Maryland Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog
Earlier this month in California, a semi-truck driver was killed when he rear-ended another truck that was parked on the side of the highway. According to one local news source covering the incident, the fatal accident took place at around 3:30 in the afternoon on a multi-lane highway.
Evidently, the deceased semi-truck driver was traveling on the highway at approximately 50-60 miles per hour when he rammed into the rear of another semi-truck that had pulled off to the side of the road. From the news coverage of the accident, it is unclear if the parked semi-truck was completely pulled off the road, stopped in the middle of the road, or just partially blocking the lane of travel.
After the initial collision between the two trucks, the parked truck was pushed into several other occupied vehicles that were nearby. Thankfully, none of those people was injured as a result of the accident.
The driver and passengers in the parked semi-truck suffered only minor injuries and were not taken into the hospital for medical care. The driver of the other semi-truck, however, was pronounced dead a short time after the accident.
Determining Fault in Maryland Truck Accidents
In the aftermath of a serious or fatal Maryland truck accident, it may not be immediately apparent who was at fault. For example, in the accident discussed above, either of the truck drivers could have been responsible for the accident.
If the parked semi-truck was either parked in the middle of a lane of travel or obscuring the lane enough to make safe passage impossible, that driver may be the legal cause of the accident. However, if the parked truck was completely pulled off to the side of the highway, and the moving truck veered off the road and into the shoulder, the deceased driver may be at fault.
It is sometimes only through a thorough investigation that the true cause of an accident can be determined. Many times, a police investigation will stop short once the basic facts are determined. For instance, once the police determine that no one should be held criminally liable, the investigation often is concluded. However, since the burden of proof in civil cases is significantly lower than in criminal cases, this does not mean that another driver cannot be held civilly liable for their actions.
Have You Been Injured in a Maryland Truck Accident?
If you or a loved one has recently been involved in any kind of Maryland truck accident, you may be entitled to monetary compensation for all that you have been through. In many cases, however, truck drivers, the companies that employ them, and the insurance companies that represent them will argue that the truck driver was not at fault, or that the plaintiff’s own fault was the main cause. Don’t let a savvy defense attorney destroy your chances at recovery. Call one of the skilled personal injury advocates at Lebowitz & Mzhen today at 410-654-3600.
More Blog Posts:
Bus Involved in Fatal Accident: One Dead, 13 Injured, Maryland Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog, published November 4, 2015.
Weather Blamed for Recent Semi-Truck Accident, Maryland Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog, published October 7, 2015.