Harford County Truck Accident Lawyer

Commercial trucks, especially large 18-wheelers, can cause significant destruction to other vehicles and drivers on the road if they are not operated in a safe and responsible manner. 

Truck drivers and their employers are responsible for these losses. You may be able to recover compensation by filing a personal injury claim. Our Harford County truck accident attorneys can help you build a claim. 

We offer free consultations and work on contingency fees, so you only pay attorney fees if you recover compensation.

Let Us Handle All Aspects of Your Truck Accident Claim

We provide you with legal support every step of the way: 

• We investigate what caused the accident.
• We retrieve evidence to build your case.
• We communicate with truck carriers, insurance companies, and other parties on your behalf.
• We identify all your losses and negotiate a settlement.
• We represent you in court or at trial, if needed. 

You may call us, email us, or use our 24/7 text line to stay up to date on the progress of your claim. 

Establishing Fault in Trucking Accident Cases

The initial investigation and research phase is arguably the most important stage in any trucking accident case. This phase typically involves retrieving evidence such as: 

• Vehicle inspection records
• Driving logs
• Police reports
• Data from electronic on-board recorders (EOBRs) 

Our truck accident attorneys in Harford County understand the importance of establishing fault for any truck accident due to the contributory negligence laws in Maryland. Under the law in our state, drivers may not receive compensation if they bear even 1% of fault for the collision. 

Depending on the circumstances, multiple parties may be liable for your accident, including:

• The truck driver: Driving while fatigued, failing to perform pre-trip inspections, speeding,
  driving while distracted, or driving while intoxicated are all examples
  of negligent actions by big rig drivers.
• The trucking company:Trucking companies may be vicariously liable for an accident caused by their employee’s negligence. But some carriers may contribute to accidents if they fail to execute proper safety and maintenance plans, encourage dangerous driving, or hire drivers without proper vetting.
• The truck manufacturer: Even the safest truck drivers can be involved in collisions when their
  trucks or the parts used in their trucks are defective, such as tires, brakes, trailer hitches, and lights.

Our lawyers will identify the liable party or parties and build a case to establish fault and liability so you can recover the compensation you need and deserve. 

Recoverable Damages in Truck Accident Cases

You may recover compensation for losses, such as:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish

Any settlement should cover short- and long-term losses. If the insurance company offers you a settlement, do not sign it until you speak with your lawyer. If you sign a settlement, you may be unable to reopen your case later if you find you have additional losses. 

Our truck accident lawyers negotiate with insurers to reach a fair resolution to your claim that compensates you for all your expenses and losses. 

Causes Of Truck Collisions

Identifying the reason for your truck accident in Harford County is an important part of establishing liability for the accident. Due to Maryland’s laws on contributory negligence, you may only receive compensation if someone else was completely at fault.

We understand the most common causes of commercial trucking accidents, and our lawyers investigate and build your case to prove fault and liability.  Allow us to look for signs that your accident occurred due to:

Mistakes from a Poorly Trained Driver

Sometimes, trucking companies hire inexperienced truckers or truckers who lack the proper training. These truckers may make mistakes due to their lack of experience or inadequate training. For example, they may:

• Back up without checking their mirrors 
• Change lanes without proper caution
• Exceed the speed limit
• Fail to leave proper stopping distance 

All these actions could result in a serious collision. 

Driver Fatigue

Trucking represents a challenging career. Many drivers are expected to stay on the road for an extended period of time. Still, federal hours of service rules require truck drivers to take breaks and not drive for longer than the regulations allow. Fatigue makes it harder for drivers to focus and negatively impacts decision-making on the road. 

Impaired Drivers

Some truck drivers get behind the wheel after using drugs or drinking alcohol. Alcohol reduces reaction times and increases the risk of a collision. Some drivers use drugs to stay away. However, these drugs can also impair a trucker’s judgment and ability to safely operate the truck.

Improperly Loaded Trucks

Sometimes, trucking companies overload their trucks, making it harder for drivers to operate them safely. They may also send truckers out with an unbalanced load, which makes trucks more likely to roll over, resulting in an accident. 

What to Do After a Trucking Accident

If you or a loved one has been in a crash with a commercial vehicle, you may be feeling uncertain about how to proceed. There are certain steps that you can take to protect yourself and maximize your chances of securing the compensation you deserve.

After a crash, be sure to do the following:

Call the Police

Stay at the scene of the crash and get to a safe place if you can. If you or someone else was injured, call 911 immediately. Otherwise, call the police or highway patrol. 

The responding officer will assess the situation, create a report of the collision, and instruct you on what your next steps should be. Make sure to tell the police your version of what happened.

Exchange Information

Once the truck driver leaves the scene, it can be hard to track them down. Make sure to get the name, address, phone number, email, insurance information, driver’s license number, and vehicle registration information of all parties involved.

Collect Evidence

While you may be shaken up, try to collect as much evidence related to your crash as you can in the immediate aftermath. This will include photographs of the scene, damage to all vehicles, tire tracks, photos of your injuries, weather conditions, and other details. 

Record your recovery with photos or a journal detailing how your injuries have affected your day-to-day life.

Seek Medical Care

Most trucking accidents involve serious injuries and fatalities due to the vast size and weight of commercial vehicles. Even low-speed collisions have a high potential for injury. 

Even if you are not aware that you have been injured, it is still wise to seek care from an experienced medical provider. There is a chance that the symptoms of your injuries are delayed and may take days or even weeks to surface.

Speak Wisely

After your accident, you will be contacted by an insurance adjuster. Be very careful what you say to this adjuster because anything you say can potentially be used against you to limit your compensation. Cooperate with them but do not make any written or recorded statements without first consulting with an attorney.

Injuries Caused by Truck Accidents in Harford County

Truck accidents can leave drivers with serious injuries. If you haven’t received medical care, set up a doctor’s appointment for an evaluation. 

Some of the injuries that truck accidents may cause include: 

• Broken bones or fractures
• Head or brain injuries
• Back, spine, or neck injuries
• Whiplash
• Internal injuries or organ damage 
• Loss of a limb
• Paralysis 

We understand the anxiety you may feel if you suffered an injury in Harford County. That’s why members of our team are ready to suggest medical providers to handle your care. We recommend healthcare providers we would go to ourselves if our families or we needed care. 

Facts About Truck Accidents in Harford County

While truck drivers and carriers are governed by a strict set of state and federal regulations, some do not abide by them. When these actions result in an accident, the sheer size of the truck increases the chance of personal injury or even wrongful death.

If you suffered a serious injury during a commercial trucking accident, you may face the expensive burden of repairing damaged property, dealing with lost wages, and paying for current and future medical bills. 

You are not alone if you got hurt in a truck collision. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there were around:

• 510,000 truck accidents reported to the police in 2019
• 114,000 truck accidents resulting in injuries in 2019
• 4,400 truck accidents leading to a fatality in 2019

We understand the impact of any truck accident on your life and focus on providing you with personalized support after the collision. 

Holding Drivers and Their Companies Responsible

Our legal team at the Law Offices of Adam M. Smallow has been helping clients navigate personal injury claims in Harford County for more than 10 years. We are ready to take on your case. 

A truck accident lawyer at our firm can closely review your case and the applicable trucking laws and regulations. We investigate the accident, determine the state of the driver when the accident occurred, work with expert witnesses if needed, and retrieve and review any other evidence to build your case.