Santa Fe, NM Truck Accident Lawyer

Helping truck Accident Victims & Families

Trucking is an industry that supplies the nation with the goods that they need for their daily lives. While truckers are trained and certified to drive their big rigs, sometimes they can make mistakes that lead to them losing control behind the wheel. Other times, the truck drivers don’t make any mistakes, but the trucking company or part manufacturer was negligent, which led to a malfunction in the truck. Additionally, risks are elevated by factors such as hazardous road conditions, poor weather, and driver fatigue, which can significantly impact a trucker's ability to operate their vehicle safely.

When one party’s negligence leads to a collision between the semi-truck and a passenger car, you could use the help of a truck accident attorney in Santa Fe to help you recover what you’re owed for your damages. At Buckingham & Vega Law Firm, we’re prepared to fight for your rights so you can focus on your physical and emotional healing from the large truck wreck. We understand the intricacies involved in such complex situations and are committed to thoroughly investigating every aspect to build a strong claim on your behalf.

Our Santa Fe Truck Accident Attorneys Can Help

At Buckingham & Vega Law Firm, we understand how devastating a semi-truck wreck can be for you, your family, and your life. You’re likely trying to heal, pay your medical bills, and pay your normal bills while trying to figure out where you’ll get the money since you’re unable to get back to work from your injuries. You shouldn’t have to deal with all of this on your own. Our commitment is to provide not just legal support but also emotional support, helping you navigate through these troubling times with compassion and determination.

That’s why our truck accident lawyers in Santa Fe are here to help you. We’ll answer all your questions and guide you through every step of the legal process so you can feel confident in your claim. With our knowledge of state and federal trucking regulations, we ensure that every possible detail is covered.

Contact us today so we can set up a free consultation, allowing us to start the process of securing the compensation you deserve.

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Our Results Make a Difference

Explore How We Have Helped Our Clients

$73.21 Million Verdict Birth Injury
The Buckingham & Vega legal team secured a $73.21 million verdict on behalf of a baby who was catastrophically injured due to the negligence of their doctor and medical team.
Record-Setting $72 Million Verdict Birth Injury
The Buckingham & Vega team obtained a $72 Million verdict in a birth injury case when an OB/ GYN failed to properly monitor the mom during pregnancy.
$16 Million Truck Accident
Buckingham & Vega obtained a $16 million settlement in a truck accident case. The truck driver was speeding and inattentive (texting) and crashed into the rear of a pickup truck stopped at a stoplight.
$14 Million Dram Shop Liability
Our team obtained a $14 million dram shop verdict on behalf of a client who was injured due to negligence.
$13 Million Truck Accident
Our team secured a 13 million settlement in a truck accident case. An eighteen-wheeler made an unsafe turn in front of a car driven by a grandmother and her family. The grandmother was killed and the family suffered severe injuries.
13 Million Work Injury
Buckingham & Vega represented an oilfield worker who was killed when their company failed to properly train its employees on how to safely move waste bins. Our client was killed when he became trapped between two bins.

View All Results

Types of Semi-Truck Crashes in Santa Fe

Sharing the road with large trucks is intimidating no matter how experienced you are at driving and how much you remind yourself that truck drivers are trained. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), tractor-trailers weigh up to 30 times more than regular vehicles and are much taller and longer, which is why it can be so scary to drive near them. Their immense size also increases stopping distances, meaning a truck requires more time and space to come to a complete stop, particularly in emergency situations or adverse weather conditions.

Just being nervous likely won’t lead to an accident, and it might actually make you more careful when you’re passing or driving near a large truck. However, that doesn’t mean that the truck driver will be just as careful. It also doesn’t mean that the trucking company was careful when they inspected the vehicle before it rolled off the lot. Safety protocols may often be breached to meet delivery deadlines, which compromises the well-being of other road users.

Here are the different truck accidents that can happen when one party is negligent:

Override. If a tractor-trailer gets cut off and doesn’t have time to stop, it can end up crashing into and driving over the car in front of it, which is called an override accident. This can be dangerous because the truck crushes the back of the vehicle under its weight. This can also happen if the brakes on a semi malfunction and it can’t stop at a distance that it normally would be able to. Regular maintenance and checks are crucial in preventing such failures.
Underride. Similarly, when a truck stops at short notice in front of a regular car, it can cause them to brake suddenly and strike the back of the truck. This can lodge the front of their car under the trailer, which can be a serious situation since drivers are in the front of the car. Underrides can also happen while cars drive alongside the rigs because they can be swept under the trailer. Employing underride guards can reduce these incidents significantly.
Jackknife. When a cab and trailer form an L-shape or a V-shape, it’s considered a jackknife accident. These happen when a truck is speeding and loses control, or just loses control from being distracted. Jackknifes are dangerous because the swinging trailer can harm other cars on the road. Ensuring adherence to speed limits and reducing distractions for drivers are critical preventive measures.
Rollover. These accidents can be the most dangerous for truck drivers because the weight of the truck flipping can trap them inside the cab or cause them serious injuries. These happen when truckers lose control of their rig and the whole semi can flip over. Uneven loads in the trailer are one factor that can cause these types of accidents. Properly securing cargo and maintaining even weight distribution can mitigate this risk.

If you’ve experienced any of these truck crashes, you are likely dealing with catastrophic injuries as a result and need to recover from your damages. An experienced 18-wheeler accident lawyer in Santa Fe can help determine who was liable for what happened so that you can hold them responsible for your accident and subsequent damages. We ensure that thorough investigations are conducted to uncover all contributing factors to the accident.

Who Is Responsible for a Truck Accident in Santa Fe?

When you’ve been in a collision with a semi-truck, your first thought might be that it was definitely the driver who was at fault for what happened, but that might not be the case. While you’ll likely want to pin the fault on the driver since they’re a tangible person who was at the scene, it might not be their fault at all—they could be just as much of a victim as you are in the collision. Determining liability requires a careful examination of all involved parties and the circumstances leading up to the accident.

There are many different entities who could be responsible for the collision because of their negligence. Of course, the truck driver could be liable. It’s possible that they were distracted, fatigued, drunk, or driving recklessly, which led to them crashing into you. In that case, they would be the party who caused the accident. However, if they were driving safely, there are other parties you could hold accountable for their negligence. A comprehensive approach to investigation will identify whether human error, mechanical failure, or other factors were at play.

The trucking company could be one of those parties. There are many steps along the way where a trucking company could be negligent before allowing the driver to pull off the lot. Whether they neglect to fully inspect the vehicle for safety, check that its parts are up to date, or improperly load the trailer, this can lead to problems down the road for the rig that can cause a crash. Companies are also responsible for ensuring drivers are properly trained and equipped to handle various road conditions.

If it’s not the driver or the trucking company at fault, then another party could be the part manufacturer. If they’re not careful making their products, they could end up being defective. If they send out these parts to be installed and they malfunction and cause a truck wreck, the part manufacturer could be held liable for what happened. Rigorous quality control standards and regular component testing are vital to prevent such occurrences.

Finally, the government could be responsible for what happened, even though this can be more difficult to file a claim against. One example of them being at fault would be if the roads are so poorly maintained that they cause the truck to crash. Large potholes and other road obstructions that should be patched by the New Mexico Department of Transportation could make them at fault for the crash. Regular road maintenance and timely repairs are essential to ensure all vehicles' safety.

You might feel overwhelmed by all these possible parties who could be responsible for your accident, and you might not know where to start determining who was at fault. Our 18 wheeler accident attorney in Santa Fe is prepared to investigate the situation for you so that we can hold the correct party accountable. That way, you can have peace of mind knowing we are handling it for you while you recover, allowing you to focus on healing and moving forward with your life.

Understanding New Mexico Trucking Laws

New Mexico has specific laws that govern the operation of commercial vehicles, including trucks. These laws are designed to ensure the safety of all road users. For instance, the state mandates strict adherence to hours of service rules to prevent driver fatigue, a common cause of accidents. It’s crucial to understand that these hours are carefully monitored, and violations can be a significant factor in determining liability after a crash.

Furthermore, New Mexico requires all commercial vehicles to undergo regular inspections and maintenance to address any mechanical issues that could lead to accidents. The state enforces standards for vehicle weight, size, and load security to prevent hazardous road conditions that could lead to rollovers or lost cargo incidents. Knowing these regulations helps in assessing the responsibilities of the parties involved in a truck accident.

For more information and insight from a skilled professional, contact a Santa Fe truck accident lawyer at our firm. You can call (505) 388-0066 or contact us online.

Santa Fe Trucking Accident FAQ

What Should I Do Immediately After a Truck Accident?

After a truck accident, ensure your safety first. If possible, move to a safe area and call 911 to report the accident and request medical assistance. Collect as much evidence as possible, including photos of the scene, vehicle damage, and any visible injuries. Exchange information with the truck driver and any witnesses, and make notes of their statements. It’s important to seek medical attention immediately, even if you feel fine, as some injuries may not show symptoms right away. Contact Buckingham & Vega Law Firm soon after to discuss your situation and potential legal action with a truck accident attorney in Santa Fe.

How Long Do I Have to File a Claim After a NM Truck Accident?

In New Mexico, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including truck accidents, is generally three years from the date of the accident. This means you must file your claim within this timeframe to have it considered valid in court. However, exceptions may apply depending on specific circumstances, such as claims against government entities, which have different deadlines. It is advisable to consult with a truck accident attorney in Santa Fe promptly to discuss your rights and ensure that all necessary legal actions are initiated within the allowed period.

Can I Recover Damages if I’m Partially at Fault for the Truck Accident?

Yes, New Mexico follows the rule of pure comparative negligence, which means you can still recover damages even if you are partially at fault for the accident. However, your compensation will be reduced by the percentage of your fault. For example, if you are found to be 20% at fault, your potential compensation will be reduced by that percentage. It’s crucial to have a skilled attorney who can help minimize your degree of fault in the incident, maximizing the compensation you might receive for your injuries and losses. Consult with an 18-wheeler accident lawyer in Santa Fe for guidance.

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