Baltimore 18-Wheeler Accident Attorney Information

Semi truck, tractor trailer and 18-wheeler accidents are common occurrences on Baltimore roads and highways. It is estimated that approximately 5,000 people die as a result of 18-wheeler accidents and big rig collisions in the United States each year with a substantial number of 18-wheeler truck accidents occurring in Baltimore, Maryland, every day. Due to the high population and highly congested traffic throughout Baltimore’s sprawling metropolis, the city of Baltimore unfortunately has its fair share of big rig truck accidents. In 2009, the U.S. Census estimated Baltimore’s population to be at 2.3 million people within an area of 579 square miles. With Baltimore being the fourth largest city in the United States and the largest city in the State of Maryland, 18-wheeler accidents and semi truck crashes on Baltimore highways are inevitable.

Baltimore’s freeway system, which is made up of 739.3 miles of freeways and expressways in a ten-county metropolitan area, uses a hub-and-spoke freeway structure serviced by multiple loops. The innermost loop is Interstate 610, which encircles Baltimore’s downtown, the medical center, and many core neighborhoods with about a 10-mile diameter. The automobile is still the most common form of transportation in Baltimore, with approximately 71.7% of its residents driving to work alone each day.

Baltimore 18-Wheeler Accident Attorney

Due to the sheer weight difference of a car versus the weight of an 18-wheeler or tractor trailer, accidents that involve commercial vehicles often times result in severe injuries or even death. Compared to the average weight of an automobile, which is only 5,000 pounds, one can easily see how much more dangerous commercial vehicles like an 18 wheeler can be. That is why if you are injured by a semi truck or commercial vehicle in Baltimore, it is important that you choose an experienced Baltimore 18-wheeler accident attorney who knows the truck regulations and laws both nationally and for the State of Maryland.

Commercial vehicles go by different names such as:

1. Dump-Trucks
2. Lowboy
3. Truck
4. Flatbed
5. Semi

Baltimore truck accidents caused by an 18-wheeler, big rig, semi truck, tractor trailer, bus or commercial vehicle are common on Baltimore streets, avenues and highways. Many of the semi truck crashes that occur in the city of Baltimore happen along the major Baltimore highways, which include the I-83, I-95, US 40, SH 2, SH 129 and I-395

Types of Trucks

The following trucks do specific things and carry certain types of cargo:

1. Bob-Tail Trucks
2. Tanker trucks
3. Refrigerated trucks
4. Flat bed trucks
5. Logging trucks

Buses are also considered commercial vehicles as well, but as a rule do not haul cargo. Instead a bus is a transportation vehicle that carries children or adults such as a school bus or commercial bus like Greyhound. School bus accidents or commercial bus accidents are common on Baltimore roads and freeways. The causes may vary, but often times the accident is a result of hazardous road conditions or driver negligence.

It is essential to hire a Baltimore bus accident lawyer if you have been involved in the following type of accident:

1. Baltimore city buses;
2. transportation buses such as Greyhound;
3. shuttle bus accidents when driving to and from the airport, such as Baltimore-Washington International or Martin State airports; and/or,
4. casino bus accidents that occur running back and forth from Solo Gibbs Park.

The ways Baltimore truck accidents happen occur are too numerous to list. Blind spots, rear-ends, sideswipes, head-ons, load overturns, jack-knifes are all possible and can result in fatal wrongful death truck accidents.

If you live in Baltimore and have a claims for an accident that involved a big rig or an 18 wheeler, your case might be filed in one of these courts:

Baltimore City District Court - Civil Division
501 East Fayette Street, Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 878-8900

Baltimore City Circuit Court, Judicial Circuit 8
Courthouse East - Civil Division, 111 North Calvert Street, Room 462, Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 333-3722

18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers Serve Baltimore and Surrounding Cities

Serving clients throughout Central Maryland, including Aberdeen, Alexandria, Annapolis, Arlington, Arnold, Aspen Hill, Baltimore,Bowie, Catonsville, Cockeysville, College Park, Columbia, Dublin, Dundalk, Edgewood, Eldersburg, Elkton, Ellicott, Essex, Fallston,Forest Hill, Franklinville, Frederick, Glen Burnie, Green Valley, Hagerstown, Hampstead, Laurel, Lisbon, Middle River, Milford Mill,Mount Airy, Mount Winans, Olney, Parkville, Perry Hall, Randallstown, Severna Park, Silver Spring, South Gate, Tannytown, Thurmont, Towson,Walkersville, Washington DC, Westminster, Wheaton, areas in the vicinity of BWI Airport, and other communities in Baltimore County.

Baltimore 18-wheeler accident attorneys are experienced in handling serious injury truck collision cases and can help you fight the trucking company or its insurer in order to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact a Baltimore 18 wheeler accident lawyer today for a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION.

Types of Trucks

What is Board Certified in Civil Trial or Personal Injury Trial Law & What are the Requirements?

In the State of Maryland there are over 70,000 lawyers and in the city of Baltimore there are over 14,000 lawyers. Of course, not all lawyers practice personal injury trial work.

Some states offer Board Certification programs and others do not. The State of Maryland does have a Board Certification process. This is managed by the Maryland Board of Legal Specialization and one of the areas of practice is called "Personal Injury Trial law." This specialty started in 1978.

According to the TBLS, the specialty of Personal Injury Trial Law is defined as: "litigation based on an individual's injury from automobile accidents, professional malpractice, defective products or negligence by another."

The TBLS requirements to become Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law are:

Maryland   BOARD   OF LEGAL SPECIALIZATION
STANDARDS FOR ATTORNEY CERTIFICATION
PART II
SPECIFIC AREA REQUIREMENTS

SECTION VI
PERSONAL INJURY TRIAL LAW

A. DEFINITION. Personal injury trial law is the practice of law dealing with litigation of claims involving trauma or disability, physical or mental, to a person. It includes, by way of definition, and not limitation, litigation involving personal injury aspects of:

• automobile and other vehicular accident reparations;
• governmental claims;
• professional malpractice claims;
• products liability claims;
• statutory claims;
• insurance contract claims; or
• any negligent or intentional tort claims.

B. SUBSTANTIAL INVOLVEMENT. Applicant must show substantial involvement and special competence in Maryland personal injury trial law practice by providing such information as may be required by TBLS.

1. Certification.

a. Percentage of Practice Requirement. Applicant must have devoted a minimum of 25% of his or her time practicing personal injury trial law in Maryland during each year of the 3 years immediately preceding application as defined in Section VI, A of the Specific Area Requirements for Personal Injury Trial Law.

b. Task Requirements. Applicant must provide information as required by TBLS concerning specific tasks he or she has performed in Maryland personal injury trial law. In evaluating experience, TBLS may take into consideration the nature, complexity, and duration of the tasks handled by applicant.

(1) Applicant must have tried during his or her entire practice, as lead counsel, at least 10 contested civil cases which were submitted to the trier of fact in a court of record in Maryland. Five of the required 10 cases must have been personal injury jury trials.

2. Recertification. Applicant must have devoted a minimum of 25% of his or her time practicing personal injury trial law in Maryland during each year of the 5 year period of certification as defined in Section VI, A of the Specific Area Requirements for Personal Injury Trial Law except as provided for in Part I–General Requirements, Section VI, C,1(b).

C. REFERENCE REQUIREMENTS. Applicant must submit a minimum of 5 names and addresses of persons to be contacted as references to attest to his or her competence in personal injury trial law. These persons must be substantially involved in personal injury trial law, and be familiar with applicant’s personal injury trial law practice.

1. Certification. Applicant must submit names of persons with whom he or she has had dealings involving personal injury trial law matters within the 3 years immediately preceding application.

2. Recertification. Applicant must submit names of persons with whom he or she has had dealings involving personal injury trial law matters since certification or the most recent recertification.

3. Reference Types. Applicant must submit the following types of references:

a. Four Maryland attorneys who are substantially involved in personal injury trial law. Applicant must have tried a personal injury trial law matter with or against one of these attorneys.

b. One judge of any court of record in Maryland whom applicant has appeared before as an advocate in a personal injury trial law matter.

Serving clients throughout Central Maryland, including Aberdeen, Alexandria, Annapolis, Arlington, Arnold, Aspen Hill, Baltimore,Bowie, Catonsville, Cockeysville, College Park, Columbia, Dublin, Dundalk, Edgewood, Eldersburg, Elkton, Ellicott, Essex, Fallston,Forest Hill, Franklinville, Frederick, Glen Burnie, Green Valley, Hagerstown, Hampstead, Laurel, Lisbon, Middle River, Milford Mill,Mount Airy, Mount Winans, Olney, Parkville, Perry Hall, Randallstown, Severna Park, Silver Spring, South Gate, Tannytown, Thurmont, Towson,Walkersville, Washington DC, Westminster, Wheaton, areas in the vicinity of BWI Airport, and other communities in Baltimore County.

Hiring a Baltimore 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer

If you have been involved in an 18 wheeler truck accident in Baltimore, Maryland, it is recommended that you hire a qualified Baltimore 18-wheeler accident lawyer who is knowledgeable in federal laws and Maryland state laws regarding trucking regulations. Baltimore, located in Baltimore County, is the largest city in Maryland with extensive roadways and congested freeways due to its high population. Therefore, it is not uncommon for truck collisions, wrecks, crashes and injuries to occur due to the high amount of traffic. If you or a loved one have been injured in a Southeast Maryland truck accident, contact a qualified Baltimore semi truck accident attorney today for a free initial consultation.

Baltimore & Maryland Professional Associations

In addition to selecting a qualified Baltimore personal injury lawyer who regularly handles Baltimore area truck accident cases, you should also check out the lawyers credentials. For example, is the attorney a member of the Baltimore Trial Lawyers Association or of the American Association of Justice (AAJ)?

All states have bar associations. Some are mandatory, or "unified," and some are not. In other words, if the bar association is unified, then a lawyer must be a member to practice law in that jurisdiction. On the other hand, if the bar association is voluntary, then a lawyer does not have to be a member. However, there are usually many benefits to being a member of a bar association and being a member is just one aspect that you may wish to consider in selecting your lawyer. The Maryland Bar Association is a voluntary bar association. A Baltimore truck accident attorney may choose at his or her own discretion whether or not to join the state bar association in order to practice in the State of Maryland.

Baltimore semi-truck injury lawyers may also join other professional organizations, such as:

• Baltimore Bar Association — hba.org
• Baltimore Trial Lawyers Association — htla.org
• American Association of Justice — www.justice.org

The Baltimore Bar Association (HBA) is a nonprofit professional association of lawyers with nearly 12,000 members. It is the fifth largest bar association in the nation. The Baltimore Bar Association provides educational and professional development services for both the legal profession and the Baltimore community.

Big Rig Accidents Can Be Devastating

When a negligent truck driver makes the decision to get behind the wheel of their semi tractor-trailer, any driver traveling near them is at risk for serious injury or death. The consequences of an 18-wheeler truck a crash along a Baltimore intersection, avenue, or freeway can be devastating, often resulting in very serious injuries that can even lead to death. The sheer force of a speeding 18-wheeler truck is a dangerous weapon that can forever change your life. Under the law if you are involved in such a wreck or an accident, you are entitled to compensation for your medical bills, loss of income, and pain and suffering. If you or a loved one have been injured in a commercial truck accident in Baltimore, MD or Baltimore County, it is in your best interest to contact a Baltimore big rig truck accident lawyer immediately.

Baltimore 18 Wheeler Accident Attorneys File in Baltimore County, MD

When a truck accident occurs and a lawsuit is subsequently filed, the decision of where to file it is called “choice of venue.” The venue chosen can have legal consequences that affect the outcome of your case. Generally, venue in a truck accident case is proper in any of the following locations:

1. the county wherein the accident occurred;
2. the county wherein the defendant company’s principal place of business is located; or,
3. the county wherein the defendant truck driver resides.

Even though your accident may have occurred in Baltimore, the truck company and truck driver will often be from a different state. This is because trucking companies frequently operate in states other than where they are registered. In these cases, the venue where the lawsuit may be filed could be the state where the truck accident occurred, the state where the trucking company is located, or even the state where the trucking company regularly does business, if different. For example, the accident may have occurred in Baltimore, Maryland, therefore making venue proper in Baltimore County, but the claim may be filed against a trucking company from another state. You need a qualified and experienced Baltimore tractor trailer lawyer to decide what the best venue would be in a case like this that crosses state lines.

Some of the courts in the Baltimore, Baltimore County, Maryland, areas include:

Baltimore City District Court - Civil Division
501 East Fayette Street, Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 878-8900

Baltimore City Circuit Court, Judicial Circuit 8
Courthouse East - Civil Division, 111 North Calvert Street, Room 462, Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 333-3722

18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys Serve Baltimore and Surrounding Cities

Serving clients throughout Central Maryland, including Aberdeen, Alexandria, Annapolis, Arlington, Arnold, Aspen Hill, Baltimore,Bowie, Catonsville, Cockeysville, College Park, Columbia, Dublin, Dundalk, Edgewood, Eldersburg, Elkton, Ellicott, Essex, Fallston,Forest Hill, Franklinville, Frederick, Glen Burnie, Green Valley, Hagerstown, Hampstead, Laurel, Lisbon, Middle River, Milford Mill,Mount Airy, Mount Winans, Olney, Parkville, Perry Hall, Randallstown, Severna Park, Silver Spring, South Gate, Tannytown, Thurmont, Towson,Walkersville, Washington DC, Westminster, Wheaton, areas in the vicinity of BWI Airport, and other communities in Baltimore County.

Don’t be the victim of a semi driver’s negligence. Hiring a qualified Baltimore 18-wheeler accident lawyer is essential if you or a loved one have been injured in a truck collision. Contact a big rig accident lawyer today to ensure you receive expert representation from an attorney who knows how to handle your case.

Types of Trucks on Baltimore Highways

There are many types of commercial trucks found in and around Baltimore, Maryland. Trucking companies in Baltimore offer a wide variety of vehicle choices. Some Baltimore trucking companies deal with courier and small package delivery as well. Some companies offer bicycle couriers for downtown Metro areas and will also use an assortment of vehicles ranging from cars, vans and pick-up trucks to large tractor-trailers and bobtail trucks.

Types of Trucks Used By Baltimore Trucking Companies:

• 18 Wheeler
• Semi Truck
• Tractor Trailer
• Big Rig
• Semi Trailer
• Box Truck
• Straight Truck
• Flatbed Truck
• Stake Truck
• Bobtail Truck

Be sure to insist on the highest levels of safety by selecting a reputable Baltimore trucking company that uses late model vehicles which are inspected on a regular basis.

When to Hire a Baltimore Commercial Vehicle Accident Attorney

In many cases, Baltimore 18-wheeler accident attorneys must retain the services of scientific and medical experts to prove both the cause of the accident and the cause of your injuries. Additionally, a qualified semi truck accident lawyer will obtain all kinds of evidence concerning the scene of the crash, truck logs, and other important information to be used against the trucker, trucking company, or the company’s insurer. Arranging expert witness testimony and preparing important physical and documentary evidence is just one of many ways a Baltimore tractor trailer injury lawyer can help you after you’ve suffered a truck accident injury from a major 18-wheeler truck wreck.

If you or a loved one have been involved in a serious box truck wreck, semi crash or big rig accident, hiring a lawyer is the farthest thing from your mind when tragedy such as this strikes you, a family member, or a friend. However, this is when you need a Baltimore truck accident lawyer most. Do yourself a favor by calling one of the qualified Baltimore truck accident lawyers listed on this page. Hire a qualified Baltimore tractor trailer accident lawyer to help protect your rights.

Baltimore Trucking Companies

Following is a list of trucking companies based in Baltimore, Maryland. Services offered include container drayage, loose freight drayage, overweight loads, bonded moves, same day delivery.

Truck Accident Lawyers Serve Baltimore and Surrounding Cities

Serving clients throughout Central Maryland, including Aberdeen, Alexandria, Annapolis, Arlington, Arnold, Aspen Hill, Baltimore,Bowie, Catonsville, Cockeysville, College Park, Columbia, Dublin, Dundalk, Edgewood, Eldersburg, Elkton, Ellicott, Essex, Fallston,Forest Hill, Franklinville, Frederick, Glen Burnie, Green Valley, Hagerstown, Hampstead, Laurel, Lisbon, Middle River, Milford Mill,Mount Airy, Mount Winans, Olney, Parkville, Perry Hall, Randallstown, Severna Park, Silver Spring, South Gate, Tannytown, Thurmont, Towson,Walkersville, Washington DC, Westminster, Wheaton, areas in the vicinity of BWI Airport, and other communities in Baltimore County.

Baltimore truck accident attorneys are experienced in handling serious injury truck collision cases and can help you fight the trucking company or its insurer in order to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact a Baltimore truck accident lawyer today for a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION.

Baltimore Tractor-Trailer Accident Attorneys Represent Injured Truck Drivers

Truck drivers who operate an 18-wheeler truck or big rig on the busy roads and highways of Baltimore such as I-95,I-395 or I-895, can become injured when a major commercial vehicle collision occurs. Truckers often say, “Ride with me for just one day and you will see what it is like ‘out there’…it’s not always the trucker’s fault…”

It is not uncommon to see a big rig wreck, semi crash or major accident involving semi truck drivers in Baltimore, MD. Baltimore’s freeway system, which is made up of 739.3 miles of freeways and expressways in a ten-county metropolitan area, uses a hub-and-spoke freeway structure which is serviced by multiple loops. The danger of an 18-wheeler truck accident is not just confined to injured people in automobiles, but can end up injuring the truck driver affecting their livelihood and family’s livelihood as well as the automobile driver. So, when a Baltimore 18-wheeler truck accident lawyer is contacted, be it by an automobile driver who has been injured or a truck driver that has been injured at the dangerous hands of another, you will need an expert Baltimore truck injury lawyer to fight for your rights.

The Semi Truck Driver is Not Always at Fault

When an 18-wheeler is moving down a Baltimore road or highway, such as I-695, I-395, I-97, US 1, SH 2, SH 129, SH 147, SH 25, SH 45  at high speeds, it is nearly unstoppable and can easily turn a motorist’s everyday commute into a lethal situation. Although a passenger car is lightweight, in comparison, and can easily maneuver in and out of lanes on Baltimore highways, it is no match for a big rig truck. If the two vehicles are unable to avoid a collision, wreck or crash, the driver of the passenger car will be lucky to escape with their life.

A driver of a passenger vehicle could easily be killed as a result of  veering out of his lane and then smashing into a tractor trailer truck let’s say on the U.S. 59 Southwest Freeway which is just under the beltway in Baltimore.  If the trucker tried to avoid hitting the passenger car but was unable to avoid the wreck or crash, then this would be a case where the accident was caused by the driver of the passenger vehicle and therefore the trucker would not be at fault.

Truck Driver Facts

• Two of your fellow truck drivers die each day in accidents
• 33,000 people driving large trucks are injured each year
• 6.3% of U.S. truck drivers are injured each year.

Injured Truckers Need Legal Representation

A qualified Baltimore 18-wheeler accident attorney should offer a free case review. If they decide to take on your legal matter, they should not require an up-front fee. Truckers with a trucking injury claim are generally taken on a contingency fee basis. In other words, your Baltimore truck accident attorney is only paid if you receive compensation for your injuries.

Injured Truckers Need to Know Their Rights

As a trucker, you have rights you need to be aware of. It is not uncommon for aggressive insurance companies to contact you shortly after the accident in an effort to try to get you to settle quickly and convince you that you want the matter to go away. In many cases, injuries are not so quick to heal. Many times the injuries can be permanent, long-lasting, and career-threatening. That is why you need a competent Baltimore truck accident lawyer that is not only prepared to mediate a resolution, but also prepared to take your case to court.

When Negligence Changes a Trucker’s Life

Qualified Baltimore truck accident lawyers know exactly how to provide nationwide representation for truckers injured in trucking accidents caused by a variety of negligent acts and mechanical malfunctions, including:

• Rear-end, Head-On Crashes and Jackknives
• Poor Maintenance, including Tires and Brakes
• Driver Fatigue
• Unsecured Loads
• Aggressive Driving
• DWI/Drug Use
• Lack of Reflectors and Poor Visibility

Since trucking laws are governed by hundreds of regulations, litigation can be very complex. Hiring a semi truck accident attorney who specializes in the numerous trucking laws throughout the United States is essential for a successful verdict outcome. For more information about trucking laws or to schedule an appointment with an experienced commercial truck injury lawyer, contact a truck injury attorney today.

When an 18 Wheeler accident occurs, your Baltimore truck accident lawyer will check the truck driver’s credentials to see if he/she attended an accredited Commercial Drivers’ License (CDL) school. In Baltimore, Maryland, one truck driving school is All-State Career School, 2200 Broening Highway 160, Baltimore, MD 21224, although there are many others throughout the country. See the Nationwide List of Accredited CDL Schools for a more comprehensive list.

Truck Accident Lawyers for Injured Truckers Serve Baltimore and Surrounding Cities

Serving clients throughout Central Maryland, including Aberdeen, Alexandria, Annapolis, Arlington, Arnold, Aspen Hill, Baltimore,Bowie, Catonsville, Cockeysville, College Park, Columbia, Dublin, Dundalk, Edgewood, Eldersburg, Elkton, Ellicott, Essex, Fallston,Forest Hill, Franklinville, Frederick, Glen Burnie, Green Valley, Hagerstown, Hampstead, Laurel, Lisbon, Middle River, Milford Mill,Mount Airy, Mount Winans, Olney, Parkville, Perry Hall, Randallstown, Severna Park, Silver Spring, South Gate, Tannytown, Thurmont, Towson,Walkersville, Washington DC, Westminster, Wheaton, areas in the vicinity of BWI Airport, and other communities in Baltimore County.

Baltimore truck accident attorneys for injured truckers are experienced in handling serious injury truck collision cases and can help you fight the trucking company or its insurer in order to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact a Baltimore 18 wheeler accident lawyer today for a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION.