A collision with a large commercial truck can change your life in an instant. These massive vehicles outweigh passenger cars by tens of thousands of pounds, making even low-speed crashes dangerous. If you were hurt in a truck accident, you may be facing painful injuries, mounting medical bills, and time away from work. The trucking company and its insurers may try to minimize your claim, but you don’t have to accept less than you deserve. At McGowan & Cecil, LLC, we stand up for accident victims and fight for full and fair compensation.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Truck accidents happen for many reasons, and many of them can be traced back to negligence. Large commercial vehicles require skill, attention, and proper maintenance to operate safely. When drivers, trucking companies, or third parties cut corners, serious accidents can follow.
Some of the most common causes of truck accidents include:
- Driver fatigue – Long shifts and tight deadlines can lead to drowsy driving.
- Distracted driving – Texting, eating, or adjusting GPS systems can take a driver’s eyes off the road.
- Speeding or reckless driving – Large trucks need more time to stop, making excessive speed especially dangerous.
- Overloaded or unbalanced cargo – Improperly secured loads can shift, leading to rollovers or jackknife accidents.
- Poor truck maintenance – Worn brakes, faulty tires, and mechanical failures increase crash risks.
At McGowan & Cecil, we investigate every accident thoroughly to determine what went wrong and who is responsible.
Types of Truck Accidents
Truck accidents can happen in many ways, each presenting unique dangers. Some of the most common types include:
- Jackknife accidents – A truck’s trailer swings out at an angle, often blocking multiple lanes.
- Rollover crashes – A truck tips over due to speeding, sharp turns, or unbalanced cargo.
- Underride collisions – A smaller vehicle slides under a truck’s trailer, often causing severe injuries.
- Rear-end crashes – Due to their size, trucks need more time to stop, increasing the risk of rear-end collisions.
- Wide-turn accidents – Trucks require extra space to turn, sometimes trapping nearby vehicles.
Who Can Be Held Liable?
Truck accident cases can be more complex than other motor vehicle crashes because multiple parties may share responsibility. Unlike a typical car accident, where liability usually falls on one driver, truck accidents often involve several companies with legal and financial interests at stake.
Potentially liable parties include:
- The truck driver – If the driver was speeding, distracted, impaired, or driving recklessly, they may be held responsible.
- The trucking company – Employers may be liable for poor hiring practices, unrealistic schedules, or failure to maintain vehicles.
- A third-party maintenance provider – If a truck’s brakes, tires, or engine were not properly maintained, a repair company may share the blame.
- The manufacturer of a defective truck part – Faulty components, such as brakes or steering systems, can cause serious accidents.
- The cargo loading company – Overloaded or unbalanced cargo increases the risk of rollovers and jackknifes.
McGowan & Cecil identifies every responsible party to help you seek the compensation you deserve.
Injuries and Compensation After a Truck Accident
Truck accidents often result in life-altering injuries. The sheer size and weight of commercial trucks make collisions especially dangerous for those in smaller vehicles. Victims may require extensive medical treatment, long recovery periods, and, in some cases, lifelong care.
Common injuries from truck accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) – Concussions and severe head trauma can cause cognitive and physical impairments.
- Spinal cord injuries – Damage to the spine may lead to paralysis or chronic pain.
- Broken bones – Fractures can require surgery and months of rehabilitation.
- Internal injuries – Damage to organs may not be immediately obvious but can be life-threatening.
- Burns and disfigurement – Fires and chemical spills in truck crashes can cause severe burns.
If you were injured, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. McGowan & Cecil fights to secure the financial recovery you need to move forward.
How We Will Help You
Trucking companies and their insurers work hard to protect their bottom line, often at the expense of injured victims. They may deny liability, shift blame, or offer low settlements that don’t cover the full extent of your losses. At McGowan & Cecil, we have over 120 years of combined experience successfully representing clients in all types of vehicle accident claims, including complex truck accident cases. We handle every aspect of your claim, from investigating the accident to negotiating with insurance companies and, if necessary, taking your case to court.
Our team gathers critical evidence, such as black box data, driver logs, and maintenance records, to build the strongest case possible. We also work with medical professionals and accident reconstruction specialists to demonstrate the full impact of your injuries. Our goal is to hold the responsible parties accountable and secure the financial recovery you need.
Contact Our Experienced Maryland Truck Accident Attorneys
If you or a loved one was injured in a truck accident, you don’t have to face this alone. Let McGowan & Cecil, LLC fight for the compensation you deserve. Call us today for a free consultation to discuss your case.
McGowan & Cecil, LLC is based in Laurel, Maryland, and proudly serves clients throughout Prince George’s County, Anne Arundel County, Howard County, and Montgomery County.