At Baskerville Law, our personal injury attorney, Rob Baskerville, represents individuals who sustained serious injuries in truck accidents throughout New Mexico. We also represent loved ones of those who did not survive accidents caused by careless truck drivers or trucking companies.
Commercial trucks typically weigh between 20-30 times more than passenger cars. Since the size and weight of tractor-trailer trucks and the cargo that they carry are so great, the injuries suffered by victims of trucking accidents tend to be severe and catastrophic.
If you were recently injured or suffered the loss of a loved one due to a truck accident, finding a qualified personal injury lawyer who focuses on auto accident cases is critical for many reasons. Not only are there many expenses involved due to medical care, but trucking companies and their insurance agencies have lawyers that will get to work immediately to lessen their liability.
As a personal injury law firm, we understand the complexities of trucking accidents and how to recover maximum compensation for your injuries and losses.
Personal Injuries Caused by Truck Accidents
According to the Institute for Highway Safety:
More than 10 people are killed in large truck crashes every day in the United States.
Tractor-trailer trucking accidents can result in severe injuries for other motorists on the road, including drivers and passengers in other cars, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
Injuries suffered as a result of truck accidents can include:
- Broken or fractured bones
- Severe burns
- Bodily injuries that require surgical treatment
- Traumatic brain injury
- Emotional distress
- Severe injuries leading to death (i.e., wrongful death)
What You Should Know About Truck Accidents
Since big rig truck accidents can lead to such severe outcomes, involved trucking companies and the auto insurance companies who cover them have many reasons to attempt to lower their liability as much as possible. In fact, when an accident happens, many trucking companies send their own attorneys and investigators to the scene of the accident as soon as possible.
This being the case, it’s important that you contact an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. A reputable attorney will preserve and protect your legal rights and look out for your best interests.
Remember: Do not sign anything put in front of you by the truck driver, the trucking company, or the trucking company’s auto insurance company.
After you call 911, if you are able to, call an Albuquerque personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. When you call Baskerville Law at the scene of an accident, we’ll guide you through the best course of action.
Common Causes of Trucking Accidents in New Mexico
Approximately 11% of all traffic fatalities involve a commercial vehicle.
According to the IIHS:
74% of deaths in large truck crashes in 2017 were in crashes involving tractor-trailers. 25% were in crashes involving single-unit trucks.
There are several causes of tractor-trailer truck accidents, including:
- Driver fatigue, including falling asleep at the wheel
- Faulty inspection, maintenance, and/or repair
- Faulty equipment
- Driving while intoxicated – alcohol or drug-impaired
- Shifting or falling cargo
- Unbalanced loads or loads that are too heavy
- Tailgating
- Speeding
- According to the 2017 CMV Traffic Safety Fact Sheet by FMCSA, speed was a factor in 17% of truck crashes with at least one large truck occupant fatality.
- Distracted driving (texting, talking on the phone, managing GPS system, etc.)
- According to FMCSA, 6% of large truck fatal crashes involved truck driver distraction as a factor. 16% of those crashes were related to cell phone use.
- Insufficient training
- Delivery schedules that are unrealistic
Truck Accident Statistics
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) releases traffic safety fact sheets specific to commercial motor vehicles – or CMVs. The latest safety fact sheet published by the FMCSA lists the following stats about commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities for their 2016 data set:
- 4,564 lives were lost in 4,079 crashes involving large trucks or buses.
- Fatalities increased by 5% from 2015.
- Fatal crashes increased by 6% from 2015.
- Commercial trucks and buses accounted for 12% of traffic fatalities.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) listed the following statistics in their 2017 Fatality Facts publication specific to Large Trucks:
- 97% of vehicle occupants who were killed in crashes involving two vehicles – specifically, a passenger vehicle and a large truck – were occupants of the passenger vehicles.
- 48% of large truck occupant deaths occurred in crashes in which their vehicles rolled over.
Truck Drivers with Obstructive Sleep Apnea
According to a study that was published in the March 2016 issue of the journal Sleep:
“Truck drivers who have obstructive sleep apnea and who do not attempt to adhere to a mandated treatment program have a five-fold increase in the risk of severe crash.”
While many trucking companies have an internal treatment program that is company-mandated for tractor-trailer truck drivers who are diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, several companies have no such program. This means that a truck driver who refuses to accept the treatment program can simply resign from a company who requires it and apply to a trucking company that does not mandate treatment for the condition.
Expenses That Injured Victims of Trucking Accidents Can Face
Common costs incurred by injured victims of big rig truck accidents include:
- Overall negative impact on their health
- Cost of medical bills, including surgical costs and costs for future treatment
- Lost wages due to injuries, including wages that will be lost in the future
- Cost for transportation
- Cost for property damage
- The amount of pain and suffering that they have endured because of the accident
- And more...
Call Our Trusted Personal Injury Lawyer at Baskerville Law
If you were severely injured or suffered the loss of a loved one due to a trucking accident, please contact our personal injury law firm today for a free, no-obligation consultation with our knowledgeable and compassionate attorney.
Call or text (505) 247-2774 or submit your information using our contact form and we’ll respond to you as soon as possible.
At Baskerville Law, we are a contingency-fee law firm, meaning that our clients never pay us directly, and never pay us a cent out of pocket. In the unlikely event that we’re unable to recover compensation for you, we don’t get paid. Our No-Fee Guarantee is just one small part of The Baskerville Law Advantage.