Santa Fe Truck Accident Lawyers Serving All NM

A commercial truck takes up more space on the highway than any other vehicle. They’re essential for moving goods across the country, but when they lose control, it’s other drivers that bear the brunt of it. The injuries and suffering caused in a truck accident put people in dire situations that demand attention.

At Clark & Ruyle, Attorneys at Law, LLC, we are dedicated to helping clients facing personal injury struggles after commercial truck accidents. Our attorneys will fight hard against the surprisingly steep odds to get you the care and attention and compensation you deserve. Our team built a reputation for service and perseverance in the criminal justice system, and they bring the lessons they learned in those high-stakes cases to our personal injury clients across Santa Fe and all of New Mexico.

What It Takes To Get Compensation After A Truck Accident

Truck accidents are one of the most complicated, stressful types of personal injury litigation you may face. There are many factors to consider as you pursue the compensation you need. The first is that your claim will face a ferocious fight, not just from an insurance company but also from a skilled legal team from the trucking company.

Trucking companies are often the targets of litigation like this and are skilled at fighting these claims. The first tactic is always to bring up the legitimately complex nature of fault in commercial truck accidents, which can vary based on several factors:

• Driver fault: Drivers for commercial trucks are frequently independent contractors, who carry some liability for mistakes such as speeding or reckless driving.
• Faulty loading: Warehouses and shippers are responsible for loading the vehicles at stop to stop, and if loaded improperly, they can make a vehicle harder to control.
• Poor maintenance: If the vehicle is not cared for properly, everything from breaks to wheel blowouts, and even potential manufacturing failures can lead to accidents.
• Road conditions: Roads are often a major factor in accidents, as confusing traffic patterns and unsafe road conditions due to construction make accidents more likely.

Finally, though the team fighting an injury claim will minimize this factor, vehicle owners and shipping companies share considerable liability for driver vetting, training and scheduling. Overworking drivers is against federal law, and so too is not allowing them the time for the breaks they need. If a shipping company puts a driver in this position, and they make mistakes, the shipping company is at fault. We will hold them accountable.

The Serious Injuries That Happen In Commercial Truck Accidents

The reason that shipping companies fight so hard to minimize their liability in these accidents, is because commercial truck accidents almost always cause catastrophic injuries. The size of the vehicles, their weight and their relatively more robust manufacturing mean they have a massive physical advantage in an accident.

We have fought for compensation for such injuries as:

• Spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Amputations and disfigurement
• Broken bones and scarring
• Internal, soft tissue injuries
• Fatalities

The types of injuries that you may receive in these accidents can leave a person hospitalized for a considerable amount of time. Often these victims may be in care for months, years and, in the most extreme cases, permanently.

Because permanent care is costly, shipping companies make a profit by completely sidestepping their responsibility. But they can only do that if your legal team isn’t willing to go the distance. We are ready to do what it takes.

What To Do Immediately After A Large Truck Accident

The moments after a truck accident can affect your health and your legal claim. If you are able, you should:

• Get medical attention, even if injuries seem minor
• Contact law enforcement and request an official accident report
• Photograph the vehicles, roadway conditions and visible injuries
• Collect witness and driver information
• Preserve medical records, repair estimates and other documents
• Avoid detailed statements to insurance adjusters before understanding your rights

These steps help preserve evidence that may be critical in a truck accident claim.

New Mexico’s Statute Of Limitations And Comparative Negligence

In most cases, New Mexico allows three years from the date of a truck accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Waiting too long may permanently prevent an injured person from seeking compensation.

New Mexico also follows a pure comparative negligence rule. Even if you were partly responsible for the accident, you may still recover damages, but any award is reduced by your percentage of fault. Trucking companies often attempt to shift blame to injured drivers, making a careful investigation especially important.

Commercial Truck Insurance Requirements In New Mexico

Commercial trucks must carry substantially higher insurance coverage than ordinary passenger vehicles because of the potential for catastrophic injuries and property damage.

Federal regulations generally require minimum liability coverage ranging from $750,000 for many interstate carriers to several million dollars for trucks transporting certain hazardous materials. Depending on the circumstances, multiple insurance policies may apply to a single crash, including those covering the driver, trucking company or cargo operations.

What Damages May Be Available After A Truck Accident?

A serious truck accident can affect nearly every aspect of a victim’s life. New Mexico law allows injured people to pursue several forms of compensation.

• Economic damages compensate for measurable financial losses such as medical bills, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, reduced earning capacity and property damage.
• Noneconomic damages address losses that cannot be easily measured, including pain and suffering, emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life from permanent injuries or disabilities.
• Punitive damages may be available in limited situations involving particularly reckless or intentional conduct. Examples could include knowingly violating federal trucking safety regulations or allowing dangerous practices to continue despite known risks.

Understanding the full range of available damages can help accident victims evaluate the long-term impact of their injuries and the compensation they may need for future recovery.

Get A Free Consultation From Clark & Ruyle, Attorneys at Law, LLC

A commercial truck accident is a high stakes level of litigation. You’re against some of the most motivated, aggressive legal teams that exist: they are well resourced and rewarded for making sure your claim goes nowhere. But our truck accident lawyers aren’t intimidated by the stakes or the people working against them. They have fought for years in difficult situations.

When you have been the victim of a commercial truck accident, turn to a team you can trust in. We’ll listen to your side and provide you with answers and compassion that you need today. Then when we take your case, you will know the benefits of an experienced, aggressive team. Call us at 505-819-0493 or send an email using this online form.