Maryland Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog
Earlier this month, a devastating crash on Interstate 95 in Belcamp claimed the life of a pickup truck driver after rear-ending a parked tractor-trailer on the shoulder. The collision, which led to a fire requiring hours of cleanup and traffic rerouting, has raised important questions about liability in truck accidents involving parked vehicles. Understanding your legal rights after such incidents is critical for victims and their families.
Liability Issues in Truck Accidents Involving Parked Vehicles
In accidents like the I-95 crash, determining liability often hinges on the circumstances surrounding the tractor-trailer’s presence on the shoulder. Maryland law imposes strict requirements on commercial truck drivers to ensure the safe operation and parking of their vehicles. Tractor-trailers parked on the shoulder must comply with federal and state regulations, including using reflective warning devices and ensuring that cars are visible to oncoming traffic. Failure to adhere to these rules can make the driver or trucking company liable for contributing to a collision.
Even when a crash initially seems to be the fault of the rear-ending driver, liability may still rest with the truck driver or their employer if safety protocols are not followed. For example, if the tractor-trailer lacked proper warning devices or was parked in an unsafe area, these actions could significantly affect the accident’s occurrence. Maryland’s contributory negligence laws add complexity, making it vital for victims and their families to explore every angle of the case.
Investigating Fault in Truck Accidents
Investigating truck accidents involves examining multiple factors, including compliance with safety regulations, the condition of the roadway, and the actions of both drivers. Evidence such as truck driver logs, maintenance records, and data from onboard electronic monitoring systems can provide critical insights into the events leading up to the crash. In this particular incident, investigators will likely focus on why the tractor-trailer was parked on the shoulder and whether proper precautions were taken to warn approaching vehicles.
Forensic experts may also analyze the pickup truck’s speed, braking, and position before the collision to determine if external conditions, such as poor visibility or roadway hazards, contributed to the crash. This comprehensive approach is essential in commercial truck cases, as liability may extend beyond the driver to include the trucking company, maintenance providers, or other third parties.
What Makes Truck Accident Cases Different?
Maryland truck accidents present distinct challenges due to the state’s strict contributory negligence rule. Under this standard, if a victim is found even slightly at fault for an accident, they may be barred from recovering compensation. This means every aspect of the case must be carefully examined to rule out even minimal responsibility by the injured party or their representative.
For example, defense teams representing trucking companies may argue that a driver who rear-ends a parked truck was distracted or driving too fast for conditions, even if the car was improperly parked. Successfully countering such arguments requires substantial evidence, including witness testimony, police reports, and compliance records from the trucking company.
Additionally, trucking companies and insurers often have extensive resources to defend against claims. They may deploy investigators immediately after an accident to collect evidence and minimize liability. Victims and their families, by contrast, may feel overwhelmed during this difficult time and could miss critical opportunities to gather evidence if they do not act quickly. Legal representation is essential to ensure that evidence such as truck maintenance logs, GPS data, and driver records are preserved and reviewed thoroughly.
Another challenge unique to truck accidents is the potential involvement of multiple liable parties. While the truck driver’s actions may be directly responsible for the collision, liability could also extend to the trucking company, cargo loaders, or third-party maintenance providers. In some cases, defective vehicle components, such as brakes or lighting systems, may play a role, bringing manufacturers into the legal equation. Identifying all responsible parties is vital to ensuring victims receive total compensation for their losses.
Finally, the sheer scale and severity of truck accidents often result in significant physical, emotional, and financial damages. Victims may face long-term medical care, loss of income, and extensive rehabilitation costs. In wrongful death cases, families must also contend with funeral expenses and the emotional toll of losing a loved one. Navigating the legal process to secure compensation for these damages is complex, especially under Maryland’s legal standards.
Understanding the full scope of liability in truck accidents requires examining every detail of the case, from regulatory compliance to the vehicles’ condition.
Contact the Dedicated Maryland Injury Lawyers at Lebowitz & Mzhen to Learn More
If you or a loved one was recently injured due to another’s negligence, it’s important you take a few minutes to learn about your rights and what you can do to hold the at-fault party accountable. At Lebowitz & Mzhen, we have decades of combined experience handling all types of personal injury, wrongful death, and medical malpractice lawsuits on behalf of clients throughout Maryland and Washington, D.C. To learn more and to schedule a free consultation today, give us a call at 800-654-1949. You can also connect with us through our secure online contact form.