When you’ve been involved in a collision with a large commercial vehicle, the aftermath can be overwhelming. The sheer size and weight of semi trucks make these accidents particularly devastating, often resulting in severe injuries and significant property damage. Truck accidents are among the most serious vehicle collisions on Maryland roads today. If you’ve been injured in such an accident, a semi-truck accident lawyer from Zirkin & Schmerling can help you navigate the complex legal process and fight for fair compensation. Contact us today at 410-753-4611.
How a Semi-Truck Accident Attorney in Catonsville Can Help You
Truck accident litigation is fundamentally different from regular car accidents. The trucking industry operates commercial vehicles under specific federal regulations and Maryland law, creating legal complexities that require specialized knowledge.
An experienced accident lawyer can:
Identify all potentially responsible parties, including truck drivers, the trucking company, cargo loaders, or vehicle manufacturers
Gather crucial evidence before it disappears, including electronic logging devices that track driver hours
Work with medical professionals to document your injuries and project future medical expenses
Calculate financial losses, including lost wages, property damage, and non-economic damages
Handle aggressive insurance companies that represent commercial vehicles
Navigate the complex claims process while you focus on recovery
When you choose Zirkin & Schmerling to handle your truck accident case, you benefit from our experience with truck accident claims in Maryland. Our truck accident lawyers understand the tactics insurance companies use to minimize settlements and know how to build strong cases that get results. Every truck accident case receives personalized attention from a dedicated lawyer who specializes in these complex matters.
How Truck Driver Speeding Causes Accidents
Speeding is one of the common causes of truck accidents nationwide.
When truck drivers exceed safe speeds the following may result:
Increased stopping distance: Semi trucks require significantly more distance to stop than smaller vehicles, making collision avoidance nearly impossible in emergencies.
Loss of control: The high center of gravity in large trucks makes them inherently less stable, especially on curves or in adverse road conditions.
Reduced reaction time: Speeding gives drivers less time to react to changing traffic patterns or obstacles.
More severe impacts: Increased speed means increased force upon impact, leading to more devastating harm.
Driver negligence in the form of speeding is often motivated by tight delivery schedules. When a speeding truck driver causes a car accident, both the driver and the trucking company may be held liable. Truck accidents caused by speeding are particularly dangerous for occupants of passenger vehicles, who often suffer the worst injuries.
Tractor trailers traveling at high speeds represent a serious threat to everyone sharing the road. Our lawyers have seen firsthand how devastating these truck accidents can be when a massive tractor trailer collides with a standard passenger vehicle.
What Rollover Truck Accidents Are and How They Occur
Rollover truck accidents represent some of the most catastrophic scenarios on our roadways. These occur when a large truck tips onto its side or completely rolls over, often blocking multiple lanes of traffic.
Common causes of rollover accidents include:
- Taking curves at excessive speeds: When a truck rounds a curve too quickly, centrifugal force can pull the trailer sideways.
- Improper loading: Improperly distributed cargo can shift during transport, destabilizing the vehicle.
- Driver exhaustion or fatigue: Tired drivers make poor decisions and have slower reaction times.
- Sudden maneuvers: Quick steering corrections can trigger a rollover.
- Jackknife accidents: When a truck’s trailer swings out to form an acute angle with the cab, this can lead to a rollover. Jackknife accidents are particularly dangerous as they can quickly escalate into multi-vehicle collisions.
The danger is amplified when tractor trailers carrying hazardous materials spill over during a rollover. Our truck accident lawyers have handled numerous car accident cases involving these complex accident scenarios, where determining liability requires thorough investigation and knowledge of trucking regulations.
Injuries You Can Expect From a Rollover Semi-Truck Accident
Due to their violent nature, rollover semi-truck accidents frequently result in catastrophic harm.
Victims often face:
- Traumatic brain injuries: From concussions to permanent cognitive impairment
- Spinal cord damage: Potentially resulting in partial or complete paralysis
- Crushed limbs and amputation: When victims are trapped under vehicles
- Internal organ damage: From the force exerted on the body during impact
- Severe lacerations and burns: Particularly when cargo spills or fires occur
- Psychological trauma: Including PTSD following the accident
These injuries typically require extensive medical treatment and long-term care. Medical bills can quickly become overwhelming, especially when conditions prevent victims from returning to work. This is why securing appropriate compensation is crucial.
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, you need a lawyer who understands both the physical and financial impact of these devastating events. At Zirkin & Schmerling, our accident lawyer team has helped countless injured victims recover compensation after being harmed in truck accidents involving massive tractor trailers.
Safety Violations That May Make the Truck Driver Liable
The trucking industry is heavily regulated to ensure safety. Trucking regulations are extensive, and when truck drivers or companies violate these regulations, they can be held liable for resulting accidents.
Common safety violations include:
- Hours-of-service violations: Federal regulations limit driving time to prevent driver fatigue.
- Inadequate maintenance: Failure to inspect and maintain critical systems like brakes and tires
- Improper cargo loading: Overloading trucks or failing to secure cargo properly
- Hiring unqualified drivers: Trucking companies must verify that drivers have appropriate licenses.
- Drug and alcohol violations: Operating under the influence is particularly dangerous.
- Distracted driving: Using mobile phones while operating a semi truck
- Blind spot negligence: Failing to check blind spots before changing lanes or making turns.
At Zirkin & Schmerling, our MD lawyers are experts at identifying these violations and using them to establish liability in your truck accident claims. We’ve successfully handled many truck accident cases where safety violations were key factors in proving negligence. Our lawyer team works diligently to secure evidence before it can be altered.
Compensatory Damages You May Be Entitled to After a Semi-Truck Accident in Maryland
Victims of truck accidents in Maryland may be entitled to recover damages for various losses including:
- Medical expenses: Current and future costs related to your injuries
- Lost wages: Compensation for work missed during recovery
- Property damage: Costs to repair or replace your vehicle
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for physical pain and emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life: When trauma prevents you from engaging in activities
- Loss of consortium: Compensation for the impact on your relationship with your spouse
Maryland follows a contributory negligence rule, which means that if you’re found even partially responsible for the accident, you may be barred from recovering compensation. This makes it important to have skilled truck accident lawyers fighting for your rights.
Our lawyer team has significant experience handling personal injury claims resulting from truck accidents throughout Maryland. We work tirelessly to ensure clients receive fair settlement offers that reflect the extent of their injuries. Unlike car accidents, truck accident cases often involve higher compensation due to the severity of injuries and commercial insurance policies.
How Insurance Companies Will Try To Reduce Your Damages
After a truck accident, you’ll face resistance from insurance companies representing the trucking company.
These insurers may employ the following tactics to minimize your settlement:
Quick settlement offers: They may contact you soon after the car accident with an offer that seems generous but falls short of covering long-term needs.
Questioning injuries: Insurance adjusters may claim your injuries existed before the accident.
Shifting blame: They may argue you were partially responsible, which, under Maryland’s contributory negligence rule, could eliminate your ability to seek damages.
Delaying the process: Some insurers drag out negotiations, hoping you’ll become desperate for funds.
Requesting unnecessary documentation: This tactic is designed to find inconsistencies that they can use against your insurance claim.
Our truck accident lawyers understand these tactics and know how to counter them effectively. We fight to secure a fair settlement that reflects the full extent of your losses. Having an experienced accident lawyer dramatically increases your chances of receiving fair compensation after being injured in a truck accident.
Trust Zirkin & Schmerling To Champion Your Recovery After a Catonsville Truck Accident
If you’ve been injured in a collision with a semi truck in Catonsville or throughout Maryland, don’t face this challenge alone. The legal team at Zirkin & Schmerling has the experience and resources to help our clients secure fair compensation for their injuries and financial losses.
Remember that Maryland imposes a time limit on personal injury claims. Contact our office today for a free consultation and free case evaluation. Our lawyers will review the details of your auto accident and explain your legal options.
Don’t let driver negligence go unchallenged. Call Zirkin & Schmerling at 410-753-4611 today for your free case review. There’s no fee unless we win your case.
Let our experienced semi-truck accident lawyers fight for justice while you focus on healing. With decades of experience handling truck accident cases throughout Maryland, our truck accident lawyer team understands what it takes to win against powerful trucking companies and their insurers.
Whether you were involved in a collision with a truck on I-695, Route 40, or any local Catonsville road, we have the skills to build a strong case and pursue maximum compensation for your injuries. Every accident is unique, and we provide personalized attention to each client. Contact us for a free consultation today.