Accidents are a danger faced by every driver on Maryland's streets and highways, and accidents involving large trucks are especially dangerous. Semis and other trucks are so large and heavy that when they collide with a passenger vehicle, there is an enormous risk of injury and even death. Because of this risk, truck drivers are specially trained and usually take extra precautions to avoid accidents.

Unfortunately, not all truckers are as conscientious as they should be. Some truck drivers, under pressure to deliver their cargo, ignore safety rules such as limits on the number of consecutive hours they are allowed to spend behind the wheel. As a result, truck drivers may experience fatigue, leading to inattention and carelessness that can end up causing truck accidents that injure other drivers.

Driver Fatigue

When operating a vehicle as large as a tractor-trailer truck, the driver needs to be constantly alert to any potential dangers. Tired truckers cannot be as aware of their surroundings as they need to be, and truck accidents occur as a result. Some drivers use caffeine and other stimulants to keep themselves alert, but no one is immune to the dangerous effects of driver fatigue.

All trucking companies have rules limiting the number of hours a driver can spend on the road, but these rules are not always enforced. If a fatigued driver causes an accident, a truck accident lawyer can help the victims hold either the driver or the trucking company accountable for the injuries or fatalities that result.

Getting Compensation

If a Baltimore personal injury attorney can prove that a truck driver was at fault in a truck accident, victims can get compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. While no amount of money can relive the pain of truck accident injuries or the wrongful death of a loved one, families should not have to shoulder the financial burden of a truck accident caused by driver fatigue.

Trucking companies often are required to carry liability insurance to cover injuries and damages caused by truck accidents. Their insurance companies have teams of lawyers whose job is to prevent the company from having to pay for the damage they cause. These lawyers use intimidation and other tactics to get victims to back down. Therefore, truck accident victims in Maryland and other states should consult with a truck accident attorney to get the compensation they deserve.