Baltimore Truck Accident Lawyers

Have You Been Injured in a Baltimore Truck Accident?

Accidents involving large commercial vehicles, such as 18-wheelers and semi-trucks, are not like other auto accidents. These accidents often involve severe injuries due to the sheer size of the truck involved. Truck accident cases are also more complex than typical auto accident cases. In addition to the traffic laws relevant in a standard car accident, truck accidents involve regulations related to the driver, truck, cargo, trucking company, and truck manufacturer.

Just as properly driving an 18-wheeler requires expertise, so does protecting the interests of those injured in a truck or commercial vehicle accident. With over sixty combined years of personal injury experience, the Baltimore truck accident lawyers at Hyatt & Goldbloom understand how to handle these difficult cases. If you or a loved one has been involved in an 18 wheeler or semi-truck accident, you can trust Hyatt & Goldbloom to handle your case with care, from start to finish.

Determining Liability After a Commercial Vehicle/Truck Accident in Baltimore

Truck accidents in Baltimore often require an in-depth investigation to determine fault. After a truck accident, the Baltimore semi truck lawyers at Hyatt & Goldbloom will investigate all of the circumstances surrounding the accident. This investigation is not limited to how the actual physical collision occurred. Unlike a typical car accident personal injury case, a truck driver may be liable for violating one of the many regulations that dictate when and how truckers can operate safely. 

Further, trucking companies sometimes encourage drivers to violate regulations, leading to liability claims against the trucking company itself. The manufacturer of the vehicle can also be liable if it failed to comply with all necessary regulations. When injured in a commercial vehicle accident, it is crucial to hire a Baltimore truck accident lawyer who is well versed in Maryland’s commercial vehicle laws. Commercial vehicle laws include regulations such as license requirements, the duties of employers, proper equipment of vehicles, and vehicle size/weight requirements.

At Hyatt & Goldbloom, we will use our experience and all available resources to ensure a proper liability investigation after a truck accident. For example, in a commercial vehicle or semi-truck accident, there is typically video evidence and other data recorded by the commercial vehicle. We understand the urgency needed to request and secure this information. We will take the measures necessary to obtain the video and data evidence before it is too late.

What To Do If You Were A Passenger Injured In A Baltimore Truck Accident

If you were a passenger injured in either a commercial vehicle or a standard vehicle accident, a Baltimore commercial vehicle lawyer at Hyatt & Goldbloom can help. As with any accident, injuries sustained by a passenger result from someone else’s negligence. In the case of a truck accident, either the driver of the commercial vehicle or the standard vehicle driver caused the accident. 

Suppose the commercial vehicle is found at fault for the accident. In that case, the truck’s commercial insurance policy will cover the injured passenger’s damages. Nearly all trucks and commercial vehicles carry commercial insurance policies, which have minimum policy limits of $1 million per accident. 

Conversely, suppose the standard vehicle was at fault. In that case, Maryland law requires that a driver carry minimum insurance coverage of $30,000/$60,000 per accident (this means a maximum of $30,000 per person in an accident and a total maximum of $60,000 per accident). Under this scenario, if the at-fault driver’s insurance policy did not cover all your damages, we could potentially pursue an Underinsured Motorist (UIM) claim. Seeking UIM coverage could likely be the case under these circumstances, as accidents involving trucks are often severe and require higher coverage. 

If you have questions about a Baltimore truck accident case or your potential insurance coverage options, call Hyatt & Goldbloom today. One of our experienced Baltimore truck accident lawyers can discuss your specific coverage options to ensure your case’s proper handling. 

What To Do If You Were The Driver Of Another Vehicle In An Accident Caused By A Truck/Commercial Vehicle

If you or a loved one was injured by the negligent driving of a commercial vehicle, you should speak with a Baltimore truck accident lawyer. A skilled truck accident lawyer can explain your options and the available avenues to seek recovery. 

The required liability insurance coverage of a commercial vehicle varies, mainly depending on the type of freight the truck carries and where it travels. Trucks that cross state lines must follow federal insurance requirements. Most federal liability coverage limits are $750,000 or $1 million. For trucks that stay within Maryland, the lowest liability insurance requirement is $300,000. The $300,000 requirement pertains to non-hazardous freight hauled by vehicles under 10,000 pounds. The highest liability coverage requirement applies to private carriers transporting hazardous material, carrying minimum limits of $5 million.

Despite the varying coverage minimums, most commercial vehicles and trucks carry liability insurance around the federal requirement, between $750,000 and 1$ million. One critical difference between standard car and truck accident claims is the commercial insurance company’s investigative practices after a truck accident. Because there are such high limits at stake, commercial insurance companies tend to act very quickly after a truck accident. The insurance adjuster may contact you and ask for a recorded statement immediately after the accident. The adjuster may even try to settle your claim on the spot. 

If you find yourself in this situation, you should refrain from communicating with the insurance company at all. The most effective way to protect your full right to recovery is to contact an experienced Baltimore truck accident lawyer.

5 Common Types of Truck Accidents in Baltimore

Rear-End Accidents

When a truck hits the back of another car, it’s referred to as a rear-end truck accident. Rear-end accidents involving two cars are sometimes called “fender benders.” This reference stems from the fact that minor rear-end collisions normally cause little damage and less severe injuries. However, rear-end truck crashes can be especially serious and potentially result in catastrophic injury or death. 

The semi-truck’s size and force can result in the truck driving up and onto the back of a car during a rear-end collision. This type of accident is often called an “override crash.” A small car can also get stuck underneath the back of a semi-truck trailer after a collision. When a vehicle gets stuck like this, it is called an “underride crash.” Both override and underride truck accidents have a higher likelihood of causing severe, potentially fatal injuries, and as a result, the rear-end accident payout could be much greater. 

Head-On Collisions

Head-on collisions involving a semi-truck are very serious accidents. Unfortunately, head-on collisions are all too common when a driver is distracted or falls asleep at the wheel. Whenever the truck driver averts their attention from the road, the chances of a catastrophic head-on collision increase. Head-on collisions can result in life-altering injuries such as a traumatic brain injury.

Rollover Accidents

Rollover truck accidents often occur when a truck driver is turning or swerving too fast, or environmental conditions affect the commercial vehicle’s traction on the road. When a truck driver makes a sharp turn, veers through a lane of traffic, or exits a highway ramp traveling with too much speed, a high chance of a rollover truck accident occurs. Similarly, when roads are slick from rain, snow, or sleet, a commercial vehicle is more prone to losing control than a smaller compact car. 

Jackknife Accidents

In a jackknife truck accident, the truck’s trailer swings out to the side while the cab remains facing straight ahead. The front wheels of the semi-truck lock up, but the rear wheels continue traveling and can cause a devastating path of destruction. Traveling at a high rate of speed, swerving suddenly, or driving recklessly on rainy or icy roads increases the chances of jackknife truck accidents.

Tire Blowouts

All drivers have a responsibility to maintain adequate tire pressure before driving. However, truck drivers bear even more responsibility due to their commercial vehicle’s size and the potential damage it can cause. When a truck tire blows out due to being overly worn or having insufficient tire pressure, a truck driver can lose complete control of their vehicle, causing serious damage to other drivers. 

It can be challenging to prove negligence in a tire blowout accident. An insurance adjuster may try and tell you there was no one at fault. But a knowledgeable Baltimore truck accident lawyer can review your case and examine the evidence. After a thorough review, an experienced truck lawyer can determine if you have a legal right to personal injury compensation.

Common Truck Accident Injuries

The injuries sustained in semi-truck accidents vary based on a multitude of factors. A few critical factors are the area of impact, speed of your vehicle and the truck on impact, and your vehicle’s overall protection. However, truck accidents are often violent and result in serious injuries to those involved. It is in your interest to speak with a Baltimore semi-truck accident lawyer after a truck or commercial vehicle accident. An experienced truck accident lawyer can help you understand your rights and determine the best course of action. Here are some common yet serious injuries caused by semi-truck accidents:

• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
• Spinal Cord Injury
• Internal Organ Damage
• Broken Bones
• Amputations
• Neck and Back Injuries
• Internal Bleeding
• Soft Tissue Damage