Maryland Rollover Truck Accident Lawyer
If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident involving a truck, the first steps you take can determine whether you receive any financial compensation for your injuries. While accidents involving large trucks are certainly serious, accidents involving rollovers can result in a traumatic injury and in the worst cases, even death.
According to a report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, rollover accidents account for nearly 35 percent of all passenger vehicle crash deaths. Any victim of a rollover truck accident should contact a distinguished personal injury lawyer. A Maryland rollover truck accident lawyer can help you seek the damages you deserve.
Building a Defense Strategy
Without the assistance of Maryland rollover truck accidents lawyer, some information can be difficult to obtain on one’s own. A plaintiff should discuss their case with an attorney to develop a case strategy.
This strategy could involve seeking specific medical providers, filing a loss of consortium claim (derivative claim), or impleading other people who may have legal liability (such as leasing companies, owners, or employers).
Before trial, parties are often required to submit to a deposition. A deposition, or “examination before trial,” presents each counsel with the opportunity to ask questions of the opposing party under oath
What is a Deposition?
Depositions can last hours as parties ask hundreds of questions to obtain information about a claim. The information is recorded by a court reporter and it becomes a transcript. This transcript carries substantial weight at trial and can be used to impeach a witness if their answer varies from the testimony given at the deposition.
If a party says that the light was clearly green at a deposition, but admits that it may have been red at a trial, an attorney will likely try to impeach that witness’ credibility by using an aggressive line of questioning. Depending on how the deposition goes, a case may even settle after a deposition before the trial stage of proceedings.
Role of an Attorney
Hiring a Maryland rollover truck accident lawyer to handle a rollover truck accident case is extremely important for a number of reasons. The attorney can engage in discovery. Discovery refers to the pre-trial procedure in a lawsuit where each party is entitled to demand information and is required to disclose information depending upon the demand.
An attorney can protect the potential client by objecting to improper demands. On the other hand, an attorney can request a wealth of information from the defendant, including:
- Party names, addresses, phone numbers, dates of birth, and social security numbers (for identification purposes)
- Adverse party statements
- Police report
- Truck driver’s CDL license information
- Truck driver’s employment history and training
- Truck driver’s accident report
- Recorded interview transcripts
- Insurance policy limits and coverage information
- Affirmative Defenses
- Accident facts, including date, time, and location
- Vehicle ownership information
- Damage and repair records
- License plate number
- Vehicle identification number
- Witness information and statements
When to Hire an Attorney
If you were hurt because of a rollover truck accident, speak with an attorney before it is too late. In Maryland, an accident victim only has three years to file a personal injury lawsuit or the lawsuit will be waived. Call a Maryland rollover truck accidents lawyer for an initial case consultation.
