Maryland Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog

The roads are often more crowded than usual during the holiday season as people travel to visit family and friends. However, this can also lead to more accidents, and, unfortunately, deaths from these incidents. When a loved one is killed in a trucking accident, people may feel like they have no recourse. In Maryland, a wrongful death lawsuit can be filed against the responsible person to hold them accountable for their actions—and the impact it has had on the deceased’s loved ones. Below is information on how to bring a wrongful death lawsuit in Maryland, along with all its requirements.

Recently, a family of three was killed when their car collided with a tractor-trailer truck. The tractor-trailer was headed south in the center lane, and the family’s car was headed in the same direction in the inside lane. The tractor-trailer then changed lanes and entered the inside lane, and the truck crashed into the car. All three people in the car were pronounced dead at the scene.

In Maryland, a wrongful death is one that results from an act that would have entitled the deceased to bring a lawsuit and recover damages against the responsible party if the death had not occurred. In these instances, the deceased’s loved ones may bring a lawsuit against the individual who caused the accident. These loved ones may include the deceased’s spouse, parent, child—if the deceased does not have one of these individuals to bring the suit, it can be brought by anyone who substantially depended upon the deceased before their passing.

Most trucks that are on the road are transporting goods on behalf of a company. In the event of a Maryland truck crash, an employer may be liable for damages that result from the crash. Generally, to hold an employer responsible for the acts of an employee in control of a truck at the time of a crash, the employee must have been acting within the scope of their employment. This is true even where an employer itself did nothing wrong. In Maryland, an employer can be sued even when the employee has not been sued. Employers can often bear a financial loss more easily than an individual and many believe they should be held accountable for the actions of their employees.

In the recent trucking crash case of a Colorado truck driver, the district attorney in the case is now seeking review of a truck driver’s 110-year sentence in the fatal crash. The truck driver was sentenced to 110 years in prison after a fatal crash in 2019 that killed four people after his brakes failed. The driver’s brakes failed when he was driving downhill before crashing into cars that were stopped due to another accident on the highway. Prosecutors argued that the driver acted recklessly and should have used a runaway truck ramp on the side of the highway.

The lengthy sentence was imposed because the state requires certain sentences to be served back to back. The judge said he would not have imposed the sentences back to back if he had a choice. Millions of people signed a petition asking that the sentence be reduced or that the state’s governor grant him clemency. The petition states that the accident was not intentional and the driver should not be held responsible. The Court will review the motion and the Governor’s office said it is also reviewing the petition.

Auto accidents, especially those involving trucks, often have severe consequences such as significant physical injury or even death. When truck drivers are also careless while operating their vehicles, it can mean even greater consequences for those they share the road with.

According to a recent news report, the family of a woman killed in a truck crash was awarded $730 million following a successful wrongful death lawsuit. The deceased was killed in a car crash when a truck hauling a propeller for a U.S. Navy submarine collided with her vehicle. The jury awarded the family $480 million, along with another $250 million in punitive damages. The $730 million total verdict made this wrongful death suit the largest single fatality case in the history of the United States. According to an attorney on the case, the jury felt especially compelled to award such a significant amount in compensation because of the level of severity of the conduct and negligence involved in the case.

In Maryland, similar wrongful death lawsuits are available to potential plaintiffs who are bringing claims on behalf of an individual who died as a result of another party’s accidental or intentional actions. Similar to regular personal injury claims, wrongful death lawsuits may be brought based on another party’s negligence or intentional conduct.

Auto accidents involving trucks can often be devastating because trucks are typically larger and outweigh most other vehicles on the road. Because of their size and the long hours truck drivers usually clock when driving long distances, negligent or reckless behavior by truck drivers can often have significant consequences for the vehicles that share the road with them.

According to a recent news report, a paramedic driving an ambulance was killed after an accident involving a truck. Local authorities reported that the accident took place when the truck was backing up across two lanes of traffic on a major highway and the ambulance was traveling in the opposite direction from oncoming traffic. The paramedic driving the ambulance was killed in the crash, while the passenger of the ambulance was transported to a local hospital in stable condition. The driver of the trailer truck was not injured, and the driver was issued a citation for “violation of backing without safety.”

Following a major accident involving a truck, you and your loved ones may feel at a loss for what to do next—especially if there was significant property damage or injuries. If you were injured or someone you love was killed in an accident involving a truck, you may have grounds to file a personal injury lawsuit.

Although drivers share the road with vehicles of all shapes and sizes, trucks are typically the biggest vehicles out there. Because of their size and weight, many drivers tend to avoid them on busy roadways—and for good reason. Sometimes, however, even the most proactive driver may run into an issue with a truck if the truck driver is acting negligently or is not paying attention to the road. Since accidents involving trucks are more likely to have significant consequences than regular motor vehicle collisions, the impacts of such crashes can often be devastating.

According to a recent news report, a five-vehicle crash involving a truck left two people dead. Local authorities stated that the collision took place when a dump truck slammed into several vehicles that were stalled because a vehicle ahead of them had mechanical issues. The pileup resulted in one of the drivers being pronounced dead at the scene, and another driver being transferred to a local hospital, who later died from their injuries. Police have identified individuals involved in the crash, gathered detailed accounts, and will be continuing the investigation. For now, it is unclear if criminal charges will be filed.

Following a major accident involving a truck, it is best to get your insurance claim filed as soon as possible. Some truck accident disputes, however, are unable to be resolved through the insurance process, and parties may consider going to court instead. Should you choose to file a personal injury lawsuit to recover compensation for your injuries or property damage after a truck accident, it is crucial that you have a basic understanding of the requirements that courts expect of potential plaintiffs.