Columbia 18-Wheeler Accident Attorney Information

Semi truck, tractor trailer and 18-wheeler accidents are common occurrences on Columbia 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 Columbia, Maryland, every day. Due to the high population and highly congested traffic throughout Columbia’s sprawling metropolis, the city of Columbia unfortunately has its fair share of big rig truck accidents. In 2009, the U.S. Census estimated Columbia’s population to be at 2.3 million people within an area of 579 square miles. With Columbia 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 Columbia highways are inevitable.

Columbia’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 Columbia’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 Columbia, with approximately 71.7% of its residents driving to work alone each day.

Columbia 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 Columbia, it is important that you choose an experienced Columbia 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. Semi-Tractor-Trailer
2. 18 Wheeler
3. Flatbed Truck
4. Big Rig
5. Tractor Trailer

Columbia truck accidents caused by an 18-wheeler, big rig, semi truck, tractor trailer, bus or commercial vehicle are common on Columbia streets, avenues and highways. Many of the semi truck crashes that occur in the city of Columbia happen along the major Columbia highways, which include the US-29, SH-175, SH-108, SH-100, SH-103 or I-95.

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 Columbia 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 Columbia bus accident lawyer if you have been involved in the following type of accident:

1. Columbia city buses;
2. transportation buses such as Greyhound;
3. shuttle bus accidents when driving to and from the airport, such as Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport or  Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport; and/or,
4. casino bus accidents that occur running back and forth from College Park.

The ways Columbia 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 Columbia 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:

Howard County District Court
District Court Multi-Service Center
3451 Courthouse Drive, Ellicott City, MD 21043
(410) 480-7700

18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys Serve Columbia 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, 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 Howard County.

Columbia 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 Columbia 18 wheeler accident lawyer today for a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION.

Types of Trucks

Hiring a Columbia 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer

If you have been involved in an 18 wheeler truck accident in Columbia, Maryland, it is recommended that you hire a qualified Columbia 18-wheeler accident lawyer who is knowledgeable in federal laws and Maryland state laws regarding trucking regulations. Columbia, located in Howard 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 Columbia semi truck accident attorney today for a free initial consultation.

Columbia & Maryland Professional Associations

In addition to selecting a qualified Columbia personal injury lawyer who regularly handles Columbia area truck accident cases, you should also check out the lawyers credentials. For example, is the attorney a member of the Columbia 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 Columbia 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.

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

• Howard County Bar Association
• Maryland Association for Justice
• Maryland State Bar Association
• American Association of Justice

The Columbia Bar Association is a nonprofit professional association of lawyers with nearly 12,000 members. It is the fifth largest bar association in the nation. The Columbia Bar Association provides educational and professional development services for both the legal profession and the Columbia 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 Columbia 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 Columbia, MD or Howard County, it is in your best interest to contact a Columbia big rig truck accident lawyer immediately.

Columbia 18 Wheeler Accident Attorneys File in Howard 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 Columbia, 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 Columbia, Maryland, therefore making venue proper in Howard County, but the claim may be filed against a trucking company from another state. You need a qualified and experienced Columbia tractor trailer lawyer to decide what the best venue would be in a case like this that crosses state lines.

One of the courts in the Columbia, Howard County, Maryland, areas include:

Howard County District Court
District Court Multi-Service Center
3451 Courthouse Drive, Ellicott City, MD 21043
(410) 480-7700

18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys Serve Columbia 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, 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 Howard County.

Don’t be the victim of a semi driver’s negligence. Hiring a qualified Columbia 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.

Please see the Columbia, Maryland questions & answers page for frequent issues encountered in handling an 18 Wheeler Accident in the Columbia, Maryland area.

Types of Trucks on Columbia Highways

There are many types of commercial trucks found in and around Columbia, Maryland. Trucking companies in Columbia offer a wide variety of vehicle choices. Some Columbia 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 Columbia 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 Columbia trucking company that uses late model vehicles which are inspected on a regular basis.

When to Hire a Columbia Truck Accident Lawyer

In many cases, Columbia 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 Columbia 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 Columbia truck accident lawyer most. Do yourself a favor by calling one of the qualified Columbia truck accident lawyers listed on this page. Hire a qualified Columbia tractor trailer accident lawyer to help protect your rights.

Columbia Trucking Companies

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

Truck Accident Lawyers Serve Columbia 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, 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 Howard County.

Columbia 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 Columbia truck accident lawyer today for a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION.

Columbia 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers Represent Injured Truck Drivers

Truck drivers who operate an 18-wheeler truck or big rig on the busy roads and highways of Columbia such as US-29, SH-175, SH-108, SH-100, SH-103 or I-95, 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 Columbia, MD. Columbia’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 Columbia 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 Columbia 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 Columbia road or highway, such as US-29, SH-175, SH-108, SH-100, SH-103 or I-95 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 Columbia 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 Columbia.  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 Columbia 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 Columbia 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 Columbia 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 Columbia 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 Columbia truck accident lawyer will check the truck driver’s credentials to see if he/she attended an accredited Commercial Drivers’ License (CDL) school. In Columbia, Maryland, one truck driving school is CFC Trucking, 8477 Dorsey Run Road, Jessup, MD, 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 Columbia 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, 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 Howard County.

Columbia 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 Columbia 18 wheeler accident lawyer today for a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION.