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COMMON TYPES OF TRUCK ACCIDENTS IN ALBUQUERQUE, NM

Because of the size of commercial vehicles, truck accident victims are often more seriously injured than those in car accidents. And because of the nature of the trucking business, there may be several parties who may be responsible, each with their own insurance company. Your case may involve different parties that made mistakes, committed negligence, and are liable for the truck accident. You may be compensated for property damage, medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses.

There are many potential types of accidents when a car is involved in a truck crash. They depend on how fast the vehicles were going, the angle, and where they hit each other. Some different types of Albuquerque semi-truck accidents include:

• Trailer Accidents: Shifting loads can make the truck unstable and more difficult to steer. If there’s a flatbed and the cargo’s not secured correctly, it can fall off and strike a vehicle traveling behind it.
• Underride Accidents: A car could get trapped under a trailer.
• Override Accidents: A truck could rear-end a vehicle and end up on top of it.
• Jackknife Accidents: The truck and trailer could end up going in different directions if there’s little or no traction, or the driver sharply turns or brakes.
• Wide Turn Accidents: These trucks have a wide turning radius, and drivers may miscalculate a corner.
• Hazardous Material Spills: A spill could happen because of problems with the trailer or improper loading.
• Rollover Accidents: A sharp turn, hard braking, or a loss of traction could cause an 18-wheeler to tip on its side.
• Blind Spot Accidents: Commercial trucks have large blind spots where drivers can’t see other vehicles. A truck could switch lanes and strike or cut off a car.

COMMON CAUSES OF TRUCK ACCIDENTS IN NEW MEXICO

A semi-truck is very different from a car, so it must be driven very differently. While a car may weigh two tons, a fully-loaded 18-wheeler could weigh 40 tons and be about 50 feet long. Like other vehicle accidents, driver error is the top cause of accidents.

Some issues that can lead to a truck accident include:

• Truck Driver Inexperience: the driver doesn’t yet know how to drive the truck in all situations safely.
• Violating New Mexico Traffic Laws: following too closely, improper lane changes, and running red lights and stop signs
• Truck Driver Distraction: Cell phone use, including talking, texting, surfing the internet, and using apps. The driver may also be eating, drinking, or not paying attention
• Failure to properly load or secure cargo
• Driving while intoxicated with alcohol or drugs
• Driving over the speed limit or too fast for conditions
• Failing to properly inspect, maintain, and repair the truck and its systems
• Fatigued or drowsy driving: caused by a failure to comply with federal hours of service regulations

COMMON INJURIES IN NEW MEXICO TRUCK ACCIDENTS

Because of the significant weight of a semi-truck, far more energy is directed into a passenger vehicle in a collision. That energy can crush or tear apart a car, causing severe and even fatal injuries.

Truck accident injuries we see include:

• Head and traumatic brain injuries (TBI), including concussions
• Neck, back, and spinal cord injuries which could cause paralysis
• Burns could be due to chemicals splashed on the vehicle or caused by heat if there’s a vehicle fire
• Internal injuries
• Amputation of hands, feet, arms, or legs
• Broken bones
• Sprained ligaments
• Strained muscles
• Deep cuts, bruises, and abrasions
• Soft tissue injuries, including whiplash

WHO IS LIABLE IN TRUCK ACCIDENT CASES

Truck accident cases are far too complex to go at it alone. You need the help of an experienced truck accident lawyer to help navigate you through the legal process. In addition to the severe injuries that may be caused, commercial truck accident cases are complex for several reasons, including:

• Several parties may be involved with the truck and its contents
• There could be multiple causes for an accident
• There are overlapping state and federal trucking laws
• Each party involved with the truck could have their own insurers and lawyers

Some of the parties who may be involved in a truck accident case are:

• The truck driver’s employer
• A trucking company renting the truck to a driver who’s an independent contractor
• A shipper who improperly loaded a trailer or that failed to secure cargo on a flatbed
• The trucking company or an outside business that failed to maintain or repair the 18-wheeler
• The manufacturer, distributor, and seller of a defective truck or trailer parts that caused the accident

After being injured, you and your family may face astronomical expenses. Medical and rehabilitation costs could be tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars. If you can’t work, you’ll lose income and possibly your job. Your pay may be the difference between your family living comfortably or facing financial disaster. If you’re severely disabled in a truck accident over a lifetime, you may face millions of dollars in costs and lost income.

COMPENSATION AND DAMAGES FOR TRUCK ACCIDENT VICTIMS

Given how you and your family may be impacted, don’t try to settle your case alone. Get legal help from an Albuquerque truck accident lawyer to recover the compensation you’re owed.

Law Giant Injury Lawyers will fight for you to recover your:

• Medical and Rehabilitation Expenses
• Lost Income
• Pain and Suffering
• Emotional Distress and Mental Anguish
• Disfigurement and Scarring
• Physical Limitations
• Lost Earning Capacity

Dealing with an Insurance Company

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires drivers, trucking companies, and related entities to carry sizeable insurance policies. The coverage can range from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars.

Working with these insurers is a challenge because they want to protect profits by limiting claims. They are massive companies that try to use every insurance-related law and practice to their advantage. Companies become more motivated to fight claims when they’re worth a substantial amount of money.

Insurers are very sophisticated, and they know what they’re doing. When people try to negotiate a truck accident settlement alone, they are at a severe disadvantage. They know your case’s actual value, relevant truck accident laws, and how to negotiate.

It’s essential to work with a local truck accident attorney in Albuquerque. The Law Giant Injury Lawyers are experienced in handling complicated truck accident cases, and we often go up against demanding insurance companies. Our clients have obtained millions of dollars for thousands of clients. We won’t consider a truck accident settlement unless it fairly compensates you for your losses and is the best outcome for your case.

WHAT TO DO AFTER A TRUCK ACCIDENT IN NEW MEXICO

You may be in shock after a truck accident, but you must try to remain calm and think clearly. If you’re seriously injured and don’t feel you can drive from the scene, get an ambulance. If you can manage it, here are suggestions on what to do after the accident:

• See if you and others are injured
• Contact police or 911 if anyone is injured or a vehicle is stuck in a travel lane and may block traffic or cause another accident
• Get medical care, depending on the nature of your injuries. If you don’t need emergency treatment, see your physician or go to an urgent care center as soon as possible, no later than 48 hours after the accident. This will help diagnose and treat your injuries and document them.
• Contact your insurance company and report the basic facts. Don’t go into details. Tell them you’ll be talking to an attorney, and you’ll call them back later. The more you talk, the more likely you may mistakenly say things that may lead to your claim being reduced or denied.

You should also schedule a free consultation with our New Mexico truck accident attorneys. If you feel we’re the right lawyers for you, and we feel we can help you with your truck accident case, we can handle the claim from there.

Don’t put your future in jeopardy by negotiating with the truck driver’s insurer. They want it settled as quickly and cheaply as possible Dealing with an insurer is a job for an experienced semi-truck accident lawyer.

How Our Albuquerque Truck Accident Law Firm Can Help

At Law Giant Injury Lawyers, we support our clients with solid legal representation and assistance at all phases of their personal injury claim. Each commercial vehicle accident case is unique, but we diligently work for all our clients.

From the moment you retain our firm, we will:

• Investigate the truck crash and find out what happened, why, and who’s at fault. We can look into the truck’s electronic data recorder, talk to witnesses, and review the evidence the police developed. These facts are the basis of your claim
• Create an effective legal strategy based on the evidence and state law
• Consult with professionals, including medical experts who’ll examine your medical records and financial analysts who will assess how your income is affected
• Prepare claim forms and organize documents that support your claim
• Communicate and negotiate with the insurance company’s claims adjuster regarding a settlement offer and counteroffer
• File a lawsuit if we can’t reach a reasonable settlement
• Tell your story to the jury at a trial, demonstrating the other party’s responsibility for the harm you suffered and that New Mexico law requires that you receive compensation
• Anything else necessary to protect your legal rights and interests in your truck crash claim

ALBUQUERQUE’S MOST DANGEROUS ROADS FOR TRUCK ACCIDENTS

According to the New Mexico Department of Transportation, Albuquerque had 7,915 truck crashes from 2014 to 2018, or 29% of the state’s total. The city with the second-highest number, Las Cruces, only had 6%. Bernalillo County had 30% of all truck accidents, followed by Dona Ana County at 9%. Nearly half of the accidents happen on two-lane roads and when the truck is going straight.

The most dangerous areas are where commercial trucks and passenger vehicles mix. That includes interstate highways, state highways, and major roads. These trucks supply grocery stores, major retailers, restaurants, factories, and warehouses, so there can be accidents where the trucks get in and out of these areas. There can also be a lot of conflict on highway entrances and exits as well as in intersections.

Albuquerque Truck Accident Statistics

Albuquerque by far exceeds all other New Mexico cities for truck accidents from 2014 to 2018, according to the state’s Department of Transportation. During that time, Albuquerque had:

• 25 fatalities
• 85 accidents where serious injuries were suspected
• 199 accidents where minor injuries were suspected
• 737 accidents where injuries may have occurred
• 7,915 total number of truck accidents

TRUCK ACCIDENT RESOURCES IN ALBUQUERQUE, NM

KOAT and KRQU provide traffic and weather information on their websites, so you can try to avoid areas with the most traffic. You may also want to avoid driving in severe weather, as slick roads and poor visibility make truck accidents more likely. You can get a copy of a truck accident report through the City of Albuquerque website.