Articles Posted in Fatal Trucking Accidents

Heavy trucks move goods across Maryland every day, but when truck drivers make careless decisions, the results can be catastrophic. If you lose a loved one in a collision with a commercial vehicle, Maryland law gives you the right to seek accountability through a wrongful death claim. Acting quickly after a crash can preserve evidence and strengthen your ability to recover fair compensation.

A recent accident just across the border in Virginia highlights how quickly tragedy can strike. A woman from Staunton lost her life when her SUV became wedged underneath a tractor-trailer near the I-81 ramp. Authorities confirmed the truck driver attempted an improper turn, leading to a devastating collision. In that case, the truck driver faced reckless driving charges, highlighting the serious consequences of not operating such massive vehicles safely. Maryland families face similar dangers every day, especially along major interstates like I-95 and I-70, where tractor-trailers are a constant presence.

When Truck Drivers Fail to Follow the Rules, Maryland Families Pay the Price

Fatal truck accidents have surged nearly 50% over the past decade, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The most recent statistics reveal an alarming increase in deadly collisions involving large trucks, with 5,837 such crashes recorded in 2022 alone. This trend highlights the growing risks motorists face on Maryland highways and rural roads.

Due to their size and weight, trucks pose a significant threat in any collision. The majority of fatalities in these crashes involve occupants of smaller vehicles, making it critical to examine why these incidents are increasing and how they impact Maryland drivers.

Increased Truck Traffic Brings Greater Risks

Maryland’s major highways, such as I-95, I-70, and the Capital Beltway, see heavy truck traffic daily. Large commercial trucks transport goods across the region, often traveling at high speeds and covering long distances. The more trucks on the road, the greater the likelihood of accidents, particularly when drivers exceed speed limits, operate under fatigue, or fail to account for blind spots.

Recent data from the NHTSA reflect these dangers. Over 120,000 trucks were involved in injury-causing crashes in 2022, an 18% rise since 2016. The number of fatal truck accidents has climbed steadily, with passenger vehicle occupants suffering the most severe consequences.

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Accidents involving large commercial vehicles often result in devastating injuries or fatalities. In Maryland, trucking laws impose strict responsibilities on drivers and companies to minimize risks to others on the road. A recent fatal collision in Florida between an International truck and a Mack semi-truck illustrates the significant dangers posed by tractor-trailers. While this case occurred out of state, examining Maryland’s regulations provides insight into how similar accidents are handled locally.

Truck Driver Obligations Under Maryland Law

Maryland enforces stringent requirements for commercial drivers, emphasizing safe operation and regular inspections. Commercial truck operators must adhere to state and federal laws, including compliance with hours-of-service regulations to prevent fatigue. When a driver fails to meet these obligations, accidents can lead to liability for the individual operator and their employer.

Earlier this month, a devastating crash on Interstate 95 in Belcamp claimed the life of a pickup truck driver after rear-ending a parked tractor-trailer on the shoulder. The collision, which led to a fire requiring hours of cleanup and traffic rerouting, has raised important questions about liability in truck accidents involving parked vehicles. Understanding your legal rights after such incidents is critical for victims and their families.

Liability Issues in Truck Accidents Involving Parked Vehicles

In accidents like the I-95 crash, determining liability often hinges on the circumstances surrounding the tractor-trailer’s presence on the shoulder. Maryland law imposes strict requirements on commercial truck drivers to ensure the safe operation and parking of their vehicles. Tractor-trailers parked on the shoulder must comply with federal and state regulations, including using reflective warning devices and ensuring that cars are visible to oncoming traffic. Failure to adhere to these rules can make the driver or trucking company liable for contributing to a collision.

Tractor-trailer accidents are among the most serious on the road, often resulting in severe injuries or fatalities. Various factors, including driver error, mechanical failures, or hazardous road conditions, can cause these accidents. Under Maryland law, determining who is responsible for a tractor-trailer accident is crucial for ensuring that the victims or their families receive the compensation they deserve. Liability can often extend beyond the driver, including trucking companies, vehicle manufacturers, or maintenance providers.

Fatal Tractor-Trailer Crash in Frederick County

Maryland State Police are currently investigating a fatal crash involving a tractor-trailer that occurred on Tuesday morning near the Washington-Frederick County line south of Cascade. The incident happened around 7:40 a.m. when the tractor-trailer driver lost control of the vehicle on Raven Rock Road, also known as Md. 491. The truck overturned, and the driver, who was trapped inside the car, tragically died at the scene.

Heavy vehicles on the road can do a lot of damage in a crash. The danger of not wearing your seatbelt is compounded when a truck or other large vehicle is involved. That goes for people in the large vehicle as well as others on the road. Bigger road vehicles like tow trucks and SUVs are larger than other vehicles and often transport more passengers or cargo. That means that large automobiles can become difficult to maneuver in emergency situations, preventing drivers from turning or stopping suddenly due to the weight of their vehicle and cargo.

According to the news article, a crash between a tow truck and a passenger vehicle occurred on Tuesday, April 2, at 3:30 pm at the intersection of Van Born and Gulley roads. The Dearborn Heights crash involved a tow truck and a passenger vehicle and left two people hospitalized and one person dead. Officials say their preliminary investigation revealed that the tow truck was traveling westbound on Van Born Road near Gulley when it crashed with the passenger vehicle turning onto northbound Gulley from eastbound Van Born.

Automobile accidents involving larger vehicles such as trucks and pickups can be devastating. The mass, speed, and size of larger vehicles increase the severity of collisions, often turning accidents into fatal incidents. Many people have a basic understanding of the risks associated with driving near larger vehicles, such as pickup trucks, but not many people just how dangerous these crashes have become. According to the statistical analysis organization Policy Advice, truck accidents have increased by 52% since 2009, and 74% of all fatal passenger vehicle accidents include large trucks. A local news article discussed a recent fatal Maryland crash involving a truck.

According to the local news article about the fatal Maryland truck crash, the accident occurred in the afternoon on Sunday, February 5, 2024, resulting in three dead and two injured. According to authorities, a Ford F-600 Super Duty pickup truck struck the rear of a Honda Civic that had two adults and two children in it. The mother and two children in the Honda were killed and the other adult in the car was taken to a nearby hospital to have his injuries treated. The driver of the Ford was taken to the hospital for minor injuries according to the police.

The danger of any vehicle accident is likely to be more severe when a truck or other large vehicle is involved in the crash. Large-sized commercial vehicles like trucks are on the road to transport heavy items and cargo over long distances. That means that trucks can become difficult to maneuver in emergency situations, preventing truck drivers from turning or stopping suddenly due to the weight of their vehicle and cargo.

According to the news article, a dump truck rear-ended another dump truck, causing a collision with a third dump truck on January 3, 2024, around 12:15 pm in the afternoon. The Trenton Police Department stated that the preliminary investigation revealed that there was one fatality and the other two dump truck drivers were being treated for minor injuries at Capital Health Regional Medical Center. Law enforcement officers stated that no other vehicles were involved in the crash. The Trenton Police Department was alerted to the issue when the Trenton Radio Room 9-1-1 operators began receiving multiple calls regarding a multi-dump truck crash on Route 129 between Cass Street and Lalor Street. The Trenton Police, Trenton Fire Department, TEMS, and Paramedics were dispatched to the scene. Around 12:26 pm the Trenton Fire Department reported an extended rescue operation at the scene, and a person was reported extricated from the dump truck crash around 12:30 pm.

Crashes involving commercial vehicles and large automobiles such as trucks or campers are inherently more dangerous than other types of collisions for a number of reasons. Trucks, especially very heavy ones such as logging trucks or fire trucks result in more serious accidents when they are involved in crashes. Additionally, the conditions that many truck drivers operate under force them to drive extreme distances, resulting in fatigue. Further, large emergency response trucks, such as fire trucks, are often driving at extremely high speeds and operating under different driving rules than ordinary traffic, creating more opportunities for accidents. Finally, commercial trucks are also potentially carrying hazardous cargo, complicating truck crashes and accidents. While many people intuitively understand the greater risks involved in truck accidents, they may not know that according to the statistical analysis organization Policy Advice, truck accidents have increased by 52% since 2009, and 74% of all fatal passenger vehicle accidents include a large truck. A recent news article discussed a local fatal logging truck crash.

According to the news article about a recent logging truck crash, the fatal accident occurred on Friday, December 1, and new details have recently emerged about the conditions that fueled the incident. According to the Washington State Patrol, a 76-year-old Hoquiam man was killed in the accident on Friday on SR 101 near Hensel Road. Additional details were released over the weekend following the fatal Friday automobile accident in Humptulips. In the official law enforcement report, officials state that a 66-year-old Hoquiam man was driving a log truck and trailer traveling on SR 101. When the 76-year-old man in a 2002 Subaru Legacy stopped to turn left, the log truck driver attempted to pass the Subaru Legacy on the left, striking the Subaru, rolling over and on top of the vehicle, killing the Subaru driver. The roadway was blocked for over eight hours as a result of the collision. Officials state that the cause of the accident is still under investigation.

According to the National Safety Council, at least 42 people lost their lives in Maryland truck accidents in 2021. Given their typical size compared to a standard car, large tractor-trailers and other trucks can cause serious accidents. Fatal truck accidents often take a severe emotional and financial toll on the deceased victim’s family. Pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit against the responsible party can help the deceased victim’s family recover compensation for their harm.

As a recent news article reported, a man lost his life in a Baltimore County, Maryland truck accident. The man was driving a Nissan Altima at an intersection near I-95 when a tractor-trailed rear-ended his car. Sadly, he died at the scene. His passenger was transported to the hospital for his injuries. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.