Why Do Truck Accident Claims Go Underpaid?
May 7, 2026
What Makes Truck Accident Claims So Complex?
Big truck crash claims can be incredibly complex for several reasons. They require investigations to figure out who is liable for damage and who is at-fault for the crash. Not all truck accidents are cut and dry. Additionally, it can be very difficult to collect evidence. If you don’t have an experienced truck accident attorney in New Mexico, your claim could go underpaid.
In The Article
Reasons Your Truck Accident Claim Might Go Underpaid
Determining Liability Can Be Difficult
Many large trucks are commercial vehicles, meaning they are owned by large corporations. In some cases, it can be difficult to determine who holds the liability in a big truck accident. Is it the driver of the truck? Is it the trucking company? Is it the truck manufacturer? In some cases, multiple parties can be held liable for a big truck crash in New Mexico.
Truck Drivers: Truck drivers can be held liable if they are driving under the influence, are experiencing driver fatigue from not getting enough sleep, are distracted while driving, or if they are speeding or driving too fast for conditions.
Cargo Loaders: Cargo loaders aren’t necessarily the truck drivers. In many cases parties who are paying for the shipping aren’t affiliated with the trucking company, but they can be held liable for a big truck accident if they don’t properly load the trailer. Unbalanced trailers can cause trucks to become top heavy or the cargo load to sway at the slightest movement, which could cause an accident.
Trucking Companies: Trucking companies can be held liable for truck accidents if they violate federal trucking laws, improperly train drivers, or fail to maintain the vehicles. Companies that do these things for the sake of saving money can be held liable for negligent behavior after a semi-truck accident.
Maintenance Providers: Big truck servicers can be held liable if they don’t repair trucks properly or miss inspections. These two things can lead to mechanical failures that may cause catastrophic accidents.
Truck Manufacturers: Companies that build and sell big trucks can be held liable for truck accident injuries if there is a defect in their parts or assembly. Finding a truck manufacturer liable for an accident or death can be difficult as it may require investigation and subpoenas for documents that prove the manufacturer knew of defective parts or assembly.
Aggressive Insurance Companies
Big truck companies have big insurance companies backing them. These insurance companies have been known to rush to make low-ball offers to victims of big truck accidents. They try to get victims to sign off on the low-ball offers as soon as possible, so they aren’t held responsible. Their aggressive tactics include trying to hold victims to strict deadlines to accept offers.
If you’re dealing with an aggressive insurance company hired by a big trucking company, remember that you have three years to file your truck accident claim after the crash, and hiring a truck accident lawyer can help you keep the insurance company at bay.
Evidence Collection Can Be Difficult
While you may already know to preserve the truck accident scene after you’re in a wreck with a big truck in New Mexico, there are other key pieces of evidence that are needed to help prove negligence. Driver logs, black box data, and truck maintenance records are all essential to getting the most compensation after your truck accident case. However, it can be difficult for you to obtain these records. However, if you have a truck crash lawyer on your side, they can file motions to collect evidence if the insurance company and trucking company aren’t cooperating.
Victim Blaming
Victim blaming is an all-too-common tactic used by insurance companies and large companies who are under fire for injuries or wrongful death. It’s essential that you don’t take blame for the accident until after the investigation is complete. This is just one of the ways insurance companies will try to underpay your truck accident claim.
Injury Disputes After Truck Accidents
Another way insurance companies will try to lower your settlement is by disputing your injuries. They will try to find any previous injuries or health issues you had that could contribute to your current state, and then they will take that information and try to say that the crash didn’t cause your issues. However, if you document every step of your medical recovery with doctor visits and a recovery journal, you can fight the insurance companies.
A New Mexico Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help You Get What You Deserve
Having an experienced New Mexico truck accident lawyer on your side can help you get the compensation you deserve. At Ron Bell Injury Lawyers, we know all the insurance company’s tactics to try to underpay you for the injuries you incurred in the truck accident. We investigate truck crashes to ensure that all liable parties are held responsible. Contact us today to learn how we can help you.