When a commercial truck strikes the side of a passenger vehicle, the results can be devastating. The height difference between a truck and a car means that, in many cases, the smaller car might underride the larger truck. Victims of side-impact truck accidents in Annapolis frequently sustain serious injuries that require financial compensation. You can get that help when you call our personal injury law firm.
At Burnett Injury Group, our truck accident attorneys understand the complexity of these cases and the weight they place on you and your family. We will investigate what happened, identify who is responsible, and pursue justice on your behalf.
The size and design of commercial trucks create a unique set of hazards that set these crashes apart from those involving only passenger vehicles. A fully loaded commercial truck can weigh forty times what a standard passenger car weighs, and that disparity affects the force absorbed by the occupants of the smaller vehicle.
Side-impact truck accidents in Annapolis most commonly occur in the following circumstances:
While a truck striking the side of a smaller vehicle is devastating, the opposite scenario can be just as dangerous. Underride crashes occur when the height difference allows the smaller vehicle to slide (partially or fully) underneath the trailer’s frame upon impact. Federal safety regulations require underride guards on the rear of trailers, but side underride protections remain inconsistent across the industry, leaving a dangerous gap for car occupants.
Determining liability in side-impact truck crash cases in Annapolis requires a thorough examination of multiple sources of negligence. The truck driver bears direct responsibility for the operation of the vehicle, but the trucking company that employs them may share liability for inadequate training, unrealistic scheduling demands, or poor vehicle maintenance. If improperly loaded or secured cargo contributed to the crash, the party responsible for loading the truck may also be held accountable.
Our attorneys examine every dimension of a case from the beginning. We take steps to secure critical evidence including electronic logging device data, maintenance records, cargo manifests, and driver work and performance history. When needed, we work with accident reconstruction professionals to establish precisely how the crash occurred and what failures led to it. Throughout the process, we handle all communication with the trucking company’s insurers, who routinely try to limit payouts on serious injury claims.
If a fair resolution cannot be reached through negotiation, our attorneys are prepared to take your case to trial and present your story to a jury.
The aftermath of a serious truck crash brings a level of physical, emotional, and financial strain that no one should have to manage alone. Your family deserves answers about what went wrong, as well as unwavering support as you pursue accountability and justice. At Burnett Injury Group, we are committed to providing both, and telling your story.
Side-impact truck accidents in Annapolis involve corporate interests and well-resourced insurance companies, which means the strength of your legal representation is crucial. We will keep you informed at every step of the process. To learn more about how our team at Burnett Injury Group can help you, contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation.