April 23, 2009

In Maryland: Narrow Roads May Put Drivers at Increased Risk for Truck Accidents

Maryland truck accident litigators recently read about a truck accident on Davis Drive in Apex, North Carolina that could be repeated on some of Maryland’s smaller roads.

Earlier this week, a dump truck driving down a narrow two lane road that lacked a shoulder, overturned and landed on top of a Honda Civic. The driver of the Civic, Kara Walden Benton, was seriously injured and was flown from the scene to an area hospital. The passenger, Mrs. Benton’s husband, 26 year-old Chad Benton, was less seriously injured.

The driver of the dump truck told investigators that another driver forced the dump truck off the road and onto the grass. According the dump truck driver, his truck overturned when he attempted to get back onto the solid roadway. Other drivers and area residents believe that the lack of a shoulder on Davis Drive poses a safety concern and was the likely cause of this accident. The two lane road is lined by grassy ditches on both sides and if a vehicle’s wheel leaves the roadway, the driver may lose tire traction and be unable to control the automobile. According to residents in the area, this is not the first time the narrow nature of the road has caused accidents. Wake County officials, however, have no plans to widen the road to provide a better shoulder.

Maryland, particularly in rural areas, has a number of narrow roads similar to Davis Drive. Drivers, particularly those in large trucks, have little or no room for error while traveling on these narrow roads and could easily cause similar accidents. Maryland truck accident attorneys suggest that our readers pay close attention when driving near large vehicles on narrow roads particularly in poor weather conditions. A truck whose tire leaves a solid roadway and hit softer earth is susceptible to losing control, and due to its high center of gravity, may overturn, putting drivers near it at risk for serious injury.

External Links

WTVD ABC 11 News Story

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November 6, 2008

Maryland State Highway Truck Accident Leaves One Teen Dead and Another Victim with Serious Injuries

In Jefferson, Maryland, 17-year-old Kaitlyn Wilson died early this morning from injuries she sustained in a two-vehicle crash with a Maryland State Highway Administration dump truck. The driver of the Honda Civic that Wilson was riding in is alive, but listed in serious condition.

The deadly truck accident occurred at the intersection of Holter Road and Md. 180. According to Maryland State Police, the Civic was headed north on Holter Road while the truck was moving east on Md. 180 at a constant speed. The two-vehicle crash occurred at the intersection.

According to Jefferson Volunteer Fire Company Chief Jimmy Lakin, the truck had landed on top of the truck. Firefighters had to cut two of the accident victims from the wreckage.

Wilson and the driver of the Honda were flown to Baltimore and treated at the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center. The truck driver and his passenger were taken to Frederick Memorial Hospital, where they were treated for non-life threatening injuries and later released.

According to a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Study:

• Dump trucks are involved in 16% of large truck accidents.
• Van trucks are involved in 46% of large truck crashes.
• 15% of large truck collisions involve flatbed trucks.

Dump trucks are extremely large trucks that can cause serious injuries to victims during motor vehicle collisions. In many cases, pedestrians, motorcyclists, and the occupants of passenger cars are the ones more likely to get hurt than the occupants of large trucks when these traffic accidents occur.

If you have been injured in a large truck crash, it is important that you seek medical help right away. In certain instances, symptoms of internal injuries may not reveal themselves until later.


Teen identified in fatal crash as Middletown High student, Frederick News, November 6, 2008

One Victim Dies in Hospital, Driver Still In Serious Condition, Your4State.com, November 6, 2008

Related Web Resource:
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

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