Articles Posted in Fatal Trucking Accidents

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.

Often, we are reminded that life teaches us to expect the unexpected—and nothing can be a more painful reminder of that than an unexpected car accident that results in injury, property damage, or in extreme cases, death. Although no one ever plans for or is able to be fully prepared when these incidents take place, understanding what potential next steps are available for you or for someone you know or love when they run into these accidents can make a huge difference in your road to recovery and compensation.

According to a recent local news report, a tractor-trailer accident resulted in one individual injured and another dead. Troopers responded to a report of a four-vehicle crash, where a tractor-trailer collided with a Dodge caravan, which pushed it off the road and into the jersey wall. The tractor-trailer then crashed into a Hyundai and sideswiped a Toyota. The driver of the Dodge was transported to a local hospital for treatment, where she later died. In addition, the driver of the Hyundai was also transported to a hospital for treatment of her injuries. The accident remains under investigation by local authorities.

Following a significant accident, you may be considering filing a lawsuit for monetary and compensatory damages, especially if significant injury or property damage was involved. In Maryland, time is of the essence when choosing to move forward with a legal claim. Maryland adheres to a three-year statute of limitations, which means that if your case is not filed before the three-year window closes, it is likely the court will refuse to hear your lawsuit. For claims involving a Maryland government agency, the statute of limitations is one year for a formal claim, and three years for a formal lawsuit.

Sometimes, no matter how diligent we are on the road, things beyond our control may take place and result in devastating consequences. Despite being a careful, proactive, and alert driver, it is often impossible to control the actions of others. Factors outside of our control that may cause an accident are often exacerbated when the accident involves a large commercial vehicle or truck. Thus, Maryland drivers should understand the distinctions between accidents involving commercial trucks and regular trucks or SUVs before proceeding with their legal claims.

According to a recent news report, a commercial truck driver is facing 41 charges following a major truck accident that left four dead and ten others injured. The truck driver, during his first solo trip, was driving through the mountains on his own despite having little experience navigating the terrain. While on the road, the truck driver realized his brakes had given out. Despite doing his best to remain on the shoulder and out of traffic, he crashed into a large trailer, which he hoped would slow down the trajectory of his truck after the crash. Upon impact, the truck driver lost control and four people died instantly.

During the trial, the prosecution argued that the truck driver had multiple chances to prevent the accident and did not take them. In response, the defense argued that the truck driver was simply at the mercy of mechanical failures of the truck, and lost control without any good options. In addition, the defense reiterated the preventative steps the truck driver took, such as calling his boss, roughly 40 minutes before the crash, to ask for advice on how to proceed moving forward since his brakes were faulty. The outcome of the case will ultimately fall into the hands of the jury.

Maryland drivers are required to call 911 whenever a driver is involved in a Maryland truck accident or any type of automobile accident. Under Maryland’s Transportation Code, a driver who is involved in an accident that results in another person being injured must immediately pull over as close as possible to the scene of the crash and remain at the scene until medical assistance is arranged and information is exchanged. A driver must reasonably assist anyone who is injured and arrange transportation for medical treatment, provide their name, address, and the registration number of the vehicle, and provide their license if requested. Any driver who fails to do stop and stay at the scene is subject to fines up to $10,000 and up to 10 years in jail. However, despite strict laws, hit-and-run accidents still occur.

What Should I Do After a Maryland Hit and Run Accident?

Victims of Maryland hit and run accidents should take down any information about the vehicle and the driver that fled the scene, including a description of the vehicle and the driver and license plate number or other information. Victims should also call 911 and report the accident to law enforcement. Victims should also seek medical assistance if it is needed. If law enforcement is able to track down the hit-and-run driver, a victim may be able to file a lawsuit against the negligent driver and recover financial compensation. Proof that the driver fled the scene may be useful evidence in a civil lawsuit. Even if the driver is not found, victims may be able to recover compensation by filing an insurance claim under their uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, which are required in Maryland. Victims may be able to recover compensation for property damages, medical expenses, lost wages, mental suffering, and more.

The death of a family member after a Maryland truck accident is a terrible tragedy and the aftermath can be overwhelming. Nothing can replace a family member, but Maryland law allows certain family members to see financial compensation if any person or entity was at fault. A Maryland wrongful death claim may be filed by a spouse, a parent, or a child of the accident victim. In a case where the victim has no living spouse, parents, or children, another person may file a wrongful death claim if they were substantially dependent upon the victim and are related by blood or marriage. This claim allows qualifying family members to recover financial compensation for the losses that they suffered and to hold wrongful people and entities responsible for the victim’s death. Only one Maryland wrongful death claim may be filed based on a victim’s death.

What Are Wrongful Death Damages in Maryland?

Qualifying family members can recover compensation for expenses including financial losses due to the victim’s death, as well as for the emotional toll, including mental anguish and the loss of companionship. Generally, a Maryland wrongful death claim in Maryland must be filed within three years of the victim’s death. A wrongful death case also holds negligent drivers accountable for their actions, which can make the roads a safer place by discouraging dangerous driving behavior.

Bus Driver Drove Wildly to Quiet Teens Before Fatal Crash

According to one news source, a bus driver’s dangerous driving led to a fatal bus rash. The bus driver was apparently trying to keep teen passengers quiet by driving wildly, according to a passenger. The bus was transporting a group of teenagers from a youth group back from a field trip. According to a counselor, the driver was angry that the kids were making a lot of noise and was driving erratically to try to get them to be quiet.

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Interstates and highways are often the scenes of serious truck accidents and, unfortunately, claim many lives each year. At high speeds, trucks can easily cause multi-vehicle crashes when drivers are distracted or fall asleep at the wheel. Losing a loved one in a truck accident is devastating and shocking, and family members often don’t know what their options are or how to pursue them. Under state law, family members can recover damages to help pay for the costly and painful impact of losing a loved one in a Maryland truck accident.

In a recent accident, a careless truck driver was driving one morning when he collided with multiple passing cars, leaving a father and his young son dead, and many others injured. According to a news report, the series of events started when the semi-truck driver rear-ended a car and then continued to drive for at least a mile down the interstate, hitting four more cars and injuring others in the process. The surviving drivers and passengers were taken to nearby hospitals. The driver was taken into police custody soon after the collisions and faces criminal charges in addition to whatever civil claims the victims and their families may file.

A fatal car accident can be a shock and surviving family members may not know where to turn or what to do to get justice for their loved ones. While most people are familiar with criminal charges that reckless drivers may face for causing an accident, they may not know that there are often civil remedies available to them as well that can help recover financially, even though nothing can bring back their loved one.

Trucking accidents often lead to serious or fatal injuries because of the strength and power of the vehicles involved. Victims of Maryland trucking accidents may be dealing with debilitating injuries, the loss of employment, and even the loss of a loved one. If another individual or entity is responsible for injuries arising from a Maryland trucking accident, victims can file claims against those responsible to recover damages for their losses.

What Damages Can Maryland Truck Accident Victims Recover?

In a truck accident claim, all damages must be proven at trial, unless the parties agree to settle the claim prior to trial. Damages that are recoverable depend on the facts and circumstances of the case, but generally, damages can be recovered for the injuries and losses that the plaintiff suffered due to the defendant’s wrongful actions. Compensatory damages refer to the damages that compensate the victim for the losses suffered. In general, compensatory damages can be divided into two categories: economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are those with a fixed dollar value, such as the cost of medical treatment, lost wages, the cost of physical therapy, and transportation costs. Non-economic damages do not have a fixed dollar value, such as mental suffering, loss of companionship, and loss of parental or filial care. Economic damages do not have a limit, but there is generally a limit on non-economic damages in Maryland accident cases. Punitive damages are also available in some cases. In a Maryland injury case, punitive damages may be awarded if the defendant acted with actual malice, or with knowing and deliberate wrongdoing. Punitive damages are awarded in cases to serve as a deterrent for others or as a punishment for the defendant’s malicious actions.

In March 2019, a fatal Maryland truck accident killed a 65-year-old man and a 7-year-old boy in Hanford County, Maryland. According to the Baltimore Sun, around 7 AM one morning a tractor-trailer truck was traveling south on Route 24 in Bel Air when it crashed through a line of traffic that was stopped at a red light at the intersection with Ring Factory Road. The truck then burst into flames as it came to rest. The crash caused a pinball effect, sending cars into each other, creating some awful wreckage. Many individuals were left with significant injuries. For example, one woman suffered a traumatic brain injury in addition to severing a nerve in her head. And, tragically, the man and the second-grader were killed.

While this Maryland truck accident made serious headlines in 2019, it fell out of the public eye in the ensuing years. But recently, the case was in the news again, as the criminal trial for the truck driver, a 51-year-old man, began. The case highlights the interesting relationship between the criminal and civil law systems in Maryland. When someone drives negligently, or recklessly, and causes the death of others in a serious truck accident such as this one, they may be subject to both criminal and civil liability.

This criminal trial illustrates how one can be held criminally liable. The driver in the case is charged with two counts of gross negligence manslaughter by motor vehicle, two counts of criminal negligence manslaughter by motor vehicle, and four counts of causing serious injury while using a cellphone. Prosecutors are making their case in front of a jury, trying to prove that the defendant was grossly negligent and should be held criminally liable.

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