Upper Marlboro Truck Accident Lawyer

Accidents involving commercial trucks can be some of the most dangerous auto accidents. In 2017, there were 4,889 large trucks and buses involved in fatal crashes, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

The average passenger car weighs 4,000 pounds, while the average 18-wheeler truck weighs 80,000 pounds. Truck drivers must be incredibly cautious on the road because of the size of their vehicle. In a matter of seconds, your life can drastically change due to a truck accident. If you were not at-fault and are injured in the accident, it is important to find a reliable attorney like those at The Lapidus Law Firm to work toward helping you receive a fair and reasonable settlement.

Recent Truck Accident In Upper Marlboro Area

This past April there was a crash involving a school bus and a tractor-trailer truck on the Prince George’s County roadway. The accident left one woman dead and several others injured. The truck was entering an intersection when it collided with a car and continued forward, striking the driver’s side of the school bus.

The impact caused the truck’s trailer to overturn onto its side, landing on another car. It appeared that the truck ran through a red light at the intersection. Accidents like this can lead to serious – if not fatal injuries.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

There are many causes of a truck accident. When the driver of the truck is held liable, some of the most common causes include:

A fatigued driver that was too tired to drive and/or fell asleep at the wheel
A driver who was not properly trained on commercial driving techniques (making too-wide turns, changing lanes when there is not enough space, etc.)
Poor maintenance and equipment failure
Improper cargo loading (this can cause loaded objects to fall off the vehicle onto the road)

What To Do If You Are In a Truck Accident

The first and most important step following a truck accident, or any accident is to seek medical attention as soon as possible if you are injured. If you believe your injuries are minor, don’t dismiss them; at the very least, seek medical attention and have a professional make the final determination.

Not only is this important for your health and safety but calling an ambulance will prompt the filing of a police report in Maryland and Washington, DC. The report will be an official document of your injuries and can be used to support your personal injury claim.

Also, be sure to get documentation of your accident, such as insurance company information and license plate numbers. And perhaps most important, reach out to a dedicated and experienced attorney.