Waldorf Truck Accident Lawyers
Fighting Tirelessly for Your Rights & Your Recovery
Truckers and trucking companies often violate trucking regulations, putting the public in harm’s way. At Farmer & Klopfer, we believe negligent drivers and companies can and should be held accountable when they cause truck accidents resulting in serious injuries or death.
Our Waldorf truck accident lawyers are proud to take a stand for severely injured victims and the families of those wrongfully killed. We provide unwavering legal support to victims and their loved ones across Southern Maryland. We handle truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning we do not charge lawyers’ fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf.
On This Page:
- What Are the Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents?
- How Can a Truck Accident Lawyer Help Your Case?
- Temporary Changes to Federal Hours-of-Service Rules
- Why Are HOS Regulations Important?
- What To Do After a Truck Accident
- What Is Your Case Worth?
- Hire a Waldorf Truck Accident Lawyer Today!
Injured in an accident with a commercial truck? Call (301) 265-2220 or contact our firm online to get started on your case today!
What Are the Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents?
We have extensive knowledge of state and federal trucking regulations. We are well-equipped to investigate crashes and uncover truck company or truck driver negligence; our team works to secure every penny of financial compensation, death benefits, and survival benefits our clients deserve under all applicable trucking laws.
When our personal injury team takes on a truck accident claim, we explore every angle to find evidence of:
- Excessive speeding
- Drug or alcohol use by the truck driver
- Falsified logbooks
- Truck driver fatigue
- An improperly loaded or overloaded truck
- Negligent maintenance on the truck
Reasons to Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer
Being involved in a truck accident can have devastating consequences, both physically and financially. That's why it is crucial to seek legal representation as soon as possible after the incident. Here's why:
- Protection of your rights: Truck accidents often involve multiple parties, including the truck driver, trucking company, and insurance companies. Having an experienced truck accident lawyer by your side ensures that your rights are protected throughout the legal process.
- Investigation and evidence gathering: A skilled truck accident attorney will conduct a thorough investigation into the accident, gathering crucial evidence such as accident reports, witness statements, and surveillance footage. This evidence can be vital in proving liability and securing a fair settlement or verdict.
- Negotiating with insurance companies: Dealing with insurance companies can be complex and overwhelming. Truck accident lawyers have the knowledge and experience to negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf, ensuring that you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
- Understanding complex trucking regulations: Trucking companies and drivers are subject to strict regulations imposed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). A knowledgeable truck accident lawyer will understand these regulations and how they may apply to your case, strengthening your claim.
- Maximizing your compensation: Truck accidents often result in severe injuries and extensive damages. An experienced truck accident lawyer will assess the full extent of your losses and fight for maximum compensation, including medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, future medical care, lost earning capacity, and emotional distress.
Don't navigate the legal complexities of a truck accident case alone. Contact Farmer & Klopfer today to schedule a free consultation with our Waldorf truck accident lawyers. We are dedicated to fighting tirelessly for your rights and helping you recover the compensation you deserve.
FMCSA Enacts Temporary Changes to Federal Hours-of-Service Rules in Response to Coronavirus Pandemic
In response to the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced in April that it would be temporarily suspending hours-of-service (HOS) regulations for truck drivers transporting certain items, goods, and personnel in direct connection with COVID-19 relief efforts.
Though HOS rules have been temporarily suspended before in response to various disasters, this is the first time since the regulations were enacted in 1938 that they have been suspended on a national level.
The current HOS regulations suspension does not apply to all truck drivers, only those who are carrying certain individuals and items outlined by the FMCSA.
These include:
- People needed to provide emergency services
- Medical services
- And quarantine/temporary housing services in connection with coronavirus testing, diagnosis, and treatment
As well as:
- Equipment and supplies related to coronavirus testing and treatment
- Items needed for restocking (food, paper products, etc.)
- Personal protection equipment (face masks, gloves, etc.)
- Fuel
- And precursory items/raw materials needed to make supplies and equipment related to coronavirus prevention and treatment (alcohol, plastic, etc.).
Why Are HOS Regulations Important?
The purpose of HOS regulations is to limit the number of hours a truck driver may be on the road, thereby reducing the likelihood of a crash caused by a fatigued driver. While the temporary suspension of these regulations is meant to bring much-needed relief to impacted areas, the full effects on motorist safety are not yet known.
It is not impossible that relaxed regulations could potentially lead to more over-worked, tired truck drivers on our highways and roads, therefore leading to a higher risk of serious accidents and collisions.
Hire a Waldorf Truck Accident Lawyer Today!
Remember, the trucking company and its insurance company are not on your side. Giving a recorded statement to an insurance adjuster without our Waldorf trucking accident attorneys present is extremely risky. Before talking to the insurance company, contact us for a free and confidential consultation.
Enlist a Waldorf truck accident lawyer who knows how to win million-dollar cases; call (301) 265-2220 to reach Farmer & Klopfer today!
An accident between a car and a truck nearly always ends badly for the car simply due to the extreme size difference. Above all else, make sure that all injuries are taken care of and emergency personnel is called if needed. Once that is done, collecting evidence is vital to the success of your injury case. A semi truck accident is complicated due to the fact that several parties can potentially be held accountable.
In order to prove liability, evidence such as photos, written notes, even video footage is helpful. Just as you would in an accident with another car, you need to collect the truck driver's license and insurance information, as well as the name of the trucking company they drive for. Take photos of all the damage to your car, personal property, and any injuries, as well as the exact location of the accident. Our experienced Waldorf truck accident lawyers will additionally help you gather evidence that isn't so easily attainable at the time of the accident, such as:
- Driver logs
- Truck's maintenance records
- Toxicology reports
- Truck's computer and GPS recordings
These items are helpful in proving fault. If the truck driver had been driving for long hours, the driver logs will help to prove that. A claim that the truck driver was speeding or that the brakes failed can potentially be proven with the truck's computer and GPS recordings. Our legal team can help with this and more to ensure that you have a fighting chance at the full amount of compensation that you deserve to fully recover.
The Importance of Seeking Medical Attention After a Truck Accident
After a truck accident, seeking medical attention should be your top priority. Even if you feel fine immediately after the accident, some injuries may not show symptoms until hours or days later. It's important to get checked out by a medical professional to ensure that you receive the proper treatment and to document any injuries for your case.
Some common injuries that may result from a truck accident include:
- Whiplash
- Concussions
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal injuries
Delaying medical treatment may not only jeopardize your health, but it could also harm your chances of receiving a fair settlement. Insurance companies may argue that your injuries were not caused by the accident or that they were not severe enough to warrant compensation if you did not seek medical attention right away.
Our Waldorf truck accident lawyers can help you navigate the legal process and ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
What Is Your Case Worth?
Determining liability in a truck accident is crucial for several reasons, particularly when seeking compensation for injuries and damages. Understanding who is at fault helps establish the strength of your case and plays a significant role in determining how much your case is worth.
Here are several parties that can be held liable for a truck accident:
- Truck Driver: The truck driver can be held liable if their negligence or reckless behavior contributed to the accident. This includes actions like speeding, distracted driving, driving under the influence, or violating traffic laws.
- Trucking Company: Trucking companies can be held liable in various ways. If the driver is an employee, the company may be vicariously liable for the driver's actions. Additionally, if the company failed to properly maintain the truck, ensure the driver's qualifications, or enforce safety regulations, they could be directly liable.
- Truck Manufacturer: If a defect in the truck's design or manufacturing contributed to the accident, the manufacturer could be held liable. This includes defects in the vehicle's brakes, tires, steering, or other critical components.
- Maintenance and Repair Providers: If a third-party maintenance or repair provider serviced the truck and their negligence or improper maintenance led to the accident, they may be liable.
- Shippers and Loaders: Those responsible for loading the truck's cargo must ensure that it is properly secured and distributed. Overloaded or unsecured cargo can lead to accidents, making shippers and loaders potentially liable.
- Government Entities: Poor road conditions, inadequate signage, or improper maintenance of the roadway can contribute to accidents. In some cases, government entities responsible for road maintenance may share liability.
- Other Drivers: In multi-vehicle accidents involving a truck, other drivers who were negligent may also be partially liable for the accident.
Tractor-trailer accidents usually result in catastrophic and life-changing injuries, from brain trauma to paralysis. In many cases, they result in fatalities. Our experienced legal team takes aggressive action against truck companies and their insurance providers to get our clients full compensation for all of their losses, from medical expenses to lost wages to pain and suffering. As your legal representation, we will aim to reach a settlement that provides you with the money you need to cope in the aftermath of an accident, today and in the long term.
We know how to recover maximum compensation for our clients. Review our record of accomplishments. We have recovered tens of millions of dollars for accident victims throughout the state of Maryland and the nearby areas.
Involved in a Truck Accident? You Deserve Answers.
When you are involved in a truck accident, you need to act fast to protect your right to seek full and fair compensation. At Farmer & Klopfer, offer free case reviews to victims and their loved ones at our law office in Waldorf. We are also able to meet with you in the hospital or at your home.
Here are some reasons why you should consider us as your legal representation:
- Extensive Experience: Our legal team has decades of experience handling truck accident cases. We understand the intricacies of Maryland's laws and regulations pertaining to truck accidents, and we put that knowledge to work for you.
- Results-Driven: We are committed to obtaining the best possible outcome for our clients. Whether through negotiation or litigation, our goal is to secure the compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses.
- Personalized Service: At Farmer & Klopfer, we believe in personalized service. We treat each client with the individual attention and care they deserve, tailoring our legal strategies to their unique circumstances.
Frequently Asked Question About Truck Accidents
Why are Truck Accidents Worse Than Most Car Accidents?
Commercial trucks are extremely heavy and large compared to the average passenger vehicle. Due to the physics of moving objects and their mass, the force behind an average truck is also much, much larger and more powerful. At low speeds, a truck hitting a lighter, smaller car can still do tremendous damage and cause severe injuries. This misbalance of size and weight is why truck accidents are usually much worse than car accidents.
How Do I Prove Fault in a Truck Accident?
Liability in a truck accident is always a difficult question. Trucking companies will be eager to deny liability however they can, even when it appears clear that the truck driver is the one who caused the accident.
To prove fault, key pieces of evidence can make a huge difference, such as:
- Photographs of the scene of the crash
- Eyewitness testimonies from other drivers
- First responder reports, like police reports
- Truck driver’s accident and training histories
- Hours the trucker has driven that day
- Truck’s maintenance records
If I Caused Part of the Truck Accident, Can I Still Sue?
You might be able to sue for a truck accident if you were part of the cause, but it depends on the state in which the accident occurred. Maryland uses a contributory negligence rule that blocks claimants and plaintiffs from receiving any compensation after a motor vehicle accident if they were at least 1% liable for the crash. This controversial and restrictive rule makes it all the more important to work with a truck accident attorney who knows how to navigate a case to prove that you were 0% liable and, therefore, still eligible to receive damages from the trucker and trucking company.
Should I Give a Statement to the Trucking Company to Get a Settlement?
After your truck accident, an insurance adjuster from the trucking company’s insurer might tell you that they need a recorded statement before they can offer you a settlement. This is not true. You do not owe the insurance company anything right away. Tell them that you do not want to give a recorded statement until you have a chance to speak with your attorney. Once you do, you can direct your attorney to act on your behalf and intercept any communications from the insurance company. The reasoning behind this decision is that insurance companies want to get you to misspeak and increase your liability. In Maryland, just 1% liability is enough to defeat your claim, so don’t give any statements to them without your attorney’s approval.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer?
You know that you want a truck accident lawyer to handle your case, but you don’t know if you can afford to hire one. The good news is that our law firm offers contingency fee agreements for the truck accident cases we accept. Under a contingency fee agreement, we are not paid attorney fees unless we end your case with a settlement or award for you. Contingency fees are also paid as a percentage of your total winnings, so you will never owe more than you can afford. The percentage in an average personal injury claim is about 30%, but this number can increase or decrease depending on the complexities of your case, how much time will be needed to manage it, and so on.
Call (301) 265-2220 or fill out this form to contact us today. Our Waldorf truck accident attorneys stand ready to fight for you.
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