Santa Fe, NM Truck Accident Lawyers

Compensation for Truck Accident Victims

If you’ve been injured in a truck crash, you may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical bills and future treatment costs
• Lost income and reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage
• Wrongful death damages (for surviving families)

Who Can Be Held Liable?

Truck accidents often involve multiple responsible parties, such as:

• The truck driver
• The trucking company
• Maintenance providers
• Cargo loaders
• Vehicle or parts manufacturers

Our truck accident attorneys in Santa Fe know how to untangle these complex cases and hold all negligent parties accountable.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Santa Fe

Truck crashes can happen for many reasons, including:

• Driver fatigue or hours-of-service violations
• Distracted or impaired driving
• Poor vehicle maintenance or brake failure
• Overloaded or improperly secured cargo
• Negligence by trucking companies or manufacturers

No matter the cause, our team will launch a thorough investigation to identify every liable party and pursue the compensation you deserve.

Common Types of Semi-Truck Crashes

Here are the different truck accidents that can happen when one party is negligent:

• Override. If a tractor-trailer gets cut off and doesn’t have time to stop, it can end up crashing into and driving over the car in front of it, which is called an override accident. This can be dangerous because the truck crushes the back of the vehicle under its weight. This can also happen if the brakes on a semi malfunction and it can’t stop at a distance that it normally would be able to. Regular maintenance and checks are crucial in preventing such failures.
• Underride. Similarly, when a truck stops at short notice in front of a regular car, it can cause them to brake suddenly and strike the back of the truck. This can lodge the front of their car under the trailer, which can be a serious situation since drivers are in the front of the car. Underrides can also happen while cars drive alongside the rigs because they can be swept under the trailer. Employing underride guards can reduce these incidents significantly.
• Jackknife. When a cab and trailer form an L-shape or a V-shape, it’s considered a jackknife accident. These happen when a truck is speeding and loses control, or just loses control from being distracted. Jackknifes are dangerous because the swinging trailer can harm other cars on the road. Ensuring adherence to speed limits and reducing distractions for drivers are critical preventive measures.
• Rollover. These accidents can be the most dangerous for truck drivers because the weight of the truck flipping can trap them inside the cab or cause them serious injuries. These happen when truckers lose control of their rig and the whole semi can flip over. Uneven loads in the trailer are one factor that can cause these types of accidents. Properly securing cargo and maintaining even weight distribution can mitigate this risk.

If you’ve experienced any of these truck crashes, you are likely dealing with catastrophic injuries as a result and need to recover from your damages. An experienced 18-wheeler accident lawyer in Santa Fe can help determine who was liable for what happened so that you can hold them responsible for your accident and subsequent damages. We ensure that thorough investigations are conducted to uncover all contributing factors to the accident.

Understanding New Mexico Trucking Laws

New Mexico has specific laws that govern the operation of commercial vehicles, including trucks. These laws are designed to ensure the safety of all road users. For instance, the state mandates strict adherence to hours of service rules to prevent driver fatigue, a common cause of accidents. It’s crucial to understand that these hours are carefully monitored, and violations can be a significant factor in determining liability after a crash.

Furthermore, New Mexico requires all commercial vehicles to undergo regular inspections and maintenance to address any mechanical issues that could lead to accidents. The state enforces standards for vehicle weight, size, and load security to prevent hazardous road conditions that could lead to rollovers or lost cargo incidents. Knowing these regulations helps in assessing the responsibilities of the parties involved in a truck accident.

What Should I Do Immediately After a Truck Accident?