Runaway Truck Accident Attorneys in Maryland

When disaster strikes on Maryland highways, the aftermath of a truck accident can leave victims facing devastating injuries, overwhelming medical expenses, and an uncertain future. Maryland runaway truck accident attorneys provide crucial legal guidance through this challenging time. Contact us for a free consultation: 410-753-4611.

The size and weight of commercial vehicles make accidents involving them particularly dangerous. When a truck loses control due to brake failure, passengers in other vehicles often experience severe injuries or fatalities. Victims need experienced truck accident lawyers who understand the complex nature of these cases.

Truck accident cases differ significantly from standard vehicle collisions:

• Multiple potentially liable parties, including truck drivers, trucking companies, and manufacturers
• Complex federal and state regulations governing commercial vehicles
• Extensive documentation and evidence specific to the trucking industry
• More severe injuries require substantial medical expenses and ongoing care
• Aggressive defense tactics from insurance company representatives

At Zirkin and Schmerling, our Maryland truck accident attorneys have extensive experience handling these complex cases. For every injury claim, we investigate the accident, review accident reports, identify all responsible parties, create a comprehensive list of your losses (including medical bills and lost wages), negotiate with the trucking companies’ insurance, and pursue maximum compensation.

Runaway Truck Accidents Vs. Runaway Trailer Accidents

When discussing dangerous incidents involving commercial vehicles, it’s important to distinguish between runaway truck accidents and runaway trailer accidents. Determining liability is only possible when you understand the specifics of the accident.

Runaway Truck Accidents

A runaway truck accident occurs when an entire tractor-trailer combination loses braking capability, typically due to brake system failure or driver error. Contributing factors often include:

• Poorly maintained brake systems
• Improper driving techniques on steep downgrades
• Overloaded cargo exceeding weight limits
• Defective brake components
• Tire blowouts from debris on the road
• Driver fatigue leading to delayed reaction times

When a runaway truck accident occurs, the entire vehicle becomes an uncontrolled hazard. Because a semi truck on the highway usually operates at high speeds, these collisions often cause multi-vehicle pileups, dangerous rear-end collisions, and other terrible crashes.

Runaway Trailer Accidents

In contrast, runaway trailer accidents involve situations where the trailer separates from the tractor unit and continues moving independently. These accidents typically result from:

• Improper hitching or coupling mechanisms
• Defective trailer attachment equipment
• Failure to secure safety chains properly
• Manufacturing defects in trailer connection components
• Negligent actions from drivers, trucking companies, manufacturers, and other liable parties

The runaway trailer presents unique dangers as it lacks steering control and may swerve unpredictably across lanes of traffic. Other drivers have virtually no warning when a trailer detaches, making evasive maneuvers nearly impossible, especially when they’re in the truck’s blind spots.

Our Maryland truck accident lawyers carefully investigate the specific circumstances of each truck accident claim to identify the precise mechanical failures and responsible parties.

Braking Errors Can Cause Runaway Truck Accidents

Braking systems on commercial trucks represent complex engineering designed to safely control vehicles weighing up to 40 tons. When these critical systems fail or are improperly operated, the consequences can be devastating, leading to serious financial losses and physical injuries.

Common Braking System Failures

Modern tractor-trailer combinations utilize air brake systems that require proper maintenance and operation. Several technical failures can lead to catastrophic brake loss:

• Air compressor malfunctions preventing proper pressure maintenance
• Air line leaks reducing system efficiency
• Brake adjustment issues causing uneven braking force
• Overheated brakes (brake fade) from prolonged use on downgrades
• Defective brake components from manufacturing errors

Driver Error Contributions

While mechanical failures represent one aspect of braking issues, commercial truck drivers also play a critical role in preventing runaway situations:

• Improper downshifting techniques on steep grades
• Failure to conduct required pre-trip brake inspections
• Traveling at excessive speeds for conditions
• Failing to use engine braking appropriately

Commercial vehicle drivers receive specialized training on braking techniques, particularly for navigating mountainous terrain while surrounded by other vehicles. When drivers neglect this training or trucking companies fail to properly train their operators, they may be held accountable by other parties for resulting accidents.

Traumatic Brain Injuries After a Runaway Truck Accident

When a runaway tractor-trailer collides with passenger vehicles, the tremendous force generated often leads to catastrophic damage for occupants. Among the most serious are spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), which can range from mild concussions to severe, permanent brain damage.

Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries Common in Truck Accidents

The physics of truck accidents create conditions particularly conducive to brain trauma:

• Coup-Contrecoup Injuries: When the brain collides with the interior of the skull in multiple locations due to impact
• Penetrating Injuries: Occurring when objects breach the skull and directly damage brain tissue
• Diffuse Axonal Injuries: Caused by severe rotational forces that tear nerve tissue throughout the brain
• Contusions: Bruising of brain tissue from impact against the skull

The severity of these TBIs often correlates directly with the extreme forces involved when a commercial truck hits smaller vehicles.

Keep in mind that brain injuries may also be associated with spinal cord injuries. If you choose to seek compensation after being injured, your attorney will help you document all of your injuries.

Long-Term Consequences of TBIs

Victims of traumatic brain injuries following truck accidents may face a lifetime of challenges:

• Cognitive impairments affecting memory, reasoning, and concentration
• Communication difficulties, including speech and language processing
• Physical limitations, including coordination problems and paralysis
• Personality changes and emotional regulation difficulties

These long-term consequences translate into substantial financial burdens, including ongoing medical expenses, specialized treatment programs, and potential lifetime care needs.

Anoxic and Hypoxic Brain Injuries

Beyond the direct traumatic impact on the brain, truck accidents can cause another category of severe brain damage through oxygen deprivation. Anoxic and hypoxic brain injuries result from interrupted blood flow or respiratory function during or after the crash.

From a legal perspective, anoxic and hypoxic brain injuries present specific challenges:

• Establishing the causal link between the truck accident and oxygen deprivation
• Documenting pre-hospital care that may have exacerbated or mitigated oxygen loss
• Calculating future medical needs for what are often permanent conditions

By thoroughly understanding these specialized brain injuries, our legal team builds stronger cases that fully account for their unique effects on victims’ lives. Your medical records will contribute to an understanding of the specific types of injuries you have experience for your and the liable parties’ insurance company

How Electronic Logging Devices Can Help Your Case

For a negligent driver to be held responsible, it is crucial to collect the right evidence that establishes liability and secures the maximum amount of fair compensation. Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs), which are mandatory equipment in commercial trucks, can provide critical insights into the circumstances surrounding a crash.

ELDs are federally mandated digital systems that automatically record a commercial driver’s driving time and hours of service (HOS). These devices connect directly to the vehicle’s engine to capture data about:

• Engine power status (on/off)
• Vehicle motion status
• Miles driven
• Engine hours
• Driver identification
• Location information

In the context of a runaway tractor-trailer accident, ELD data can reveal crucial information about potential regulatory violations, including exceeded maximum driving hours and insufficient rest periods.

Runaway Truck Ramps and Runaway Truck Accidents

Along mountainous highways and steep downgrades across Maryland and neighboring states, special safety features called runaway truck ramps serve as last-resort options for commercial truck drivers facing brake failures.

In some Maryland truck accident cases, the absence of an accessible ramp or the failure of a driver to utilize an available ramp becomes an important liability consideration.

Violated Trucking Regulations in a Runaway Accident

Commercial trucking operates under an extensive framework of federal and state regulations designed to ensure safety on public roadways. Understanding which regulations may have been breached provides crucial context for establishing liability after MD truck accidents.

No matter where the driver is from, MD truck accidents are investigated according to local and state laws. Maryland truck accident lawyers can investigate regulations that may have been violated, including:

• Hours of service violations
• Failure to meet maintenance and inspection requirements
• Weight and loading violations

Exhausted tractor-trailer drivers can cause devastating consequences. Overloaded trucks require greater stopping distance and place excessive strain on braking systems.

Truck Manufacturer Liability

While much attention in runaway truck accidents focuses on driver error or trucking company negligence, vehicle manufacturers often bear significant responsibility for these devastating incidents. Manufacturers may bear liability if certain issues are found to have contributed to a tractor-trailer crash.

Manufacturing defects may affect a single vehicle or an entire production run. Our investigators examine recall histories, warranty claims, and similar incident reports to identify patterns suggesting systematic manufacturing problems.

Your Allies After a Runaway Truck Accident

When faced with filing a truck accident claim, victims often encounter overwhelming challenges—physical recovery from serious injuries, mounting medical expenses, lost income, trucking companies’ insurance, and the complex legal landscape of commercial transportation. Having experienced legal representation can make a crucial difference in your ability to recover fair compensation for lost wages and other expenses.

Our Maryland truck accident attorneys understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll these accidents take on victims and their families. We offer client-centered representation focused on securing the maximum compensation possible for your injuries and losses.

To discuss your case with an experienced Maryland truck accident lawyer, contact Zirkin and Schmerling today for a free consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no legal fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf. Give us a call at 410-753-4611.

Don’t face the aftermath of a runaway truck accident alone. Let our experienced legal team of truck accident lawyers fight for the justice and compensation you deserve while you focus on what matters most—your recovery and your future.