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Truck Accidents Caused by Drivers’ Medical Emergencies

Most Maryland truck accidents are avoidable with the exercise of due care on the part of the truck driver. However, the rare occasion may arise in which a truck driver experiences a medical event while behind the wheel, causing the driver to lose control of the truck and cause an accident.

In these situations, the truck driver may be excused from any subsequent liability that would otherwise arise in the wake of a truck accident. However, that will not necessarily be the case. While some medical events occur without warning, others can be detected in advance or may be caused by a driver’s failure to take required medication. Similarly, a driver may take two medications that have an adverse reaction with each other, causing the driver to lose consciousness or otherwise lose control of his truck.

In these situations, the determination of whether the truck driver is liable for the accident will be made on a case-by-case basis by a judge or jury in a Maryland truck accident lawsuit. The crux of the analysis in this type of accident is whether the defendant’s conduct was negligent. For example, if a truck driver is prescribed daily medication to prevent seizures but fails to take his daily medication, suffers a seizure, and causes an accident, a jury may find that the driver was negligent and responsible for any injuries that occurred as a result of this negligence.

Fatal Truck Accident Occurs When Driver Suddenly Slumps Over Behind the Wheel

Earlier this month, one man was killed and several others injured in an accident between a semi-truck and a pick-up truck. According to a local news report, the semi-truck driver was driving on the highway with his wife in the passenger seat when he suddenly slumped over, losing control of the vehicle.

The out-of-control semi-truck then crossed into the opposite lane of traffic and crashed head-on with a pick-up truck. The vehicles traveled several hundred feet before coming to a stop. The driver of the pick-up truck was extricated from the vehicle using the jaws of life, and he was transported to the hospital with serious injuries. The driver of the semi-truck was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency responders. The semi-truck driver’s wife also suffered minor injuries.

The accident is currently under investigation, and authorities are not yet certain what caused the driver of the truck to lose consciousness.

Have You Been Injured in a Maryland Truck Accident?

If you or a loved one has recently been injured in a Maryland truck accident, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. The skilled Maryland injury attorneys at the law firm of Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers have extensive experience representing Maryland residents in a wide range of personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits. We know the ins and outs of Maryland accident law and put our knowledge and experience behind every case. Call 410-654-3600 to schedule a free consultation with a dedicated Maryland personal injury attorney today.

More Blog Posts:

Driver Charged in Fatal 2016 Rear-End Truck Accident, Maryland Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog, published October 25, 2017.

Court Rejects Fireman’s Assertion of Governmental Immunity in Fire Truck Accident, Maryland Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog, published October 11, 2017.

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