Maryland Trucking Accident Lawyer Blog

New Maryland Law Acts to Protect Tow-Truck Drivers from Passing Semi-Trucks

March 12, 2014 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

If you have ever seen a tow-truck driver on the side of the road working on getting a disabled vehicle on the bed of the tow truck, you know what a dangerous proposition it can be. There they are, perched on a few-foot-wide piece of pavement between the disabled vehicle and semi-trucks whizzing by at seventy-plus miles per hour.

A new law pending in the Maryland legislature will help protect tow-truck drivers while they are working on the side of the road. The bill, sponsored by David D. Rudolph (D-Cecil) and James E. Malone Jr. (D-Baltimore County), would require motorists to move into an open lane away from tow-truck drivers who are tending to disable vehicles. Currently the law requires motorists move into an open lane for emergency vehicles such as police cars and fire trucks, this would be an extension of that law.

A recent article by the Washington Post details the story of a tow-truck driver who was killed when he was hit by driver while tending to a disabled vehicle. He was changing the tire on a vehicle when a car side swiped him, killing him on the spot. The driver failed to stop and render aid, and the man died as a result of the injuries he sustained in the accident.

Truck Driver Indicted on Five Counts After Causing an Accident that Killed Three

March 5, 2014 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Earlier this week in Anne Arundel County, a truck driver was indicted on five counts, including negligent manslaughter and negligent and reckless driving. The charges stem from an August 2013 accident that occurred on Route 3 when the truck’s driver rear ended a Toyota Camry, causing a chain-reaction accident that involved six vehicles in total.

According to an article by the Capitol Gazette, the driver was traveling at around 50 miles per hours when he rear ended the Toyota. An investigation uncovered that the truck’s driver did not slow down as he approached the slowed traffic at the overpass near Route 32.

The Camry had five passengers in it, three of which were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver and the front-seat passenger were both taken to the University of Maryland’s Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore with life-threatening injuries, but eventually recovered.

Truck Driver in Training Gets in Accident that Shuts Down Route 301 for Hours

February 26, 2014 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

A few weeks ago in Sudlersville, a single-truck accident closed down Route 301 for hours while emergency crews cleared the scene. According to a report by MyEasternShoreMD.com, the accident occurred just before 7 a.m. on Route 301 near the intersection of 290. The police report explains that “the truck careened off of a guardrail on the slow shoulder, crossed both travel lanes and struck a bridge embankment.”

Luckily, no other vehicles were hit or otherwise involved in the accident. The truck, however, sustained heavy damage and took hours to get off the highway.

As it turns out, the driver of the truck was from Detroit, Michigan and was not legally permitted to operate the truck because he only had a Class A learner’s permit. The other driver, who was supposed to be the one behind the wheel, was asleep in the sleeping portion of the vehicle when the accident occurred. The trucking company claims that they were not aware that the inexperienced driver was operating the truck.

Couple Pinned Under Semi Survives Major Kentucky Truck Accident

February 19, 2014 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Last month in a horrific accident out of Kentucky, a couple driving a Ford Focus was pinned underneath a semi-truck after getting into an accident with the truck and being crushed against a cement barrier. According to a report by ABC News, the accident happened on I-75 in Boone County.

When emergency crews arrived the wreckage was bad. One emergency worker noted that, upon arriving on the scene, “You couldn’t even tell what kind of car it was.” The door of the car had to be cut off in order for emergency crews to extricate the couple.

Miraculously, no one was fatally injured. The couple was life-flighted to the nearest hospital with non-life-threatening injuries; one occupant suffered a broken arm and the other a gash to the head. The driver of the semi-truck was uninjured.

Tanker Carrying 11,000 Gallons of Gasoline Crashes, Creating Scare in Massachusetts

February 12, 2014 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Earlier last month in Fall River, Massachusetts, a tanker truck carrying over 11,000 gallons of gasoline toppled over off the side of the highway, creating a near state of emergency for nearby emergency personnel. According to a report by the Herald News, the truck swerved off the road for unknown reasons shortly after 7 a.m. on January 27. Once the truck flipped, it caught on fire and the 11,000 gallons of gasoline began to burn, sending plumes of thick grey-black smoke into the air.

Thankfully, the driver of the truck was the only person to sustain any injuries. She was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and is expected to fully recover. Emergency responders allowed the fire to consume the gasoline, rather that attempt to put it out.

Police are not sure why the truck swerved off the road in the first place, and are currently interviewing witnesses to the accident to determine what happened.

Truck Driver Arrested in Fatal California Hit-and-Run Accident

February 5, 2014 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Earlier last week in California, police positively identified the driver of a semi-truck that ran a red light and killed another driver. According to a report by the local ABC affiliate, the semi-truck driver was heading northbound shortly after 2 a.m. when he ran the red light. As he entered the intersection, the truck collided with an SUV as well as a smaller Ford sedan. The two people in the SUV suffered minor injuries, but the driver of the Ford was pronounced dead at the scene.

After the accident, the semi-truck driver did not stop, but instead continued on. A motorist who saw the accident followed the semi-truck for about a half mile and then confronted the driver, who denied hitting anyone. The witness then called police and the truck driver fled on foot, leaving the semi-truck behind. After a several-hour search, police still could not find the suspect; however, by the end of the day they had him in custody. The witness has since positively identified the semi-truck driver, who will be charged with a fatal hit-and-run accident as well as for running a red light.

Hit-and-Run Semi-Truck Accidents in Maryland

Although this tragic hit-and-run accident occurred across the country in California, it could have just as easily happened here in Maryland. When any driver is involved in an accident, the law requires that the driver stop and make sure that the others involved do not need immediate medical attention. Not only is this the law, but it is basic human dignity.

Woman in Tennessee Hit by Semi Truck While Crossing the Street

January 27, 2014 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Earlier this week, a woman in Memphis, Tennessee was crossing the street against the traffic light when she was struck by a tractor trailer during rush hour traffic. Several witnesses to that accident say that it looked as though the driver didn’t see the woman crossing the street and didn’t notice once he hit her.

According to a report by the local CBS affiliate, another driver saw the accident, made a U-turn, and pulled in front of the truck to stop it but by then it was too late. Another witness reported that he honked at the semi truck in hopes it would see the woman, but the driver’s efforts were useless. While the accident is still under investigation, the truck driver has not been charged with any crime at this point.

Maryland Semi Trucks and Pedestrian Safety

Generally, we think of semi trucks as operating mostly on the interstate freeways and highways. For this reason, a pedestrian may not be the most commonly thought of victim of a semi truck accident. However, truck-pedestrian accidents are more common than one may think and when they occur, they are often fatal for obvious reasons.

Pennsylvania Truck Driver Killed When His Tractor Trailer Runs Off the Road

January 20, 2014 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Earlier this week, a truck driver from Pennsylvania was fatally injured when his truck drove off I-70 just before 11 p.m. According to a report by the local CBS affiliate, the driver was heading eastbound on I-70, just east of Monument Road, when the 44-year-old driver inexplicably lost control of the vehicle, sending it off the side of the highway.

As the vehicle careened off the road, it rolled over, trapping the driver inside the cabin. By the time emergency medical personnel arrived and flipped the truck right-side up with a heavy duty tow truck, it was too late. The driver was pronounced dead on the scene.When Trucks Lose Control, Chaos Often Ensues

Despite the tragic nature of this accident, it could have been much worse. Often times, when a semi truck or tractor trailer loses control other cars are nearby and can easily become collateral damage. For this reason exactly, interstate truck drivers are heavily regulated by both state and federal government agencies.

Two-Truck Accident on Christmas Eve Leaves One Dead in Virginia

January 13, 2014 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

A few weeks ago on Christmas Eve, two semi-trucks got into an accident in Virginia, leaving one of the truck drivers dead. According to a report by the local ABC affiliate, one truck operated by Dunbar Trucking was merging onto the I-64 onramp when it was struck in the rear by another truck operated by the Roadway Corporation.

The accident damaged the trailer and cab operated by Dunbar Trucking, and the truck’s driver sustained minor injuries. The Roadway truck was completely destroyed and the driver was pronounced dead at the scene. At the time of the report, police were still investigating the cause of the accident.

Big Trucks Have Massive Potential for Destruction

Given their great size, semi-trucks and tractor-trailers can be some of the most hazardous obstacles an everyday driver encounters. Not every truck accident is fatal, but a large number of them are. Some suggest that up to 98% of all semi-truck accidents result in at least one fatality. This number is smaller for other types of commercial trucks.

Truck Carrying Petroleum Crashes into SUV on Maryland Highway

January 6, 2014 | Lebowitz & Mzhen

Earlier this week, a tanker truck filled with petroleum collided with an SUV on Route 152 near the I-95 northbound exit ramp, causing numerous emergency personnel to respond. According to a report by the Baltimore Sun, the accident occurred on January 3rd at 9:08 in the morning and drew three fire trucks as well as a team of paramedics due to the volatile nature of the truck’s cargo.

The driver of the SUV suffered minor injuries, but is expected to recover. The driver of the tanker trailer was uninjured. There was no active leak discovered; however a hazmat team was called to assist in transporting the truck away from the accident scene. All precautions were taken until the truck was removed from the scene.

Dangerous Cargo Can Turn a Semi-Truck into a Bomb

Semi-trucks are enormous vehicles that have the potential to inflict immense amounts of damage due to their size alone. However, fill up the same semi-truck with flammable liquids such as petroleum and the potential disaster becomes even larger.