Fatal Accident on ICC Near Gaithersburg, First Since 2011

          Last week, a Montgomery County dump truck hauling gravel skidded out of control across the eastbound lanes of the Intercounty Connector (ICC Route 200) and overturned along the median.  A second vehicle was also involved in the crash, but the driver only suffered minor injuries.  Unfortunately, the truck driver lost his life in the crash after being pinned underneath the truck.  He had been a county employee with the Montgomery County Department of Transportation for over 15 years.  The horrific accident scene shows gravel spilled all over the westbound lanes of the ICC and the truck completely smashed and crushed into the median guardrail.  The cause of the accident is unknown at this time and police continue to investigate why and how the truck lost control.

            Maryland Transportation Authority officials say this is the first fatal accident on the ICC since November 2011 when the highway first opened.  The lack of deadly accidents can probably be attributed to the fact that it is a toll road and very few vehicles use the road.  Therefore, with very little traffic, the risk of accidents is much lower than on major highways and roadways.

            Trucks are always at a higher risk of having accidents that result in catastrophic damage and injuries because of their power and large size.  Large trucks, including dump trucks like the one involved in this accident, have extreme difficulty stopping suddenly and have large blind spots which make it tough for truck drivers to see other vehicles around them.  One possible cause of this accident is that the second vehicle was driving next to the dump truck in the truck driver’s blind spot, and the truck driver all of sudden sees the car next to him and starts to lose control of the truck as he tries to steer away from the car he thinks he is about to hit.  Another major cause of truck-involved accidents is distracted driving (i.e. texting while driving, talking on a cell phone while driving, playing with the radio while driving, or adjusting the navigation system while driving). 

            Remember, if you are injured in a car, truck, or motorcycle accident, you should always remain calm and seek medical treatment as soon as possible for your injuries.  In addition, you should never admit liability, even if you are the one who caused the accident.

            If you or a family member has been injured or killed in an accident caused by the fault or negligence of another person and would like to consult an experienced Maryland personal injury attorney for free, contact us at (301) 854-9000 to schedule an appointment at one of our office locations in Rockville or throughout Maryland or visit us online at http://www.portnerandshure.com/Personal-Injury/