Albuquerque Truck Accident Lawyers

What Makes Truck Accidents So Dangerous?

Semi-truck accidents and other large truck accidents are incredibly dangerous. Because semi-trucks are so heavy, they have more trouble stopping, and it takes more resistance to stop them. This means that semi-trucks tend to cause more damage when they collide with other vehicles.

Also, when semi-trucks brake hard, their trailers can swing, causing the truck to jackknife. When a truck jackknifes, it can cause more damage, including to vehicles in other lanes, road markers, and potentially buildings, property, or pedestrians.

These elements of big truck accidents can cause potentially catastrophic injuries to victims.

Common Truck Accident Injuries

Heavy-impact large truck accidents can cause severe injuries that can change victims’ lives forever. These injuries include:

• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
• Spinal cord injuries
• Fractures (broken bones)
• Whiplash
• Nerve injuries

Many of these injuries could lead to permanent damage or years of physical therapy. It’s important that victims of large truck accidents protect their rights. A semi-truck accident attorney can help victims calculate damages to get the compensation they deserve.

How to Avoid Semi-Truck Accidents

It may not always be possible to avoid accidents with semi-trucks. However, exercising caution when driving near large trucks can help. Remember that big trucks have several blind spots, and driving in those blind spots can be dangerous for smaller vehicles.

The image below shows standard blind spots on large trucks.

Do your best to avoid big truck blind spots. If you must be in the blind spot of a large truck, try to get into their view as soon as possible, and watch closely for the truck’s turn signals to ensure they don’t sideswipe you while changing lanes.

When driving in adverse weather or on mountain roads, have your headlights on so drivers of large trucks can see you. Keep a safe distance from large trucks. If a truck is tailgating, attempt to exit the highway or allow the truck to get ahead of you.

What to Do After a Big Truck Wreck in New Mexico

If you’ve been in a wreck with a big truck, there are a few things you can do to protect your rights and preserve evidence.

If you are uninjured and able, here is what you should do after a car accident:

1. Get Help
   Call 9-1-1 as soon as possible. Even if you aren’t injured, others in your car or other cars could have suffered serious injuries.
2. Move your vehicle, if possible
   Do your best to clear the road so traffic can pass. If it isn’t safe to do so, do not exit your vehicle.
3. Preserve the Scene
   Take pictures of the scene, including all vehicles involved, skid marks, road and weather conditions. Video the scene if possible and narrate what the video shows. Collect witness information.
4. Cooperate with law enforcement
   Give a statement and request a police report. Do not admit fault; provide estimates when necessary.
5. Contact a truck accident lawyer near you
   Ron Bell Injury Lawyers in Albuquerque have been helping truck accident victims get compensation for over 40 years. Call Ron Bell today for a free case evaluation.

How to Choose the Best Truck Accident Lawyer in Albuquerque, NM

Choosing a law firm can be hard, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are a few important things to consider:

Having a local Albuquerque truck accident lawyer on your side is beneficial

Our team knows the city, surrounding areas, and local laws, as well as federal regulations related to commercial trucks and their drivers. We have successfully represented clients in large commercial truck accident claims in Albuquerque and throughout New Mexico for over 35 years.

Hiring a truck accident attorney near you provides benefits such as:

• Knowledge of city and New Mexico state laws pertaining to commercial trucking
• Resources to investigate the wreck scene and document items that may impact your case
• The ability to gather witness testimony efficiently and meet with your doctors
• Face-to-face meetings — attorneys will even come to you

In big truck wreck cases, experience matters

These cases are complex and require a firm with a long track record. Ron Bell Injury Lawyers has fought for clients for over 40 years.

100% free case evaluation

Calling us to talk about your case involves zero risk. Our team is available 24/7 to take your call.

You don’t pay us unless we recover for you

Our firm works on a contingency basis, which means you do not pay unless we recover for you. There are never up-front out-of-pocket costs.

We keep you informed

Communication is key. You should be informed of the progress made in your case.

How Much is a Big Truck Accident Case Worth, and What Damages Can You Recover?

No attorney can tell you exactly how much your case might be worth until a full investigation is conducted and the severity of your injuries is understood. The most common types of damages in a successful Albuquerque truck accident case are typically a combination of economic and non-economic damages.

The economic damages available to you may include:

• Medical care costs
• Prescription costs
• Rehabilitation
• Physical, occupational, and other therapies
• Ongoing care costs
• Lost wages and lost income
• Diminished earning capacity
• Repair or replacement of your vehicle
• Replacement of other damaged personal property
• Out-of-pocket costs

Non-economic damages available:

In addition to compensation for expenses related to the accident and your injuries, non-economic damages may include:

• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Other emotional damages

Wrongful Death Damages

If a loved one passed away due to the accident, you may be eligible to pursue a wrongful death action to recover compensation for losses and expenses related to the death, including funeral and burial costs, loss of household services, mental anguish, and other emotional damages. Albuquerque wrongful death cases from truck accidents require an experienced wrongful death attorney.

Common Types of Truck Accidents

Truck accidents vary in severity. Some common types include:

Trailer slew or trailer swing truck accidents

Trailer swings often happen in bad weather. Even a slight swing can cause serious damage.

Jackknife truck accidents

Jackknifes occur when a trailer swing becomes uncorrectable and leaves the trailer and truck in a “V” or “L” shape, forming a moving wall of destruction. Causes include improper braking, high speeds, tight turns, empty trailers, or inclement weather.

Rollover accidents involving tractor trailers

Rollovers are less common but do happen. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, many rollovers involve driver error. See big truck rollovers and FMCSA rollover prevention for more.

Blindspot crashes and collisions

Many large vehicles have “no-zones” where the driver cannot see surrounding vehicles. Truck drivers must still ensure their blind spots are clear before merging or changing lanes.

Underride semi-truck accidents

An underride accident happens when a smaller vehicle collides with a truck and becomes trapped under the tractor-trailer. These are among the most deadly wrecks.

Override accidents

An override accident happens when a large truck is unable to stop and runs over the smaller vehicle(s) in front of it, often pushing the vehicle a long distance.

Truck driver negligence can profoundly impact a victim’s life. Fortunately, negligent drivers, trucking companies, and their insurers are required by law to compensate those they harm.