When Do You Need a Truck Accident Attorney in Maryland?

When Do You Need a Truck Accident Attorney in Maryland?

If you have been injured in a truck accident, you may be confused about what to do next. Your first step should be to contact a truck accident lawyer who specializes in trucking accidents. Trucking accidents are particularly difficult to prove in court. Trucking accident victims must rely on the testimony of eyewitnesses to show negligence and to show that the trucker was speeding or otherwise responsible for causing the accident.

Local hospitals that treat truck accident injuries:

Common Truck Accident Cases in Maryland

Truck accidents happen every day across America. They often cause serious injuries and sometimes death. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 4,761 people killed in crashes involving large trucks in 2017.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reported the following factors caused the highest number of crashes:

  • Speeding
  • Drunk Driving
  • Failure to Yeild
  • Distracted Driving
  • Improper Maintenance
  • Poor Road Conditions
  • Fatigue

How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Claim in Maryland?

In order to file a claim against an insurance company, you must first file a truck accident claim with the state. However, you don't necessarily have to wait until after the statute of limitations has passed to file a PIP claim. There are several exceptions to the statute of limitations that allow you to file a PIP case earlier.

What does this mean for you? It means that you can still file a claim even though the statute of limitations has expired. However, you may not receive any benefits unless you prove that you filed within the appropriate timeframe.

So, how long do I have to file a truck accident claim in Maryland?

There are two types of statutes of limitations that apply to personal injury claims:

Statute of Limitations for medical expenses

This is the most common statute of limitations for personal injury cases. It states that you have three years to file a claim for medical expenses.

For example, let's say you were involved in a car crash last week. You went to the hospital immediately following the accident. Doctors diagnosed you with whiplash and prescribed pain medication. Three years later, you go back to see your doctor. He tells you that he thinks you should stop taking the pain medications because they are not helping anymore. He recommends physical therapy instead. Now, you have three years to sue the driver responsible for your injuries. But, you have to file your lawsuit within three years of the accident.

Statute of limitations for non-medical damages

This statute of limitations applies to non-medical damages such as lost wages, property damage, and emotional distress. It states that you have six years to file a claim.

For example, let's say that you were involved in a truck accident last month. You suffered minor injuries, but you had to miss work due to your injuries. Six years later, you go to court to collect money for your missed paychecks. You win the case and the judge awards you $10,000. But, you didn't file your claim within six years of the accident. That means you won't be eligible for any additional compensation.

What Are Some Types of Truck Accident Compensation?

In order to receive compensation, you must prove that the truck driver was negligent. Negligence means that he did something wrong that caused his vehicle to crash into yours.

There are two types of truck accident compensation: third party liability and underinsured motorist coverage.

Third Party Liability

This covers damages that result from an injury caused by another person or entity. This usually happens when a car hits a pedestrian or a motorcycle collides with a car.

Underinsured Motorist Coverage

This protects you against losses resulting from an injury caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver. Uninsured drivers don't have insurance, and underinsured drivers pay too much for their insurance.

How Much Do I Get Paid For My Injury?

The amount of compensation depends on several factors. First, the severity of your injuries determines how much you get paid. Second, the extent of your medical bills affects how much you get paid for those expenses. Third, whether you are permanently disabled or not affects how much you get compensated.

  • Medical Bills
  • Permanent Disability
  • Legal Fees

Why Are Truck Accidents More Complicated?

Truck accidents are one of the most common types of car crashes. They happen every day across America and often result in serious injuries.
In fact, truck accidents account for nearly half of all fatal motor vehicle accidents.

So why are truck accidents more complicated than other kinds of car accidents? Let's find out.

There Are Many Different Types of Trucks

There are three main categories of trucks: passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and heavy duty trucks. Each category has its own set of rules and regulations.
For example, commercial vehicles are required to have special safety features such as air bags, seat belts, and anti-lock brakes. Heavy duty trucks are required to have rollover protection systems and emergency flashers. Passenger cars don't have any of these requirements.

Trucks Can Be Dangerous

Heavy duty trucks are big, bulky machines that weigh tons. They can easily flip over and cause major damage to other vehicles and pedestrians.
Commercial vehicles are similar to heavy duty trucks except they are smaller and lighter. These vehicles can still flip over and cause serious injury or death.

Trucks Aren't Always Safe

Even though heavy duty trucks are designed to withstand collisions, they aren't always safe. For instance, they can tip over and fall off the road. If this happens, the driver may be injured or killed.

Trucks Are Often Overloaded

Many truck drivers overload their trucks. This causes them to become unstable and unsafe.
Overloading trucks can lead to serious injuries or deaths.

Trucks Are Often Used To Transport Hazardous Materials

Hazardous materials include chemicals, pesticides, fertilizers, and radioactive material.
Transporting hazardous materials requires special training and equipment.

Benefits of Hiring a Maryland Truck Accident Lawyer for Your Claim

In Maryland, a truck accident lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve after a serious truck accident. A truck accident can be extremely dangerous and even deadly. Many of these accidents occur in rural areas where there are no medical facilities nearby. As such, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible after a truck accident.

Here are five benefits of hiring a Maryland truck accident lawyer for your claim.

  • Experience Matters - Hiring a lawyer with experience means you won't have to spend hours researching legal issues and procedures. Instead, he or she will be able to guide you through the entire process. This saves you valuable time and helps ensure that you receive fair compensation for your losses.
  • Attorneys Can Help Negotiate Settlement Offers - An experienced lawyer knows how to negotiate settlements. He or she will be able understand insurance companies' offers and determine whether they are reasonable.
  • An Experienced Attorney Will Be Able To Handle All Aspects Of Your Case - A lawyer who specializes in personal injury claims will be familiar with all aspects of your case. For example, he or she will know how to handle police reports, medical records, and witness statements.
  • An Experienced Attorney Has Access To Expert Witnesses And Other Resources - When you hire a lawyer, you give him or her access to experts and resources that you wouldn't otherwise have. These include doctors, nurses, and other professionals who can testify about your condition and treatment.

These types of resources can be very helpful in determining the amount of compensation you should receive. So, if you were involved in a truck accident, contact a Maryland truck accident lawyer right away.

How do Truck Accident Claims in Maryland Work?

Maryland has strict laws regarding personal injury lawsuits. To qualify for compensation, you must prove that the truck driver was negligent. Negligence means that the truck driver failed to act reasonably under the circumstances.

Negligent drivers often fail to yield right of way to pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists. They also fail to maintain proper control of their vehicles. If you were injured due to negligence, you may be eligible to recover damages. Damages include medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and suffering, and emotional trauma.

Maryland Truck Accident Lawyers

In Maryland, truck accidents occur more often than any other type of accident. Many people do not realize that truck drivers can be held liable for their actions causing a collision and resulting in injury. This is why it is important to hire a truck accident attorney who will aggressively represent you in court.

At Blank Kim Injury Law, we have been representing victims of truck accidents for years. We have successfully obtained compensation for our clients who suffered personal injuries as a result of a truck accident. We believe that no person should suffer financial hardship as a result of a negligent truck driver.

Our team of truck accident attorneys knows that the first step in recovering compensation for an injury caused by a truck accident is to file a claim against the trucking company and obtain a free case evaluation. At our law firm, we believe that a free case evaluation is the best way to determine whether we can help you and, if so, what compensation you may be entitled to.

We believe that truck drivers are often not as careful as they should be. Our team has handled many cases of truck accidents and we know how to get trucking companies to pay for their negligence.

Contact our local injury law offices for a free case consultation

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Aaron Blank Esq
Date Published: December 13, 2022
Aaron Blank is a patient safety advocate who holds the healthcare system responsible when it fails. He keeps businesses accountable if they choose profits over the safety of the community, and he ensures car insurance companies pay their fair share for the harm that reckless drivers cause. Aaron and his proficient legal team bring an approach based on dedication, guidance, and compassion through the difficult process of pursuing serious injury claims. He has dedicated his career to fighting for injury victims to recover losses from medical expenses, lost income, loss of enjoyment of life, or the loss of a loved one.
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