Rio Rancho Truck Accident Lawyer

Truck Accident Attorney in Rio Rancho, NM

Commercial truck accidents cause substantial damage, leading to fatal and life-changing catastrophic injuries. If you or someone you love was in a truck collision, you need a Rio Rancho truck accident lawyer. A lawyer can file a case against the trucking company’s insurer to recover the financial damages you and your family have suffered.

The right truck accident attorney can fight for you. At Berenson & Associates, PC, our Rio Rancho personal injury lawyers have spent decades in personal injury law. We know how complex truck accident cases are, along with the effect they have on individuals and families. Our firm has represented many clients who were hurt by the carelessness of others, just like you were. Our goal is to secure compensation for medical bills, lost income, and other damages. That way, you can move on with your life.

You shouldn’t have to deal with trucking company insurers alone. Let our team support you at each step and fight for the most financially beneficial outcome.

How Often Do Truck Accidents Happen?

An accident involving a heavy truck occurred every three hours in New Mexico on average in 2023, according to the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT). This was much less frequent than motor vehicle collisions. However, even though these accidents are less common, they cause significant damages when they do happen.

NMDOT reported 3,161 crashes involving heavy trucks, including 96 fatal crashes. These crashes involved commercial semis and other large trucks. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reported 92 fatal crashes involving commercial motor vehicles in the same year.

In Rio Rancho, there were 42 heavy truck crashes in 2023, with 43 heavy trucks and semis taking part in these incidents, based on information collected by the NMDOT. After a crash, you need to get medical treatment and report the accident. The UNM Sandoval Regional Medical Center is located at 3001 Broadmoor Boulevard in Rio Rancho.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Truck Accident in Rio Rancho?

Many companies and individuals within those companies are responsible for getting commercial trucks on the road. When a truck crash happens, these parties could potentially be liable for it, and uncovering which parties acted negligently takes time and careful investigation.

The most common at-fault parties are one or more of the drivers in a crash. While the truck driver is sometimes the at-fault driver in a crash, that doesn’t always mean they are liable for the accident. Their employer may be vicariously liable. In some cases, their employer is directly liable for negligence. Numerous other parties might also share fault.

At-fault parties in a truck accident can include:

• The truck driver. A driver may have been fatigued, under the influence, or otherwise operating their vehicle negligently.
• Another driver on the road. Other drivers can engage in reckless and careless driving, including driving distracted, breaking road laws, and other actions.
• The employer of the truck driver or the trucking company. When these parties are directly liable, it may be for failing to complete background checks on drivers. They might’ve encouraged drivers to break federal trucking regulations to meet deadlines.
• The shipping or loading company. A trucking company may work with many third-party companies, including a loader or shipper. If the truck trailer is overloaded or cargo is improperly placed or secured, this can lead to an accident. Such incidents could involve cargo spills, rollovers, jackknife accidents, and brake failures.
• The cargo’s owner. An accident can be caused by dangerous materials in the truck’s cargo, which the owner failed to tell the shipping or loading company about.
• A mechanic or maintenance company. These parties may be responsible for poor maintenance. They might’ve failed to maintain the commercial vehicle at all. Either can lead to a crash.
• An inspector. Commercial trucks require regular inspection to determine if they’re safe for the road. If an inspector fails to complete their job or report dangers, they could be held liable if those hazards cause an accident.
• The manufacturer of the truck or a truck component. When an accident is caused by a defective or unreasonably dangerous car part, the manufacturer or distributor of that part could be liable.

When you hire a Rio Rancho truck accident lawyer, they have the resources to investigate the accident and determine the entities and individuals who acted negligently, thus leading to the accident.

FAQs About Rio Rancho Truck Accidents

Q: How Much Are Most Truck Accident Settlements?

A: Every truck accident settlement is unique, although these accidents tend to have higher settlements than the average vehicle accident.

Many factors can impact the value of the settlements, including:

• The severity of your injuries
• The long-term effects of those injuries
• The amount of evidence that supports your case
• Whether you work with an attorney

An attorney can accurately assess your damages and fight for full compensation, potentially improving the outcome of the settlement.

Q: What Should You Say to an Injury Lawyer?

A: After a truck accident, it is important to give your Rio Rancho injury lawyer all the important details about the crash. This includes:

• Events before and during the accident
• Information about the police officer on the scene
• The contact and insurance information of the other driver

Your lawyer can guide you as you discuss the accident to secure the relevant information. An attorney can support you, even if you were partially at fault for the accident.

Q: How Hard Is It to Win a Truck Accident Claim?

A: Truck accident claims tend to be more complicated than other accident claims, but the difficulty of winning one will vary from case to case. When fault is clear and your case has a lot of supportive evidence, it will likely be much easier to secure a settlement or verdict. This is especially true when you work with an attorney. Their knowledge of Rio Rancho truck accident laws can be crucial for your case’s success.

Q: How Do I Prove Negligence in a Truck Accident Case?

A: To prove negligence in a truck accident case, you must establish the following:

1. The party had a duty of care to reasonably consider the safety of others.
2. This duty was breached because of careless actions.
3. The breach of duty was a direct cause of the accident.
4. You suffered damages as a result of the accident.

Careless or negligent actions can include driving distracted, being fatigued while driving, failing to vet drivers, or not giving drivers drug and alcohol tests.

Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer in Rio Rancho

You don’t have to navigate a claim by yourself. Reach out to Berenson & Associates, PC, today. Let us fight for your rights in a claim against a negligent trucking company.