Catastrophic Truck Accident Lawyers Baltimore MD

Nearly 8.5 million large trucks were registered in the United States in 2005 according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Single, empty vehicles weighing more than 10,000 pounds are called large trucks. After loading cargo, they can weigh over 80,000 pounds.

Every year, large trucks are involved in accidents that result in over 5,000 fatalities. Even though these vehicles make up only 4% of the roadway traffic, they are involved in 14% of all fatal accidents. Injuries resulting from these collisions are usually serious. If you or a loved one have been seriously harmed in a truck accident, hold the negligent parties accountable.

The lawyers at the Snyder Law Group, LLC concentrate in representing clients with serious injuries in court. Their success can be seen in the numbers. Let their track record speak for itself. Auto accident injuries can be life-changing and when they are, you need a lawyer who will fight like their life is on the line.

Why Trust Our Truck Accident Lawyers?

The Snyder Law Group, LLC proudly represents clients throughout Maryland and Washington, D.C. Our experienced Baltimore attorneys understand the frustration that comes with an insurance company, medical professional, or other party that refuses to accept liability for negligent or reckless behavior. You can take heart in knowing there are talented and experienced lawyers ready to work for you.

Common Causes of Baltimore Truck Accidents

Commercial trucks travel through Baltimore daily, carrying goods to and from the Port of Baltimore and along I-95. These heavy vehicles pose serious dangers when things go wrong. Understanding the common causes of truck accidents can help victims identify liability and build stronger cases.

Fatigued Driving

Truck drivers often face pressure to deliver loads on tight schedules. Despite federal hours-of-service regulations limiting driving time, many drivers push beyond safe limits. A tired truck driver has slower reaction times and impaired judgment, similar to someone driving under the influence. In Baltimore’s busy corridors, driver fatigue leads to serious accidents when trucks drift into other lanes or fail to stop in time.

Overloading the Truck

Commercial trucks have strict weight limits for safety reasons. When trucking companies or drivers ignore these limits to increase profits, the consequences can be deadly. Overloaded trucks take longer to stop, are more prone to rollover accidents, and put excessive strain on brakes and tires, which is especially dangerous on Baltimore’s highways and downtown streets where an overloaded truck can easily become uncontrollable.

Distracted During Operation

A truck driver distracted for just five seconds while traveling at highway speed covers the length of a football field essentially driving blind. In Baltimore’s congested traffic, this creates a recipe for disaster. Common distractions include:

• Texting or using a phone
• Adjusting GPS systems
• Eating or drinking
• Paperwork completion while driving
• Entertainment systems

Cargo Improperly Secured

The Port of Baltimore handles millions of tons of cargo annually, making proper loading practices critical for safety. When cargo isn’t properly secured, it can shift during transport, causing trucks to become unstable or lose balance, sometimes even spilling onto roadways and creating hazards for other drivers who suddenly find themselves facing unsecured freight.

Driving Under the Influence

Despite strict regulations and regular testing requirements, some truck drivers operate their vehicles while impaired by alcohol or drugs. The size and weight of commercial trucks make impaired driving particularly dangerous – a truck driver with a blood alcohol concentration of just 0.04% (half the limit for regular drivers) is considered legally impaired, which is why we immediately request drug and alcohol testing results in Baltimore truck accident cases.

What Does A Catastrophic Truck Accident Mean Exactly?

When trucks are involved in accidents that cause serious injury or death, they are classified as catastrophic. While every injury isn’t serious, when damage is serious it requires extensive treatment over time and sometimes cause irrecoverable effects.

When large trucks are involved in catastrophic accidents, passengers in the other cars are far more likely to experience serious injury or death than the driver of the truck. In 2005, only 800 truck occupants died out of the 5,212 deaths resulting from large truck accidents according to the FMCSA. Put another way, 85% of death during large truck accidents were victims in the other cars.

Types of Trucking Accidents

Different truck accident scenarios create unique risks and require specific investigation approaches. Understanding the type of accident you experienced helps determine liability and the physical forces that caused your injuries. Our Baltimore truck accident lawyers have handled cases involving all of these dangerous collision types:

• Jackknife Accidents – These occur when a truck’s trailer swings out at an angle from the cab, resembling a folding knife. These dangerous accidents often happen when a driver brakes suddenly on slippery roads or takes a curve too quickly. Jackknifed trucks can block multiple lanes of traffic, causing chain-reaction collisions on busy Baltimore highways like I-695 or I-95.
• Rollover Accidents – These happen when a truck tips onto its side or roof. High centers of gravity make trucks vulnerable to rollovers, especially when speeding around curves, carrying unbalanced loads, or making sudden steering corrections. When a massive truck rolls over on Baltimore roads, it can crush smaller vehicles or spill hazardous cargo.
• Underride Accidents – Among the most deadly truck accidents, underride collisions occur when a smaller vehicle slides beneath a truck’s trailer. These accidents often result in severe head and upper body injuries or decapitation. While federal regulations require rear guards on trailers, many are inadequate, and side guards aren’t mandatory despite their life-saving potential.
• Wide Turn Accidents – Commercial trucks require significant space for turning, often swinging wide or turning from middle lanes. During these wide turns, trucks can trap smaller vehicles or pedestrians between the truck and curb or strike vehicles in adjacent lanes. These “squeeze play” accidents are common in Baltimore’s downtown areas.
• Rear-End Collisions – When a fully loaded truck rear-ends a passenger vehicle, the results are devastating. A truck’s stopping distance can be 20-40% longer than a car’s, and inattention or tailgating by truck drivers compounds this danger. The difference in vehicle mass means even “low-speed” truck rear-end accidents can cause severe injuries.

What Injuries Are Seen In Catastrophic Truck Accidents?

Catastrophic truck accidents often involve the following:

• Brain Injury – Direct blows to the head can result in damage that cannot be repaired and can cause permanent disabilities or loss of cognitive functioning.
• Spinal Cord Injuries – Damage to the spinal cord is often permanent and can result in paralysis, loss of use of body parts, and even long-term damage to internal organs
• Paralysis – Paraplegia, or loss of the use of the legs, and quadriplegia, the loss of the use of the body, are common effects of brain and spinal cord damage. While some victims eventually recover the use of their bodies, others are limited in their mobility for the rest of their lives.
• Bone Fractures – Broken bones may require surgery and long-term recovery while limited to a wheelchair or other devices to assist in mobility. Broken bones may heal only to cause pain and suffering for the rest of the victim’s life.
• Soft Tissue Damage – While most soft tissue damage is not catastrophic in nature, these injuries can lead to life-long health problems from which the victim cannot recover.
• Death – More people die in large truck accidents than in car accidents when reviewed on a percentage basis. The loss of a loved one is one catastrophic consequence than can never be repaired.

The Rights Of Catastrophically Injured Victims

While usually suffering traumatic physical and mental wounds, victims injured in truck accidents frequently have difficulty finding resolution for who is liable. This makes collecting damages and insurance coverage difficult. The confusion is usually due to the number of defendants as large truck accidents typically involve multiple cars. Each party blames the other for the crash and fault is hard to assign.

The possible parties responsible for your injury include:

• Independent truck drivers
• The owners of improperly packed cargo
• The company that hired the driver who caused your accident

Victims of catastrophic truck accidents deserve to receive the appropriate payment, but sorting out the complex problems and regulations makes it difficult to do so. A personal injury attorney who understands the law surrounding truck accidents could be your key to justice.

With decades of experience figuring out who is truly at fault for their clients’ injuries, the Snyder Law Group, LLC has the track record you can trust. If you want answers, we will find them, no matter how long it takes.

Why You Need a Truck Accident Attorney in Baltimore

Truck accident cases differ substantially from typical car accidents. When a commercial truck is involved, victims face a complex legal battle against well-funded trucking companies, insurance carriers, and corporate legal teams. These companies often dispatch investigators to the accident scene immediately, giving them a head start in building their defense.

Expertise in Commercial Regulations

Trucking companies must follow both Maryland state laws and federal regulations governed by the FMCSA. These regulations cover everything from driver qualifications and training to vehicle maintenance and hours of service. Without knowledge of these specific rules, critical violations may go unnoticed. Our attorneys, who are experienced vehicle collision attorneys, understand these regulations thoroughly and know exactly what evidence to look for to prove when a trucking company or driver has violated safety standards that contributed to your accident.

Complex Evidence Collection

Truck accident cases require specialized evidence that doesn’t exist in regular car accident claims. This includes electronic logging devices, black box data, maintenance records, weight tickets, and qualification files. The trucking company controls much of this evidence and can “disappear” if not legally requested promptly. Our Baltimore truck accident lawyers immediately send spoliation letters to preserve this critical evidence and work with accident reconstruction experts to analyze the data and build a compelling case for our clients.

Pursuit of Multiple Liable Parties

Truck accidents often involve multiple responsible parties, not just the driver. The trucking company, vehicle maintenance providers, cargo loaders, truck manufacturers, and parts makers may all share liability. Each party will have separate insurance policies and legal teams working to minimize their responsibility. Our attorneys identify all potential sources of compensation and build strategic cases against each liable party to maximize your recovery and avoid leaving money on the table that you deserve.

Aggressive Negotiation

Insurance companies for trucking businesses offer quick settlements hoping you’ll accept less than you deserve. These initial offers rarely account for long-term medical costs, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering. Our truck accident attorneys in Baltimore negotiate aggressively from a position of strength. We prepare every accident case as if it’s going to trial, which shows insurance companies we’re serious about getting you fair compensation, whether through settlement or verdict.

Call 410-THE-FIRM (843-3476) For a Free Case Evaluation

The Snyder Law Group, LLC proudly represents clients throughout Maryland and Washington, D.C. Our experienced attorneys understand the frustration that comes with an insurance company, medical professional, or other party that refuses to accept liability for negligent or reckless behavior. You can take heart in knowing there are talented and experienced lawyers ready to work for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much are most truck accident settlements?

Truck accident settlements vary widely based on the severity of injuries, medical expenses, lost income, and long-term impacts. While minor injury cases might settle for $50,000 to $100,000, catastrophic injury cases involving permanent disability or wrongful death can reach millions of dollars. The average Maryland truck accident settlement tends to be higher than car accident settlements due to more serious injuries and higher insurance policy limits. Each case is unique, and the specific facts of your situation will determine potential compensation.

How to choose a truck accident lawyer?

When selecting a truck accident lawyer in Baltimore, look for experience specifically with commercial truck cases, not just general car accidents. Ask about their track record with similar cases and settlement history. Choose a lawyer who works on contingency fees, has resources to battle large trucking companies, and communicates clearly. Personal comfort is important too—you’ll be working closely with your attorney during a difficult time. We invite you to call our office for a free consultation to discuss your case’s specific needs.

How do truck accident lawsuits work?

Trucking accident lawsuits begin with a thorough investigation to gather evidence from the accident scene, truck data recorders, driver logs, and company records. Your attorney will identify all potentially liable parties and file claims with their insurance companies. If fair settlement can’t be reached through negotiation, a lawsuit is filed. The discovery phase follows, with depositions of witnesses, drivers, and company representatives. Many cases settle during this process, but if not, your case proceeds to trial where a judge or jury determines liability and damages.

What is the most common type of truck accident?

Rear-end collisions are the most common type of truck accident, often resulting from a truck’s inability to stop quickly when traffic slows. Due to their massive size and weight, trucks require 20-40% more stopping distance than passenger vehicles. Jackknife accidents and rollovers are also frequent, particularly in adverse weather conditions or when drivers make sudden maneuvers. In urban areas like Baltimore, wide turn and sideswipe accidents occur regularly when trucks attempt to navigate tight streets and intersections.

What trucks have the most accidents?

Tractor-trailers and semi-trucks are involved in the highest number of serious accidents, largely due to their prevalence on highways and their size and weight. Tanker trucks carrying hazardous materials present special dangers when involved in crashes. Garbage and delivery trucks have high accident rates in urban areas like Baltimore where they make frequent stops in congested traffic. The risk factors often relate more to driver fatigue, training, and road conditions than to the specific type of truck involved in the collision.