According to the Institute for Highway Safety, a total of 42,939 people died in motor vehicle crashes in 2021. Fatal accidents may involve anywhere from a single vehicle to multiple vehicles caught in a chain-reaction crash. When a person loses a loved one in a car accident, they may decide to hold the responsible driver accountable for the deep emotional and financial harm resulting from the crash. In the event of a fatal accident, a Maryland personal injury attorney can help you understand your options and pursue the compensation you need and deserve.
As a news article recently reported, two people died and three others suffered injuries following a six-vehicle crash in Maryland. The accident occurred on I-81 when the driver of a Chevrolet Tahoe hit struck the rear of a tractor-trailer that had begun to brake. The crash then caused three other tractor-trailers and a pickup truck to collide. When emergency responders arrived at the scene, they found five people trapped in their vehicles. The Chevrolet driver and a passenger both sadly died from their injuries. Two other passengers in the Chevrolet and one tractor-trailer driver were transported to the hospital for their injuries.
Can You Sue an Employer for Their Driver’s Negligence?
If a tractor-trailer driver’s negligence led to a fatal accident, you may be able to sue the driver’s employer under a theory of vicarious liability. To hold an employer vicariously liable for an employee’s actions, a Maryland plaintiff must prove that the employee was working to further the employer’s business at the time of the accident. Plaintiffs must also show that the employee was working in their designated workspace, such as a planned travel route, and within their designated shift, such as completing a delivery at a certain time. If a plaintiff meets these requirements, they have shown that the employee acted within the scope of their employment during the accident, which is key to showing vicarious liability.