Baltimore Truck Accident Lawyer
Baltimore is one of only a few ports in the eastern U.S. which can accommodate the largest cargo-carriers. With 16 interstates connecting the state with the rest of the nation, Maryland is home to a high volume of big rigs and tractor-trailers, fully loaded with cargo and headed down the highways at all hours of the day and night. Unfortunately, more truck traffic increases the likelihood of auto-truck collisions, which are potentially catastrophic for the occupants of the motor vehicle. When preventable truck accidents occur because of the negligence of a truck driver or trucking company, the Baltimore truck accident lawyers at Iamele & Iamele, LLP stand up for the accident victims and help them get the compensation they need to recover from their injuries to the greatest extent possible.
Truck dangers are many
The average loaded semi-truck (single trailer) weighs around 80,000 pounds, compared to the 3,000 to 5,000 pound weight of the average passenger vehicle. A tractor-trailer is also typically three and a half to four times longer than a passenger car. These size and weight differentials create many different hazards on the road, such as the following:
- Stopping Distance – Trucks take much longer to come to a stop than cars do. Truckers must keep adequate distance between themselves and other vehicles in order to have time to react to sudden traffic situations and stop safely.
- Impact – The tremendous force of a fully-loaded tractor-trailer on a smaller, lighter vehicle is highly likely to cause catastrophic injury or death to the occupants of the automobile, especially in accidents occurring on the highway.
- Blind Spots – All drivers have blind spots that must be checked before changing lanes, but for truck drivers, these blind spots extend for several car lengths behind the trailer, for multiple lanes on either side of the truck, and even directly in front of the cab. Giving plenty of warning and checking blind spots before a maneuver is absolutely essential for the trucker to avoid colliding with another vehicle on the road.
Federal law mandates safety, but rules are often ignored
Every truck driver and trucking company is familiar with the regulations of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Importantly, these regulations limit the amount of time a truck driver can be on duty and behind the wheel on a given day or in a given week without taking rest breaks. FMCSA regulations also require trucking companies to only hire qualified, licensed drivers, and to inspect their fleet regularly and keep their vehicles properly maintained. Yet every time law enforcement or government agencies pull over commercial vehicles for inspection, they find a disturbing number of truck drivers and trucks that must be immediately pulled from service for lack of a license, out of adjustment brakes, bad tires and other serious safety concerns.
Sadly, truck inspections only cover a fraction of the country’s fleet, and dangerous errors are often not found until after a tragic accident. Some of the most common causes of truck accidents include:
- Overly tired driver
- Driver is asleep at the wheel
- Texting and other distracted driving
- Aggressive driving
- Speeding
- Truck is improperly loaded; cargo is unbalanced or unsecured
- Faulty brakes, bad tires, nonworking signal lights
How an Experienced Baltimore Truck Accident Attorney can Help
At Iamele & Iamele, LLP, our experienced truck accident lawyers are thoroughly familiar with the FMCSA regulations and all the state and federal laws governing the trucking industry for safety. We know that trucking safety records are frequently falsified or altered after an accident, but we know how to investigate a truck accident and uncover the facts. As experienced trial lawyers, we have the skills and resources to take on the major trucking corporations and their insurance companies and stand up for the rights of the injured accident victim. We build a strong case for full compensation and are willing to take the case all the way to a jury verdict if necessary to achieve the result our clients deserve.
Contact Iamele & Iamele after a Baltimore Truck Accident
Trucking accident injuries are serious and potentially life-changing, and truck accident cases are challenging and complex. Trust your case to a team of attorneys with a record of success obtaining results in some of the most difficult cases. Call Baltimore truck accident lawyers Iamele & Iamele, LLP at 410-779-6160 for a free consultation.
