Fort Washington, MD Truck Accident Lawyers

Attorneys for 18-Wheeler and Commercial Truck Accidents in Fort Washington, Maryland

The roads in and around Fort Washington carry a steady flow of commercial truck traffic as goods are transported throughout the region and delivered to locations in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Other drivers who share the roads with commercial vehicles may be at risk of serious injuries in truck accidents. When a large truck strikes a car, the forces involved can cause catastrophic bodily harm, potentially leading to lifelong disabilities or wrongful death.

At Farmer & Klopfer, our attorneys represent people throughout Fort Washington and Prince George's County who have been seriously injured in commercial truck accidents. These cases are among the most complex in personal injury law, involving multiple potentially liable parties, overlapping state and federal regulations, and well-resourced trucking companies and insurers who begin building their defense immediately after a crash. Our law firm is prepared to go up against those interests with the same thoroughness and determination we bring to every case.

The Dangers of Collisions Involving Large Trucks

While a passenger vehicle will have safety systems that are meant to protect the driver and passengers, these systems may not be able to stand up to the forces involved in truck accidents. Certain types of truck accidents can be especially dangerous, including:

Underride Accidents

People in a smaller vehicle will be likely to suffer severe injuries if their car slides under the trailer of a large truck during a collision. The roof of a passenger vehicle may be sheared off or crushed, and occupants may experience head and neck injuries that could be fatal.

Jackknife Accidents

When a truck driver loses control, their trailer may swing away from their truck's cab. Jackknife accidents may occur when a truck's wheels lock up because of a brake failure or when a truck driver cannot maintain control on a wet or icy road. A jackknifing truck can sweep across the road and strike multiple vehicles. It may also block lanes of traffic, leading to secondary collisions when other drivers cannot avoid the obstacle in the road.

Rollover Accidents

Commercial trucks have a high center of gravity, and they could roll over after a driver loses control. Rollover accidents may occur when truck drivers are navigating curves or highway off-ramps or if they swerve suddenly in response to slow traffic. When a large truck turns over, it can land on and crush other vehicles, block traffic, and scatter cargo across the road.

Wide Turn Accidents

Large trucks will need more space to complete a turn than smaller vehicles. When making a right turn, a truck driver may need to swing to the left before turning to ensure that their trailer can clear a corner. If they do not make sure the road is clear, another vehicle may be trapped in the right lane and crushed between the truck's trailer and objects on the side of the road.

Maintenance Failures and Mechanical Defects

Commercial trucks will experience wear and tear as they travel thousands of miles while transporting cargo. Inspections will need to be performed to ensure that all parts of a truck are working correctly. Any defects discovered during inspections will need to be repaired before a truck can operate on the road. Other regular maintenance will also be necessary to ensure that a truck can continue operating safely.

When trucking companies fail to keep trucks maintained, parts may break down, and truck accidents may occur because of issues such as:

Brake Failures

Worn brake pads and drums, air leaks in the braking systems, or other problems with brakes can prevent a truck driver from being able to slow down and stop correctly. When a truck is fully loaded, it will require several hundred feet to stop under ideal conditions. When brakes are not working correctly, the distance needed to stop will increase, and a driver may have no way to prevent a collision.

Tire Blowouts

Commercial truck tires can become worn, or they may not be inflated correctly. These issues can lead to sudden tire blowouts. A blown tire may cause a truck driver to lose control, and they may not be able to prevent their truck from veering into other lanes and striking other vehicles. In some cases, tire blowouts may lead to rollover accidents or jackknife accidents.

Steering System Failures

If a truck driver is unable to steer correctly, they may not be able to keep their truck within a lane, make turns, or avoid potential hazards on the road. Steering systems may fail due to worn parts, inadequate lubrication, or other maintenance issues.

Overloaded and Improperly Secured Cargo

Federal regulations detail how cargo must be loaded, distributed, and secured on commercial vehicles. Weight limits apply to cargo, and straps or chains may need to be used to secure items in place. If cargo is not loaded correctly, truck accidents can occur due to issues such as:

Overloading and Weight Distribution Problems

A truck that is loaded beyond the legal weight limit will be more difficult to control. Heavy loads will place excessive stress on tires, brakes, and suspension systems. An overloaded truck will take longer to stop, and it will be more likely to roll over in an accident. Even if a truck is under the weight limit, it can become unstable if the load is not distributed evenly. An improperly balanced load will make a truck more difficult to control during lane changes, when making turns, or on curved roads.

Unsecured and Shifting Cargo

If cargo is not tied down or secured in place correctly, it can move when a truck accelerates, brakes, and navigates curves. A shifting load can destabilize a truck, causing the driver to lose control. Unsecured cargo may also fall from a truck and directly strike other vehicles or create obstacles that may lead to accidents.

Contact Our Fort Washington Truck Accident Attorneys

When a commercial truck collides with another vehicle, a person who was injured will need to determine who was responsible and how they can obtain compensation for their damages. At Farmer & Klopfer, we can investigate a truck accident to identify the parties who may be held liable, and we will fight to protect the rights of injury victims. Contact our Fort Washington, MD 18-wheeler accident lawyers at 301-843-3890 to schedule a free consultation.