On June 5, 2018 a semi-truck transporting milk in Clovis, New Mexico collided with an oncoming train. The semi-truck was overturned onto its side, and the driver was flown to nearby Lubbock Hospital quickly after the incident. The drivers’ wife expressed she couldn’t believe her husband was still alive after seeing the condition the truck was in post-collision.
Semi-truck crashes are often major accidents and impactful on all involved vehicles and persons. When paired with a train, it is a surprise, and luck that, there were no fatalities. The reports at the time indicated the cause of the collision was still being investigated.
When everyone survives a catastrophic accident such as one involving a semi-truck and moving train, it can be considered a miracle. The odds were not in any of the driver’s favor in this particular accident. New Mexico was ranked 17th in states with the most traffic fatalities in 2015, and voted as having the second-worst drivers in the nation.
In a 2017 report from the New Mexico Department of Transportation, statistics show that June was the 4th most devastated month for fatal accidents. October, December and August were ahead. In the same report comparing vehicle types to number of fatalities, semi-truck fatalities accounted for 11 of the 380 that year. Interestingly enough, June tied with January and December for months in which 2 fatalities occurred.
The sheer size and weight of semi-trucks makes any impact they make on a vehicle or person, a great one. As discussed in previous blog posts, the fault is not always the semi-truck or 18-wheeler driver’s fault. They are not easy vehicles to maneuver and have numerous blind spots. See some of the statistics about truck driver’s day-to-day as reported by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration:
- Semi-truck Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) is generally between 10,000 – 26,000 pounds
- One of the highest rated occupations for injuries and illnesses
- In 2016, there were an estimated 119,000 crashes causing truck driver injuries
- Drivers may drive up to 14 hours in one day
As we can see, a life on the road as a big-rig truck driver is not an easy or smooth one. However, regardless of the stressors of the occupation, it is part of the job to remain an alert and responsible driver.
If you or a loved one has been in an accident involving a big-rig, cargo or 18-wheeler semi-truck, do not wait to seek guidance or compensation. The professional team of Buckingham Barrera attorneys offers the best representation in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Call today to discuss your case, free of charge.
