Have you been the victim of a crash caused by a massive commercial truck? It’s important for you to know your case is being handled by a professional group of Baltimore truck accident lawyers that you can trust. At Pinder Plotkin law firm, they are leaders in Baltimore for tractor-trailer and commercial truck crashes.
Give Pinder Plotkin a call at (410) 525-5337. They have experienced injury attorneys in Baltimore who are here to let you know your legal rights and options. No matter what preventative measures are taken, nothing can completely protect motorists from negligence or wrongdoing from what other drivers have done. The fact is, when a driver collides with a semi-truck, there can be consequences that are not only tragic for the driver but also for his or her family.
What are the Various Types of Truck Accidents?
The Baltimore truck accident attorneys at Pinder Plotkin assist victims involved in a broad range of accidents. As far as truck accidents, these are often classified on the way they have occurred. This is because trucks combined with dangerous driving conditions often share similar qualities that are to be classified together.
For example, some accidents involving trucks get categorized by the truck driver’s failure to act. Other truck driving accidents are categorized related to a mechanical malfunction that was preventable or physical qualities such as an overload or a tire blowout. Other truck driving accidents are categorized based on the way the accidents dynamically occurred, such as jackknife or rollover accidents. Here are some of the most prevalent kinds of truck accidents that occur on the roadways of Baltimore.
- Swinging turn
- Squeeze play
- Blindspot
- Rollover
- Fatigue
- Jackknife
- Overloaded
- Bad weather
- Side impact
- Intoxication
Of course, no two accidents with a truck are the same. As a result, every accident has a unique set of characteristics that require attention apart from the simple classifications of the accidents. Baltimore truck accident attorneys at Pinder Plotkin dedicate their law practice to investigating clients’ cases to ensure the best possible representation occurs for a smooth claims process.
How Much Is A Baltimore Truck Accident Worth?
The nature of your injuries is an essential factor that both a trial jury and the defendant’s insurance company will take into account in a truck accident that happens in Baltimore. In addition, the specific injuries who suffered will be taken into account, including if they are permanent. Injuries that can lead to a substantial settlement include:
- Spinal cord and other back injuries
- Bone fractures which include conditions such as shoulder, hip and ankle fractures
- Head trauma that may also include brain damage
- Herniated discs
- Paralysis
- Injuries that require surgery
Why do these kinds of injuries result in the largest settlements? It’s because they can be validated through diagnostic testing by a health care provider administer.
However, soft tissue injuries, as well as other injuries that are subjective, are also given value by insurance companies. These include the following:
- Movement restrictions
- Anxiety and depression
- Disturbances caused by visual problems
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Muscle spasms
A professional and reputable Baltimore truck accident attorney knows precisely what details to give a defendant’s insurance company, and they also know the correct way to present them. The insurance company may give you a small settlement. Still, a truck accident attorney will fight to raise your settlement value between the date of the accident and the date of your trial. This is called a settlement value increasing.
What Makes Truck Accidents Different Than Car Accidents?
Accidents involving trucks and accidents involving passenger vehicles are not the same.
First, when you are involved in a trucking accident, there’s a higher risk of severe injuries and damages. This is because of the size and weight of trucks.
Second, when it comes to commercial vehicle insurance, these companies dig deep into the facts to discover more evidence. Therefore, when you work with commercial vehicle insurance companies, it can be not only challenging but also time-consuming.
Third, the insurance coverage for commercial trucks is not the same for cars. The state of Maryland requires a minimum of $30,000 coverage for cars for bodily injury to a single person. A minimum coverage of $60,000 is required for two or more people. For property damage, a minimum of $15,000 is required. However, trucking limits are a lot higher. In fact, the minimum for general carrier commercial vehicles is $750,000. Efforts are underway to reduce that amount.
When an accident involves a commercial vehicle, such as a truck, the injuries can be much more severe than those sustained in a car accident. That is why there is such a drastic difference in the minimum insurance coverage required. This is also why a commercial vehicle insurance company will investigate accidents more thoroughly than car insurance companies.
What Are The Steps You Should Take After a Truck Accident?
You must first seek any medical treatment needed. Your injuries could be serious even if they don’t seem so at first. After your accident, you should visit the hospital and be evaluated by a doctor or medical professional.
Second, you should contact the professional Baltimore truck accident lawyers at Pinder Plotkin so that they can discuss your case with you, what your options are, and how things should proceed. Pinder Plotkin will then contact the insurance carrier of the commercial vehicle to ensure that a claim is filed so that you can receive compensations for not only your injuries but also damages to your car.
What Information Do I Need After a Truck Accident?
You’ll need to collect the insurance information for the commercial vehicle to file your claim. The name of the insurance company, the phone number of the insurance company, the policy number, the driver’s name, and the name of the company where the driver works will also be needed.
How Do I Get Compensated for a Trucking Accident?
You may receive compensation for your pain and suffering, medical bills, time lost from work, and property damage. To ensure you get compensated appropriately, hiring a lawyer with experience with claims against commercial carriers is the best way to get the compensation you are entitled to and that you deserve. Pinder Plotkin will compile your bills and records and negotiate with the insurance company for the commercial carrier on your behalf.
What is Baltimore Law Regarding Truck Accidents?
In Baltimore, truck drivers are required to have a Commercial Driver’s License or CDL, and they must follow all federal and state rules. Under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration or FMCSA, comprehensive laws regarding the frequency of inspections for motor carriers, the number of hours truckers may drive a day, and more, are covered. Under the Code of Maryland Regulations, the laws for trucking-related to driver’s licenses, weight limits, vehicle inspections, and more are included. Maryland’s Department of Transportation covers the laws and regulations that apply to commercial vehicles.
If a safety rule was violated, and it was the direct cause of a collision involving a truck, the victim can file a lawsuit against the truck driver and receive compensation. A plaintiff can also submit an injury lawsuit that proves negligence if he or she can show the truck driver was unreasonably careless.
When victims are injured in collisions involving trucks, the victims can file personal injury lawsuits to receive compensation. Furthermore, fatal truck accidents can result in wrongful death lawsuits brought by the family members of victims. Not only can the plaintiff sue the driver of the truck for his or her responsibility for the crash, but he or she can also sue the trucking company in most cases.
In Maryland, the legal doctrine of vicarious liability applies. Vicarious liability means that if an employee is negligent during his work performance, it’s equal to the employer being negligent. Therefore, a trucking company can be liable for accidents that occur due to company negligence in policies or obligations or due to employee carelessness.
Under the Code of Federal Regulations, Section 387.9, a motor carrier must have a minimum of $750,000 in liability insurance coverage if the motor carrier transports property in interstate commerce. That amount is raised significantly when hazardous materials are transported. The amount then becomes up to $5 million in liability insurance requirement. As a result of trucking companies having to purchase significant insurance policies, when victims pursue a claim, the compensation they can get can result in large settlement amounts.
Review Your Claim With Our Baltimore Truck Accident Lawyers
At Pinder Plotkin, a Baltimore truck accident attorney can give you important assistance regarding truck accidents, including family members killed in truck accidents. We help you decide who to pursue a claim against, and we help you negotiate with these large insurance companies with the goal of settling out of court to get the compensation you need. We at Pinder Plotkin can also represent you in court in your pursuit to convince a jury to award you compensation for medical costs, pain, and suffering, emotional distress, loss of wages, or wrongful death damages. Give us a call at (410) 525-5337 or visit our online contact form.
