Maryland Truck Accident Attorneys Provide Strong Advocacy for Clients Injured by Negligent Truck Drivers

More than 150 years of combined experience helping the injured recover the compensation they deserve

Living in a large metropolitan area means heavy traffic. And, for commercial truck drivers,congested roadways add an extra layer of stress to an already hectic schedule. The pressure on commercial truck drivers is high, as they traverse area roads. Not only are they behind the wheel of a very large vehicle requiring special skills to operate, but they are often also under intense pressure to meet delivery quotas and time deadlines. Because of these and other factors, some truckers resort to unsafe behaviors in order to drive further, arrive sooner, and to transport greater amounts of cargo. Nearly 17% of all large-truck drivers involved in fatal crashes had at least one prior speeding conviction, as reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

While it is important to make clear that generally truck drivers are among the most skilled motorists among us, continually monitoring their payload, vehicle, and surroundings in order to maintain safety, the fact remains that in accidents involving passenger vehicles and an 80,000-pound truck are far more likely to be catastrophic and deadly. At Karp, Wigodsky, Norwind, Kudel & Gold, P.A., our skilled Maryland truck accident attorneys stand ready to assist area residents and families who have been injured or killed by the negligence of a truck driver. We help victims and families in Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia and throughout Maryland.

What type of truck driver negligence can cause accidents?

Truck drivers are subject to the same laws and standards that all drivers must obey; many accidents are caused by negligent truck drivers who are speeding, tailgating, improperly changing lanes, driving recklessly and/or aggressively, texting, eating, or being otherwise distracted while driving, or who are intoxicated or under the influence of drugs.

However, truck drivers are also subject to some significant additional state and federal restrictions and guidelines, including:

• Conducting required safety inspections of the truck on an ongoing basis, including the tires, brakes and trailer hitch.
• Making all necessary repairs.
• Avoiding driving while fatigued—federal law expressly limits the amount of driving a driver may do in both a day and a week, while also proscribing mandatory rest periods. Drivers must also record these service hours in a log book.
• Proper loading and securing payload. Also subject to federal regulation, overloaded or unsecured cargo can cause a truck driver to lose control.
• Meeting all training and qualification requirements—certain payloads, such as hazardous materials, may only be transported by drivers specifically certified to do so.

Trucking companies and other parties involved with the commercial delivery process can also be found to have caused accidents through their negligence.

Why should I hire a lawyer who specializes in truck accidents and truck driver negligence?

The knowledge and experience of a Maryland truck accident attorney is your most valuable asset when facing serious injuries, or worse. The many state and federal laws, regulations and guidelines truck drivers and trucking companies must follow make accident claims more complex. It is important that victims injured as the result of an accident involving a negligent truck driver seek out a lawyer who specializes in these types of accidents.We carefully analyze and determine which laws are applicable in your case, In addition, our skilled Maryland truck accident attorneys also:

• Seek out and prevent the destruction of evidence that can be key to proving driver negligence, such as the driver’s logbook, the truck’s “black box” of engine data, as well as any GPS data.
• Use this evidence to reconstruct the accident in order to create a scientific explanation how the accident occurred and why.
• Engage trucking industry and accident reconstruction experts to analyze and provide important testimony about the negligence of the driver.
• Determine whether any other parties might have caused the accident through negligence—for example, the manufacturer of a defective engine part or truck component.

Speak with our dedicated Maryland truck accident attorneys today if you have been injured by a negligent truck driver

If you have been involved in an accident involving a large commercial truck, tractor trailer, or delivery vehicle, we urge you to speak with our knowledgeable truck accident attorneys about your case before you make any statements to anyone. The trucking industry and its insurers employ full time accident investigators who work hard to minimize liability and costs by coercing injured victims and their families into making admissions and agreeing to unfavorable settlement offers. At the Rockville and Alexandria law offices of Karp, Wigodsky, Norwind, Kudel & Gold, P.A, we are prepared to step in and face off against investigators and fight on your behalf. For a free consultation, we urge you to contact us today at (800) 229-7026 or contact us online. If you cannot visit one of our five area offices, we will visit you at the hospital or your home. Offices in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C.