Maryland Truck Accident Attorney
Helping Our Injured Clients Heal in Prince Georges, Charles, Calvert, Anne Arundel.
A passenger car is no match for a semi tractor-trailer, and for this reason, crashes involving cars and trucks nearly always result in catastrophic injury or death, but often not for the truck driver. Truck accidents are much more dangerous than typical passenger car crashes, due to their incredible size and weight. A passenger vehicle weighs an average of 4,000 pounds, while an 18-wheeler can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. Injuries from truck accidents can be severe and long-lasting, ranging from broken bones to internal organ damage to traumatic brain injury and death.
Potter Law, LLC wants to make sure victims of truck accidents are properly compensated for all they’ve been through, from severe injuries to mental trauma. You can trust us to handle the details and paperwork of your case and communicate with insurance adjusters on your behalf while you focus on making a full recovery.
Call us as soon as possible to schedule your free consultation at (301) 820-7820 or fill out our online form. We can take the pressure off while you focus on healing.
Common Types of Truck Accidents
Some types of truck accidents are identical to other types of car crashes, like rear-end accidents, T-bone accidents, and head-on collisions. However, there are some accidents that are unique to tractor trailers due to their size and weight, all of which can cause disastrous damage and injuries.
Some unique types of truck accidents include:
- Jackknife accidents: Jackknifing occurs when trucks brake suddenly and hard, causing their trailers to swing out at a 90-degree angle to resemble a jackknife. This type of crash is deadly because it can easily lead to a rollover and block off entire sections of the road, not to mention crush any vehicles in the vicinity.
- Rollovers: When truck drivers lose control, their truck can roll over onto its side or roof, crushing nearby vehicles and spilling cargo, which can pose a hazard to others on the road. Rollovers are often caused by truck drivers who are speeding and lose control, or who brake too quickly.
- Underride accidents: These accidents are among the deadliest types of truck accidents and occur when trucks stop quickly or change lanes suddenly, causing approaching vehicles to get stuck beneath the tractor trailer. Oftentimes, the top of the smaller vehicle is ripped off, causing amputations.
Truck Accident FAQs
What type of insurance is required for tractor trailers?
Federal law requires a tractor trailer or a vehicle with a weight rating for 10,001 or more pounds to have at least $750,000.00 in coverage. If they carry hazardous materials, the limits can be upwards of $5,000,000.00.
Are there different insurance coverages in a tractor trailer accident?
Yes, there can be coverage on the tractor cab, the driver, the company, and coverage on the trailer. There can be multiple layers of coverage. This also means that the more coverage that exists, the bigger the fight with their insurance companies.
How many hours can a truck driver drive?
Truck drivers have a “daily” driving limit of 11 hours of driving time that must be followed by a 10-hour “off-duty” period before they can drive again. There are some exceptions to this rule that can be found on the DOT website.
What is a truck driver log?
Federal law requires that drivers maintain a written or electronic log of their drive times and the rest times. This log must cover 24 hours of every day. Authorized government inspectors can check the logs at any time. If they contain any false information or do not otherwise conform to the regulations, a driver can be fined and/or placed out of service.
What can I get compensated for in a truck accident claim?
You can make a claim for your property damage, medical bills, lost wages, and any other out of pocket expenses you have incurred because of the crash. You may also make a claim for future medical expenses, future lost income, and any pain and suffering that resulted from the crash.
