Washington D.C. Truck Accident Attorneys

Results-Oriented Representation for Truck Accident Victims in the DC Metro Area 

Truck accidents tend to be far more frightening than other vehicular accidents. These gargantuan vehicles tend to dwarf traditional cars and can cause horrific destruction in the event of a collision.

You should also understand that liability in a truck accident may not be as straightforward as in a typical car accident. If you were recently injured in an accident involving a commercial truck, you need a legal team that understands the intricacies of these cases and has the skills and resources to represent you effectively. At Rowe, Weinstein & Sohn, PLLC, our Washington, D.C. truck accident lawyers are aggressive litigators who can identify all potential sources of liability and fight to secure just compensation. With hundreds of millions of dollars recovered for our clients, our track record of success is undeniable, and we are ready to put our over 100 years of combined legal experience to work for you.

Don’t wait to protect your rights after a truck accident. Call Rowe, Weinstein & Sohn, PLLC today at (301) 450-5742 or contact us online to schedule a meeting with our Washington D.C. truck accident lawyers!  

Common Causes of Washington, D.C. Truck Accidents

Understanding what specifically caused your truck accident is paramount to recovering compensation for your injuries. Our Washington, D.C., truck accident attorneys understand how to investigate these collisions and ascertain the collision's actual cause, allowing us to establish liability and build a foundation for your personal injury claim. 

Many Washington, D.C. truck accidents are caused by:

• Fatigued driving. Fatigued driving is a significant concern in the trucking industry. With demanding schedules and long hours on the road, truck drivers may experience exhaustion, which impairs their ability to operate the vehicle safely. Fatigue can lead to slower reaction times, impaired judgment, and sometimes, falling asleep behind the wheel. These effects can be disastrous considering the size of a truck, leading to severe or even fatal accidents. Furthermore, to cope with drowsiness, some drivers resort to using stimulants, which can induce over-confidence and risky behavior, thereby increasing the likelihood of accidents.
• Distracted driving. Distracted driving is any activity that diverts attention from driving, including talking or texting on the phone, eating and drinking, or adjusting the radio or navigation system. Any non-driving activity a truck driver engages in while behind the wheel is a potential distraction that increases the risk of a crash. Even a moment's distraction can have dire consequences, given the time for a large truck to stop or change direction.
• Speeding. Truck drivers are under immense pressure to deliver their cargo within a specified timeframe. This pressure can lead drivers to exceed the speed limits to compensate for lost time due to traffic, weather conditions, or unanticipated stoppages. A driver’s compensation model may sometimes incentivize faster delivery times, compelling them to speed. However, trucks require a longer distance to come to a complete halt than smaller vehicles, thanks to their massive size and weight. When a truck travels at high speeds, the stopping distance increases, making it difficult to avoid collisions. Speeding can also lead to losing control over the vehicle, especially when negotiating curves or unfavorable weather conditions, creating a high-risk scenario for accidents.
• Violating other traffic rules. Truck drivers who disregard traffic regulations pose an enormous risk to themselves and others on the road. One such violation is running red lights or stop signs. Due to the considerable size and weight of trucks, failing to stop when required can result in catastrophic collisions. Yielding violations, which occur when drivers do not yield the right of way to other motorists, are also a common cause of truck accidents. These incidents often occur at intersections, leading to serious side-impact or "T-bone" collisions. Another common traffic violation is improper lane changes. Given the large blind spots that trucks have, changing lanes without proper signaling and checking blind spots can easily lead to a collision with a smaller vehicle. Similarly, illegal turns, especially right turns, can cause a truck to collide with a pedestrian or another vehicle without ensuring the path is clear.
• Negligent hiring or training. Trucking companies are responsible for ensuring that the drivers they hire are competent, experienced, and adequately trained to handle the large, heavy vehicles they will be operating. Negligent hiring occurs when a trucking company fails to conduct thorough background checks on potential hires, allowing drivers with poor driving records or a history of substance abuse to operate their vehicles. Such drivers are more likely to violate traffic rules, speed, driving while intoxicated, or engage in reckless behavior, making them a liability on the road. Insufficient training is another critical issue. Driving a truck requires specialized skills and knowledge, and new or inexperienced drivers who are not provided with proper training are likely to make mistakes or poor judgment calls while behind the wheel.
• Improper cargo loading. Proper cargo loading is crucial in maintaining a truck's balance and stability. However, when cargo is improperly loaded, the truck can become unbalanced, which increases the risk of the vehicle tipping over, especially during turns or when navigating uneven road surfaces. Additionally, an unbalanced load can affect the truck's center of gravity and impact the handling and braking ability of the vehicle, making it more difficult for the driver to control the truck during sudden stops or maneuvers.
• Negligent maintenance. Commercial trucks require regular and thorough inspection and maintenance. Failure to properly maintain a truck can result in mechanical failures, which can cause or contribute to serious accidents.

Who Is Liable for a Washington, D.C. Truck Accident?

Truck accident liability can be complex, as it frequently involves multiple parties. Someone other than – or in addition to – the truck driver themselves may be responsible for the collision, and our Washington, D.C. truck accident lawyers can help you determine who can be held accountable.

Depending on what happened, any of the following parties could be liable for a Washington, D.C. truck accident:

• The truck driver. The truck driver can be held liable if the accident resulted from their negligence, such as speeding, driving while under the influence, violating traffic laws, or driving recklessly. Fatigue due to long hours of driving without taking required breaks is another common cause of truck driver negligence.
• The trucking company. The company employing the truck driver can also be held liable for accidents. This may occur if they have been negligent in their hiring practices, failed to conduct proper training, or have pushed drivers to work beyond legally permitted hours. The company can also, in some cases, be held responsible for accidents resulting from poor vehicle maintenance or negligent loading of cargo.
• The cargo loaders. If the accident was caused by improperly or insecurely loaded cargo, the parties responsible for loading the cargo could be held liable.
• The truck or parts manufacturer. If a truck accident resulted from a mechanical failure due to a defective truck part, the manufacturer or the defective part could be held accountable. 
• The maintenance provider. They may be held liable if a third-party service provider is responsible for maintaining the truck and their negligence in performing this duty led to an accident.

Compensation for Truck Accident Victims

Getting you the full and fair compensation you are entitled to under the law is our top priority at Rowe, Weinstein & Sohn, PLLC. To that end, we negotiate with relentless determination. Should negotiations not yield a fair settlement, we are prepared to take your case to court and fight to deliver your desired results.

Our Washington, D.C. truck accident attorneys will work to get you just compensation for all losses, including:

• Medical expenses
• Lost income and earning capacity
• Property damage
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Pain and suffering

Navigating the Statute of Limitations for Truck Accident Claims in Washington, D.C.