It can happen to anyone. One minute you are driving along in your car; the next minute, you are side-swiped by a semi – involved in one of America’s thousands of trucking accidents In Annapolis and on the highways and byways of Maryland, vehicle fatalities totaled 692 in 2011 – according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Of these, 38 deaths were the result of trucking accidents.
What Are Trucking Accidents?
In the United States, approximately 8.2 percent of all traffic fatalities are the result of a trucking accident (NHTSA, 2011). A trucking accident is a term that refers specifically to a collision or other accident involving large trucks. Large trucks are vehicles that weigh a minimum of 10,000 lbs. These are large trailers not simply half-ton pick-up trucks or other similar vehicles.
The Odds
Passenger vehicles do outnumber semi trucks on Annapolis, Maryland roads. However, the odds are if you are in a trucking accident, it is your vehicle and your life that is on the line. The sheer size, weight of a semi, as well as the extra impetus of the load it may be carrying, puts all passenger vehicles at a distinct disadvantage. The resulting damage is significantly greater when a car and truck collide.
Of the approximately 500,000 trucking accidents occurring across America annually, around 5,000 result in fatalities. In general, the fatalities are more greatly felt by the other vehicle and not the semi.
Major Causes of Trucking Accidents
When a large rig is involved in a trucking accident, the causal factors can vary.
* Brake or engine failure
* Distracted driving – including texting, talking on the phone, eating
* Overloaded truck
* Substance abuse (drugs and/or alcohol)
* Fatigue
* Failure to brake when required and in time
* Speeding
Often, however, concerning trucking accidents, a court generally considers cause to fall into one of two things:
* Driver error
* Negligence
Be Prepared
In the case of trucking accidents in Annapolis, Maryland, it is important to be prepared. You need to hire an attorney who knows what to look for and who to sue. A trucking accident’s case may involve not only the driver but also the trucking company or truck manufacturer. If this is the route you need to take, be sure you hire a lawyer capable of understanding what is involved in what can quickly become a complex legal battle.
If you find yourself involved in one of the Trucking Accidents in Annapolis, do not hesitate to contact the professionals at the Jaklitsch Law Group. They will act quickly to protect your rights. For effective legal counsel and personal service.
