Gaithersburg Truck Accident Attorney
Truck crashes are some of the most serious vehicle accidents on the road. Of course, the massive size difference between large trucks and passenger cars is enough to put people in those smaller vehicles in peril. There are plenty of other factors at play in these collisions as well, though.
Every year, thousands of people die in crashes involving large trucks. The majority of those victims were not in a truck but were in a smaller car at the time. While most crash fatalities declined in 2019, collisions involving these massive vehicles increased. Although the data may not give a reason for the rise in truck crashes, there are plenty of known risks associated with sharing the road with semis and other commercial vehicles.
If you were injured in a large truck crash in Maryland, contact Gaithersburg truck accident attorneys at Berman | Sobin | Gross LLP today at 301-670-7030 to discuss your claim.
Why Large Trucks Are Dangerous to Others
For anyone who has shared the road with an 18-wheeler, at least some of the risks associated with trucks are obvious. The sheer size of such vehicles is intimidating. According to data, about two-thirds of truck accident victims are people in passenger cars. This fact is true even though those numbers include all truck crashes, even ones in which no passenger cars were involved. When looking strictly at deadly collisions involving large trucks and passenger vehicles, 96 percent of victims are those in the smaller cars.
In addition to the size difference, the design of 18-wheelers means that they are taller than passenger vehicles. As such, it is possible for smaller cars to underride the trailer of a truck. When this happens, the majority of the safety features in the passenger car become useless as the front of the vehicle and the “crumple zone” slide beneath the truck, leaving the passenger cabin to bear the brunt of the impact. The results are nothing short of gruesome. While trucks must have barriers on their back to prevent such incidents, they are not currently required to have them on their sides.
Another factor that makes trucks so dangerous is that the drivers are typically working extremely long shifts. The law states that truck drivers can spend up to eleven hours on duty in one stretch. Of course, working and driving for such periods is exhausting. Studies indicate that it is also dangerous. After eight hours, the driver’s crash risk increases by double.
Lawsuits Against Negligent Truck Drivers in Gaithersburg, Maryland Can Lead to Large Verdicts
In recent years, data shows that the payouts on crashes involving large trucks are increasing. In general, more lawsuits are being filed in relation to large truck crashes as well.
In many cases, jurors end up awarding large sums because of evidence that comes into the claim related to the behavior of the truck driver. The long hours that truckers work lead to some drivers turning to drugs as a way to stay on the road. While drugs may be able to keep a person awake longer, they can also lead to dangerous driving behaviors.
In other cases, truck drivers may have violated their hours of service in order to stay on the road for even longer periods. This behavior, too, can lead to large payouts as jurors will hold drivers and their employers culpable for irresponsible actions.
If you sustained injuries in a truck crash in Gaithersburg, Maryland, contact an attorney to discuss your legal options.
Negligence Claims in Gaithersburg, Maryland
In Gaithersburg, Maryland, negligence claims require that the plaintiff prove that the defendant was entirely at fault for the injuries he or she sustained. Maryland’s policy is not similar to that which is held in most states. “Contributory negligence,” which is the theory of liability used in Maryland’s courts, maintains that a person who bears any fault for his or her injuries cannot collect compensation from another at-fault party. In most states, courts follow “comparative negligence,” which is a more forgiving policy for plaintiffs that divides the liability between parties and discounts damages to reflect the injured person’s share of fault.
It should be noted, however, that if the victim was not using a seatbelt, this evidence cannot be used to prohibit the recovery of compensation from another party who caused the crash.
While this system may seem challenging, many injured individuals are still able to make successful negligence claims in truck accident cases. Contact a Gaithersburg, Maryland car crash attorney to discuss your options.
Call Berman | Sobin | Gross LLP Today to Speak to a Gaithersburg, Maryland Truck Crash Attorney
At Berman | Sobin | Gross LLP, we are ready to help you and your family recover for the losses you suffered in a Gaithersburg, Maryland truck crash. Call us today at 301-670-7030 to speak with one of our dedicated and experienced truck crash attorneys.
