Approximately 10,000 semi-tractor trailer accidents occur in Maryland each year with over 500,000 occurring throughout the greater continental United States of America. Approximately 100 people die as a result of truck accidents in Maryland with over 5000 deaths from trucking accidents occurring throughout the United States.

Why are 18 wheeler accidents so common?

There are several reasons a big rig may end up being involved in an accident. Some accidents are caused by careless drivers the truck driver has to share the highways with. Inexperienced truck drivers cruising on unfamiliar roads may encounter steep downgrade highways and miscalculate their breaking routine resulting in semi crash. Tractor trailers have a high center of gravity and they roll over rather easily. Even an experienced driver can miscalculate or have an improperly secured load shift and cause the truck to flip. Something as simple as hitting a curb may cause a flip as well. Every tractor trailer has a blind spot and the longer the trailer, the bigger the spot. Blind spots cause quite a few trucking accidents each year.

Why Semi Truck accidents are common on highways in Maryland:

According to statistics as recent as 2007 speeding is one of the top reasons for truck accidents each year in Maryland. Other problems include fatigue, mechanical failure, tire failure, improperly seated cargo, and alcohol or drug usage. Sixty percent of all truck related accidents occur on rural roads and speeding is the number one cause of accidents.

What are the common types of tractor trailer accidents and common injuries suffered?

The most common type of truck driver accident is because of driver fatigue. Federal laws allow drivers to run for eleven hours without taking a break and studies have shown that a driver’s attention span starts to waver after the eight hour range. Between the eighth and eleventh hour of driving, trucker accidents caused by fatigue are at their highest. Falling cargo and shifting loads are also common reasons for semi accidents. Occasionally a truck will be involved in an accident because of repair and maintenance reasons resulting from subpar inspections. Drugs and alcohol impair judgment and play a factor in accident rates as well.

Generally speaking injuries incurred during a trucking accident are very severe to other vehicles involved and moderate to severe for the truck driver. Sixty thousand pounds of truck can cause a lot of damage in an instant and change lives forever.

What steps to take if an injury/accident occurs to protect your legal rights:

Stay as close to the accident as possible. Call the state or local police and report the accident immediately or as soon as possible. You will need to present your name, address, proof of insurance, license number and the VIN number of the vehicles involved. If you are injured you should get this information to the police as soon as possible but not at the expense of your health. If you have a camera and are able you are encouraged to take as many pictures from as many angles as possible of the accident scene. Always go to the hospital and get checked out for injuries. Many times you may not feel pain but will develop pain within twenty-four hours after the accident. It’s best to be safe and get checked out by a qualified doctor. Your insurance will cover some or all of the expenses incurred in doing so.

The last and most important thing you should do is call Joel Fader a tractor trailer accident lawyer and discuss your situation. 18 wheeler accident lawyer Joel Fader is your best option when it comes to preserving your legal rights & protecting yourself from frivolous lawsuits.