Las Cruces Truck Accident Lawyer

Truck Accident Attorney in Las Cruces, NM

The injuries in a truck collision can be debilitating, disabling, and even fatal. After these serious accidents, you need to work with a Las Cruces truck accident lawyer to hold negligent truck companies liable and recover the monetary damages you are owed.

It isn’t easy to navigate an insurance claim against a commercial truck company insurer, and it’s even harder when you are dealing with recovering from catastrophic injuries. When you work with a team of Las Cruces personal injury lawyers at Berenson & Associates, PC, you get exceptional legal representation based on over 25 years of personal injury law experience.

We can manage your case so you can take time to recover, keeping you informed and updated about your claim. Our Las Cruces accident attorneys fight for the most compensation possible, whether in negotiations or in court. This includes coverage for medical bills, lost income, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering. The injuries in a truck collision can change your entire life, so you should be compensated by the at-fault parties.

Understanding Truck Accidents in New Mexico and Las Cruces

In New Mexico, there was a vehicle crash involving a heavy truck or semi every three hours in 2023 on average, compared to an average of a motor vehicle crash every 12 minutes, according to the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT). NMDOT reported that Las Cruces saw 108 crashes involving heavy trucks and semis in 2023, with 119 heavy trucks and semis involved in those accidents.

Despite these accidents happening less frequently, they are more likely to result in devastating consequences in the state. Heavy trucks were involved in 4.6% of crashes by vehicle type, but they were also involved in 15.5% of fatal crashes by vehicle type. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reported 92 fatal crashes involving commercial motor vehicles in 2023.

The significant damages in a truck accident often require immediate medical attention. Once the accident is reported, all involved parties should get emergency medical treatment at the scene. Once you can leave the scene after giving a police report, you should get further medical attention. Hospitals in and near Las Cruces include MountainView Medical Center, Memorial Medical Center, and Three Crosses Regional Hospital.

What Are Common Reasons Why Truck Accidents Happen?

There are many potential causes of truck accidents, and finding the cause is an important element of determining who is at fault.

Some common causes of Las Cruces truck accidents include:

• Distracted Driving: Both truck drivers and other drivers can be distracted while driving, taking their eyes or attention off the road and causing an accident.
• Driver Fatigue: This is especially common for truck drivers who work long hours, frequently at night. While a driver may be considered at fault, their employer or another company may also be liable for unrealistic shipping deadlines or encouraging drivers to ignore rest break regulations.
• Inexperienced Truck Drivers: Truck drivers who are not experienced are more likely to cause accidents and make errors on the road, such as jackknife accidents or cutting corners too closely. If the trucking company failed to provide training or ensure qualifications, the company could be liable.
• Vehicle Malfunctions: Commercial trucks see significant wear, so regulations require regular inspection and maintenance. Failure to meet these requirements increases the risk of a breakdown, malfunction, and accident. Mechanics, inspectors, and trucking companies could be liable. A manufacturer could also be liable if a malfunction was caused by a defect or an unreasonably dangerous truck part.
• Impaired Driving: Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol increases the chances of an accident, and it is also illegal. Commercial drivers do not have the same legal limits as other drivers, as they are held to a higher duty of care because of the dangerous vehicles they operate. A driver can be held civilly liable for DWI. A trucking company can also be liable for failing to vet or test its drivers for impairment.

There are many other causes of accidents, including speeding, dangerous road conditions, and failing to check blind spots. By identifying the cause of the accident, a Las Cruces truck accident attorney can determine the person or entity liable for the accident. Then, they can use the Las Cruces truck accident laws to hold them accountable for the damages you suffered.

FAQs About Las Cruces Truck Accidents

Q: How Much Are Most Truck Accident Settlements?

A: Truck accidents are all different, leading to unique injuries and damages, so settlements are also unique. However, truck accident settlements are often much higher in value than the average car accident settlement.

When you have more serious injuries, this usually leads to more expensive medical treatment, longer periods of time off work, and more severe pain and suffering. All this can increase the value of your settlement, especially with experienced legal representation.

Q: How Can You Maximize the Payout From a Truck Accident?

A: The most effective way to maximize the payout from a truck accident claim is to hire a Las Cruces truck accident lawyer. An attorney investigates the crash, determines the cause, and uncovers the at-fault party or parties. By gathering evidence like police reports, witness statements, black box footage, and more, an attorney builds a stronger case to fight for the most beneficial outcome. They can also calculate your damages and fight for the full amount you are owed, both in negotiations and in court.

Q: How Much Can You Get Out of Pain and Suffering?

A: The amount you can recover in pain and suffering damages will depend on the significance of your injuries and the effect they have on your life. Pain and suffering damages are a type of non-economic damages, which are subjective losses. The value of these damages is often affected by the value of economic damages. An injury with higher medical costs is generally more serious and, therefore, has a greater impact on your pain, daily activities, and life.

Q: Why Are Truck Accident Cases More Complicated Than Other Accidents?

A: Truck accident cases are more complicated than other accidents for numerous reasons, including:

1. Negotiations are with commercial insurers, who have more resources.
2. Many federal regulations apply to commercial trucking, and violations of these laws cause accidents.
3. Many different parties may be fully or partially liable.
4. Damages in the accidents are much more significant, so compensation has to be higher.
5. Trucking companies must complete a lot of documentation and log keeping, creating a lot of information to sort through.

Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer to Support You in Las Cruces

When you and your family’s lives are altered by a truck accident in Las Cruces, you need dedicated legal representation. Contact Berenson & Associates, PC, today to learn how we can help.