Were you or a loved one involved in a car accident with a commercial vehicle in Dundalk, MD? You deserve to understand your legal options. If the accident wasn’t your fault, an experienced Dundalk commercial vehicle accident can help you fight to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and more from the at-fault party.
Our team at WGK Personal Injury Lawyers has over 100 years of experience in personal injury law. We’ve secured tens of millions of dollars in compensation awards for injured clients like you.
Contact our law offices in Dundalk, Maryland, today at (410) 970-3080 to schedule your free consultation.
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Why Trust WGK Personal Injury Lawyers for Legal Assistance After a Commercial Vehicle Accident in Dundalk?
Commercial vehicles are large, powerful, and heavy. They’re also operated on behalf of major corporations that are out to make a profit–corporations that aren’t accustomed to handing out money without a fight.
When you’re seriously hurt, you need time to rest and recover. You don’t have time to conduct the types of investigations these cases involve. Instead, count on our Dundalk personal injury attorneys to pursue the full compensation available.
WGK Personal Injury Lawyers is a respected personal injury firm that consists of three generations of lawyers. We’ve been trusted by accident victims like you since we started our practice in 1977.
You can count on us to:
- Conduct a thorough investigation into the crash
- Build the strongest evidence-backed case possible
- Work with leading specialists as needed
- Help you understand how much your case is worth
- Negotiate with the insurance companies for a full settlement
Our Dundalk personal injury lawyers are respected in the courtroom. If the insurance company doesn’t offer the settlement you deserve, we’ll go to court and fight for it.
To learn more about how we can help you achieve the best possible outcome after a crash, schedule a free case review today.
How Dangerous Are Commercial Vehicle Accidents?
In Maryland alone, 4,324 accidents involving large trucks and buses were reported by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) in 2022. Overall, 1,958 people were injured and 59 people lost their lives in those crashes.
According to preliminary data, another 3,719 commercial vehicle wrecks occurred in Maryland during 2023–causing at least 1,836 injuries and 57 deaths.
We Handle All Types of Commercial Vehicle Accident Cases
Large trucks are the most common and dangerous type of commercial vehicle. However, the term includes any vehicle that’s delivering goods or a certain number of passengers for a fee. Any type of commercial vehicle has the potential to cause serious damage in a crash.
According to the FMCSA, the term “commercial vehicle” includes vehicles that:
- Have a gross vehicle weight rating of at least 10,000 pounds
- Are used or designed to transport between 9 and 15 passengers for compensation
- Are used or designed to transport more than 15 passengers, or
- Are used or designed to transport hazardous materials
At WGK Personal Injury Lawyers, we handle all types of commercial vehicle accident claims, including those involving:
- Semi-trucks
- Tractor-trailers
- Big-rigs
- Oil tanker trucks
- FedEx trucks
- UPS trucks
- Amazon delivery vans
- Tow trucks
- Garbage trucks
- Construction vehicles
- Buses
- And more
If you were involved in an accident involving one of these large, heavy vehicles, contact our personal injury law firm in Dundalk today. We offer free case reviews, so don’t hesitate to reach out for legal advice.
How Much Is My Dundalk Commercial Vehicle Accident Case Worth?
The value of your personal injury case depends highly on the nature of your injuries and the circumstances of your accident. When you hire us, we’ll carefully review the facts to determine the amount of compensation you deserve.
Some of the most relevant facts include:
- The nature of your injuries
- Your expenses, including medical treatment costs, vehicle repairs, and more
- How the injury impacts your earnings
- Whether you will suffer any long-term disability
- Whether you’re expected to incur future costs, including medical bills or rehab costs
- How the injury impacts your quality of life
- Whether you share fault for the crash
Before you accept a settlement, you should have a lawyer evaluate your case value. Otherwise, you risk walking away with much less than you deserve.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Commercial Vehicle Accident Victims in Maryland?
Whether your case is resolved via the insurance claims process or a personal injury lawsuit, you can seek compensation for economic damages and non-economic damages. Under Maryland law, your compensation should make you “whole” again after the crash.
Economic damages offset your financial losses related to:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning potential
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitation
- Property damage
- Miscellaneous expenses
Non-economic damages represent your more subjective losses, including:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- PTSD
- Reduced quality of life
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of consortium
To learn more about the types of damages you may be entitled to receive, call our lawyers in Dundalk for a free case review.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in Maryland?
Our team at WGK Personal Injury Lawyers works on a contingency fee basis. Our attorney’s fees are entirely dependent on your compensation. We only get paid if you do.
Typically, we charge between 33% and 40% of a client’s settlement or verdict. The exact percentage will depend on the facts, including the complexity of your case and the likelihood that your case will go to trial.
Can I Recover Damages if I’m Being Blamed for a Commercial Vehicle Accident in Maryland?
Unlike in other states, you can’t recover partial compensation under Maryland’s contributory negligence system if you share blame for the accident. In Maryland, you’re barred from recovering compensation if you were even 1% liable for the accident.
If you hire us, we’ll work hard to respond to allegations of contributory fault on your behalf.
Our Dundalk Commercial Vehicle Accident Attorneys Will Fight To Recover Compensation for All of Your Injuries
Larger vehicles have the potential to cause the most severe types of injuries.
Victims of commercial vehicle accidents often sustain:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Whiplash injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Crush injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Concussions
- Back injuries
- Nerve damage
- Organ damage
- Burns
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
After a serious crash, seek medical attention at the closest hospital possible. Getting medical care quickly gives you the best chance of making a full recovery. Once you’re stable, contact our lawyers to learn about your right to pursue compensation from those responsible for your injuries.
What Are the Top Causes of Commercial Vehicle Accidents in Dundalk, Maryland?
Just like any other type of motor vehicle accident, commercial vehicle accidents tend to happen when people are negligent.
Some of the most common factors that contribute to accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Fatigued drivers
- Inexperienced commercial vehicle operators
- Violation of FMCSA regulations, such as hours-of-service regulations
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Tailgating
- Speeding
- Aggressive driving
- Drug or alcohol use
- Illegal turns
- Failure to perform mandated vehicle inspections before and after trips
- Unsafe passing
Outside factors can also contribute to the cause of an accident. Limited visibility, bad weather, and hazardous road conditions often play a role in crashes. However, even if that’s the case, keep in mind that drivers should exercise additional caution when road conditions are dangerous.
Who Can Be Liable for My Commercial Vehicle Accident Injuries?
Typically, the owner of the commercial vehicle and the truck driver share responsibility for damages in commercial vehicle accident cases.
However, it’s always possible that someone else could be responsible for the crash, including:
- Trucking companies
- Mechanics
- Maintenance companies
- Companies responsible for the vehicle’s cargo
- Third-party motorists
- Freight brokers
- Government agencies
- Manufacturers of defective safety equipment
Once we know why your accident happened, we’ll be able to identify the parties who are ultimately responsible for paying your damages.
How Do I Prove Liability After a Commercial Vehicle Accident in Dundalk?
Most injured parties must prove negligence to win their cases.
To successfully recover compensation, you must prove:
- The at-fault party had a legal duty of care
- They breached that duty in some way
- The breach was the direct and proximate cause of your accident
- You sustained damages
When you hire our team, we’ll collect the evidence that can be used to prove these elements. That may include data from the vehicle’s electronic recording device, the trucking company’s records, accident reports, and more.
What Is the Time Limit for Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit After a Commercial Vehicle Accident in Maryland?
In the State of Maryland, you must file a lawsuit within three years of the accident (with rare exceptions). After the three-year statute of limitations period expires, you forfeit your right to compensation.
Three years might seem like a lot of time. It’ll go by quickly. Once the deadline passes, you won’t have any way to recover the compensation you deserve.
Contact a Dundalk Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
You don’t have to handle the aftermath of a commercial vehicle accident alone. Our team at WGK Personal Injury Lawyers has decades of experience handling complex cases like yours. Contact us today at (410) 970-3080 to learn how a Dundalk commercial vehicle accident lawyer can protect your rights.
