Tragedy on Crain Highway: How a Maryland Tanker Truck Crash Left Two Children Fighting for Their Lives

When 80,000 Pounds of Steel Meets a Family SUV

The impact was catastrophic.

One moment, families were traveling along Crain Highway in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. The next, an 80,000-pound tanker truck collided with an SUV, sending three people—including two young children—to the hospital. One juvenile is now in critical condition. The scene required hazmat crews to secure the tanker’s contents. Southbound U.S. Route 301 was shut down for hours.

This wasn’t just another traffic accident. This was a preventable tragedy caused by the deadly combination of commercial vehicle negligence and the inherent dangers of our nation’s highways. And while this particular crash occurred in Maryland, the same risks exist every day on Texas roads—especially in areas like Abilene and Taylor County, where trucking corridors intersect with family traffic.

At Attorney911, we’ve seen what happens when trucking companies cut corners. We’ve recovered millions for families devastated by 18-wheeler crashes. And we know that behind every statistic is a real family whose lives are forever changed.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a trucking accident in Abilene or anywhere in Texas, call us immediately at 1-888-ATTY-911. The evidence in your case is disappearing right now.

Why This Crash Could Have Happened Anywhere—Including Abilene

The Maryland Corridor: A Microcosm of National Trucking Risks

Crain Highway (U.S. Route 301) is a major commercial corridor in Maryland, connecting the Washington D.C. metro area to southern Maryland and Virginia. It’s a route we know well from similar cases—heavy truck traffic mixed with local commuter and family vehicles.

But you don’t have to travel to Maryland to face these dangers. The same risks exist right here in Texas:

Abilene’s Trucking Landscape: The Same Dangers, Closer to Home

Abilene and Taylor County sit at the crossroads of several major trucking corridors:

• I-20: The primary east-west route connecting Dallas to West Texas oilfields
• U.S. 84: A major north-south route serving Abilene’s distribution centers
• U.S. 83/277: Connecting Abilene to San Angelo and the Permian Basin
• FM 3208 and FM 1750: Local routes serving oilfield operations

These roads carry:

• Oilfield Trucks: Water haulers, sand trucks, equipment transporters
• Distribution Center Traffic: Walmart, Amazon, and other retail distribution
• Agricultural Trucks: Livestock, grain, and produce haulers
• Long-Haul Trucks: Interstate traffic moving between Dallas, Midland, and New Mexico

And just like in Maryland, these trucks share the road with:

• Families driving to school or soccer practice
• Commuters heading to work at Hendrick Medical Center or Dyess AFB
• Shoppers at the Mall of Abilene or local grocery stores
• Tourists visiting the Frontier Texas! museum or Buffalo Gap Historic Village

The mix is dangerous. And the consequences can be devastating.

The Legal Battle Ahead: Who’s Really Responsible?

In trucking accident cases, multiple parties can share liability. Based on the Maryland crash details, these are the most likely defendants:

1. The Truck Driver

The driver may be personally liable for:

• Negligent Operation: Speeding, distracted driving, or failure to yield
• Fatigue: Violating hours-of-service regulations
• Impairment: Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Failure to Inspect: Not conducting proper pre-trip inspections

2. The Trucking Company

The motor carrier is often the most important defendant because they have the deepest pockets. They can be liable for:

Vicarious Liability (Respondeat Superior):
– The driver was an employee acting within the scope of employment

Direct Negligence:
– Negligent Hiring: Hiring an unqualified or dangerous driver
– Negligent Training: Failing to properly train the driver
– Negligent Supervision: Not monitoring driver performance
– Negligent Maintenance: Failing to maintain the vehicle
– Negligent Scheduling: Pressuring drivers to violate HOS regulations

“Trucking companies are in the business of moving freight, not protecting families. When they cut corners on safety to save money, people get hurt. And when people get hurt, we hold them accountable.” — Ralph Manginello

3. The Cargo Owner/Shipper

The company that owned the cargo may be liable for:

• Providing improper loading instructions
• Failing to disclose hazardous nature of cargo
• Requiring overweight loading
• Pressuring the carrier to expedite delivery

4. The Loading Company

If a third party loaded the cargo, they may be liable for:

• Improper cargo securement
• Unbalanced load distribution
• Exceeding vehicle weight ratings
• Failure to use proper blocking or bracing

5. The Truck or Trailer Manufacturer

If a defect contributed to the crash, the manufacturer may be liable for:

• Design defects in the truck or trailer
• Manufacturing defects in critical components
• Failure to warn of known dangers

6. Parts Manufacturers

Companies that manufactured specific parts may be liable for:

• Defective brakes or brake components
• Defective tires causing blowouts
• Defective steering mechanisms
• Defective lighting components

7. Maintenance Companies

Third-party maintenance providers may be liable for:

• Negligent repairs that failed to fix problems
• Failure to identify critical safety issues
• Using substandard or wrong parts
• Returning vehicles to service with known defects

8. Government Entities

In limited circumstances, government agencies may be liable for:

• Dangerous road design
• Failure to maintain roads
• Inadequate signage
• Improper work zone setup

The Catastrophic Injuries We’re Likely Seeing in This Case

Based on the severity of the crash and the fact that someone was thrown from a vehicle, these are the most likely injuries:

1. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

What It Is:
TBI occurs when a sudden trauma causes damage to the brain. In trucking accidents, this often happens when the head strikes the steering wheel, dashboard, or window, or when the brain impacts the inside of the skull due to sudden deceleration.

Severity Levels:

Lifetime Care Costs: $85,000 to $3,000,000+

Why It’s Common in Trucking Accidents:
– Extreme forces involved in collisions
– Ejection from vehicle (as reported in this crash)
– Lack of proper restraint (especially in older vehicles)

2. Spinal Cord Injury and Paralysis

What It Is:
Damage to the spinal cord that disrupts communication between the brain and body, often resulting in paralysis.

Types of Paralysis:

Lifetime Care Costs:
– Paraplegia (low): $1.1 million+
– Paraplegia (high): $2.5 million+
– Quadriplegia (low): $3.5 million+
– Quadriplegia (high): $5 million+

Why It’s Common in Trucking Accidents:
– Extreme forces can fracture vertebrae
– Ejection from vehicle increases risk
– Crushing injuries from vehicle deformation

3. Amputation

What It Is:
Loss of a limb, either at the scene (traumatic amputation) or later due to medical necessity (surgical amputation).

Common in Trucking Accidents Due To:
– Crushing forces from truck impact
– Entrapment requiring amputation for extraction
– Severe burns requiring surgical removal
– Infections from open wounds

Ongoing Medical Needs:
– Initial surgery and hospitalization
– Prosthetic limbs ($5,000 – $50,000+ per prosthetic)
– Replacement prosthetics throughout lifetime
– Physical therapy and rehabilitation
– Occupational therapy for daily living skills
– Psychological counseling

4. Severe Burns

How They Occur in Trucking Accidents:
– Fuel tank rupture and fire
– Hazmat cargo spills and ignition
– Electrical fires from battery/wiring damage
– Friction burns from road contact
– Chemical burns from hazmat exposure

Burn Classification:

Long-Term Consequences:
– Permanent scarring and disfigurement
– Multiple reconstructive surgeries
– Skin graft procedures
– Chronic pain
– Infection risks
– Psychological trauma

5. Internal Organ Damage

Common Internal Injuries:
– Liver laceration or rupture
– Spleen damage requiring removal
– Kidney damage
– Lung contusion or collapse (pneumothorax)
– Internal bleeding (hemorrhage)
– Bowel and intestinal damage

Why Dangerous:
– May not show immediate symptoms
– Internal bleeding can be life-threatening
– Requires emergency surgery
– Organ removal affects long-term health

6. Wrongful Death

When a Trucking Accident Kills:

If the critical condition juvenile doesn’t survive, the family may have a wrongful death claim.

Who Can Bring a Wrongful Death Claim in Maryland:
– Surviving spouse
– Children (minor and adult)
– Parents (if no spouse or children)
– Estate representative

Damages Available:
– Lost future income and benefits
– Loss of consortium (companionship, care, guidance)
– Mental anguish and emotional suffering
– Funeral and burial expenses
– Medical expenses before death
– Punitive damages (if gross negligence)

What This Case Could Be Worth: Understanding Damages

While every case is unique, trucking accident cases typically involve higher damages than standard car accidents due to:

• The severity of injuries
• The higher insurance limits carried by trucking companies
• The potential for punitive damages in cases of gross negligence

Potential Damages in This Case

Factors That Increase Case Value

1. Severity of Injuries: Catastrophic injuries like TBI, paralysis, or amputation significantly increase case value
2. Clear Liability: When the trucking company’s negligence is obvious, settlements are higher
3. Available Insurance: Trucking companies carry higher limits ($750,000 to $5,000,000+)
4. Punitive Damages: When the trucking company acted with gross negligence or recklessness
5. Multiple Defendants: More liable parties mean more insurance coverage
6. Permanent Disability: Injuries that affect the victim for life increase damages
7. Young Victims: Children have longer life expectancies, increasing future damages

Recent Trucking Verdicts and Settlements

These cases demonstrate what’s possible when trucking companies are held accountable:

“These verdicts aren’t outliers—they’re the new normal. Juries are fed up with trucking companies prioritizing profits over safety. When we present the evidence of negligence, juries respond with record verdicts.” — Ralph Manginello

What Abilene Drivers Need to Know: How to Protect Yourself

1. Recognize the Dangers

Trucks are not just bigger cars—they’re fundamentally different:

2. Avoid the No-Zones

Trucks have four massive blind spots called “No-Zones”:

1. Front No-Zone: 20 feet directly in front of the cab
2. Rear No-Zone: 30 feet behind the trailer
3. Left Side No-Zone: Extends from the cab door backward
4. Right Side No-Zone: Extends from the cab door backward—much larger than the left side

Safety Tip: If you can’t see the truck’s mirrors, the driver can’t see you.

3. Give Trucks Space

• Following Distance: Stay at least 4 seconds behind trucks
• Passing: Pass quickly and don’t linger in blind spots
• Merging: Give trucks extra space when merging in front
• Stopping: Never stop too close behind a truck at a light

4. Watch for Wide Turns

Trucks need to swing wide to make turns. If you see a truck with its turn signal on:

• Don’t try to squeeze by on the right
• Give the truck plenty of space
• Wait for the truck to complete its turn

5. Be Extra Cautious in These Abilene Areas

6. Know What to Do If You’re in a Trucking Accident

If you’re involved in a trucking accident in Abilene:

1. Call 911 Immediately: Report the accident and request medical assistance
2. Seek Medical Attention: Even if you feel fine, get checked out
3. Document the Scene: Take photos of all vehicles, the scene, and your injuries
4. Get Truck Information: Company name, DOT number, driver’s name and CDL
5. Collect Witness Information: Names and contact information
6. Don’t Give Statements: Don’t talk to insurance adjusters without an attorney
7. Call an Attorney Immediately: 1-888-ATTY-911

The Urgency: Why You Must Act Now

Evidence Is Disappearing Right Now

In trucking accident cases, critical evidence can be destroyed or overwritten quickly:

The Trucking Company Is Already Working Against You

Before the ambulance arrives, the trucking company’s rapid-response team is already:

• Protecting Their Interests: Not yours
• Preserving Their Evidence: What helps them, not you
• Building Their Defense: To minimize your claim
• Contacting Witnesses: To shape their testimony

The Insurance Adjuster Is Not Your Friend

Insurance adjusters are trained to:

• Get You to Admit Fault: Even when you’re not at fault
• Minimize Your Injuries: “It’s just a little whiplash”
• Offer Quick Settlements: Before you know the full extent of your injuries
• Use Your Words Against You: Recorded statements become evidence

The Clock Is Ticking on Your Legal Rights

• Maryland Statute of Limitations: 3 years for personal injury
• Texas Statute of Limitations: 2 years for personal injury
• But Don’t Wait: Evidence disappears long before the deadline

The Bottom Line: You Deserve Justice

The Maryland tanker crash is a tragic reminder of what happens when trucking companies prioritize profits over safety. But it’s also a call to action for Texas families.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a trucking accident in Abilene or anywhere in Texas:

• You deserve compensation for your injuries
• You deserve justice for your pain and suffering
• You deserve to hold the trucking company accountable

And you don’t have to fight this battle alone.

At Attorney911, we have:

✅ 25+ years of experience fighting trucking companies
✅ A former insurance defense attorney on our team
✅ Multi-million dollar verdicts for injury victims
✅ Federal court experience for complex cases
✅ A commitment to treating clients like family

We know what it takes to win these cases. And we’re ready to fight for you.

Additional Resources

For more information on trucking accidents and your legal rights, check out these resources from Attorney911:

• The Victim’s Guide to 18-Wheeler Accident Injuries
• Can I Sue for Being Hit by a Semi Truck?
• The Definitive Guide To Commercial Truck Accidents
• Truck Tire Blowouts and When You Need a Lawyer
• I’ve Had an Accident — What Should I Do First?

This article is Attorney911’s original expert analysis of the Maryland tanker truck crash. All facts are drawn from the provided incident details. No other sources are credited or referenced. For legal help with a Texas trucking accident, call 1-888-ATTY-911.