When you see a truck accident, it’s typical to assume that the truck driver somehow lost control, thereby wrecking another person’s life. While that scenario is plenty common, our Maryland truck accident lawyers know that it is also possible for the driver of the car to contribute to the cause of the crash. Here are six scenarios in which the car driver, not the trucker, may be found guilty of causing or contributing to a serious Maryland truck crash:

  1. Driving in the truck’s blind spot.
    Unlike a small car, a tractor-trailer or 18-wheeler has huge blind spots. When a small car gets caught in one of those unseen areas, it’s impossible for the truck driver to avoid a collision with a car he can’t even see.
  2. Driving between two large trucks.
    It can be a little unnerving to be surrounded by trucks on the highway. Driving between two large trucks can make you feel a bit “sandwiched,” and rightly so. It’s a dangerous place to be and one that you should avoid at all costs.
  3. Stopping abruptly in front of a truck.
    Because large trucks require more time and distance to stop, a car that stops abruptly in front of a truck is in danger of causing a serious rear-end collision in Maryland.
  4. Cutting off a truck when attempting to merge, pass, or change lanes.
    This is perhaps the biggest contribution of cars to truck accidents in Maryland. Trucks cannot brake easily, so when a small car is suddenly in front of a fast-moving truck, a crash may occur before the trucker has time to slow down.
  5. Turning left directly in front of an oncoming truck.
    Perhaps the car driver misjudges the distance or speed of the truck. In either case, making an abrupt left in front of a truck gives the driver little time to stop or swerve to avoid crashing into the car.
  6. Driving on the right side of a truck that is turning right.
    Some trucks actually have signs alerting other drivers to the “wide turns” such a large vehicle requires. Even if you are in another lane, it’s best to give a truck driver wide berth so he can complete the wide right turn without hitting you.

Not every truck accident is the truck driver’s fault. Doing your best to avoid these common mistakes will hopefully keep you and your family a little safer on the roads. If you have been the victim of a Maryland truck crash despite doing everything right, then you are likely eligible for compensation. To see how an experienced Maryland truck accident attorney can help you get the money you need to pay off your medical bills, call Nickelsporn and Lundin at 800-875-9700 to request a free consultation.