Truck Accident

Columbia truck accident lawyers

Columbia Truck Accident Lawyers

Injury attorneys helping victims of truck crashes in Maryland

Trucks use many different roads in Columbia, including I-95, US Route 29, the Patuxent Freeway, the Paul T. Pritcher Memorial Highway, Rouse Parkway, and Clarksville Pike-Waterloo Road, to bring cargo into and out of Columbia. When a car and a truck collide, the people in the car will take the bulk of the force – causing many catastrophic injuries and fatalities. Our Columbia truck accident lawyers are here to help.

Plaxen Adler Muncy, P.A. advocates for the injured. We file claims against drivers, trucking companies with small and large fleets, and the companies involved in the shipment. Our team of personal injury lawyers works with investigators, the police, federal officials, and traffic reconstruction experts to show why your accident was preventable. We work with your doctors to show just how life-changing your injuries are. Our lawyers also fight for families when a loved one dies in a truck accident.

How can we help?

In 2021, 5% of all fatal accidents in Maryland involved large trucks.

What types of truck accidents do you take in Columbia?

Our Columbia truck accident attorneys represent people who have been injured in:

  • Head-on crashes
  • Broadsides (T-bone crashes)
  • Rear-end collisions
  • Jackknives
  • Rollovers
  • Shifting and spilled cargo
  • Underride accidents
  • Override accidents
  • Overpass accidents
  • Wide-turn accidents
  • Single-vehicle accidents
  • Multi-vehicle accidents

Why do truck accidents happen in Columbia?

Truck accident cases require that the driver and other responsible parties be found negligent, and that the negligence caused your injuries. At Plaxen Adler Muncy, P.A., our Columbia truck accident lawyers work to show your accident was due to irresponsible driver actions including:

  • Driver distraction. Driver distraction includes texting while driving, using a cell phone, eating, drinking, looking at a GPS, and any activity that takes a truck driver’s eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, and mind away from the traffic.
  • Driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs. Drivers who drink or use drugs (including some prescription drugs) are a danger to themselves and anyone on the road because they can’t control their vehicle, use good judgment, or react to other emergencies. Other drivers can’t anticipate their moves. Drunk driving is dangerous driving.
  • Driver fatigue. Many truck drivers push the limits of how many hours the driver is on the road without resting. Drivers need to comply with hours of service laws, keep logs of their hours, and get off the road as soon as they feel tired.
  • Speeding. Profit can never come at the expense of safety. Drivers who exceed the speed limit or drive too fast for weather or traffic conditions to get to their destination sooner deserve to be held accountable for the Columbia truck accidents they caused. Speeding in a curve or when turning is especially likely to cause a truck to roll over, jackknife, or spill its cargo. Trucks need more time to stop than cars due to the truck’s weight. Speeding only makes stopping a safe distance from another vehicle more difficult.
  • Blind spots. Trucks have large blind spots due to their length and width. Truck drivers in Columbia need to understand how to see other vehicles to their sides, rear, and front that are close to the truck. They need to use the latest technology to help them see.
  • Improper wide turns. Drivers need to understand how to turn so that their truck doesn’t veer into other lanes, and so the driver knows about any cars to the immediate right of the truck.
  • Improperly loaded cargo. Truck cargo must comply with specific weight requirements. The cargo should be properly secured so that it doesn’t move while the truck is in motion which can cause the driver to lose control. Cargo that is improperly loaded can also spill onto the highway, causing multiple accidents.

Who is liable for a truck accident in Columbia, MD?

The trucking companies that employ or hire the driver may be liable for the truck driver’s actions if they fail to properly train the driver, pressure the driver to meet unreasonable time schedules, fail to inspect and repair their trucks, and for many other reasons. Trucking brokers who arrange the shipment may also be liable.

Manufacturers of trucks and truck parts may be strictly liable if their trucks or truck parts are defective. Dangerous defects include faulty brakes, hydraulic systems, fuel lines, and tires.

What types of trucks cause accidents in Columbia?

All commercial trucks can be dangerous. Our Columbia truck accident lawyers can help if you were injured in a collision with a:

  • Tractor-trailer. These combinations can jackknife, roll over, and be involved in many types of catastrophic and deadly accidents.
  • Flatbed truck. Cargo from flatbeds can easily fall onto the highway because there’s no roof or sides to secure the cargo.
  • Waste disposal truck. These trucks are dangerous because their height and width make it hard for other drivers to see. They also move slowly which may induce drivers to pass when they shouldn’t.
  • Tanker. These trucks carry toxic materials which can cause exposure to dangerous chemicals when the cargo spills or there’s an accident.
  • Construction vehicle. These trucks often carry gravel, dirt, and sand which can fly out of the truck making visibility difficult.
  • Delivery truck. These trucks may be dangerous due to constant stopping and due to drivers who are regularly getting out of the truck to make the delivery.

What rules govern trucking in Columbia?

There are many state and federal laws which govern the trucking industry. Violating these rules can lead to accidents and injuries for the driver and for others on the road. Some of the more common violations include:

  • Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Hours of service (HOS) rules. These rules regulate how long truck drivers can be on the road before the driver must rest.
  • Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) loading rules. These rules regulate the safe loading and unloading of trucks based on the type of materials that are being loaded and other factors.
  • Federal laws governing the use of marijuana. Marijuana is still illegal at the federal level, and the FMCSA prohibits its use by drivers. This includes the use of medical marijuana.
  • Commercial driver’s license (CDL) requirements. All drivers of commercial trucks must have a valid CDL which examines their driving skills and requires medical clearances to drive.

There are also laws that regulate the weight of trucks, the size of trucks, the equipment that trucks must have, the electronic logs that drivers need to keep track of their driving time, and other laws.

How do you fight for Columbia truck accident victims?

Our personal injury lawyers work with investigators, the police, and other officials and experts to determine how the accident happened, and why it was preventable. We also formally question everyone with knowledge about the accident. We seek to review black boxes, electronic logs, video recordings, and all other relevant evidence.

Our Columbia truck accident lawyers also work with your doctors and our network of doctors, when necessary, to show what types of injuries you have, the types of treatments you’ll need, the cost of the care, and how your injuries have changed every part of your life.

We file personal injury claims, product liability claims, and wrongful death claims on behalf of catastrophically injured people. We demand compensation for all your current and future medical bills, lost income and benefits, pain and suffering, property damage, scarring and disfigurement, loss of consortium, and all other damages.

Representing workers injured in truck accidents

The leading cause of worker deaths, and fifth-leading cause of worker injuries, is transportation incidents. Construction sites and work zones pose particular hazards, as there are often vehicles moving in and out of these areas.

If you were injured in a truck accident while working – whether you were the driver or not – you may be eligible for workers’ compensation. Our attorneys can help you with your claim. We can also assist you in a third-party injury claim if you are ineligible for workers’ comp, or if there are other extenuating circumstances.

Do you have a truck accident lawyer near me?

Plaxen Adler Muncy lawyers meet with truck accident victims at our Columbia office located at 10211 Wincopin Cir, Suite 620 – just minutes away from both The Mall in Columbia and Merriweather Post Pavilion. We make arrangements to meet ill and seriously injured accident victims at your home, a hospital, by phone, or via a video conference.

Our lawyers will answer all your questions and guide you through each step of the claims process.

Speak with a seasoned Columbia truck accident lawyer today

Plaxen Adler Muncy, P.A. has been fighting for personal injury victims for more than 35 years. Our impressive record of results includes numerous six- and seven-figure settlements and verdicts resulting in more than $500 million in recoveries. We anticipate the arguments insurance companies and defense lawyers make. We fight for every dollar you need and deserve to maximize your recovery. Please call us or complete our contact form today to schedule a free consultation. In addition to Columbia, we also have offices in Baltimore, Towson, and throughout Maryland.