Truck Accident Lawyers in Baltimore
Have you been injured in a collision involving a commercial truck, like an 18-wheeler, semi-truck, or other big rig in Baltimore or across Maryland? Perhaps the truck’s driver wasn’t paying enough attention, or their employer encouraged them to cut corners and violate safety regulations. Regardless of the exact circumstances, if someone else is to blame for what happened, they could owe you money for what you’ve suffered as a result. Let the team with Greenberg Law Offices help you demand it.
Our Baltimore truck accident law firm has represented Maryland residents for nearly 60 years, giving our team over 100 years of combined experience spanning three generations. We treat everyone who walks through our front door like family — a respect we extend to their loved ones as well, as we recognize that a truck accident affects them just as much as they affect our direct clients.
Let our skilled negotiators and capable litigators demand the money you need to pay for your medical care, make ends meet while you’re too hurt to work, and compensate you for the pain and suffering you’ve endured. Call now or complete our contact form for a free consultation with a truck accident lawyer in Baltimore, and let us get to work on your case right away.
Why You Should Hire a Baltimore Attorney for Your Truck Accident Claim
There are two crucial reasons to hire an attorney for your truck accident case in Baltimore or anywhere across Maryland. The first reason is that they can simplify your life during an already chaotic, stressful time. Your job after a truck accident is to rest and heal, and you can’t do that if you’re trying to resolve a personal injury case at the same time. Instead, a truck accident attorney can investigate the crash while you heal, identifying liable parties and pursuing claims against them while you focus on getting better.
The other critical reason to hire a Baltimore truck accident attorney is to get the benefit of a skilled professional who understands the Maryland legal system. They know how to meticulously build a truck accident claim by:
- Thoroughly investigating the accident to determine everyone who may be to blame for what happened
- Accurately documenting the financial and personal costs you’ve borne because of the accident, both now and in the future
- Working with experts in fields like medicine, accounting, and accident reconstruction to further bolster your case
- Sending demand letters to liable parties to begin the negotiating process
- Arguing effectively for a settlement that fully compensates you without the need for a trial
- Preparing litigation and presenting your case in court if the liable parties won’t make you a reasonable offer
- Charging you a fee only when they win your case and put money back in your wallet
How We Investigate Baltimore Truck Accident Cases
Truck accident lawyers use many kinds of evidence to identify who’s responsible for a collision. For instance, data from a truck’s electronic logging device (ELD) can show the truck’s engine activity and operational timeline, which may indicate if the truck driver ignored federal Hours of Service rules by failing to take their mandatory breaks.
Similarly, a truck’s maintenance records may show if the truck driver or trucking company had properly serviced the vehicle to repair or replace worn or defective parts. Video footage from nearby traffic or security cameras may also have recorded the crash and can shed light on the driver’s actions in the moments leading up to it.
In addition to determining the cause of the accident, the investigation should also establish the specific harm you suffered as a result. Lawyers can use your medical records, financial statements, and other evidence to fully assess your losses and get a complete picture of the harm you’ve suffered. That way, they know how much money you deserve and can identify when a trucking company or insurer is making a lowball settlement offer.
What Compensation Could I Recover in a Baltimore Truck Accident Claim?
The specific amount of truck accident compensation you might be owed depends on your injuries, the cost of your medical treatment, and other factors specific to your situation. While we can’t guarantee any specific amounts, we’ll fight for a settlement or trial verdict that compensates you for the full range of harm you’ve suffered, such as the following:
- Your medical expenses
- Your lost income
- Your reduced future earnings
- Your pain and suffering
- Your emotional distress
- Your diminished quality of life
- Your damaged personal property
When you meet with a Baltimore truck accident lawyer from Greenberg Law Offices, we can assess what compensation you could pursue based on the specifics of your case.
Why Are Trucking Accidents More Complicated Than Other Motor Vehicle Crashes?
There are several different reasons why truck accidents are more complicated than those involving passenger vehicles. First, they often involve especially severe injuries because of the greater force imparted by an 80,000-pound vehicle. More severe injuries mean more medical expenses for which a victim deserves compensation. In turn, this means insurance companies have more money on the line and are motivated to find ways to save it, such as by disputing liability, questioning the extent of a victim’s injuries, or hiding behind policy limitations.
Another reason truck accidents are more complicated is that they often involve multiple liable parties. While the truck driver may be most directly at fault for a crash, their employer, maintenance providers, truck manufacturers, and cargo loaders are just a few of the other parties whose actions might have contributed to a wreck. Sorting through the evidence to identify the liable parties and their level of responsibility requires care and extensive legal knowledge.
Moreover, truck accident cases involve complex state and federal regulations from numerous agencies. Without an in-depth knowledge of the trucking industry, it can be hard to identify potential violations that could provide an additional line of legal attack.
Who Could Be Held Liable for a Truck Accident in Baltimore?
Many different parties could be liable for a truck accident in Baltimore or throughout Maryland, including:
Distracted driving, impaired driving, fatigued driving, speeding, tailgating, and other negligent behaviors can make a truck driver liable for an accident.
Trucking companies may be responsible on behalf of their direct employees. A trucking company may also be liable for an accident if they pushed a driver to ignore regulations, cut corners regarding safety protocols, or failed to conduct background or drug tests.
The size and weight of semi-trucks put more wear and tear on their components. If a manufacturing or design defect causes a component to fail prematurely, the truck’s manufacturer or the company responsible for the defect may be responsible for a resulting accident.
Many trucking companies use outside companies to maintain their vehicles. These companies may be liable for a crash caused by their failure to fix a worn or broken part.
A truck’s cargo must be carefully arranged and balanced to keep the truck stable during transit. Cargo loaders must also make sure the cargo is properly secured so it doesn’t come loose from the truck. A cargo loading company may be liable for a crash resulting from failing to uphold these duties.
Governmental bodies sometimes play a role in truck crashes. For example, a lack of proper intersection controls or warning signs on a road may mean a government entity is partly liable for a truck accident.
Could I Recover Compensation if I’m Partly to Blame for a Truck Accident?
Maryland’s contributory negligence rule prevents you from recovering compensation at trial if you are in any way to blame for your injuries. This strict rule highlights your need for skilled representation, as you can expect the insurance companies to try to blame you for the crash so they don’t have to pay your claim.
How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Maryland?
The standard deadline to file a truck accident lawsuit in Maryland is three years from the crash date. The Maryland wrongful death statute also specifies that survivors must file any wrongful death claim within three years of a fatal truck accident. Contact a Baltimore truck accident attorney immediately after an accident to avoid deadline issues with your claim.
What Are Common Types and Causes of Truck Accidents in Baltimore?
Some common types and causes of truck crashes in Baltimore include the following:
- Drunk driving accidents
- Distracted driving accidents
- Failure-to-yield accidents
- Speeding accidents
- Tailgating accidents
- Vehicle defect accidents
- Rollover accidents
- Rear-end accidents
- Head-on accidents
- Sideswipe accidents
- T-Bone/side-impact accidents
- Wide-turn accidents
What Are Typical Injuries Resulting from a Truck Collision?
Common types of injuries stemming from a truck accident in Baltimore include the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- External injuries to the head or face
- Spinal cord injuries, including partial or complete paralysis
- Severe burns
- Crushed or severed limbs
- Bone fractures
- Internal injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Severe lacerations or bruises
- Anxiety, PTSD, and other mental health conditions
