The city of Gaithersburg sees plenty of commercial truck traffic on a daily basis, whether it is passing through on Interstate 270 or making trips to and from local businesses on local roads. Regardless of where they are coming from or going, though, commercial truck drivers and their employers have a duty to ensure they always act lawfully and safely in the course of doing business—a duty which, unfortunately, not everyone in the trucking industry lives up to at all times.
Commercial tractor-trailer crashes can cause serious injuries and be uniquely challenging to file a civil suit over. That is why it can be vital to have a seasoned personal injury attorney’s help when pursuing a claim of this nature. From the beginning to the end of your legal proceedings, a Gaithersburg truck accident lawyer from Price Benowitz can be the steadfast ally you may need in order to obtain the civil restitution you deserve.
Who Can Be Held Civilly Liable for Truck Crash Injuries?
When they are behind the wheel of an 18-wheeler, a commercial trucker has the same general duty of care as anyone driving a standard passenger car does. In brief, this duty requires drivers to obey local traffic laws, pay close attention to their surroundings, and always refrain from driving while drunk, distracted, or otherwise impaired. Any trucker who “breaches” this duty and causes a wreck as a direct result can almost certainly be held liable for ensuing injuries and losses.
In many situations, it is also possible to hold trucking companies vicariously liable for their employees’ negligent driving, or even directly liable for their own irresponsible business practices. Likewise, various third parties may be held indirectly liable for allowing a truck crash to occur, such as mechanics who failed to keep trucks in good working order and manufacturers who produced truck parts with serious defects. Identifying and proactively filing suit against all at-fault parties is one of many things a Gaithersburg truck injury attorney can provide invaluable assistance with.
Seeking Fair Compensation Within Filing Time Limits
Legal counsel can additionally play a key role in naming and accurately valuing all compensable damages stemming from a truck driver or trucking company’s misconduct. In a typical case, these damages can include both economic and non-economic forms of harm, like:
- Medical bills, including costs of emergency treatment and expected future costs of rehabilitative/maintenance care
- Expenses related to personal property damage, such as car repair/replacement costs and short-term rental car fees
- Lost short-term work income and/or long-term earning capacity
- Physical pain and discomfort from injuries
- Emotional trauma and distress from injuries and/or the accident itself
- Lost enjoyment and/or quality of life
Perhaps most importantly of all, a qualified lawyer can help construct a comprehensive lawsuit over a Gaithersburg truck accident within the deadline set by the statute of limitations. Under Maryland Code, Courts and Judicial Proceedings § 5-101, most personal injury victims have a maximum of three years to file suit after initially sustaining harm through someone else’s actions.
Contact a Gaithersburg Truck Accident Attorney Today
Even if you have strong grounds for a claim, successfully suing a major trucking company over a tractor-trailer crash can be far from simple. These companies often dedicate significant financial resources and manpower to contesting lawsuits like this, and trying to overcome that kind of opposition alone can be a tall order for anyone.
Fortunately, you have support available to you from an experienced Gaithersburg truck accident lawyer. Call Price Benowitz today for a free case evaluation.
