Frederick County is part of the Washington D.C.-Arlington-Alexandria-MD-WV-Metropolitan area. Akin to many other areas in the Washington metropolitan area, Frederick County has experienced a rapid population increase in recent years. Since Frederick County is located at the northeastern border of Virginia, many major highways and thoroughfares pass through Frederick County. Commercial trucks use these highways and roads to transport and deliver goods. Due to the high volume of traffic in Frederick truck accidents are increasingly typical.
Those injured in a truck accident oftentimes suffer significant injuries. If you or a loved one has sustained an injury in a car accident involving a tractor-trailer or truck, our experienced and knowledgeable litigation team is ready to help you obtain the compensation you deserve. At Portner & Shure, P.A. our Frederick truck accident lawyers have a proven track record of success and are ready to assist you in navigating the many roadblocks that will arise.
Contact Portner & Shure, P.A. online or by phone at today for a free, confidential consultation.
Truck Accidents & Why They Happen
Truck drivers work long hours moving goods across the United States. This job is very difficult and competitive. In some industries, if a truck driver fails to deliver their cargo on-time, they will be penalized. The commercial trucking industry is subject to strict regulations, but given industry pressures, these regulations may be overlooked or ignored.
A commercial truck is an 80,000-pound vehicle. When a commercial truck is not operated properly, it becomes an 80,000-pound weapon.
There are various reasons why truck accidents happen, including:
- Exhaustion: Truck accidents may occur due to a driver’s exhaustion. Federal law restricts the number of hours that truck drivers can drive without stopping to rest. Nonetheless, to meet tight delivery deadlines, truck drivers may ignore these restrictions. If a truck driver is tired this may result in slower reaction time and impaired decision-making. If a truck driver loses focuses behind the wheel the result may be catastrophic.
- Alcohol/Drug Use: Truck accidents may also be a consequence of a driver’s impairment. Truck drivers may utilize stimulants, or caffeine products, to avoid the effects of driver fatigue. However, once a stimulant wears off, the consequences of driver fatigue are amplified. In addition, a driver may make a poor choice and drive while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs.
- Improper Training/Unlawful Driving: Truck accidents are also the result of a driver’s poor training or illegal maneuvering. Improperly trained drivers may attempt to turn their car on a road with insufficient room to make the turn. Clearly, commercial vehicles necessitate more room to turn and to stop than standard cars. Large commercial trucks also have larger blind spots. A truck driver’s failure to understand and acknowledge the limitations and requirements of their vehicle can cause irreparable injuries and even death.
Learn more about how else our law firm can help you with your truck accident case by watching this brief video on our YouTube channel.
Injuries & Compensation
A collision with an 80,000-pound moving object, like a commercial truck, may result in significant and lifelong injuries. An accident between a semi tractor-trailer and a passenger-sized vehicle is potentially catastrophic. If a truck driver’s negligence caused the accident, the driver’s insurance company is responsible for the injuries and damages you or your loved one sustained.
Typical truck accident injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Head trauma (concussion)
- Injury to the spine
- Brain injuries
The extent and nature of your injuries determine the medical treatment and rehabilitation required. Depending on your situation, you can recover monetary compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, lost future earnings, disability, emotional damage, property (vehicle) damage, and pain and suffering.
Successful Truck Accident Lawsuits
Truckers are required to exercise a higher degree of care when driving on public roads to ensure the safety of other vehicles on the road. If truck drivers fail to take this responsibility seriously, and an innocent driver is injured, the trucking company must be held liable.
Given the stakes involved in big rig accidents, these large insurance companies vigorously defend themselves. Large hauling companies oftentimes employ full-time investigators. The primary job of these investigators is to minimize the trucking company’s potential liability. This means that while an injured victim is trying to heal from the accident, the trucker’s insurance company is trying to reduce the amount of compensation they will pay—and to force a quick settlement.
The truck accident litigation team at Portner & Shure, P.A. is experienced in fighting trucking insurance companies. While you focus on your recovery, we will endeavor to protect you. This means investigating the scene of the accident, reviewing black box information, considering drug test results, and assessing driver logs. We also may need to work with expert witnesses to reconstruct the accident, and potentially testify about a victim’s injuries and medical care.
Portner & Shure, P.A. has successfully represented truck accident victims in Frederick County and the D.C. Metropolitan area for over 30 years. Do not let irresponsible hauling companies get away with their illegal and dangerous practices.
