Large trucks are defined as those vehicles with a gross weight of 10,000 pounds or more. Due to their immense size, accidents with these vehicles can be severe. Zinda Law Group’s Albuquerque truck accident lawyers have experience fighting for truck accident victims following a collision.
If you have been the victim of a truck accident in New Mexico, call a knowledgeable Albuquerque truck accident lawyer at our firm as soon as possible. Our attorneys are available to our clients 24/7 and have the resources and experience necessary to guide you through the entire process, from the initial filings to the final judgment.
Give us a call or use our website to schedule your 100% free initial consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer in Albuquerque. You do not pay us anything unless we successfully win your case.
Safety Implementations for Large Trucks
In order to operate a commercial vehicle, the driver must be aware of certain state and federal safety regulations, implementations, and standards. Understanding these safety standards may help keep the driver and others on the road safe from harm. Furthermore, if the driver did not follow these safety procedures, they may be liable for any injuries caused by an accident.
Commercial Vehicle Weight Standards
Although states may set their own weight limits for vehicles driving off the Interstate Highway System, federal weight standards apply to commercial vehicles driven or operated on the Interstate. Federal commercial vehicle maximum standards include:
- Single Axle: 20,000 pounds
- Tandem Axle: 34,000 pounds
- Gross Vehicle Weight: 80,000 pounds
Commercial Driver’s License Requirement
All individuals who drive commercial vehicles are required to hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL). Getting a CDL requires the individual to pass certain written tests and physical requirements, as driving a large truck requires a plethora of special skills and knowledge.
In many states, such as New Mexico, you must also provide evidence that you meet certain medical conditions necessary to drive a commercial motor vehicle.
A medical professional must complete this Medical Examiners Certification and indicate that the applicant has passed a Department of Transportation (DOT) physical. A DOT physical covers the applicant’s vision, hearing, blood pressure, urinalysis, and physical examination.
Runaway Truck Ramps
Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for large truck brakes to overheat, which can cause them to catch fire. When this happens, the driver will likely lose the ability to safely stop their truck. Due to this, many states have implemented emergency runaway truck ramps on freeways with steep downgrades, such as on mountain roads.
These safety exits are filled with material to help trucks slow down and ultimately stop. Runaway truck ramps help prevent large trucks from crashing into other vehicles, power poles, trees, or any number of other harmful objects.
If involved in an accident with a commercial vehicle driver who did not follow one or more of these safety procedures, you may be able to collect compensation for your physical injuries, mental anguish, or property damage. An Albuquerque truck accident attorney will investigate your crash and help you determine whether or not the driver was violating a state or federal law.
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For a free legal consultation with a truck accidents lawyer serving Albuquerque, call 800-863-5312
Statute of Limitations for Filing a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Albuquerque
In New Mexico, the personal injury statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit to recover damages is three years. If you fail to file your lawsuit within this time frame, you will likely be out of options for recovering compensation.
However, you need to know that certain conditions can alter the amount of time you have to file. Depending on the details of your case, you could be eligible to pursue a lawsuit, even if the standard filing deadline has already passed. Alternatively, you could find yourself in a situation where you have far less than three years to take action.
Hiring an experienced truck accident attorney serving Albuquerque is the best way to ensure you don’t miss your chance to file. Your lawyer can review the details of your case to determine the exact filing deadline that applies and ensure that all paperwork is prepared and submitted well in advance.
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What to Do If You Have Been Involved in a Truck Accident
Following a truck accident, you may feel hurt, scared, and unsure of what to do next. Immediately after an accident with a commercial truck, you should take the following steps in order to ensure your safety and your ability to receive compensation for your injuries and property damage.
1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention If Necessary
The first thing you should do following a truck accident is to seek immediate medical attention from a medical professional. Accidents involving large trucks often result in severe bodily injury. Therefore, it is paramount that you receive prompt medical attention, no matter how small or insignificant you believe your injuries are.
Your doctor will be able to create a medical report of all of your injuries, including their costs, which may help you when negotiating settlement agreements.
2. Contact Law Enforcement
The next step is to report the accident to the local law enforcement in Albuquerque, such as the police. Police officers may then investigate the case and write an official police report. Whether you or the police file a crash report, be sure to get a copy of it because it will help provide helpful evidence for your truck accident claim.
3. Document the Scene
Once you have contacted law enforcement and are safe, document the scene of the accident. In order to properly document the scene, take pictures of the surrounding environment, any property damage, and all of the injuries.
These pictures will come in handy later on when your Albuquerque personal injury lawyers are working to prove liability. You should also write down any information you can remember about how the accident occurred, no matter how small or trivial you consider that information.
4. Gather Information
Lastly, you should find and keep all important information relating to the accident, including:
- The name and contact information of the truck driver
- The name and contact information of the trucking company
- The names and contact information of any witnesses
- The VIN of the truck
- The other driver’s insurance information
5. Call an Albuquerque Truck Accident Lawyer
If you have been the unfortunate victim of a truck accident in New Mexico, contact a personal injury lawyer in Albuquerque as soon as possible. A knowledgeable truck accident lawyer can negotiate with insurance companies to get you the money you deserve for your pain and suffering, property damage, hospital bills, and more.
Further, a truck accident lawyer can also give you critical advice and answer any legal questions you may have. For example, the right attorney can explain the statute of limitations and describe the different kinds of compensation that you may be eligible to receive. An attorney can fight for you before a judge if a favorable settlement cannot be made.
Our Albuquerque truck accident lawyers have the trial experience necessary to get you the compensation you deserve for all your injuries. Although each situation is different, following these relatively simple steps may help you stay calm, be safe, and prepare for a future lawsuit.
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Different Types of Truck Accidents
Due to their vast size and weight, accidents involving these vehicles have a greater potential to cause substantial property damage, injury, or even death, to others on the road. There are a number of ways in which a truck accident may occur.
Here are just some examples of common types of truck accidents that occur each year in the United States and are handled by truck accident lawyers:
- Jackknifing
- Wide turns
- Driver inexperience
- Shifting loads
Jackknifing
Jackknifing occurs when a semi-truck essentially folds in half as the attached trailer swings to the side and moves perpendicular to the truck’s cab, creating a shape resembling a pocket knife. When this occurs, the driver of the truck typically loses control of the vehicle, resulting in danger for other individuals on the road.
Jackknife accidents may be the result of sudden maneuvers, driving on worn tires, traveling too fast in poor weather conditions, or carrying a heavy load with no trailer brakes or brakes that are not in proper working order.
Wide Turns
It is more challenging for a truck or 18-wheeler to make turns when compared to smaller passenger vehicles. This difficulty arises from a commercial truck’s overall size and trailer length, as well as possible driver inexperience.
18-wheelers also have a much larger turning radius and may need to swing wide into the next lane to make a turn properly, which could result in a collision with another vehicle on the road.
Driver Inexperience
Another common cause of truck accidents is driver inexperience. Inexperienced drivers of massive vehicles could lead to injury or death of others on the road. Although many truck drivers are required to attend driving school, some schools may only train students to the bare minimum.
Students may not be taught proper vehicle pre-inspections, how to drive in adverse conditions, or the overall responsibility of being a commercial truck driver.
Shifting Loads
Shifting loads can happen on a wide range of trailers, such as flatbeds, box trailers, tankers, dump, or refrigerator trailers. A shifting load occurs when cargo moves from its original tie-down spot, adding an unbalanced load to the trailer. The most common cause of cargo shifting is improperly loading the truck.
A shifting load can be extremely dangerous, especially in poor road conditions, and can cause the driver to lose control of the truck or even lose the cargo off the trailer completely. However, shifting load is not always the driver’s fault. For example, if a petroleum or concrete truck has not been fully filled, the liquids can move to one side of the tanker truck when making a turn.
No matter the cause of the accident, an Albuquerque truck accident lawyer from our firm may be able to help. Our team has the knowledge and experience necessary to investigate the cause of the accident that injured you. Furthermore, we have the expertise to guide you through each step of your truck accident lawsuit.
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Common Injuries Associated With Truck Accidents
Commercial vehicle accidents may cause severe injuries due to their overall speed and size. Victims of these accidents may suffer devastating injuries, debilitating mental anguish, and more. Examples of common injuries associated with truck accidents may include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Fractures
- Burns
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries result from violent blows or jolts to the head or body, such as what may occur in a truck accident. Symptoms of these serious injuries may be wide-ranging and include both physical and psychological effects. Moderate to severe symptoms may include:
- Loss of consciousness
- Repeated vomiting
- Dilation of the pupils
- Loss of coordination
- Profound confusion
- Slurred speech
- Coma
Fractures
Fractures, or broken bones, are commonly caused by motor vehicle accidents; fractures may be closed, where the injury does not break the skin, or opened, where the skin is split. Fractures may also be complete, where the break separates the bone in two, or partial, where the crack does not go completely through the bone.
A healthcare provider will typically treat the broken bone with a cast or splint. However, some breaks may require surgery.
Burns
During a truck accident, victims may be burned from fires, explosions, shocks, exposure to hot metals or debris, and much more. Burn injuries range from minor to life-threatening, depending on the location and severity.
A first-degree burn is the least severe, typically only causing redness or pain. A second-degree burn may cause scarring, while a third-degree burn can destroy nerves and cause numbness.
Injuries from a commercial truck crash may occur when a person’s body strikes a moving object, from a collision with a steering wheel, or from an object that may penetrate the individual’s skin.
Unfortunately, these injuries may be life-threatening and may require immediate medical care. You may also need to contact an Albuquerque personal injury attorney to fight on your behalf.
Is There a Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me?
If you were the victim of a truck accident anywhere near Albuquerque, you may be wondering where you can find an experienced truck accident lawyer to help with your case. Zinda Law Group is a nationally recognized personal injury law firm that serves clients across the United States.
In New Mexico, we have offices in Albuquerque, Las Cruces, and Santa Fe. We are also available in a number of other cities and states, including, but not limited to:
- Phoenix, AZ
- Tucson, AZ
- Boulder, CO
- Denver, CO
- Fort Collins, CO
- Miami, FL
- Austin, TX
- Carrollton, TX
- Corpus Christi, TX
- Fort Worth, TX,
- Round Rock, TX
- Waco, TX
No matter where your accident occurred, we may be able to help. Contact our team today to discuss your potential case and to schedule your free initial consultation.
Contact Us Today If You Have Been Involved in a Truck Accident in Albuquerque
Commercial truck accidents can happen for a number of reasons. For instance, the driver may be inexperienced, improperly trained, or may fail to implement state or federal safety standards. If you were injured in an accident and believe the truck driver might be at fault, contact an experienced Albuquerque personal injury attorney today to help investigate your case.
We have offices across New Mexico and can help get you the compensation you deserve. If you have suffered an injury due to a commercial truck accident, contact one of our knowledgeable personal injury attorneys at Zinda Law Group today. We are here to fight for your rights and guide you through the entire legal process.
Reach out to our Albuquerque truck accident lawyers today by phone or through our website to discuss your potential case and to schedule your 100% free initial consultation. You do not pay us anything unless we are successful in winning your case. That is our “No Win, No Fee Guarantee.”
Meetings with attorneys are available by appointment only.
Our Awards
AWARDED TO JOHN C. (JACK) ZINDA BY THE NATIONAL TRIAL LAWYERS ASSOCIATION (2016-2020)
AWARDED TO JOHN C. (JACK) ZINDA (2009, 2011-2012, 2014-2021), JOE CAPUTO (2019-2021), BURGESS WILLIAMS (2019-2020), & NEIL SOLOMON (2020-2021)
AWARDED TO JACK ZINDA (2016-2020), JOE CAPUTO (2016 – 2020) & BURGESS WILLIAMS (2016-2017)
LIFETIME MEMBERS JOHN C. (JACK) ZINDA & JOE CAPUTO
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