Las Cruces Truck Accident Attorneys

Injured in a Truck Accident in Las Cruces, NM?

Truck accidents often result in severe injuries and complex legal situations. These cases can involve multiple parties, including trucking companies, drivers, and insurance carriers, each with their own legal teams working to protect their interests. Understanding the nuances of federal trucking regulations and New Mexico's personal injury laws is crucial for building a strong case.

New Mexico highways can be treacherous, especially when sharing the road with massive commercial trucks. If you've been injured in a truck accident, you need an experienced advocate on your side. Our Las Cruces truck accident lawyers at Harmonson Law Firm are ready to protect your rights and best interests throughout the legal process to help you recover your entitled compensation.

We are committed to helping you get back on your feet after a truck accident. Call (915) 233-6427 to schedule a free consultation with our Las Cruces truck accident lawyer today.

Common Types of Truck Accidents

A truck accident is a traffic collision involving a large commercial vehicle, such as a semi-truck, tractor-trailer, 18-wheeler, or delivery truck. These accidents can be especially dangerous due to the size and weight of trucks compared to passenger vehicles, often resulting in severe injuries or fatalities.

Common types of truck accidents inclue:

• Rear-End Collisions: Occur when a truck crashes into the vehicle in front of it, often due to brake failure, distracted driving, or following too closely.
• Jackknife Accidents: Happen when the truck’s trailer swings out to form a 90-degree angle with the cab, usually caused by sudden braking or slippery roads.
• Rollover Accidents: Involve the truck tipping onto its side, often due to speeding, sharp turns, or unbalanced cargo.
• Underride Accidents: Occur when a smaller vehicle slides underneath the trailer, typically during sudden stops or low visibility conditions.
• Blind Spot Accidents: Arise when a truck driver fails to see a vehicle in their large blind spots while changing lanes or turning.
• Tire Blowouts: Sudden tire failures can cause the truck to swerve or lose control, creating hazards for nearby vehicles.
• Wide Turn Accidents: Occur when a truck swings wide to make a right turn and traps or hits a vehicle in the adjacent lane.
• Lost Load Accidents: Result from cargo falling off the truck, often due to improper loading or securing of freight.
• Head-On Collisions: These are among the most severe and can occur if a truck veers into oncoming traffic due to fatigue, distraction, or mechanical failure.
• T-bone (Side-Impact) Accidents: Often happen at intersections when a truck hits or is hit on the side by another vehicle.

Liability in Truck Accidents

Determining who is responsible for your truck accident can be a complicated process. These cases often involve a web of contributing factors and potentially liable parties. 

Driver Negligence

Truck drivers, like all motorists, must operate their vehicles safely. If a driver's negligence–such as speeding, distracted driving, or driving under the influence–caused the accident, they can be held liable for your injuries.

Third-Party Liability in Truck Accidents

Truck accident cases can be more complex than those involving only passenger vehicles because they often involve multiple liable parties. 

In addition to the truck driver, you may have a claim against:

• The trucking company: Trucking companies are responsible for properly training their drivers. They can be held liable if their negligence contributed to the accident.
• The truck manufacturer: If a defect in the truck itself, such as faulty brakes or tires, contributed to the accident, the manufacturer may be held liable.
• Maintenance companies: If improper maintenance played a role in the accident, the company responsible for servicing the truck could be held liable.
• Cargo loaders: If cargo was improperly loaded or secured and contributed to the accident, the loading company may share liability.

Identifying all liable parties is crucial to maximizing your potential compensation. 

At Harmonson Law Firm, we know how to investigate your accident thoroughly and determine who should be held accountable for your injuries.

Other Factors

In some cases, other factors may contribute to a truck accident, such as hazardous road conditions or negligent actions by other drivers. A thorough investigation is essential to uncover all contributing factors and identify all potentially liable parties.

Available Damages in a Las Cruces Truck Accident Case

If you've been injured in a truck accident in Las Cruces, you may be entitled to various forms of compensation to help you recover from your losses. These damages can be broadly categorized as economic and non-economic.

Economic Damages

These damages compensate you for the quantifiable financial losses you've incurred due to the accident. 

They can include:

• Medical expenses: This covers past and future medical costs, including hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, medication, and ongoing care.
• Lost wages: If your injuries prevent you from working, you can recover compensation for lost income, both past and future.
• Property damage: This covers the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle and any other property damaged in the accident.

Non-Economic Damages

These damages address the intangible losses that are not easily quantifiable but significantly impact your quality of life. 

They can include:

• Pain and suffering: This compensates you for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident and your injuries.
• Loss of enjoyment of life: If your injuries prevent you from participating in activities you once enjoyed, you may be entitled to compensation for this loss.
• Disfigurement or disability: If the accident resulted in permanent scarring or disability, you may be able to recover damages for these losses.

Punitive Damages

In some cases, the court may award punitive damages in addition to economic and non-economic damages. These damages are intended to punish the defendant for particularly egregious conduct, such as gross negligence or reckless disregard for safety.