Las Vegas, New Mexico Truck Crash Lawyers

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, over 400,000 tractor-trailer crashes occur each year in the United States, resulting in catastrophic injuries and frequent loss of life. Crashes involving tractor-trailers are not handled in the same manner as passenger vehicles. When you are injured or lose a loved one in a truck crash in Las Vegas, New Mexico, you need a knowledgeable and skilled lawyer with experience in these complex cases. If a tractor-trailer crash has impacted you or your family, our Las Vegas truck crash lawyers at Buchanan Law Firm, LLC can help you seek the justice and compensation you deserve.

What Types of Truck Crash Cases Does Buchanan Law Firm, LLC Handle?

Several major transportation routes cross through New Mexico, and commercial trucks are heavily traveled by delivering goods throughout the country. Our Las Vegas truck crash lawyers at Buchanan Law Firm, LLC have represented injured victims and the families of lost loved ones in a wide range of truck crashes, including but not limited to: 

• Head-on collisions
• Jackknife crashes
• Rear-end crashes
• Rollover crashes
• T-bone crashes
• Underride crashes

What Are Common Causes of Truck Crashes?

Due to the level of destruction in truck crashes, determining the cause is often quite challenging, but some of the most common causes of tractor-trailer crashes include:

• Blown tires
• Distracted driving
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Drowsy driving
• Driving during unsafe weather or road conditions
• Equipment or safety system failure
• Failure to yield or stop at lights or intersections
• Improper driving
• Improperly loaded or unsecured cargo
• Inexperienced drivers
• Poor maintenance
• Poorly maintained roads
• Reckless driving
• Speeding
• Tailgating
• Unsafe company practices and policies
• Weather

What Are Common Types of Truck Crash Injuries?

Crashes involving tractor-trailers are the most dangerous and devastating. A fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh upwards of 80,000 pounds, and combined with their massive size and speed, create a deadly force of impact during crashes that few survive. Approximately 97 percent of tractor-trailer crashes result in the deaths of those in the passenger vehicle. Those who survive suffer extensive life-altering injuries, including:

• Amputated or crushed limbs
• Broken bones
• Burns
• Disfigurement and severe scarring
• Nerve damage
• Organ damage
• Partial or complete paralysis
• PTSD
• Severe cuts and lacerations
• Spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries

Who Is Liable for My Truck Crash Injuries?

Commercial truck crashes are complex and require considerable time to piece together. Liability is frequently challenging due to the number of potential responsible parties, which include: 

• Truck driver: If the driver was operating the truck recklessly or dangerously, such as speeding, cutting off others, or tailgating, they may be responsible for the crash.
• Trucking company: In most cases, the company is responsible, particularly if the company owns the truck.
• Truck owner: Commercial trucks are often owned by a third party, who may be responsible if the truck was not properly maintained, failed inspection, or did not meet federal safety regulations.
• Truck manufacturer: If a defective part or safety system is ultimately the cause of the crash, the manufacturer may be responsible, especially if the company failed to inform the truck owner or knowingly continued to manufacture the defective product.

Evidence Used in Truck Crash Cases

Determining liability in commercial truck crashes is easier than in car crashes. Modern technology and federal trucking regulations mandating record-keeping provide valuable evidentiary data that is significantly easier to acquire. Evidence detailing the crash and identifying responsible parties can be obtained from the following:

• Black box data
• Braking data
• Cargo loading manifests
• Driver data, such as driving records, cell phone use, break schedules, and violation records
• Dashcam images
• Dispatch instructions
• Driving maneuvers
• Maintenance reports
• Service records
• Speed records

How Much Is My Truck Crash Claim Worth?

Due to the extent of damage, severity of injuries, and loss of life, truck crash claims are considerably higher than typical car crashes, though there are no specific dollar amounts. Compensation is based on a combination of economic and non-economic damages, such as:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages and future earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Funeral and burial costs
• Home modifications
• Rehabilitative therapies
• Psychological trauma and therapy
• Loss of life enjoyment and loss of consortium
• Wrongful death

What Should I Do After a Truck Crash in Las Vegas?

The majority of truck crashes result in catastrophic or fatal injuries, in which case the police and your lawyer will oversee the investigation and evidence gathering. However, if you are unhurt in the crash, your swift actions at the scene will significantly benefit your claim. You should:

• Call the police and report the crash and injuries.
• Photograph the scene, including vehicle damage, injuries, obstacles, weather and road conditions, signage, and other contributing factors.
• Exchange contact and insurance information with the driver but limit further conversation. What you say at the scene can be used against you later.
• Ask witnesses for contact information and statements.
• Seek medical attention as soon as possible. Some serious internal injuries have delayed symptoms that can be life-threatening if left untreated. The medical report documenting your injuries is also crucial to your claim.
• Maintain all medical records, communication, and invoices related to the crash.
• Consult an experienced and knowledgeable Las Vegas truck crash lawyer with a track record of handling these complex cases and negotiating with insurance companies.

How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Crash Claim in New Mexico?

The statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim in New Mexico is three years from the date of injury or date of death.

Why Choose Buchanan Law Firm, LLC

Crashes involving semi-trucks have devastating consequences affecting entire families. The severity of injuries can cause significant financial hardship, permanent disabilities, and loss. Our experienced Las Vegas truck crash lawyers at Buchanan Law Firm, LLC can help in many ways, including:

• Investigating the crash and reviewing reports.
• Consulting your medical team to establish your ongoing healthcare needs.
• Working with industry experts.
• Filing necessary documents.
• Negotiating with insurance companies for maximum compensation.
• Representing you in court should your case go to trial.

Our team at Buchanan Law Firm, LLC has an extensive record representing injured clients and a successful legacy of securing hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation for our clients injured in truck crashes.

Our Las Vegas Truck Crash Lawyers at Buchanan Law Firm, LLC Advocate for Families Impacted by Devastating Tractor-Trailer Collisions

Tractor-trailer crashes are the most dangerous type of motor vehicle crash, causing massive damage, life-threatening injuries, and devastating losses. If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a tractor-trailer crash, our skilled Las Vegas truck crash lawyers at Buchanan Law Firm, LLC can help. Call us today at 505-900-3559 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, we serve clients in Santa Fe and the surrounding areas.