Commercial Truck Accidents

Companies often call upon commercial truck drivers to transport goods throughout the state and country. Although commercial trucks allow companies to convey products in a quick and cost-effective manner, when trucks collide with other motorists, the immense size and weight of the trucks often causes catastrophic injuries. While some truck collisions arise out of unforeseen circumstances, many collisions are caused in large part by the negligent acts of the truck’s driver. If you suffered harm due to a commercial truck accident, you can speak to legal counsel regarding your possible claims. The seasoned Baltimore truck accident lawyers of Arfaa Law Group are adept at helping people injured in collisions with commercial vehicle seek recourse for their harm, and we will aggressively pursue any compensation you may be able to recover from the parties responsible for the accident.

A variety of factors can cause commercial truck accidents. Generally, however, most collisions involving trucks arise out of the truck driver’s failure to comply with the regulations set forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The regulations state, in part, that truck drivers must adhere to strict drive time limits, keep a record of the hours they drive, and conduct and document pre-trip and post-trip inspections. The regulations also prohibit drivers from operating trucks that exceed the applicable weight limit. Pursuant to both state law and federal regulations, truck drivers must also comply with the laws imposed on all drivers, which includes abiding by posted speed limits and refraining from driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

When a truck driver negligently fails to comply with applicable regulations, it can lead to an accident. For example, drivers who travel at excessive rates of speed or drive overweight trucks often lack the ability to stop in time to avoid a crash. Similarly, drivers who do not abide by the drive time limits often suffer from fatigue and may have a delayed reaction time, which can lead to a collision. A truck accident attorney in the Baltimore area can review the facts of your case to determine whether you may be able to make a legal claim against a truck driver.

Generally, a plaintiff seeking damages in a lawsuit arising out of a commercial truck accident will make a negligence claim against the truck driver involved in the accident. In Maryland, to prove negligence, a plaintiff must show that the defendant owed the plaintiff a duty, the defendant breached the duty in some way, and the plaintiff suffered an actual injury or loss that proximately resulted from the breach. In other words, the plaintiff must show that the defendants’ actions or failure to act substantially contributed to bringing about the plaintiff’s harm. In truck accident cases, any evidence that shows the defendant violated trucking regulations can support the position that the defendant breached duties owed to the plaintiff by failing to drive in a safe manner. A Baltimore truck accident lawyer can help you gather all relevant evidence in support of your claim.

Additionally, if the defendant truck driver worked for a trucking company at the time of the accident, the trucking company may be liable for the plaintiff’s harm as well. In other words, if the defendant truck driver acted in the course and scope of his or her employment at the time of the crash, the company that employed the driver may be vicariously liable for the defendant truck driver’s accident. The company may be directly liable as well if it knew or should have known that the defendant truck driver posed a risk of harm to other people, failed to adequately maintain the truck, or if it is found to have committed other omissions.

When commercial trucks are involved in collisions, it often causes significant and lasting injuries. If you were injured or lost a loved one in a commercial truck accident, it is prudent to speak with a dedicated attorney to discuss what you can do to protect your interests. At Arfaa Law Group, we possess the resources and knowledge to navigate the complexities of truck accident lawsuits, and we will work tirelessly to help you seek the full amount of damages recoverable. We regularly assist injured people in cases in Baltimore, where our office is located. You can contact us through our online form or at (410) 889-1850 to schedule a confidential and free meeting.