Two people were tragically killed last month in the second fatal accident involving a passenger car and a semi-truck in San Juan County in less than two months. On Tuesday, October 28 shortly before 5:00 PM, three people were riding in a passenger car near the intersection of County Road 6001 and State Highway 371 in San Juan County when their car was hit by a semi-truck. The car’s driver and one passenger were killed in the crash, and a third passenger was hospitalized with serious injuries.
According to an article accessed on daily-times.com and the San Juan County Sheriff’s office media release from the accident (accessed on Facebook), the car that was struck was traveling ahead of the semi-truck, an oil field rig-up truck, when the driver pulled to the left shoulder and attempted to make a U-turn. The driver of the car failed to clear traffic and was struck by the truck, causing both vehicles to veer off the road. Police say that alcohol does not appear to be a factor in the crash, but an investigation is ongoing.
Increases in New Mexico Trucking Accidents
The oil boom in eastern New Mexico has caused a dramatic increase in the number of accidents involving semi-trucks on our roads, and the danger presented to drivers and passengers along the oil routes is as grave as ever. It is important for drivers along the routes used by oil-related trucking to take extreme caution and pay the utmost attention to what is in front of, behind, and alongside them. In this incident, it appears that the semi-truck driver was unable to avoid the accident, and that the driver of the car’s decision to make a U-turn in the middle of the highway likely contributed to the cause of the accident.
Although the exact cause of the accident is not currently known, it is possible that the driver of the car was not able to see the semi-truck behind him, or that another factor contributed to his inability to make the turn properly. The passengers in the car that were injured or killed and their families have also been terribly affected by this accident, and the loss related to the accident is certainly devastating.
Victims and their families don’t only have to deal with the immediate effects of injury or death. There can be unimaginable expenses related to losing a family member that may not be covered by insurance or an offered settlement. Because of this, it is important for a victim of an accident or his or her family members to know their legal rights before discussing a settlement with an insurance company. Even if the driver of the car is found to be at fault for the accident, the other passengers and their families could be entitled to compensation from the accident.
Do You Need an Accident Attorney?
Don’t wait until it’s too late. If you or someone whom you love has been involved in an accident involving a semi-truck and has been injured or killed, contact a skilled New Mexico semi-truck attorney and protect your rights. The experienced attorneys at The Fine Law Firm know how to get New Mexico tractor-trailer accident victims the compensation that they deserve. At The Fine Law Firm, we handle nearly all types of personal injury and wrongful death cases, including semi-truck crashes. Contact us today through our website or call (555)889-3463 to set up a free consultation.
More Blog Posts:
Texas Woman Killed After Semi-Truck Crosses into Oncoming Traffic and Hits Three Vehicles, New Mexico Truck Accident Lawyer Blog, September 12, 2014.
Investigation Continues into Semi-Truck Crash that Killed Four Texas Student Athletes, New Mexico Truck Accident Lawyer Blog, October 13, 2014.