Truck Accident Injuries: A Quick Guide

Finding a top truck accident lawyer Silver Spring MD can provide might not be easy, but for anyone injured in a trucking accident, it might be essential. At Cohen and Cohen, P.C., our legal team knows that truck accidents can be particularly devastating for victims and their families. Not only could these accidents cause a substantial amount of property damage to vehicles, but the occupants inside these vehicles could be left with life-threatening and disabling injuries. Being able to seek compensation for these injuries is something that every injured victim has a right to do.

While no one can call themselves “the best” truck accident lawyer Silver Spring MD has to offer, the lawyers at Cohen and Cohen, P.C. are proud to be known as a reliable source of information and legal counsel for local accident victims. Seeking financial damages after a truck accident can become a complicated process, especially if there are disputes over liability. Our lawyers know that this can be a source of frustration for injured claimants.

Here’s a quick look at what truck accidents often entail and why injured victims may benefit from seeking legal counsel from an experienced truck accident lawyer Silver Spring MD residents trust:

Truck Accidents: The Basics

Truck accidents are fairly common in the U.S. today, and even though they don’t make up a majority of auto accidents, each trucking accident can produce very serious consequences. Did you know:

• According to statistics from the NHTSA, approximately 342,000 large trucks were involved in car crashes in the U.S. during 2013, and these collisions resulted in nearly 4,000 fatalities and 95,000 injured occupants.

• In addition, an estimated 472,000 large trucks were involved in nonfatal accidents during 2013.
• Out of all fatal  traffic accidents in the U.S. in an average year, large trucks are involved in approximately 12%. Some believe that this percentage is actually quite high, considering that large trucks typically account for less than 10% of all miles traveled in the U.S.

When a truck accident occurs, the consequences for occupants of other cars can be very severe. Because of the discrepancy in size and weight between the average commercial truck and the average passenger vehicle, it’s more likely that the passenger vehicle will sustain more damage than the truck. In severe accidents, this damage would likely include property damage to the vehicle as well as injuries to the occupants inside.

What causes truck accidents?

As any truck accident lawyer Silver Spring MD could probably attest, there are many possible causes for a truck accident. Mistakes made by the truck driver could account for many trucking accidents today; drivers could be operating their commercial truck while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.

Drivers might also make mistakes behind the wheel if they are fatigued or are distracted while driving. Cell phone use, for example, is one of the most common causes of distracted driving.

Speeding is another common mistake that truck drivers make on the road, especially when trucking companies compensate drivers for transporting cargo quickly.

It’s also possible that the truck driver did not make a mistake, but inadvertently still caused an accident. A piece of equipment in the truck could potentially malfunction, or the truck’s cargo could have been loaded improperly.

It’s also possible that the truck driver was inexperienced and received very little training from the truck company, so when another driver made a mistake, the truck driver did not have the expertise to know how to avoid an accident.

Liability When the Truck Driver is Not Responsible:

If the truck driver did not make a mistake but the truck still caused an accident and injured another person, it’s possible for that person to seek compensation from another party if that party can be held liable. Although injured claimants would be wise to seek legal counsel from a truck accident lawyer Silver Spring MD can provide before making any additional claims, the following parties could potentially be held responsible for a truck accident:

• The truck company: It’s possible for the trucking company to be held liable for an accident, especially if the accident was the result of a company oversight. As an experienced truck accident lawyer Silver Spring MD can offer should know, truck companies could potentially try to avoid liability by working with independent contractors; this means the company might lease the truck from other company or hire drivers from another service. If this is the case, it’s possible for the contracting service to be held responsible.
• The mechanic or inspection service: When the accident is caused by a malfunctioning part that could have been fixed or replaced, the company responsible for inspecting the vehicle could potentially be accountable.
• The shipping service that loaded cargo: Many truck companies also use independent contractors for loading cargo in commercial trucks. If an accident is caused by improper loading of goods in the truck’s trailer, it’s possible for the shipping service to be liable.
• The companies that manufactured or designed a faulty piece of equipment: When a part of the vehicle malfunctions because it is flawed — in other words, it’s something that a mechanic would not have been able to detect during a routine inspection — the company that manufactured the part or the company that manufactured and sold the vehicle could potentially be responsible.

Injured claimants who wish to seek damages against multiple parties are generally advised to consult with a seasoned truck accident lawyer in Silver Spring MD before filing any claims. Talking about the case with a knowledgeable truck accident lawyer Silver Spring MD can provide may be essential because liability could depend on several factors. As with any auto accident case, each accident is unique and therefore various minor details could have a big impact on an injury claim.

A Top Choice for a Silver Spring MD Truck Accident Lawyer

If you or a family member has been seriously injured in a truck accident, you might be able to claim compensatory damages for your pain and suffering. At Cohen and Cohen, P.C., our legal team understands how complicated and frustrating a truck accident injury can be, and we’re here to help. For more information about how we might be able to assist you, contact our local Maryland office today. At Cohen and Cohen, P.C., we’re proud to provide our clients with a truck accident lawyer Silver Spring MD can trust.