It’s common to feel anxious when driving near a large truck, and you have a good reason to be cautious. Accidents involving semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, or other sizable vehicles can cause significant, life-changing injuries.

If you or a loved one has been in an accident involving a truck that has inflicted damage, such as loss of wages, wrongful death, extreme suffering from an injury, or property damage, contact a truck accidents lawyer as soon as possible. A professional will be able to assess your case and determine if you are entitled to compensation.

Johnnie Bond has helped many clients in the DMV through the aftermath of truck accidents. Our law firm can take the reins on your case so that you can focus on family and recovery.

Truck Accidents in DC and Maryland

If another person’s negligence led to an accident, you might have access to compensation for any damages you experienced. With truck accidents, determining the cause and liability is more complex than in other cases. Many individuals and organizations have their hands in trucking operations, such as the driver, the driver’s employer, the freight loaders, and the truck manufacturer.

The complicated nature of truck crashes makes it vital to work with a skilled personal injury attorney. Lawyer Johnnie Bond will search every possible avenue for evidence that will give you fair compensation.

Common Causes for Truck Accidents

• Mechanical failure
• Speeding
• Failure to check blind spots
• Distracted driving
• Lack of sleep
• Intoxicated driving
• Unsecured cargo
• Failure to follow FMCSA regulations

Every truck driver should use reasonable care when operating a vehicle. Distracted driving is common among truckers. Since they are on the road for long periods, some truck drivers pass the time by talking on their headsets or using their phones.

Liability for the accident can extend beyond the truck driver. If a trucking company sets unreasonable quotas and delivery times, the truckers could suffer from lack of sleep or speed to save time, leading to accidents.

The truck’s manufacturer could also be held liable in your injury case. If the brakes fail or a tire pops, causing a crash that injures you, courts may require the manufacturer to compensate you.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates the trucking industry to prevent accidents like yours. The organization requires trucking companies to follow guidelines involving drug testing, securing freight, overloading commercial trucks, and medical qualifications for drivers.

Truck Accident Compensation in DC and Maryland

A big part of why dealing with a truck accident can be so challenging is the insurance companies. The trucking company will most likely have a highly specialized team of insurers backing them up to protect them from costs like compensation for the victim. Often, they will offer you a settlement for an amount much lower than you deserve.

Our truck accidents lawyer can take the weight off your shoulders and negotiate with the other party’s insurance team on your behalf. Attorney Johnnie Bond has extensive experience handling cases with insurance companies, and he will fight passionately for your right to compensation from the liable party.

Types of compensation include:

• Medical bills (hospital stay, surgery, medications, rehabilitation, etc.)
• Lost wages (during medical treatment and recovery)
• Pain and suffering

Our team at Johnnie Bond Law will assess your accident claim to determine if you are entitled to certain forms of compensation. Depending on your injuries, you could be awarded a significant amount for medical expenses. We’ll also work hard to recover any wages you lost while having to be away from work.

The accident’s effect on your mental health can also warrant compensation. If you become anxious, depressed, or develop a psychological disorder because of the crash, you should receive fair payment to cover costs associated with treatment.

Truck Accident FAQs

How are truck accidents different from other accidents?

Trucks are much larger and heavier than most other vehicles on the road, so collisions with a truck are more likely to result in serious injuries. Moreover, truck drivers have more difficulty stopping or slowing down and more blind spots than other drivers. This means they need to be well-trained and exercise extreme caution while driving.

When trucking companies use drivers that are poorly trained or overworked, the company can be liable for accidents caused by these drivers. Finally, because trucks are so often commercial vehicles, they are subject to control by many people, so there can be many more individuals and companies potentially liable for a truck accident than accidents involving privately-owned cars.

What causes truck accidents?

Like other collisions, truck accidents in the DMV often result from a combination of causes. Some of the most common include:

• Driver distractions
• Hazardous conditions on the road
• Improper truck maintenance or loading
• Drivers impaired by fatigue or substance abuse
• Mistakes due to lack of adequate training
• Reckless driving encouraged by unrealistic deadlines

While the driver may be responsible for many factors, often actions of the driver’s employer also contribute to the cause of truck accidents.

What can I do to protect my rights after a truck accident?

Attorneys are trained to protect the rights of individuals in all circumstances, so the best way to protect your rights after an accident is to consult a lawyer who is familiar with that type of accident. Your lawyer can provide advice and handle communications on your behalf to help you avoid saying or doing something that could unintentionally compromise your interests or waive your rights.

What should I do at the scene of a truck accident?

At the scene of an accident, first look to the health and safety of yourself and those around you. If you have a phone available, call 911 to get emergency assistance as soon as possible. Even if you don’t feel injured, others may need emergency help and the presence of emergency vehicles and first responders will protect you from further harm. If you are in a dangerous position and it is possible to move safely, relocate to a safe position.

Avoid talking to anyone about the actual accident or events leading up to it. In particular, avoid the temptation to say “I’m sorry” to anyone, even though that is the natural polite instinct in troublesome situations. Even the most innocent expression of sympathy can be taken as admission of guilt later.

You should receive a thorough medical exam even if you feel fine. Doctors can detect injuries that may not be immediately apparent.

If you or someone else on the scene is able, take photographs of all vehicles and surroundings involved in the crash and collect contract information of witnesses. When police arrive, answer questions with facts, but don’t make any guesses. If you don’t know something, simply admit that you don’t know.

What should I do in the days following a truck accident?

Your health is the most important factor after a truck accident, so follow the doctor’s instructions. Some injuries take time to show up, so if you notice symptoms like dizziness or pain, be sure to have the doctor examine you again. Make notes about how you are feeling and how your life has been impacted by the accident.

Continue to collect evidence to show the causes of the accident such as photographs and video footage from traffic or security cameras. Your attorney can help with this process. That means if you have not already started working with an experienced truck accident lawyer, a consultation should be one of the first things on your to-do list. The earlier you start working with an attorney, the more opportunities they have to help you recover.

Who can be sued in a truck accident case?

Anyone whose actions (or failure to act) contributed to the cause of the accident could potentially be held liable. Your attorney might bring an action against the:

• Owner of the truck
• Shipping company
• Vehicle maintenance providers
• Driver of the truck
• Drivers of other vehicles involved in the collision
• Property owners or who created a dangerous condition on the road

What kind of damages can I recover?

If you can establish that another person or company is liable for a truck accident, you can recover damages to make up for your economic losses as well as intangible effects such as pain, suffering, and emotional distress. Your economic losses include medical bills, vehicle damage, lost wages, and amounts to cover your future needs.

What should I do if the trucking company calls me before I’ve picked a lawyer?

You do not need to answer questions or discuss settlement arrangements before consulting a lawyer. You can simply decline to speak with them, even if they try to pressure you.

Often trucking company attorneys or investigators will try to trick you into saying something to hurt your case. Or they may tell you that if you refuse to accept the small settlement amount they’re offering now, they will withdraw the offer and you’ll get nothing. Talk to an experienced truck accident attorney before doing anything. An attorney can calculate a fair value for your losses and work to ensure that you receive it.

How long do I have to file a lawsuit after a truck wreck?

Each jurisdiction establishes a statute of limitations with a time limit for filing particular types of legal actions. For a truck accident in DC or Maryland, accident victims must prepare and file their lawsuits within three years. In Virginia, the limit is two years. But for the best chance of success, it is wise to start working with an attorney to build your legal claim long before the court deadline approaches.

Work With a Skilled Truck Accidents Lawyer in Maryland and Washington, DC

Attorney Johnnie Bond represents his clients with ferocity in court and negotiations with the other parties. He understands that you have been going through painful events, and he’ll compassionately listen to your concerns. Johnnie Bond will work with you to devise a custom strategy that addresses your legal concerns.

If you seek compensation after in a truck accident, contact the experienced truck accidents lawyers at Johnnie Bond Law at (202) 683-6803 to schedule a free consultation.