New Mexico Override Accidents Lawyer
Any type of accident involving a large truck can be severe or deadly, especially for the occupants of a passenger vehicle. An override accident is a particularly dangerous type of crash where a commercial truck rides up and over top of a passenger car, potentially crushing its occupants. If you or a loved one gets involved in an override accident in New Mexico, you may need an attorney to help you seek justice.
What Is an Override Accident?
In an override accident, a large truck or 18-wheeler crashes into a smaller car and rides up and over it due to the size and height of the truck’s tires. The weight of the big rig can crush the smaller vehicle in the process, inflicting catastrophic to fatal injuries on the vehicle’s occupants. An override accident may occur if a truck driver is following another vehicle too closely or is speeding and unable to stop in time to avoid a collision.
Common Injuries From Truck Override Accidents
Truck override accidents can inflict severe trauma on those involved; namely, the occupants of the smaller car that gets crushed beneath the semi-truck. The occupants of the car are at high risk for catastrophic injury due to the crushing force of the big rig. Common injuries include:
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Internal injuries and organ damage
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Chest and abdominal injuries
- Limb injuries and amputations
- Burn injuries
- Crush injuries
- Lacerations
- Scarring and disfigurement
Sadly, many truck override accidents are fatal for the occupants inside the smaller car. In these situations, surviving family members may be able to file a wrongful death claim in New Mexico in pursuit of justice, accountability and financial compensation.
Who Is Liable for an Override Accident in New Mexico?
New Mexico law permits truck accident override accident victims to hold the at-fault party financially responsible, or liable, for the collision. Under New Mexico’s fault law, the insurance company of the at-fault individual or entity can be held liable for injured victims’ medical bills, property damage, lost income, pain and suffering, and more.
Before you can file an insurance claim or lawsuit for an override accident, you must determine fault and liability. The liable party is often someone who violated a safety regulation or broke a traffic law. If a trucking company did not take measures to prevent override accident risks, such as hiring qualified drivers, maintaining and repairing its trucks, and equipping trucks with collision avoidance systems, this can be proof of liability during a claim.
What Makes Truck Accident Cases Unique?
Truck accident cases in New Mexico have a variety of unique factors and elements compared to standard car accident cases. One is the size of the adversary. Trucking companies are powerful defendants with legal teams that can protect them from liability.
Another issue is the types of evidence available. Unique kinds of evidence may exist, such as the truck’s black box, truck maintenance and inspection logs, truck driver employment records, and trucking company compliance history records.
Finally, the amount of damage inflicted by a truck accident can be catastrophic. Victims may suffer an immense amount of damage, which means they could be eligible for significant financial compensation. It can be difficult for a victim to receive a fair settlement without assistance from an attorney.
If you have been injured in a truck accident in New Mexico, contact The Fine Law Firm to arrange a free consultation with one of our experienced truck accident attorneys. Call (505) 889-3463.