Truck accidents often result in catastrophic or fatal injuries. These high-impact incidents are more common in areas prone to heavy traffic, such as roads surrounding ports and airports, like in Anne Arundel County. In addition, trucking collisions present legal and logistical challenges that differ from standard passenger vehicle crashes. The potential for multiple liable parties and overlapping state and federal regulations further complicates these cases.
If you have been involved in a crash with a tractor-trailer, 18-wheeler, semi-truck, or bus operated by companies like FedEx, Amazon, UPS, or USPS, it is crucial to understand your legal rights. At Burnett Injury Group, our seasoned personal injury attorneys are dedicated to helping you navigate the complex legal process and fight for maximum compensation. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with an Annapolis truck accident lawyer who can guide you through the legal process. The aftermath of a wreck can be isolating, but our team is ready to help you pursue the justice you deserve.
Types of Truck Accidents
The aftermath of a truck accident can be overwhelming. Medical reports, police reports, and the complexities of liability and trucking logs can be confusing, and you may be dealing with severe injuries, lost wages, and mounting medical bills. At Burnett Injury Group, we understand the challenges you are facing. Our firm has extensive experience handling a wide range of truck accident cases, including:
- Jackknife accidents
- Rollover accidents
- Cargo spills
- Blind spot accidents
- Accidents involving commercial trucks
- Collisions with delivery trucks
- Wrecks caused by truck driver fatigue
- Incidents involving impaired truck drivers
- Crashes due to faulty truck maintenance
During a free initial consultation, an Annapolis-based attorney from our firm will examine the circumstances of your truck crash to determine liability.
Determining Liability in a Truck Accident
Liability in a trucking lawsuit often extends beyond the driver. The trucking company can be held responsible if the driver was operating within their scope of employment. Carriers are also required to vet and supervise their drivers properly. Other potentially liable parties include:
- The truck’s maintenance contractor, if faulty repairs contributed to brake or tire failure
- The cargo loading company, if an overloaded or unbalanced trailer caused the crash
- The truck manufacturer, if a defective component contributed to a mechanical failure
- Another motorist, if their actions caused the truck driver to lose control
Our lawyers pursue claims against all possible liable parties.
How Do Federal and State Trucking Regulations Affect Your Lawsuit?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulates commercial trucking nationwide. These rules cover driver qualifications, hours-of-service limits, vehicle inspections, and load securement procedures. The state also enforces commercial vehicle standards under the Transportation Article of the Maryland Code, including rules on weight limits and hazardous materials.
If a truck driver violates any of these laws and causes a crash, the legal theory of negligence per se may apply, meaning the trucking rule violation itself serves as proof of negligent conduct. Our attorneys from Burnett Injury Group in Annapolis obtain semi-truck inspection reports, driver logs, and dashcam footage of collisions to uncover regulatory violations to support negligence claims.
Protecting Your Rights When Speaking to Insurance Adjusters
Insurance adjusters frequently contact accident victims within days of an incident. While their outreach may appear cooperative, their goal is to minimize their clients’ liability. Adjusters often request recorded statements or propose early settlements that do not fairly consider long-term medical care, lost income, or non-economic damages.
It is critical that you do not speak to any insurance adjuster before hiring a lawyer. Insurers can use anything you say in a recorded conversation to challenge credibility or reduce settlement values. Maintain medical records, police reports, witness names, and out-of-pocket receipts to help protect your insurance claim from dispute. After a commercial vehicle crash in Annapolis, it is best to let a lawyer handle insurance communications. The attorneys at Burnett Injury Group negotiate with insurance companies to get our clients the full and fair settlement they deserve for their injuries.
Reach Out to an Annapolis Attorney Today To Discuss Your Truck Collision Claim
Burnett Injury Group has a long-standing reputation for excellence in trial practice. Do not wait to get the help you need. Contact us today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our experienced Annapolis truck accident lawyers. We will review your case, answer your questions, and help you understand your legal options.
