With just one look at the size of an 18-wheeler compared to other passenger vehicles, you expect that Maryland truck accidents are often deadly. Fortunately, data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reveals that fatal crashes involving commercial vehicles are on the decline, dropping one percent from 2017 to 2018. However, the story is very different when you look at the statistics on truck collisions that cause serious harm to victims. After rising 62% from 2009 to 2015, there was another 8% spike in the number of injury-causing truck accidents from 2016 to 2018. A total of 121,000 incidents.
It is horrific to get hurt in any type of motor vehicle crash. Truck collisions are unique in the types of devastating injuries they cause. They are also very one-sided in terms of who is injured, and it most likely NOT the truck driver. You can trust a Baltimore, MD truck accident lawyer to help you recover the compensation you deserve, but it is also useful to know common truck collision injuries and related details.
Serious, Catastrophic Injuries from Truck Crashes
Many of the same injuries result from truck accidents. They are typically more severe and intensified when one vehicle is so much larger and heavier. Some of the most common forms of bodily harm include:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI), concussion, and other head trauma, which can be life-altering depending on the severity and part of the brain affected;
- Spinal cord and back injuries, at times leading to paralysis, paraplegia, or quadriplegia;
- Burns, which are a particular concern when the truck is hauling gasoline, oil, or other hazardous substances;
- Trauma to internal organs;
- Broken bones, including stable, compound, or transverse fractures;
- Sprains and strains;
- Disfigurement and amputation; and,
- Soft tissue injuries, such as whiplash, herniated and/or bulging discs in the spine, and bursitis.
Legal Remedies for Truck Accident Victims
Like other motor vehicle crashes, your first step in the legal process is filing a claim for compensation with the truck driver’s insurance company. You might be relieved to know that operators of commercial vehicles carry higher insurance coverage to protect victims of truck accidents, starting at $750,000. However, the downside is that insurers will be more aggressive in protecting the company’s interests when the risk of loss is high. You will be dealing with a very experienced insurance adjuster who will scrutinize your claim to find reasons to deny it.
If the insurance company refuses to pay a reasonable amount as compensation. You may need to file a lawsuit in court to get fair monetary damages. Through settlement negotiations with the insurer and/or in court, you could qualify to obtain amounts for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses.
Get Legal Help from a Baltimore County, MD Truck Accidents Attorney
For more information on your rights after being injured in a Maryland truck collision, please contact attorney Michael A. Freedman to set up a free case evaluation. We can advise you on your options after reviewing your unique circumstances.
