Fulton Truck Accident Attorney
Being involved in an accident with a truck can be devastating. Both injuries and property damage can be far more extensive than an accident with another car. The laws governing these accidents are even more complicated than a simple traffic accident. Determining liability isn’t always a clear-cut issue, and such cases usually require the assistance of a truck accident attorney in Fulton, MD.
Truck Accidents on the Rise
During the past 20 years, the number of accidents involving trucks has increased nearly 20%. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which governs the trucking industry, reports nearly 3,500 people died in accidents involving trucks in 2014. While trucks represent a small portion of overall vehicle accidents, the injuries victims sustained in the course of crash are much worse.
Truck Accidents: Who’s Responsible?
Since semis and other large trucks are inherently more dangerous than other vehicles, they’re required to follow extra rules governed by federal regulations. Some state Departments of Transportation also enforces rules for trucks. These agencies and rules often help determine who is at fault in the event of a truck accident.
Truck accidents aren’t a simple matter of determining liability between two drivers. The courts may find anyone in a web of individuals or companies negligent in an accident, including:
- The driver
- The company that employs the driver
- The manufacturer of the truck
- The loader of the cargo (when improper balancing is a factor in the accident)
Anyone on this list may be at fault, partially or wholly, for an accident. For example, a sleep-deprived driver may be more likely to crash, but it’s a company’s responsibility to ensure drivers are adhering to all regulations involving driving limits.
Exposing Legal Loopholes
Companies and leasing agencies are aware that they’re taking on liability every time they lease a truck or hire a driver, so they often try to distance themselves from any responsibility. For example, they may hire independent contractors to relieve themselves from responsibility, or they may try to point the finger at the person whose responsibility it is to maintain the equipment. Often, multiple parties pass the buck amongst each other, while the victim waits for a settlement to pay bills and medical expenses.
Tracing the Liability Trail
An experienced Fulton truck accident lawyer can help you figure out who’s ultimately responsible for your accident. You should never be in the position of waiting to figure out where the money to pay for your bills is coming from, especially when you were merely in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Don’t pay the price for someone else’s negligence. If you’ve been involved in a truck accident, retain the services of a truck accident attorney as soon as possible. You’ll need an expert’s advice, especially if the vehicle is owned by the government.
What’s My Best Course of Action?
At Discepolo Firm, we’re dedicated to giving our clients the resources to move on and resume living their best lives. We want to help those who have been injured in truck accidents get the most fair results. We’ll find the parties responsible and determine a fair settlement amount, given your physical and financial suffering. In the case of gross negligence, we’ll pursue punitive damages to punish the wrongdoers.
Your path to closure begins with a free case evaluation. One of our associates will review your case and help you decide on the next best steps. If we think you have a case for negligence, we’ll take it on a contingency-fee basis. You only pay if we win, making it a risk-free process. To schedule your initial consultation today, call 410.296.0780.