Rio Rancho Truck Accident Lawyers

When you see massive commercial vehicles whizzing along New Mexico roadways, fully loaded with cargo, you can just imagine the horror of being involved in a truck accident. Unfortunately, semi, 18-wheeler, and other large commercial vehicle crashes are far too common. According to the New Mexico Department of Transportation, there are almost 3,000 of these collisions every year, with a five-year high of 2,939 in 2018. Plus, truck accidents have a disproportionate effect on casualties. While they account for just 3.4 percent of vehicle types, semis are involved in 8.7 percent of all deadly crashes.

If you were hurt or lost a loved one in a New Mexico truck crash, it is essential to retain experienced legal representation for assistance with the complicated legal process. Our attorneys at Caruso Law Offices, P.C. are aggressive in seeking the compensation you deserve for your losses, so please contact our office to set up a free consultation. One of our Rio Rancho truck accident lawyers can provide specific details, but some general information may also be useful.

Driver Negligence Causes Truck Accidents

While the natural usage of the term refers to carelessness, negligence has a very specific meaning in the practice of law. To recover compensation for your losses as a victim, you must prove:

1. The truck driver had a duty to operate the rig with reasonable care;
2. The operator breached this duty of care, creating a risk of harm to others;
3. The breach of duty was the direct cause of the truck accident, such that the collision would not have occurred but for the driver’s breach; and
4. You suffered losses because of your injuries.

In many truck crashes, the truck operator’s negligence is similar to acts that cause other types of motor vehicle collisions. Examples include speeding, drunk or drugged driving, failure to yield, distracted driving, and other violations of traffic laws. However, there are also causes that are unique to truck accidents, such as improper loading, failure to maintain, neglect in making repairs, and defective parts or components.

Severe Injuries Complicate New Mexico Truck Accident Cases

When you consider that a fully loaded semi weighs approximately 80,000 pounds, you can expect that the violent impact will lead to extraordinary trauma to occupants of the passenger vehicle. Victims often suffer:

• Head injuries, including concussion and traumatic brain injury (TBI);
• Neck, back, and spinal cord trauma, which can lead to paralysis, permanent disability, and paraplegia;
• Amputation of limbs and extremities;
• Injuries to internal organs;
• Broken bones, cuts, scrapes, and abrasions; and
• Soft tissue injuries, such as whiplash and herniated and bulging spinal discs.

Because of these severe injuries, your medical costs will likely be extreme, and your pain and suffering can be debilitating. These factors make truck accident claims complex because they greatly increase the amount of compensation you may be entitled to recover. Plus, there are additional complications in truck crash cases, especially when individuals and entities besides the driver were negligent. You may need to pursue multiple parties, such as an employer, manufacturer, maintenance and repairs company, and others.

Legal Process for Recovering Monetary Damages

You can rely on the Rio Rancho truck accident lawyers at Caruso Law Offices, P.C. to protect your interests, but it is important to understand the legal process. Your first step is filing a claim with the truck driver’s insurer, which will kick off a period of negotiations. It may be possible to settle your claim, but insurance companies can be difficult when discussing agreement. Litigation may be necessary to recover fair compensation for your medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses.

Our attorneys will advocate on your behalf throughout the process, tackling such essential tasks as:

• Investigations and gathering evidence;
• Preparing claims forms and supporting documentation;
• Engaging in settlement discussions;
• Drafting documents for filing a lawsuit;
• Attending court motions, hearings, status conferences, and other appearances;
• Conducting written discovery and depositions; and
• Representing you at trial.

Our Rio Rancho Truck Accident Attorneys Will Fight for Your Rights

While this overview may be useful in describing the basics, solid experience and in-depth knowledge of the relevant laws is essential when it comes t o truck accidents in New Mexico. Our team at Caruso Law Offices, P.C. is dedicated to tackling the legal challenges, so please call (505) 883-5000 or go online to schedule a free consultation right away. Our Rio Rancho truck accident lawyers fight for the rights of victims throughout Bernalillo, Valencia, Sandoval, Torrance, and Santa Fe Counties, so we are happy to assist with the process.