstances surrounding your collision and how it took place. Sometimes, potential plaintiffs are advised to sue more than just the truck driver as an individual, because the truck driver may not have much to offer the potential plaintiffs in terms of compensation. Other times, bringing the truck company that employs the truck driver is essential to the case because the company has agreed to indemnify, or be responsible for, the truck driver’s actions.

Common Causes of Maryland Truck Accidents

May 1, 2022 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Because trucks are often the largest and heaviest vehicle on the road, they are also frequently involved in devastating accidents. If you are the driver of a smaller passenger vehicle, or even an SUV, you may have actively attempted to avoid or pass trucks on the road for fear of getting into an unexpected accident. These fears are unsurprising. After all, trucks are involved in thousands of accidents that result in significant injuries and fatalities each year for a variety of reasons.

According to a recent local news report, a man died after a tractor-trailer accident. Troopers on the scene reported that the driver of the tractor-trailer ran a red light and turned into an intersection, which caused him to crash into two vehicles that had the right of way. One of the vehicles that was struck, a Jeep, was hit on its right fender after it swerved but was able to get out of the way. The second vehicle, a Chrysler, was struck on the left side and swung off the side of the road. The driver of the Chrysler was transported to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries. The accident is still being looked into by local authorities and Maryland State Police Crash Team investigators.

Because trucks are so heavy and take up so much space, many people may not be adequately trained to properly drive or operate them. Truck drivers have to operate their vehicles with additional care, especially because trucks can often take up more space, move at faster speeds, and require the control and dexterity of an experienced driver to avoid an accident or tipping over when turning. Truck drivers also have to be good at ascertaining risk when exiting shopping centers or parking lots, since it takes longer for the entire length of the vehicle to make it onto the road and join the front of the truck. If timed incorrectly at a busy intersection, this could cause a major pile-up.

Who Can I Sue After a Maryland Semi-Truck Accident?

April 17, 2022 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Every year across the country, thousands of people are killed in fatal accidents. Truck accidents, however, make up nearly twice the percentage of total fatal accidents. Because trucks are often the largest, heaviest, and most difficult vehicles to navigate on the road, this should be no surprise to even the most experienced of drivers. Following a major truck accident, you may have suffered from significant injuries or property damage. Figuring out what your next steps are and what options you have legally is crucial to recovering the compensation you deserve.

According to a recent news report, an EMT was killed following a devastating accident involving a semi-truck and an ambulance. Local authorities reported that firefighter EMTs were in an ambulance traveling to respond to a 911 call when they attempted to make a left turn. While making the turn, the ambulance crossed into the road’s southbound lanes, where they collided with a semi-truck heading north. Video from the accident showed that the cab of the ambulance was sheared off from the rest of the vehicle and that the semi-truck was hauling dirt or gravel. The accident remains under investigation as local authorities continue to look into who was at fault in the collision.

Who Is Liable in a Maryland Truck Accident?

After Maryland truck accident, it often may not be clear who exactly you can sue to hold liable for compensation. Figuring out who you can sue often depends on the circumstances surrounding how the accident took place. For example, if the truck driver was distracted, speeding, or drowsy, it is more likely that they are liable for the accident. On the other hand, if the driver was an employee of a trucking company forcing them to meet prohibitively tight deadlines or the company failed to keep up with mechanical maintenance of the truck that caused the accident, the trucking company could be liable instead.

Drunk Driver Causes Chain Reaction Accident

March 31, 2022 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Chain reaction accidents refer to a series of consecutive crashes, beginning with a primary crash followed by secondary crashes occurring immediately within a certain distance. Maryland chain reaction accidents, especially those involving a drunk driver, can result in serious and potentially deadly consequences. Chain reaction accidents commonly affect large areas of road space and often cause traffic jams and delays in evacuations. With the growing number of motor vehicle accidents, it is vital for road users to understand the behaviors that increase the likelihood of a serious crash.

Studies identifying the contributing factors determining the severity of consecutive crashes found many geographic, environmental, and behavioral elements that impact these accidents. However, like many other crashes, human error, such as impaired driving, is a crash indicator. For example, a news outlet reported on a semi-truck driver that caused a fatal accident, shutting down a major interstate. According to the report, the semi-truck driver failed to slow down and crashed into a vehicle, causing a series of consecutive accidents. One of the drivers in the accident died, and two others were in critical condition. State patrol stated that the semi-truck driver denied impairment; however, he could not complete the sobriety tests effectively.

Washington D.C.’s drunk driving accidents kill many people every year, causing significant public health concerns for all road users. Securing compensation after a drunk driving accident requires the claimant to establish fault. Liability or fault may extend beyond just the drunk or impaired driver. For instance, in some cases, the employer of a drunk truck driver may be liable for the accident.

Establishing Liability in Maryland Truck Accident Claims

March 25, 2022 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Because of the severity of truck accidents, dealing with the aftermath of a truck-related collision can often be an overwhelming experience. Every year, thousands of people are involved in serious truck accidents. Many of these people are frequently injured or killed because collisions involving passenger vehicles and trucks are often deadly.

Following a major truck accident, the financial impacts of the crash can often be devastating and significant for survivors because of medical bills, property damage, or time taken off from work because of the severity of injuries. This is why Maryland residents should understand what steps to take following a major truck accident and how to recover compensation for their injuries.

According to a recent news report, a local woman died after she crashed her SUV directly into a tractor-trailer truck. Authorities located the 25-year-old woman’s Subaru pointed east and partially pinned under the trailer of an Amazon truck, which had just left a nearby truck stop and was turning west onto the highway. The crash’s impact into the side of the tractor-trailer shaved off the top of the Subaru from the front of the windshield to the middle of the passenger compartment, and the driver was pronounced dead at the scene. Local police confirmed that the accident remains an active investigation.