Truck Accidents in Santa Fe, NM
Because of the size of commercial vehicles, truck accident victims are often more seriously injured than those in car accidents. And because of the nature of the trucking business, large truck accidents may involve several parties who may be responsible, each with their own insurance company. Your case may involve different parties that made mistakes, committed negligence, and are liable for the truck accident. You may be compensated for property damage, medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses.
There are many potential types of accidents when a car is involved in a truck crash. They depend on how fast the vehicles were going, the angle, and where they hit each other. Some different types of Santa Fe semi-truck accidents our Santa Fe Truck Accident Lawyers handle include:
- Trailer Accidents: Shifting loads can make the truck unstable and more difficult to steer. If there’s a flatbed and the cargo’s not secured correctly, it can fall off and strike a vehicle traveling behind it.
- Underride Accidents: A car could get trapped under a trailer.
- Override Accidents: A truck could rear-end a vehicle and end up on top of it.
- Jackknife Accidents: The truck and trailer could end up going in different directions if there’s little or no traction, or the driver sharply turns or brakes.
- Wide Turn Accidents: These trucks have a wide turning radius, and drivers may miscalculate a corner.
- Hazardous Material Spills: A spill could happen because of problems with the trailer or improper loading, particularly concerning given LANL-related transport through the area.
- Rollover Accidents: A sharp turn, hard braking, or a loss of traction could cause an 18-wheeler to tip on its side, as recently seen on US 84/285 near NM 599.
- Blind Spot Accidents: Commercial trucks have large blind spots where drivers can’t see other vehicles. A truck could switch lanes and strike or cut off a car. If this happens, it is crucial to consult with Santa Fe Truck Accident Lawyers to understand your rights.
Causes of Truck Accidents in New Mexico
A semi-truck is very different from a car, so it must be driven very differently. While a car may weigh two tons, a fully-loaded 18-wheeler could weigh 40 tons and be about 50 feet long. Like other vehicle accidents, driver error is the top cause of accidents, a fact well-known to our Santa Fe Truck Accident Lawyers.
Some issues that can lead to a truck accident include:
- Truck Driver Inexperience: the driver doesn’t yet know how to drive the truck in all situations safely.
- Violating New Mexico Traffic Laws: following too closely, improper lane changes, and running red lights and stop signs
- Truck Driver Distraction: Cell phone use, including talking, texting, surfing the internet, and using apps. The driver may also be eating, drinking, or not paying attention
- Failure to properly load or secure cargo
- Driving while intoxicated with alcohol or drugs
- Driving over the speed limit or too fast for conditions
- Failing to properly inspect, maintain, and repair the truck and its systems
- Fatigued or drowsy driving: caused by a failure to comply with federal hours of service regulations
Injuries in New Mexico Truck Accidents
Because of the significant weight of a semi-truck, far more energy is directed into a passenger vehicle in a collision. That energy can crush or tear apart a car, causing severe and even fatal injuries.
Truck accident injuries we see include:
- Head and traumatic brain injuries (TBI), including concussions
- Neck, back, and spinal cord injuries which could cause paralysis
- Burns could be due to chemicals splashed on the vehicle or caused by heat if there’s a vehicle fire
- Internal injuries
- Amputation of hands, feet, arms, or legs
- Broken bones
- Sprained ligaments
- Strained muscles
- Deep cuts, bruises, and abrasions
- Soft tissue injuries, including whiplash
Who is Liable in Truck Accident Cases?
Truck accident cases are far too complex to go at it alone. You need the help of an experienced truck accident lawyer to help navigate you through the legal process. In addition to the severe injuries that may be caused, commercial truck accident cases are complex for several reasons, including:
- Several parties may be involved with the truck and its contents
- There could be multiple causes for an accident
- There are overlapping state and federal trucking laws
- Each party involved with the truck could have their own insurers and lawyers
Some of the parties who may be involved in a truck accident case are:
- The truck driver’s employer
- A trucking company renting the truck to a driver who’s an independent contractor
- A shipper who improperly loaded a trailer or that failed to secure cargo on a flatbed
- The trucking company or an outside business that failed to maintain or repair the 18-wheeler
- The manufacturer, distributor, and seller of a defective truck or trailer parts that caused the accident
- Government contractors or entities involved in specialized transport (such as LANL-related shipments)
After being injured, you and your family may face astronomical expenses. Medical and rehabilitation costs could be tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars. If you can’t work, you’ll lose income and possibly your job. Your pay may be the difference between your family living comfortably or facing financial disaster. If you’re severely disabled in a truck accident over a lifetime, you may face millions of dollars in costs and lost income.
Compensation & Damages for Truck Accident Victims
Given how you and your family may be impacted, don’t try to settle your case alone. Get legal help from a Santa Fe truck accident lawyer to recover the compensation you’re owed.
Law Giant Injury Lawyers will fight for you to recover your:
- Medical and Rehabilitation Expenses
- Lost Income
- Pain and Suffering
- Emotional Distress and Mental Anguish
- Disfigurement and Scarring
- Physical Limitations
- Lost Earning Capacity
Dealing with an Insurance Company
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires drivers, trucking companies, and related entities to carry sizeable insurance policies. The coverage can range from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars.
Working with these insurers is a challenge because they want to protect profits by limiting claims. They are massive companies that try to use every insurance-related law and practice to their advantage. Companies become more motivated to fight claims when they’re worth a substantial amount of money.
Insurers are very sophisticated, and they know what they’re doing. When people try to negotiate a truck accident settlement alone, they are at a severe disadvantage. They know your case’s actual value, relevant truck accident laws, and how to negotiate.
It’s essential to work with a local truck accident attorney in Santa Fe. The Law Giant Injury Lawyers are experienced in handling complicated truck accident cases, and we often go up against demanding insurance companies. Our clients have obtained millions of dollars for thousands of clients. We won’t consider a truck accident settlement unless it fairly compensates you for your losses and is the best outcome for your case.
What To Do After a NM Truck Accident
You may be in shock after a truck accident, but you must try to remain calm and think clearly. If you’re seriously injured and don’t feel you can drive from the scene, get an ambulance. If you can manage it, here are suggestions on what to do after the accident:
- See if you and others are injured
- Contact police or 911 if anyone is injured or a vehicle is stuck in a travel lane and may block traffic or cause another accident
- Get medical care, depending on the nature of your injuries. If you don’t need emergency treatment, see your physician or go to an urgent care center as soon as possible, no later than 48 hours after the accident. This will help diagnose and treat your injuries and document them.
- Contact your insurance company and report the basic facts. Don’t go into details. Tell them you’ll be talking to an attorney, and you’ll call them back later. The more you talk, the more likely you may mistakenly say things that may lead to your claim being reduced or denied.
You should also schedule a free consultation with our New Mexico truck accident attorneys. If you feel we’re the right lawyers for you, and we feel we can help you with your truck accident case, we can handle the claim from there.
Don’t put your future in jeopardy by negotiating with the truck driver’s insurer. They want it settled as quickly and cheaply as possible Dealing with an insurer is a job for an experienced semi-truck accident lawyer.
Our Santa Fe Truck Accident Law Firm Can Help
At Law Giant Injury Lawyers, we provide our clients with solid legal representation and assistance at all phases of their personal injury claims. While each commercial vehicle accident case is unique, our Santa Fe truck accident lawyers diligently work for all our clients.
From the moment you retain our firm, we will:
- Investigate the truck crash and find out what happened, why, and who’s at fault. We can look into the truck’s electronic data recorder, talk to witnesses, and review the evidence the police developed. These facts are the basis of your claim
- Create an effective legal strategy based on the evidence and state law
- Consult with professionals, including medical experts who’ll examine your medical records and financial analysts who will assess how your income is affected
- Prepare claim forms and organize documents that support your claim
- Communicate and negotiate with the insurance company’s claims adjuster regarding a settlement offer and counteroffer
- File a lawsuit if we can’t reach a reasonable settlement
- Tell your story to the jury at a trial, demonstrating the other party’s responsibility for the harm you suffered and that New Mexico law requires that you receive compensation
- Anything else necessary to protect your legal rights and interests in your truck crash claim
Santa Fe’s Most Dangerous Roads for Truck Accidents
Santa Fe’s unique position as a transportation hub creates several high-risk areas for truck accidents. The most dangerous areas are where commercial trucks and passenger vehicles mix, particularly:
- US Highway 84/285: This major north-south corridor has seen multiple serious truck accidents, including recent rollovers near NM 599. This route carries significant commercial traffic including specialized transport to and from Los Alamos National Laboratory
- Interstate 25: The primary connection between Santa Fe and Albuquerque/Colorado, with challenging mountain terrain and high-speed traffic
- NM 502 (Los Alamos Highway): The main route between Santa Fe and Los Alamos National Laboratory, carrying specialized transport and daily commuter traffic
- NM 599 (Santa Fe Relief Route): The bypass route that intersects with major highways and sees significant truck traffic avoiding downtown Santa Fe
- St. Francis Drive: A major arterial through Santa Fe that commercial vehicles use for local deliveries
- Cerrillos Road: Another busy commercial corridor with frequent truck traffic serving local businesses
The area around the US 84/285 and NM 599 interchange has been particularly problematic, with recent incidents including semi-truck rollovers that caused hours-long traffic disruptions. The unique nature of Santa Fe’s location means trucks supply grocery stores, major retailers, restaurants, factories, and warehouses, while also handling specialized government and laboratory transport.
Los Alamos National Laboratory Transportation Impact
A significant factor in Santa Fe area truck traffic is transportation related to Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). As northern New Mexico’s largest employer with approximately 13,200 direct employees, LANL generates substantial commercial vehicle traffic including:
- Specialized materials transport on US 84/285 and NM 502
- Construction and supply vehicles
- Waste management transport (as seen in recent incidents)
- Daily commuter traffic affecting overall road conditions
The laboratory has recognized traffic safety concerns, recently installing cameras along East Jemez Road (known as the “Truck Route”) following complaints about speeding and aggressive driving.
Truck Accident Resources in Santa Fe, NM
Local news stations provide traffic and weather information, so you can try to avoid areas with the most traffic. You may also want to avoid driving in severe weather, as slick roads and poor visibility make truck accidents more likely. You can get a copy of a truck accident report through the Santa Fe Police Department or New Mexico State Police depending on where the accident occurred.
