Truck Accidents

Living in the Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC area means navigating busy roads filled with a mix of passenger vehicles, large commercial trucks, and municipal transit services like buses and shuttles. While these large vehicles are essential for moving people and goods, they also pose significant risks when accidents occur. The sheer size and weight of these vehicles can lead to catastrophic collisions, and when buses or shuttles are involved, the number of passengers multiplies the potential for tragedy. Last year, a devastating crash in Southern Maryland involving a senior citizen shuttle bus served as a grim reminder of these dangers. The accident, which involved a collision with a heavy-duty dump truck, resulted in the tragic loss of life and serious injuries, leaving families and communities heartbroken.

The crash occurred on a Friday morning in Charles County, Maryland, when a shuttle bus operated by a senior-living assisted facility lost control and crossed the double yellow line, colliding head-on with a dump truck. The impact was devastating. The bus driver and two passengers were pronounced dead at the scene, while the dump truck driver escaped unharmed. Investigators noted that the bus driver was the only person wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, which may have contributed to the severity of the injuries. This tragedy highlights the critical need for drivers of large vehicles to be properly trained and to operate their vehicles with the utmost care. When negligence or recklessness leads to such accidents, it’s essential to hold those responsible accountable, not only to seek justice for the victims but also to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Pursuing a personal injury or wrongful death claim against a commercial entity, such as a bus company or trucking firm, can be complex but is often necessary to secure fair compensation for victims and their families. Commercial drivers and the companies that employ them are held to higher standards than regular motorists. They must adhere to strict regulations regarding licensing, vehicle maintenance, hours of service, and safety protocols. When accidents occur, these regulations can play a crucial role in building a strong case. For example, if a driver was operating the vehicle beyond their legally allowed hours or if the vehicle was not properly maintained, these factors can be used to demonstrate negligence. A qualified personal injury attorney will conduct a thorough investigation, scrutinizing everything from driver logs and maintenance records to witness statements and accident reconstruction reports, to ensure that all evidence is gathered to support the claim.

When a truck or tractor-trailer strikes a car, the collision is too often fatal due to the large size of a truck. When fatal truck accidents occur, the responsible truck driver may attempt to claim that the deceased was at fault for the accident. While other witnesses may have observed the crash, the victim is not alive to directly counter a truck driver’s version of events. However, an experienced personal injury attorney can work with clients in developing a strong case theory to argue that the deceased was not at fault.

For example, a news article reported that a man died in a recent Baltimore, Maryland truck accident. The victim was driving near the intersection of I-95 South when a tractor-trailer struck the rear end of his vehicle. Sadly, the man died at the scene. A passenger in the car was transported to the hospital to receive treatment for his injuries.

Can You Bring a Wrongful Death Action After a Fatal Virginia Truck Accident?

If your loved one has died in a Virginia truck accident, you can bring a wrongful death action to recover damages against the responsible driver. The intent behind a wrongful death action is to prevent a negligent driver from escaping liability just because the victim has died. Therefore, to prevail on a wrongful death claim, the deceased’s personal representative bringing the suit must prove the required elements of negligence that the deceased would need to prove if they had survived. To hold a truck driver liable for damages, the plaintiff must prove it is more than 50% likely that the truck driver owed the deceased victim a duty of care, that their negligent action or inaction violated that duty and caused the fatal accident and that the victim died as a consequence of the truck driver’s negligence.

Articles Posted in Truck Accidents

Pursuing Negligence Claims After an Accident Involving Large Vehicles

Understanding Fault in Fatal Virginia Truck Accidents