Posted in Personal Injury Lawyer
What do I need to know about commercial trucking accidents?
If you have been injured in a Frederick truck accident, it is important that you have the help of a reliable Frederick, MD trucking accident lawyer. Cohen & Cohen makes it our job is to pave the way in the court system to ensure your rights are protected and you get the justice you deserve.
However, you may not know where to start. Here’s some information on what to expect when working with a lawyer you can trust here at Cohen & Cohen.
First of All, What is a Commercial Truck?
A commercial truck is defined as any large truck that is being used for a professional purpose. There are a wide scope of trucks under this definition, such as big-rigs, 18-wheelers, tractor trailers, and large delivery trucks. They can be delivering anything from flowers to hazardous material, privately owned or publicly owned.
Why Are Commercial Trucks So Much More Dangerous?
The simple answer to this is the sheer size of these vehicles. The average commercial truck is 53 feet long, eight and a half feet wide, and 16 times heavier than a personal vehicle. These metrics make for much more dangerous roads and fatal conditions — in fact, 8% of all fatal accidents on the road are with tractor trailers. While this may not seem like a large number, for perspective this is the equivalent of 29 car accidents for every 100,000 cars on the road.
It is rare that an accident with a commercial truck does not cause damage to property, and injuries to people that puts them in need of help from a trucking accident lawyer that Frederick, MD trucking accident victims can rely on.
The Different Types of Truck Accidents
Any accident with a large truck can be placed under a truck accident classification. This includes:
- Head on accidents
- Trucks that have broadsided you
- Drivers who have lost control/ distracted drivers
- Rear-ending accidents
- Lane crossover accidents
- Hit and run
A majority of accidents can be prevented if a driver is cautious of a truck’s blind spot. Since the blind spot on these kinds of vehicles are quite substantial, make sure you can see the truck’s rear view mirrors at all times when driving and keep an appropriate distance. If you can’t see the mirrors, the truck driver cannot see you.
Regardless of what caused it, if you were injured in a Frederick, MD trucking accident, it may be in your best interest to contact a lawyer who is experienced with successfully defending the rights of truck accident victims.
Determining Fault and Who is Responsible
It is important to work with an experienced truck accident lawyer because they will help discover the truth about your accident. The professionals at Cohen & Cohen will take a thorough investigation into what happened and other factors such as:
- Compiling eyewitness testimonies
- Analyzing the mechanics on the vehicles involved
- Examining the police report
- Research the truck driver’s training and work conditions of that day. For example, looking into how long they were driving without a break and when was the last time they got adequate sleep
- Find out who is the owner of the vehicle; whether it is the trucking company or the driver
These details are important to find out so the right person can be held responsible, whether it is the driver, the trucking company, or both.
Working with a trucking accident lawyer is important so you can have a trusted advocate navigate the Frederick, MD court system for you. Our lawyers here at Cohen & Cohen are here to fight for your rights and get you the justice you deserve. If you have any questions about how to get started with filing a truck accident claim, do not hesitate to contact us today.
For a highly rated Frederick, MD trucking accident lawyer, contact Cohen & Cohen for a free case evaluation with no obligation.
