La Plata Truck Accident Attorneys

Lawyers for 18-Wheeler Accidents and Commercial Truck Crashes in La Plata, MD

U.S. Route 301 runs directly through the heart of La Plata. This highway is a primary corridor for commercial truck traffic in Southern Maryland. 18-wheelers, tanker trucks, and other large trucks that travel along this highway or on roads throughout the area can put people in other vehicles at risk. When a commercial truck is involved in a collision, the people involved may experience injuries that can be catastrophic, permanent, or fatal.

The attorneys at Farmer & Klopfer have the legal experience needed to help people who have been seriously injured in commercial truck crashes. These cases often involve complex legal issues related to liability, and the compensation that may be needed to address serious bodily harm may be large. Our team can investigate these accidents, identify the liable parties, and help our clients secure the compensation they deserve.

Maintenance Failures and Equipment Breakdowns

Drivers who operate commercial trucks are required to perform pre-trip and post-trip inspections to determine whether there are mechanical issues that may require attention. Trucking companies are required to keep trucks maintained by performing any necessary repairs or servicing parts that can become worn. The failure to perform proper maintenance can lead to mechanical failures while a truck is in motion. Mechanical issues that can lead to truck accidents include:

Brake System Failures

The air brakes on commercial trucks are more complex than the hydraulic brakes on passenger vehicles. Regular upkeep and maintenance are needed to ensure that brakes will function correctly. Worn brakes, air leaks in brake lines, or other problems can prevent brakes from working. The distance required to stop may increase, or a truck driver may be unable to slow down or stop at all, causing them to collide with other vehicles at a high speed.

Tire Failures and Blowouts

Commercial truck tires must be inflated properly, and they will need to be replaced when they become worn. When tires wear down, are damaged, or are underinflated or overinflated, they can deflate suddenly or explode. When a tire blowout occurs, a truck driver can lose control, causing the truck to veer into other lanes or oncoming traffic.

Steering System Defects

A failure in a commercial truck's steering system can prevent a driver from being able to control the truck's direction. They may have no way to keep a truck within a lane or maneuver around obstacles. Steering system failures may occur if parts become worn or damaged or if they are not properly lubricated.

Defective Lighting and Visibility Equipment

Commercial trucks must have functioning headlights, taillights, and other lights and reflective equipment. When the lights on a truck are not functioning correctly, another driver may not be able to see a truck and avoid a collision.

Coupling System Failures

The coupling that connects a truck's cab to its trailer will need to be inspected and maintained to ensure that it is working properly. A coupling that is worn or damaged can fail, causing the trailer to separate from the cab. A disconnected trailer may collide with other vehicles, or it may block the road, leading to a multi-vehicle pileup.

Cargo-Related Causes of Truck Accidents

Trucks may carry multiple types of cargo, and the items being transported are often large and heavy. When cargo is not loaded correctly, dangerous accidents can occur.

Overloaded Trucks and Weight Distribution Problems

Trucks that are loaded beyond the legal weight limit will experience stress that can affect multiple types of mechanical components. Tires may break down more quickly or fail due to heavy loads. Brakes may not function correctly, affecting a driver's ability to slow down quickly. Suspension systems or other equipment may also be affected, leading to issues that could affect a driver's ability to control the truck.

When a truck is overloaded, it can become unstable, and a rollover accident or other type of accident may occur. Even if a truck is within the proper weight limit, a load that is not distributed correctly can make the truck unstable. A driver will be more likely to lose control on curved roads or when changing lanes or making turns.

Unsecured and Shifting Cargo

Cargo that is not secured in place to keep it from moving can also lead to a truck accident. If items move because of a truck's acceleration, braking, and cornering, the balance of the truck may be affected. Unsecured cargo may also fall off a truck and into the road. This can lead to catastrophic consequences for people in other vehicles. Heavy items that fall may crush a smaller car, or spilled cargo may create dangerous obstacles that cause drivers to swerve, skid to a stop, or collide with other vehicles.

Truck Driver Negligence

Driver behavior is a contributing factor in many truck crashes. Negligence by truck drivers may include:

Speeding

Commercial trucks need a great deal of distance to stop. This distance will increase when a truck is traveling at a high speed. When a truck driver violates the speed limit or drives at a speed that is unsafe because of weather conditions or traffic, their ability to stop in time to avoid a collision will be affected.

Blind Spot Accidents

When other vehicles are traveling near a commercial truck, the truck driver may not be able to see them. Vehicles may be hidden in blind spots directly in front of a truck's cab, behind the trailer, and along both sides of the truck and trailer. Blind spot accidents can occur when a truck driver changes lanes without looking in their blind spot or merges into traffic without making sure a lane is clear.

Distracted Driving

Phone use and other types of distractions can affect truck drivers the same as other drivers, preventing them from being able to see and respond to what is happening on the road. However, these distractions can be more dangerous when operating a large truck, since small mistakes like the failure to notice that traffic has slowed down can lead to devastating collisions. Truck accidents involving distracted driving may be caused by the use of radios, GPS devices, or other equipment, eating and drinking while behind the wheel, or other issues that can take a truck driver's attention away from the road.

Intoxicated Driving

The legal blood alcohol limit for commercial drivers is 0.04%, which is much lower than the legal limit for people driving passenger vehicles. Truck drivers who drink alcohol before getting behind the wheel will experience impairments that can make the safe operation of a truck impossible. Drug use may also lead to serious impairments, and truck drivers may cause accidents after using illegal controlled substances, prescription medications, or certain types of medicines that can cause drowsiness.

Fatigued Driving

Truck drivers can become dangerously tired or drowsy after long shifts. Driver fatigue may prevent a truck driver from being fully aware of the road, limit their ability to maintain control of their truck, or even cause them to fall asleep while driving. In addition to the exhaustion that truck drivers may experience after driving for many hours, the use of medications can lead to drowsiness, or sleep disorders can cause fatigue.

Contact Our La Plata, Maryland Truck Accident Lawyers

After a commercial truck crash, the team at Farmer & Klopfer can perform an investigation to uncover its causes and determine who may be held responsible. To learn more about how we can help an injury victim obtain compensation, contact our La Plata commercial truck accident attorneys at 301-843-3890 and set up a free consultation.