Maryland Trucking Laws Article

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Maryland Trucking Laws

Author: Sara Goldstein

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The laws that govern truck accident claims are often different from state to state. In the state of Maryland, all tractor-trailer accidents are subject to a fault system. This means that the party who was responsible for the accident is required to compensate anyone who was injured during the truck accident. Maryland truck accident claims usually have two separate components: liability and damages.

Understanding Maryland Truck Accident Liability
The term “liability” merely refers to who caused the truck accident. Every motorist – including truck drivers – has a responsibility to observe traffic laws and drive as safely as possible. If any driver fails to live up to this standard, they can be held accountable for negligence.

In order to prove negligence and liability in a Maryland tractor-trailer accident case, you will need to show that the truck driver was acting recklessly at the time of the accident. For example, you could argue that the trucker was:

• Distracted
• Fatigued
• Speeding
• Making an illegal turn
• Driving under the influence
• Violating traffic laws
• Changing lanes without proper signals

Sadly, Maryland is one of only four states in America that is under a strict rule called “contributory negligence.” This rule means that you cannot recover any type of damages from your opponent if they prove that you contributed to the accident in any way. Even if you were only 1% responsible for a tractor-trailer accident, you will receive nothing.
Because of this, it is all the more essential for you to seek out an experienced Maryland truck accident attorney who is well-versed in Maryland trucking laws and can aggressively fight for your right to compensation.

Maryland Truck Accident Damages
Technically, damages are defined as the consequences of the negligent person (or party)’s actions. In other words, what harm did you suffer because of the truck driver and/or their trucking company? In order to recover damages, you need to request a reasonable amount of money that is calculated based on your actual losses.

In a Maryland tractor-trailer accident case, you can seek compensation for:
• Personal injury
• Property
• Punitive damages (only in rare cases)

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is one aspect of Maryland accident law that you can pursue separately from your negligence and personal injury claim. Unless you expressly rejected it when you bought your car insurance, you should have PIP. This no-fault policy allows you to receive compensation and benefits regardless of who caused the accident. PIP is especially valuable since you can obtain benefits quickly, while you are waiting for your liability claim to reach a verdict.

If you would like more information about Maryland truck accident law, please visit the website of the experienced Maryland tractor-trailer accident attorneys at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. today.

About Author

Chaikin & Sherman, P.C. focuses on seeking compensation for victims who have suffered serious personal injury or death resulting from negligence, medical malpractice, motor vehicle collisions, tractor trailer accidents, or defective products. Whatever the injury may be, we seek to obtain maximum compensation for our clients, including compensation for the emotional pain and suffering that accompanies serious injury. We also handle class action lawsuits and consumer fraud litigation. The law firm enjoys the highest rating (AV) from the Martindale-Hubbell organization. The firm has offices in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Contact us today for more information and to schedule a free and confidential consultation with one of our lawyers.

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