New Mexico 18-Wheeler Accident Attorney
Getting into an accident with an 18-wheeler or tractor-trailer in New Mexico can change your life in substantial ways. You or a loved one may struggle with severe injuries, expensive medical bills, property damage and lost wages. At The Fine Law Firm, our 18-wheeler accident attorneys help victims rebuild their lives and move forward after serious truck collisions. Contact us for a free case consultation today.
Why Choose The Fine Law Firm?
- Our New Mexico truck accident lawyers are dedicated to this practice area. We have years of experience specifically handling accidents involving large trucks and common carriers.
- We have a long track record of success. Our attorneys are prepared to go to trial, if necessary, to fight for optimal results for their clients. We have a 99 percent case success rate.
- We operate on a contingency fee basis. This means you won’t pay us anything to take your 18-wheeler accident case unless we secure a monetary award for your losses.
How Can Our New Mexico 18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys Help You?
Our New Mexico semi-truck accident lawyers have the resources and personnel to fight trucking companies (common carriers) and their insurance providers. Our attorneys can aggressively protect your rights and best interests as we handle your personal injury claim. We will pursue just compensation for you and your loved ones, even if this means taking your case to trial. We can hire 18-wheeler accident experts, return to the scene of the accident, reconstruct the crash, talk to your doctors and take other steps to pursue the case results that you deserve.
Unique Elements to Consider in a Truck Accident Case
Truck accident cases are more complex than typical car accident cases. This is why it is important to hire a truck accident law firm with experience in this area of the law. An 18-wheeler accident involves unique issues, such as:
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration: trucking companies and truck drivers must adhere to federal laws, rules and regulations.
- Catastrophic injuries: the damage caused by an 18-wheeler accident is often severe and can be fatal for those in the smaller car.
- Types of evidence: the truck’s black box may be available to provide evidence, as well as trucking company employment and maintenance records.
- Vicarious Liability: rather than only having the truck driver to hold responsible, the trucking company can often be held liable for the negligence of ites employees.
- Powerful defendants: trucking companies are strong adversaries with their own legal teams. You can balance the scales by hiring an attorney of your own.
The lawyers at The Fine Law Firm have a special focus in truck accident law. We understand how these cases work and what makes them unique. You can trust us to navigate all of the complicated aspects of your individual case for you.
Common Injuries From Commercial Truck Accidents
The average 18-wheeler can weigh up to 80,000 pounds – about 20 times heavier than a standard passenger car. They are also tall, with wheels capable of driving up and over smaller cars (override accidents) and trailers that other vehicles may slide beneath. These factors increase the odds of truck accident victims suffering catastrophic and fatal injuries.
Common semi-truck accident injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Whiplash and neck injuries
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis (paraplegia, quadriplegia)
- Road rash and burns
- Cuts, scrapes and lacerations
- Internal injuries and organ damage
- Amputations
The serious and catastrophic nature of most 18-wheeler accident injuries makes these relatively high-value cases. If an insurance company tries to underpay you for an injury that will have a significant impact on your life, livelihood and future, wait to accept until you’ve spoken with a truck accident attorney.
Why Do 18-Wheeler Accidents Happen in New Mexico?
Large trucks have unique elements that make them more prone to certain types of accidents. A high wheel base and uneven loads can contribute to rollovers, for example, or the cargo could spill and cause a lost load accident.
When learning your legal rights in the aftermath of an 18-wheeler accident, it’s important to understand what caused your crash. Some of the most common factors include:
- Truck driver error
- Alcohol and drug impairment
- Distracted truck driving/cell phone use
- Driver fatigue (broken hours-of-service regulations)
- Speeding or reckless driving
- Failing to check a truck’s large blind spots
- Making unsafe lane changes or turns
- Failing to keep a proper following distance
- Inadequate truck driver training/unqualified driver
- Dangerous trucks and mechanical failures
- Uneven or poorly secured load
- Overloaded truck
Most truck accident causes can be traced back to errors or negligence by the truck driver, trucking company or a truck owner/operator. In these cases, injured victims have the right to recover financial compensation from the at-fault party/ies.
What Types of Damages Can You Recover?
The damages, or financial compensation, that can be recovered after an 18-wheeler accident depends on the case. New Mexico law permits the recovery of both economic (tangible) and noneconomic (intangible) damages in a personal injury claim. Your financial recovery may include:
- Hospital bills
- Future estimated health care costs
- Disability
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
An insurance company may try to convince you to settle for less than your case is worth in the aftermath of a commercial truck accident. Discuss the value of your claim with an attorney you trust before accepting a settlement – especially if your injuries will require future medical care.
Steps to Take After an 18-Wheeler Accident
If you get hurt in an accident involving an 18-wheeler in New Mexico, try to stay calm and take certain steps to protect your rights. Always put your safety and well-being first. Then, do what you can to start building your truck accident claim.
Here are 10 basic steps to take:
- Get medical help immediately for your injuries.
- Call 911 to report the crash to the police and request paramedics.
- Take photos of the crash scene before you leave.
- Check for traffic or surveillance cameras nearby.
- Gather the truck driver’s information and truck number.
- Don’t apologize for the crash or admit any fault.
- Notify your car insurance company about the truck accident.
- File a claim with the trucking company’s insurance provider.
- If you’re offered a fast settlement, don’t sign anything until you’ve talked to an attorney.
- Contact a lawyer at The Fine Law Firm for advice and assistance.
Do your best to collect evidence throughout the recovery process, such as your medical records, hospital bills, wage statements, pictures, an injury journal and witness statements. Then, bring these documents to a free initial consultation at The Fine Law Firm.
Contact a New Mexico 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer Today
Trucking companies and semi-truck drivers are required to use extra care and follow federal rules to prevent traffic accidents. Unfortunately, they often break the law and put others in danger. If you or a loved one was recently injured in a crash involving an 18-wheeler, our New Mexico truck accident lawyers can help you with the recovery process. We will treat your case with the care and attention it deserves, helping you through this difficult time with personalized legal services.
Find out how we can help you during a free case consultation in New Mexico. Call (505) 889-3463 or contact us online and we will get back to you as soon as possible.