Hurt in a truck accident in La Plata? You have the right to demand accountability for what you’ve suffered. Trollinger Law LLC has dedicated nearly a decade to winning justice for injured clients in Maryland — and we’re ready to fight for your rights. Call us today or contact us online for a free consultation with a skilled truck accident lawyer in La Plata.
Why You Need a Lawyer After a Truck Accident in La Plata, MD
A commercial vehicle accident can leave you facing expensive medical bills and an uncertain future. You may be out of work and struggling to make ends meet. The truck driver, trucking company, or other parties responsible for the crash could owe you compensation. Unfortunately, insurance companies are notorious for making lowball settlement offers and hoping you’ll settle for less.
You don’t have to fight this battle alone. Your only focus should be on healing — not trying to figure out what fair compensation looks like or how to convince an adjuster that you deserve it. An experienced truck accident lawyer from Trollinger Law LLC can take that burden off your shoulders.
A truck accident attorney can:
- Identify who caused or contributed to the crash that hurt you
- Gather evidence to support your case
- File your truck accident claim with the insurance company(s)
- Represent you during settlement negotiations
- File a truck accident lawsuit (if needed) and take your case to trial
From start to finish, we handle all of the legal legwork so you have space to get your life back on track.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Many commercial motor vehicle accidents occur because of someone else’s negligence. Driver error is a leading cause, but many other parties, both inside and outside the trucking industry, could also be legally responsible.
Common causes of truck accidents in La Plata include:
- Speeding: Trucks need more time and distance to stop than passenger cars. In the congested DC Metro area, a speeding tractor-trailer could cause serious accidents in seconds.
- Fatigued driving: Truckers must comply with hours-of-service (HOS) regulations set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). When truck drivers break the rules, they risk falling asleep behind the wheel or operating a rig with slower reflexes.
- Impaired driving: Recognizing the catastrophic potential of truck accidents, FMCSA sets the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for truck drivers at 0.04 — half the limit for regular drivers.
- Distracted driving: When a trucker’s mind, eyes, or hands are focused on another activity, they’re more likely to cause an accident.
- Aggressive driving: Tailgating or unsafe lane changes can result in deadly truck accidents.
- Unbalanced cargo: Unbalanced freight can shift during transit, increasing the risk of truck rollover accidents.
- Unsecured loads: Improperly tied-down cargo could fall off the back of a flatbed truck onto the roadway or a nearby vehicle.
- Mechanical failure: Faulty truck parts or truck systems can cripple a semi-truck, making it unresponsive to the driver’s attempts to regain control.
- Improper hiring practices or oversight: Trucking companies must perform a thorough background check on any drivers they intend to hire.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident Case?
Truck accidents may seem to be the truck driver’s fault, but they may not be the only negligent party. Other potentially liable parties include:
- The trucking company
- The truck manufacturer
- Cargo loaders
- Other drivers
- The maintenance company responsible for truck inspections and repairs
- State and local government entities
In some cases, obtaining full and fair compensation hinges on filing multiple insurance claims against each liable party. A personal injury lawyer with experience handling truck accident cases can investigate your case and identify all potential sources of compensation.
Common Injuries in Truck Accident Cases
An 18-wheeler can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. Colliding with a passenger vehicle can lead to serious injuries, such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Broken bones
- Cuts and lacerations
- Internal bleeding
- Vital organ damage
- Neck injuries
- Facial and dental injuries
- Burns
- Amputation
Compensation Available for Truck Accident Victims
A collision with a big rig may leave you with serious injuries, but Maryland law allows victims to seek compensation for accidents that are not their fault.
In a successful truck accident claim, you could recover compensation for economic and non-economic damages. This money is meant to compensate you for both financial and personal losses, such as:
- Medical bills
- Rehabilitation, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other caregiving services
- Lost wages
- Lost future earning capacity
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Transportation to and from medical appointments
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement
- Permanent impairment
Maryland law caps non-economic damages in personal injury and wrongful death cases, with the cap increasing annually to account for inflation.
How Our La Plata Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help
Having experienced legal representation is crucial if you’re coping with serious injuries after a truck accident. That’s because Maryland law prevents injury victims from recovering compensation if they are even one percent responsible for an accident. With such high stakes, the insurance company will likely fight to push the blame onto you. Trollinger Law LLC can build a strategic case to counter any disputes.
At our firm, we put people first. You deserve to feel confident that your case is in capable hands. We believe in a human approach that prioritizes one-on-one communication, empathy, and getting to know you as a person, not just a legal case.
But make no mistake — we’re fighters too, and results matter. Our La Plata truck accident attorneys are aggressive advocates with a history of success in truck accident cases.
We have secured numerous six- and seven-figure settlements and verdicts for deserving clients, including:
- $2.7 million – Trucking accident
- $2.5 million – For a family in a truck accident
- $2.2. million – Settlement for a family hit by a negligent tractor-trailer driver
- $575,000 – Verdict for a mother and daughter hit by a dump truck in Carroll County
Here’s what one of our happy clients had to say about their experience with us:
“The entire Trollinger Law team clearly cares deeply about their clients. Matt is incredibly communicative, compassionate and dedicated. Their professionalism and client-first approach really stand out.”
– K Sobiesiak
Get Help from an MD Truck Accident Lawyer Today
Trollinger Law LLC is an award-winning personal injury and workers’ compensation law firm serving clients throughout Southern Maryland.
With recognition from organizations like Super Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers Top 100, and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, our lawyers are known for their professionalism, ethics, and proven results. Contact us today for a free consultation with a trusted commercial truck accident lawyer in La Plata.
