Truck Accidents

While truck accidents may not be as common as car accidents in Maryland, the resulting damages can be exponentially larger. Not surprisingly, car passengers and drivers are the individuals involved in truck accidents that suffer the greatest injuries and damage. In an accident involving a car and a truck, the truck drivers often walk away from the accident scene unscathed, while the occupants of the car are left with life threatening or serious injuries. The NHTSA statistics show that a truck accident involving injury occurs nearly 3 times per minute. Traffic patterns on the beltways, I70, 270 and I95 have become heavier and there is more stop and go rush hour traffic on 83 going in an out of Baltimore City. Stop and go traffic is especially dangerous for trucks due to the increased braking time that the tractor-trailers, semis, and 18-wheelers require. If you have been injured by a commercial vehicle anywhere in the state contact Maryland truck accident lawyer Benjamin Herbst anytime for a free consultation.

Negligent driving is not always the main cause of truck accidents, as tanker trucks and flatbeds can spill cargo into the lanes of traffic, which can hit other cars or cause cars to swerve to avoid the debris. Trucks are required to follow specific and detailed federal rules for interstate commerce, but many times trucking companies ignore these rules to save money. Drivers end up working more hours than are legally permitted, and truck cargo may be inadequately secured. Trucks can also have defective parts or worn down parts due to wear and tear that could trigger a truck accident. Driver fatigue and driver negligence are still all too common in Maryland, as was evidenced in the following scenario when a truck crashes and the cargo is spilled into oncoming traffic. While less common this sort of scenario can lead to a truly devastating accident. A fully loaded truck can weigh as much as 15 times more than the average car, and carry cargo that alone can weigh 10 times more than an automobile. Commercial trucks such as box trucks and other delivery vehicles are often on deadlines, and any driver knows that trucks do not generally drive slower than cars. A fast moving truck that is 15 times heavier than a car has the potential to cause serious or catastrophic injuries, but a Maryland truck accident lawyer like Benjamin Herbst will fight to recover the damages you deserve.

If you are injured in a truck accident it is imperative to hire a skilled personal injury lawyer to handle your claim for damages. Trucking companies and their insurance companies will often have a team of defense lawyers that may try to settle your case for an unjust amount of money. Never deal directly with and insurance defense firm without hiring a lawyer first. The insurance companies are not working for your best interests, but a the truck accident lawyers at The Herbst Firm will aggressively pursue your best interests, even if it means taking on the large insurance companies at trial.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a commercial vehicle accident in Maryland, contact The Herbst Firm, or call us at (410) 207-2598 - we're available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Your claim for damages could be at risk if you do not contact a lawyer. Remember to seek immediate medical attention if you are injured in an accident and to document all details of the accident. Follow up with any recommend treatment from a medical doctor, physical therapist, or chiropractor. Neglecting to follow up with medical treatment can have a major negative impact on your claim for damages. Also remember to decline to give any statements to anyone about your truck accident including an insurance company and especially a defense lawyer without contacting your own attorney.