Gaithersburg Truck Accident Attorneys

Types of Compensation Available in Truck Accident Cases

When you suffer injuries in a truck collision that wasn’t your fault, Maryland law allows you to seek compensation for two primary categories of damages: economic damages and non-economic damages. Our truck accident attorneys can meticulously calculate the full value of your claim so that we can pursue every dollar you deserve.

Economic damages address the specific, calculable financial losses you incur because of the crash. They act as a reimbursement for money you spent or lost.

Examples of economic damages include:

• Medical expenses
• Lost income from missed work
• Lost earning potential when your injuries limit your ability to work or prevent you from working entirely
• Property damage

Non-economic damages compensate you for the intangible, subjective impact your injuries have and will continue to have on your quality of life. Maryland state law does place a statutory limit, or "cap," on the amount a jury can award for non-economic damages. We understand the nuances of these statutes and can work aggressively to maximize your financial recovery within the limits of the law.

Examples of non-economic damages include:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Disfigurement
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Punitive damages are only awarded in Maryland if there is clear and convincing evidence that the defendant acted with actual malice. These damages are meant to specifically punish the defendant and discourage similar conduct in the future.   

Who Is Legally Responsible for a Truck Accident?

While a car accident usually involves one at-fault driver, a commercial trucking collision may implicate multiple entities. The trucking industry operates through a complex web of contractors, owners, and service providers, meaning several different parties may bear responsibility for your injuries. We can carefully trace the chain of events to identify every individual or company whose negligence contributed to the crash, which allows us to pursue the maximum available compensation. 

Depending on the facts of the case, one or more of the following parties could be liable for a commercial truck collision:

• The truck driver. The most immediate source of liability is often the driver behind the wheel. We can investigate for evidence of speeding, distracted driving, impairment from drugs or alcohol, or violations of Hours of Service regulations that lead to dangerous driver fatigue.
• The trucking company. Employers frequently bear responsibility for their drivers' actions. Beyond that, the company itself may be directly negligent if it engaged in hiring unqualified drivers, failed to provide adequate training, or pressured drivers to ignore safety regulations to meet unreasonable delivery deadlines.
• Cargo loaders and shippers. Third-party companies often pack and load commercial trailers. If a loader fails to secure cargo properly or exceeds weight limits, the load can shift during transit and cause the truck to jackknife or roll over. In these cases, the liability may rest with the shipping company rather than the driver.
• Vehicle and parts manufacturers. Specific mechanical failures, such as tire blowouts or brake malfunctions, can cause a collision even when a driver makes every effort to operate their truck safely. If a defect in the truck’s design or manufacturing caused the crash, we can take legal action against the manufacturer.
• Maintenance providers. Trucking companies frequently outsource vehicle upkeep to third-party mechanics. If a maintenance provider skipped a required inspection or performed a repair incorrectly, and that oversight led to a mechanical failure on the road, they may be liable for the resulting damages.