Maryland Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog
Earlier this month near Washington, D.C., one man died when the semi-truck he was operating crashed through a barrier and then fell off an overpass, killing him instantly. According to one local news source, the accident occurred on the Suitland Parkway in Prince George’s County, on a Friday early in the morning before rush hour traffic began.
Evidently, the truck driver was operating a vehicle that was full of reams of paper. At some point along the Outer Loop of the Beltway, the driver lost control of the truck, and it crashed through a guardrail and off an overpass. The truck itself sustained major damage, and the driver was killed on impact. Thankfully, no other vehicles or people were involved in the accident. Police are not sure what caused the driver to lose control of the truck, but an investigation is underway, and detectives are looking into potential causes.
Common Causes of Maryland Truck Accidents
While most accidents are the result of some kind of driver error, that error is not always known in the minutes, hours, or even days following the accident. In some cases, months-long investigations must be completed before the truth comes out.
In any Maryland truck accident, there are myriad possibilities as to what may have caused the driver of the truck to lose control of his vehicle. A few of the more common causes of truck accidents are:
- Equipment failure, such as a blown tire or failed brakes, could cause the driver to temporarily lose control of the vehicle;
- Driver distraction can certainly play a role in any accident, especially if the driver was texting or talking on the phone in the moments before the accident;
- Intoxication may be a contributing factor; or
- The at-fault driver may have been drowsy and fallen asleep while behind the wheel.
Given the facts of the accident discussed above, it would not be surprising if the truck driver fell asleep in the moments before the accident, which occurred at 4:30 in the morning and involved allegations of a sudden and erratic change of direction. This seems consistent with a sleeping driver.
When an accident is caused by any of the above reasons, the at-fault driver may be held liable for their actions in a Maryland court of law. Of course, the plaintiff will need to show the court that the other driver was somehow negligent. This may be done in a number of ways, including subpoenaing driver rest logs. To learn more about Maryland truck accidents, contact a dedicated Maryland personal injury attorney today.
Have You Been Injured in a Maryland Truck Accident?
If you or a loved one has recently been injured in any kind of Maryland truck accident, you may be entitled to monetary compensation based on the other driver’s negligence. Even if the cause of the accident was not ascertained immediately following the incident, a deeper investigation by an experienced attorney may be able to uncover potential theories of liability. Call 410-654-3600 today to set up a free consultation with a skilled and dedicated attorney.
More Blog Posts:
Laurel Bus Accident Claims One Man’s Life, Injures Seven Others, Maryland Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog, published September 17, 2015.
Weather Blamed for Recent Semi-Truck Accident, Maryland Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog, published October 7, 2015.