Over 100 Trucks Taken Out of Service in Maryland in a Single Day

Posted on July 16, 2019

Baltimore Truck Accident Lawyers discuss removing unsafe commercial trucks from the road. It should come as no surprise that truck accidents can cause massive property damage and devastating injuries, particularly to the occupants of the passenger vehicles involved. Many of these accidents are caused by trucks that have not been properly maintained. To remove unsafe commercial vehicles from the roads, making them safer for other motorists, the Maryland State Police Department is conducting inspections of commercial trucks and removing those that are unfit to be on the road.

Last week, police pulled over roughly 500 commercial trucks for safety inspections. Over 100 of those trucks were taken out of service for a variety of safety violations. The Maryland State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division worked with inspectors from eight different law enforcement agencies to conduct a range of inspections, including safety and equipment inspections, as well as size and weight checks. In addition to the vehicles that were taken out of service, Maryland Police issued an additional 81 traffic citations and 191 warnings to truck drivers.

Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents

According to statistics, approximately 500,000 traffic accidents are caused by commercial trucks, 5,000 of which result in fatalities. The following are the most common causes of truck accidents:

  • Drowsy Driving: Truck drivers often drive long hours on too little sleep. Oftentimes, truck drivers are under a great deal of pressure to meet tight deadlines, so they continue driving when they should take breaks. Over time, drowsiness can have a negative impact on the driver’s ability to concentrate and their reaction time. In extreme cases, they may fall asleep at the wheel.
  • Drunk/Drugged Driving: Truck drivers have been known to use alcohol or non-medicinal drugs when they are behind the wheel. When a truck driver is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, it impacts their judgment, ability to react, and coordination, which can increase the chance of a serious accident.
  • Poor Truck Maintenance: When trucks are not properly maintained, they can be dangerous on the road. For example, tire blowouts, poorly maintained brakes, and broken headlights can all cause devastating accidents.
  • Distracted Driving: Driving a truck can be monotonous, so drivers may look for distractions to kill the boredom. Making phone calls, sending text messages, and checking social media are all examples of distracted driving, which is a serious safety hazard.
  • Speeding: Speeding is dangerous regardless of the vehicle, but it is particularly hazardous when a large truck is driving too fast. When a truck driver is speeding and is forced to brake suddenly, there is significantly less time to react. This can also cause the truck to jackknife, which is very dangerous if other vehicles are in the vicinity.

Baltimore Truck Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Represent Victims of Serious Truck Accidents

If you were seriously injured in a truck accident involving a large truck that has other safety issues, you are urged to contact the Baltimore truck accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton. Our experienced legal team will investigate the details of the accident and determine who is responsible for the crash. We will work tirelessly to secure the maximum financial compensation you deserve for your injuries. To schedule a free, confidential consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.

Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to represent truck accident victims in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Prince George’s County, Queen Anne’s County, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.