Who is Liable For A Maryland Truck Crash?

 Posted on April 20, 2025 in Car & Truck Accidents

In 2022, 120,200 commercial trucks were involved in accidents with injuries nationally, a 2.5 percent rise from 2021. Maryland has approximately 3,750 commercial truck accidents every year, with many serious or fatal crashes.

When a truck driver’s negligence injures you, who is to blame and what are your legal options? The answers to each case depend on the circumstances. Work with the aggressive Maryland truck accident lawyers at the Law Office of Kari H. Fawcett to defend your rights, determine liability, and seek maximum compensation for your injuries. We never back down from a challenge.

Maryland Motor Vehicle Accident Liability

Maryland has a contributory negligence system for auto and truck accidents, meaning the injured party can only sue for damages if they are not liable for the incident at all. The rule means that your attorney’s role in your case is even more critical than usual; if you were even one percent at fault, your claim may be nullified. Your lawyers will thoroughly review your case to determine if any of the following parties caused the truck accident.

Truck Driver

The commercial truck driver is typically the initial party investigated for accident liability. Truckers can be held liable if they drive negligently. To prevent fatigue behind the wheel, truckers must follow strict hours-of-service limits. Other driver-related truck crash causes include driving under the influence, speeding, and texting and driving.

Trucking Company 

The trucking company the driver works for may be at fault for the crash, usually under the ‘respondeat superior’ legal theory. This means that if the carrier employed the trucker when the accident happened, it could be liable for its employee’s negligence. Furthermore, the carrier may be liable for other reasons, such as improper vehicle maintenance, conducting inadequate driver background checks, or pushing drivers to flout hours-of-service rules.

Truck Manufacturer or Maintenance Crew

Did the tractor-trailer accident stem from mechanical failure, such as defective brakes? Under Maryland product liability laws, the truck or part manufacturer may be held liable. The truck maintenance company may also be held accountable if improper or neglected repairs triggered the crash.

Third-Party Companies

A third-party company, such as a cargo loader, could be liable for the accident if unsecured or improperly loaded cargo contributed to it. For example, loose cargo in the trailer might change the rig’s weight balance and cause the driver to lose control.

Contact Our Bowie, MD Personal Injury Lawyers 

A truck accident differs somewhat from other motor vehicle accidents because more parties are often at fault. Never attempt to negotiate your own settlement if a truck driver injures you. Instead, seasoned Annapolis, MD truck accident attorneys should be retained to fight for maximum compensation. Our attorneys at the Law Office of Kari H. Fawcett will aggressively defend your rights and obtain the optimal outcome for your case. Contact us at 301-262-5500 now for a free consultation.