Truck Accident Lawyer in Maryland

Collisions involving commercial trucks on Maryland roadways often leave victims with catastrophic injuries and mounting medical bills. When you are struggling with physical pain and financial hardship, securing a skilled truck accident lawyer in Maryland is vital to protecting your rights and obtaining full compensation.

At Jaklitsch Law Group, we represent individuals harmed in every type of tractor-trailer crash, from jackknife collisions on Interstate 95 to incidents where smaller vehicles become trapped beneath large rigs on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Our Maryland personal injury attorneys leverage their knowledge of state and federal trucking regulations to build compelling claims on your behalf.

Common Injuries in Commercial Truck Collisions
When a heavy tractor-trailer strikes a smaller passenger vehicle, the disparity in mass and momentum often leads to devastating outcomes for occupants of the smaller car. Even low-speed impacts can result in severe trauma, and high-speed collisions frequently cause life-altering harm. Victims of truck accidents may experience a wide spectrum of injuries, including:

• Soft tissue trauma, such as whiplash and severe sprains
• Bone fractures and crush injuries
• Deep cuts, contusions, and extensive tissue damage
• Nerve impairment and chronic neuropathy
• Concussions, intracranial bleeding, and other traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord damage leading to partial or complete paralysis
• Chest trauma, including broken ribs and collapsed lungs
• Internal bleeding and organ lacerations
• Severe burns and chemical exposures
• Permanent disfigurement
• Loss of limbs or partial amputations
• Long-term disabilities and reduced quality of life
• Fatal outcomes resulting in wrongful-death claims

The importance of seeking immediate medical evaluation after any collision with a commercial truck cannot be overstated. Prompt treatment not only addresses acute injuries but can also prevent complications that might otherwise go undetected.

Understanding Federal and State Regulations 

Commercial trucking is regulated by both federal and state laws. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets rules and regulations governing truck drivers’ hours of service, vehicle maintenance, and cargo securement, among other things. State laws may also impose additional requirements on commercial trucking operations. It’s crucial to work with an attorney who has an in-depth understanding of these regulations and can identify any violations that may have contributed to the accident.

Maryland’s busiest corridors, such as I-95 through Baltimore, the Jones Falls Expressway (I-83), and Indian Head Highway (Route 210), see a high volume of large trucks and are prone to serious accidents. When a crash on one of these routes leaves you with mounting medical bills and lost income, it is essential to document every expense, from hospital invoices to lost wages, to ensure you recover the full compensation you deserve.

Maryland’s roadways are traversed daily by countless commercial motor vehicles, each subject to a complex web of state and federal regulations. These laws exist to protect everyone from the drivers at the wheel of a big rig to the motorists and pedestrians who share the highway.

Tractor-Trailer Safety and Equipment Standards

Maryland law requires every semitrailer operated in combination with a truck tractor to meet stringent size and safety requirements under Maryland Code Section 24-101. These standards ensure that other motorists can see and avoid large trailers and that passenger vehicles are protected from under-ride collisions.

Visibility is crucial for preventing accidents. According to Federal motor vehicle safety standards,  reflective tape and special lighting are required on all commercial trailers. Under Maryland Code Section 22-208, it furthers federal standards with additional maintenance, lighting, and reflector requirements to ensure these vehicles remain visible in all conditions.  

Carriers must keep thorough records, ensuring that semi-trailers undergo timely service and that any defective lamps or reflective tape are replaced promptly. Failure to comply with these equipment and dimensional standards not only risks stronger enforcement penalties but can also serve as powerful evidence of negligence if a poorly maintained or improperly built trailer contributes to a serious accident.

Hours-of-Service Rules

Driver fatigue is a well‐documented hazard in commercial trucking. To mitigate this risk, the FMCSA’s Hours-of-Service Regulations strictly limit how long and how often a driver may remain on duty. For example,  a tractor-trailer may drive no more than 11 hours following a minimum of 10 consecutive off-duty hours.

Exceeding this threshold not only jeopardizes public safety but also violates federal law. Investigators frequently examine electronic logs after serious collisions to determine whether the driver was operating beyond permissible hours.

In addition to daily limits, drivers must take a 30-minute break after eight cumulative hours of driving. This mandatory rest period can be taken in any off-duty status as long as driving completely ceases. Skipping or abbreviating these breaks is a common HOS violation and may demonstrate that the carrier’s scheduling practices prioritize deliveries over safety.

Since December 2017, nearly all drivers of vehicles requiring a CDL must follow the Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Rule, which requires truck drivers to record driving time, breaks, and duty status. The ELD rule reduces the potential for falsified paper logs, but it is not infallible. Carriers or drivers who tamper with ELD data can face steep fines, and proof of manipulation can be powerful evidence of negligence in a personal injury claim.

Size and Weight Limits

Overloaded or improperly loaded 18-wheelers pose a serious threat to highway integrity and safety. Maryland law sets clear ceilings on gross weight and dimensions; exceeding those ceilings can impair braking, steering, and overall vehicle control. A Maryland truck accident attorney investigates whether maintenance or equipment failures played a role in a collision.

Under Maryland Code Section 24-101, no combination of truck and trailer may exceed 80,000 pounds without a special overweight permit. Exceeding this cap increases stopping distances and strains suspension systems, both of which can precipitate rollovers or jackknife collisions. Accident reconstruction experts routinely weigh vehicle debris to determine compliance with weight limits.

Maryland statutes and COMAR regulations also impose maximum length, width, and height restrictions; for example, a standard semitrailer cannot exceed specific sizes without an oversized permit. Infrastructure such as overpasses and highway shoulders is engineered around these dimensions; noncompliant loads risk striking bridges, gutters, and signs, creating secondary hazards for all road users.

Post-Accident Obligations

When a semi-truck collides with your vehicle or you as a pedestrian, the law in Maryland is clear: the driver must pull over and stay right where the accident happened if anyone is hurt or worse. Walking away from the scene does not just break the rules, it can also make it harder to prove what really happened and who’s at fault.

Under Maryland Code Section 20-104, once the truck has stopped, the driver is required to share their name, contact information, insurance details, and vehicle registration with you, anyone else involved, and the police. If they give wrong or incomplete information, like a fake policy number, that can lead to serious penalties and help strengthen your claim later on.

And it gets more serious. If a driver leaves the scene of an accident that caused injury or even death, Maryland treats that as a felony hit-and-run. Convictions carry hefty fines, suspended licenses, and possible jail time. In a personal injury or wrongful-death case, proof of a hit-and-run can be powerful evidence of the driver’s blatant disregard for their legal responsibilities and for your right to fair compensation.

How Contributory Negligence Affects Your Truck Accident Claim in Maryland

Maryland’s contributory negligence rule bars any recovery if you are found even slightly at fault. Unlike other jurisdictions that reduce damages by the percentage of blame, Maryland law requires the plaintiff to be completely free of fault. Understanding contributory negligence in your personal injury case requires determining whether you share responsibility for your injuries, because if you are at fault whatsoever, you cannot collect compensation.

For example, if you present evidence that a trucker ran a red light but a jury decides you were speeding, you would be ineligible to recover medical expenses, lost wages, or other damages. The big-rig driver’s clear violation would be overshadowed by your own mistake, leaving you to cover all costs.

To counter this strict standard, a Maryland truck accident attorney gathers thorough evidence to show the trucker’s negligence was the sole cause of the crash. They secure police reports, surveillance footage, and expert reconstructions of the collision. From the outset, your lawyer will advise you on preserving evidence and avoiding actions that could be interpreted as fault.

Negotiating With Insurance Companies
Insurance companies often try to minimize their payouts in commercial truck accident cases, and they may employ various tactics to achieve this, such as offering a low initial settlement or attempting to shift blame onto the victim. Having a knowledgeable truck accident attorney on your side is crucial for effectively negotiating with insurance companies and protecting your rights. 

Your lawyer will be well-versed in the tactics insurers use and will advocate tirelessly on your behalf to secure the compensation you deserve. To prepare for negotiations with insurance companies, it is important to take steps to identify the liable parties, their affiliated companies, and determine fault.

Identifying All Liable Parties 

In commercial truck accident cases, multiple parties may be held responsible for the crash, including the truck driver, trucking company, vehicle manufacturer, cargo loader, and maintenance providers. Each of these parties may have played a role in causing or contributing to the accident, and it’s essential to identify all potentially liable parties to maximize your compensation. An experienced truck accident attorney will conduct a thorough investigation to determine all parties responsible and hold them accountable for their negligence.

What If an Accident Involves a Private Delivery Carrier or Mail Truck?

Drivers of trucks for UPS, FedEx, and USPS must also comply with the ELD rule and keep track of their hours. An experienced attorney can assist you in obtaining the logbook from the individual employer. Mail carriers must comply with the law and drive with care, like other commercial truck drivers. The laws governing the claim may differ depending on whether the company is run privately or publicly. 

Claims against USPS for truck accidents are subject to the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) while FedEx and Amazon truck accidents would be primarily governed by state law. Regardless of the entity associated with the truck accident, you may be entitled to recovery if you were injured due to someone else’s negligent acts.

Determining Fault in a Truck Accident

Once you understand that Maryland’s contributory negligence rule demands proof of the trucker’s sole fault, the next step is to pinpoint exactly what actions or failures to act caused the collision. According to one recent study, trucks are a significant cause of severe accidents, so it’s especially important to pinpoint exactly what actions or failures led to the collision.

Investigators begin with the official crash report, which captures statements from drivers, passengers, and eyewitnesses, along with any citations issued at the scene. They then examine whether the truck operator or carrier violated critical safety laws. Skipping mandatory rest breaks or falsifying electronic logs can demonstrate fatigue-related negligence.  Overweight or improperly secured loads may have impaired braking and steering.  

By methodically tracing each potential breach of trucking regulations and reconstructing the sequence of events, our Maryland truck accident lawyers can help build a clear narrative that isolates the trucker’s misconduct as the sole cause of the accident. Taking a proactive approach allows you to mitigate problems that may arise and prevent you from recovering damages.

How Much Time Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Claim?

Under Maryland law, most personal injury claims arising from a truck collision must be filed within 3 years of the crash date, per Maryland Code Section 5-101. That means the clock starts ticking on the day your accident occurred, whether or not you immediately recognize the full extent of your injuries. If you fail to initiate a lawsuit before the 3-year deadline, the court will almost always refuse to hear your case, even when liability is clear and damages are substantial.

There are a few narrow exceptions, but they rarely apply to standard truck accident claims. For instance, if you were a minor at the time of the collision, the limitation period may be tolled until you turn 18. Likewise, if a defendant is a government entity rather than a private carrier, you must first file a written notice of claim within 180 days of the crash before you can proceed in court.

Because serious injuries often unfold over time, it is wise to consult an attorney early, well before the deadline, so you can gather evidence, secure expert testimony, and fully document your losses. Timely action not only preserves your right to compensation but also strengthens your position in negotiations or in court.

Recoverable Losses in a Maryland Truck Accident Case

Calculating damages in a commercial truck accident case can be complex, as it involves assessing both economic and non-economic losses. Economic damages include medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage, while non-economic damages encompass pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.

 A skilled truck accident lawyer will work closely with medical professionals, vocational experts, and economists to accurately determine the full extent of your damages and ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries. A serious truck collision can saddle you with hefty bills and lasting pain. There are many factors that determine compensation, but generally, under Maryland law, you may recover two to three types of damages on average.

Economic Damages
Lost wages cover not only income you’ve already missed but also diminished earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job or career path. In wrongful-death suits, an estate may also claim funeral and administrative costs, as well as the financial support the decedent would have provided.

Potential economic damages may include: 

• Medical costs (treatment, surgery, therapy)
• Vehicle repair or replacement
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Funeral and administrative expenses in wrongful-death claims

Non-Economic Damages
While harder to calculate, these awards compensate for the personal toll of your injuries. Pain and suffering damages address the physical agony you endure, from constant headaches after a traumatic brain injury to the lingering ache of broken bones. Emotional distress covers anxiety, depression, insomnia, or post-traumatic stress disorder that often follows a life-altering crash.

Examples of non-economic damages include:

• Pain and suffering damages
• Emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium for injured spouses or parents

Possible Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are rare but may be awarded when a carrier’s or driver’s conduct is flagrantly reckless. Examples include knowingly operating in excess of Hours-of-Service limits, falsifying maintenance records, or routinely overloading trailers in defiance of weight restrictions. The purpose of punitive awards is twofold: to punish the wrongdoer and to deter similar misconduct. 

Accurately valuing your claim requires documenting all expenses, future care needs, and the personal impact of your injuries. A thorough assessment by our experienced truck accident attorneys in Maryland ensures you seek every dollar you deserve.

At Jaklitsch Law Group, Your Recovery is Our Priority

Jaklitsch Law Group is dedicated to fighting for the full compensation you deserve following a truck collision. Our team combines deep knowledge of Maryland’s trucking regulations with aggressive advocacy to help you secure fair damages for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

We handle all case preparation, from gathering evidence and expert reports to negotiating with insurers so that you can focus on your recovery.  Contact us to discuss how we can tailor our approach to your unique situation. Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today.