A tractor-trailer crash on July 10, 2025, turned Interstate 95 into a scene of confusion and gridlock just outside Elkridge in Howard County. The incident occurred near Montgomery Road when the truck veered out of its lane and overturned in the median. Multiple lanes were shut down for hours while crews worked to remove the truck and clear debris.
The driver became trapped inside the cab but was eventually rescued and taken to the hospital with injuries that authorities described as not life-threatening. Other drivers on the road avoided direct impact but remained stuck in traffic for several hours. The situation served as another reminder of just how quickly a large commercial vehicle can disrupt not only traffic but lives.
Maryland Truck Accidents Often Involve Layers of Fault
Although this crash may appear straightforward, such collisions rarely involve a single, straightforward cause. Investigators often examine a wide range of factors, including brake maintenance, driver hours, cargo handling, and road conditions. Commercial carriers are required to adhere to strict safety regulations, including regular vehicle inspections and accurate driver logs.
When those protocols break down, the consequences can put everyone at risk. In Maryland, fault in a crash can involve multiple parties, including the driver, the trucking company, maintenance contractors, and sometimes even the shipper.
What Makes Truck Collisions So Dangerous on I-95?
The I-95 corridor through Maryland is one of the busiest stretches of highway on the East Coast. Heavy commercial traffic shares space with daily commuters, road construction, and varying weather conditions. Tractor-trailers carry momentum that makes stopping more difficult and swerving even more hazardous.
When a truck crosses into the median or loses control, smaller vehicles nearby often have nowhere to go. Even without a multi-vehicle pileup, the risk of injury from flying debris, sudden braking, or blocked emergency routes rises sharply.
Truck Crashes Trigger Immediate Financial Fallout
Even when injuries are not fatal, the financial impact of a truck crash in Maryland can escalate quickly. Medical bills begin to accumulate before insurance adjusters make their first call. Next are missed work, vehicle replacement, and physical therapy. Meanwhile, commercial insurance carriers may start building a defense within hours, often with more legal resources than an injured driver can match alone.
Maryland’s contributory negligence rule adds another layer of urgency. If the trucking company can shift any portion of the blame to you, your entire claim may be barred. This rule applies even if you were only slightly at fault.
Commercial Truck Crashes on Maryland Highways Often Involve More Than Driver Error
When a tractor-trailer swerves into oncoming traffic, most people assume the driver made a mistake. However, Maryland trucking accidents rarely occur in isolation. These collisions often result from multiple points of failure across the transportation chain, maintenance lapses, unrealistic delivery schedules, or even faulty cargo loading procedures. Understanding the root cause requires more than reviewing a police report.
Commercial trucks are subject to both federal and state safety requirements. That means a crash on I-95 could trigger questions about compliance with U.S. Department of Transportation rules, not just Maryland traffic laws. A mechanical issue, such as worn brakes or tire blowouts, may be traced back to a repair company or freight operator that cut corners to save time. Dispatch records, maintenance logs, and electronic control modules sometimes tell a different story from what appears at the roadside.
In some cases, trucking companies continue to operate with a history of violations or ignore red flags about a driver’s fitness to be behind the wheel. When that happens, responsibility may fall on the employer or even a third-party logistics provider that helped coordinate the route. These cases require a focused approach to uncover patterns, secure time-sensitive evidence, and bring every responsible party into the claim.
If a crash involved multiple vehicles, as the I-95 incident on July 10, 2025, did, untangling what happened can take weeks. Road conditions, traffic congestion, and even the layout of the highway may play a role. That is why victims must understand their rights early and act quickly to protect their ability to hold all negligent parties accountable.
Speak with a Maryland Truck Accident Lawyer Today
A commercial truck crash can change your life in seconds. You do not have to face the aftermath alone. Call the Schupak Law Firm today at 240-833-3914 to schedule a free consultation. The team is available to help you understand your rights and take action while the facts are still clear.