Maryland Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog
Earlier last week in California, police positively identified the driver of a semi-truck that ran a red light and killed another driver. According to a report by the local ABC affiliate, the semi-truck driver was heading northbound shortly after 2 a.m. when he ran the red light. As he entered the intersection, the truck collided with an SUV as well as a smaller Ford sedan. The two people in the SUV suffered minor injuries, but the driver of the Ford was pronounced dead at the scene.
After the accident, the semi-truck driver did not stop, but instead continued on. A motorist who saw the accident followed the semi-truck for about a half mile and then confronted the driver, who denied hitting anyone. The witness then called police and the truck driver fled on foot, leaving the semi-truck behind. After a several-hour search, police still could not find the suspect; however, by the end of the day they had him in custody. The witness has since positively identified the semi-truck driver, who will be charged with a fatal hit-and-run accident as well as for running a red light.
Hit-and-Run Semi-Truck Accidents in Maryland
Although this tragic hit-and-run accident occurred across the country in California, it could have just as easily happened here in Maryland. When any driver is involved in an accident, the law requires that the driver stop and make sure that the others involved do not need immediate medical attention. Not only is this the law, but it is basic human dignity.
By failing to stop and render aid to the victims of an accident, a driver is recklessly disregarding the safety and wellbeing of his fellow motorists. Not only is this kind of behavior a criminal offense, but it also a cause of action in the Maryland civil justice system.
How Hit-and-Run Accidents Give Rise to Liability
In Maryland, accident victims can recover monetary damages to compensate them for their medical bills, future medical expenses, as well as for any pain and suffering they experience as a result of the accident. In order to recover, however, an accident victim must prove that the other driver was negligent. In normal traffic accidents, this can sometimes be difficult, depending on the facts of the case. However, in hit-and-run accidents proving negligence is that much easier because of the additional fact that the driver left the scene of an accident without checking to see if anyone needed immediate medical attention.
What To Do If You Have Been Involved in a Maryland Semi-Truck Accident
If you or a loved one has recently been involved in a Maryland semi-truck accident, you should call an experienced Maryland truck accident attorney as soon as possible. As an accident victim, you have certain rights that, if unenforced, may be waived over time. To prevent waiver of your rights, and to understand more about how Maryland accident victims can recover for their injuries, contact the personal injury law firm of Lebowitz & Mzhen online, or at 410-654-3600.
More Blog Posts:
Pennsylvania Truck Driver Killed When His Tractor Trailer Runs Off the Road, Maryland Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog, published January 20, 2014.
Two-Truck Accident on Christmas Eve Leaves One Dead in Virginia, Maryland Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog, published January 13, 2014.