Wrongful Death Claims Resulting From Commercial Truck-Related Pedestrian Accidents

There are no guarantees in life, which unfortunately applies to being injured in a serious Maryland traffic accident. And, knowing that there is always a possibility of injury or death on our roadways is not much consolation, nor does it offer a foolproof defense against becoming just another highway accident statistic. Regardless of the type of vehicle that one travels in -- either as a driver or passenger -- some of the more deadly beltway and interstate collisions involve commercial trucks and smaller passenger cars.

Whether you own a sedan, compact sports car, minivan, pickup truck, or sport utility vehicle, none of these vehicles, even the largest SUV, can provide enough protection when it comes to being involved in a roadway crash with an 18-wheeler or large box-type delivery truck. With many times the mass of a typical passenger vehicle, commercial trucks present a legitimate hazard for other motorists when circumstances result in a serious traffic wreck -- especially in dense rush-hour traffic or higher speed interstate and beltway situations, such as those in the Baltimore and Washington, D.C., areas.

As Maryland personal injury professionals, the legal team at Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers, knows that the odds of being injured or killed in a car-truck collision can be quite high, even when compared to some of the more deadly car-to-car roadway accidents that take place every day in this state. The same can be said for those individuals on motorcycles, bicycles or traveling on foot, who may find themselves the victim of a commercial trucking-related injury accident, except that the potential for fatalities with this latter group can be much greater.

Regarding most fatal trucking accidents, whether they take place on an expressway, beltway or city street, if trucker negligence is determined to be a causal factor in the victim’s death, there may be grounds for a wrongful death claim against the responsible parties. Wrongful death lawsuits are often filed in the wake of a tragic loss of life caused by a traffic-related incident involving an 18-wheeled big rig or other commercial vehicle and a victim riding in a passenger car, charter or municipal bus, or as a pedestrian, cyclist or jogger.

These types of accidents can result in death either at the scene of the collision or later in the hospital following unsuccessful life-saving measures. In some instances, even after days or weeks of fighting the effects of severe and lingering injuries, a victim may be found to have died from complications related to the original trucking wreck.

If an innocent person dies because of another individual’s negligence, careless driving or deliberate actions, one can only assume that the responsible parties should be held accountable for their part in the death. Depending on the situation, the victim’s family may be justified in filing a wrongful death lawsuit against the negligent driver who caused their loved one’s death. Naturally, speaking with a qualified personal injury lawyer -- such as the skilled attorneys at Lebowitz & Mzhen -- can provide the victim’s family with a better understanding of their rights under the law.

It is important to recognize that most anyone who travels Maryland’s highways and surface streets is assuming some risk, no matter how miniscule, to their personal health and wellbeing. However, though there may be some risk, a personal injury or fatal car-truck collision resulting from driver negligence is still something that likely could have been prevented. Certainly, the victims of such accidents (or their families) must be allowed to recover damages from the responsible party.

One of the more common causes of fatal trucking accidents is distracted driving. Even the best, most professional truck drivers can find themselves distracted while operating a commercial vehicle. These distractions can range from the use of a cellphone, texting or checking email on a smartphone, and even eating a sandwich or drinking coffee while riding down the beltway. As a matter of fact, even something as basic as tuning in a radio station can cause enough distraction so as to disrupt a trucker’s concentration and lead to a serious traffic accident.

Although Maryland’s legislature has made it illegal to text while driving, or to use a cellphone without employing a hands-free device, the opportunities for fatal trucking accidents due to distracted driving continue to persist. At Lebowitz & Mzhen, our attorneys have experience representing victims of serious traffic collisions and other severe personal injury accidents. Our legal staff understands the numerous hazards that can cause innocent people, including motorists, pedestrians, and those who ride public transport, to be injured or killed as a result of another driver’s carelessness.

If you or someone you love has been gravely injured in a commercial trucking accident, whether caused by an 18-wheel semi, municipal garbage hauler, box-type delivery vehicle, urban or charter bus, it is critical that you consider contacting a qualified personal injury attorney who understands Maryland’s injury statutes, as well as the state’s automobile and commercial trucking insurance law. The attorneys at Lebowitz & Mzhen have experience handling traffic-related injury accident claims. We are ready to assist victims with their injury claims. Please call us at (800) 654-1949 to schedule your free, no-obligation meeting with one of our trucking accident attorneys. You may also contact us by sending an e-mail to either Jack Lebowitz or Vadim Mzhen regarding your Maryland and Washington, D.C., personal injury case.