Santa Fe Truck Crash Lawyers

Fully loaded tractor-trailers can weigh up to 40 tons, and truck crashes often result in catastrophic, life-changing, or fatal injuries that impact whole families. At Buchanan Law Firm, LLC, our Santa Fe truck crash lawyers have not only seen but deeply understand the emotional and financial devastation caused by these massive trucks. If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a commercial truck crash, our compassionate and experienced legal team will fight for the compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses.

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

Our Santa Fe truck crash lawyers at Buchanan Law Firm, LLC have decades of experience handling a wide range of crashes involving tractor-trailers, 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 in Santa Fe?

As with passenger vehicles, truck crashes occur largely due to human error and poor driving habits, though given the extensive damage, the exact cause can often be challenging to pinpoint. The most common causes of truck crashes include:

• Aggressive or reckless driving
• Distracted driving
• Drowsy driving
• Drunk driving
• Equipment or safety system failure
• Improper driving
• Improperly loaded or unsecured cargo
• Inexperienced drivers
• Poor maintenance
• Speeding
• Tailgating
• Unsafe company practices and policies
• Weather

Do Commercial Trucks Have Different Regulations Than Passenger Vehicles?

The federal government strictly regulates the trucking industry to reduce crash risks. Companies and drivers must follow stringent regulations regarding size, weight, cargo, intrastate travel, passengers, and speed. Federal regulations enforce:

• Driving and resting hours
• Drug testing
• Licensing requirements
• Mandatory inspections and maintenance
• Medication use
• Medical evaluation and fitness assessments
• Required, permitted, and prohibited devices
• Size and weight restrictions

Drivers must complete rigorous training to obtain a commercial driver’s license in the United States, which includes:

• Defensive driving in extreme weather conditions
• Emergency driving techniques
• Federal driving regulations
• Identification of potential hazards and avoidance
• Navigating mountainous roads
• Proper gear shifting
• Proper inspection methods
• Safe backing techniques
• Safe night driving

Alcohol, drugs, sleep deprivation, and unmaintained trucks have historically factored greatly in causing devastating truck crashes. Federal regulations specifically targeting these factors were enacted to combat the problem and lower crash risks, as follows:

• The legal blood alcohol concentration for truck drivers is 0.04 percent, half the amount for other motorists.
• Drivers are prohibited from operating more than 11 hours daily, remaining on duty for more than 14 hours, or driving with less than 10 consecutive hours of rest.
• Truck owners and drivers are required to maintain detailed records of service hours, maintenance, and repairs.

What Injuries Are Common in Truck Crashes?

A fully loaded tractor-trailer creates such a massive force of impact that 97 percent of all truck crashes result in the fatalities of all occupants in the passenger vehicle. Those who survive often suffer life-changing injuries, including but not limited to:

• Back and spinal cord injuries
• Broken bones and fractures
• Burns
• Cuts and lacerations
• Crushed or severed limbs
• Disfigurement
• Muscle strains and sprains
• Nerve damage
• Partial or complete paralysis
• Psychological trauma
• Soft tissue injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries

The majority of commercial truck crash injuries require long-term hospitalization, extensive rehabilitation, and frequently lifelong medical care with exorbitant expenses. If you or a loved one is injured in a tractor-trailer crash, contact an experienced Santa Fe truck crash lawyer as soon as possible.

Who Is Responsible for Truck Crashes?

Crash cases involving commercial trucks are often especially challenging as there are potentially multiple parties responsible, including:

• Truck driver: The driver may be responsible if they violate traffic laws while operating the truck, such as drunk driving, speeding, or running a red light.
• Trucking company: The company that owns the truck is generally the most common party liable for the crash.
• Truck owner: Truck cabs and tractor-trailers are commonly owned by third parties, including the drivers themselves, who may be accountable if the truck does not pass inspection or is poorly maintained.
• Truck manufacturer: If a defective part or safety system ultimately caused the crash, the manufacturer may be liable, especially if the company knew the problem but did not report it to the truck’s owner or continued to produce the faulty part.

How Can I Prove Liability for the Truck Crash?

Evidence is crucial in commercial truck crashes. Fortunately, federal truck regulations regarding record-keeping provide valuable evidentiary data that is easier to obtain than crashes involving only passenger cars and makes it easier to shed light on which parties may be responsible, such as:

• Black box data
• Braking data at the time of the collision
• Cargo loading manifests
• Driver’s driving and violation records
• Dashcam images
• Dispatch instructions
• Driving maneuvers
• Maintenance reports
• Service records
• Speed before the crash

What Compensation Can I Seek If I Am Injured in a Truck Crash in Santa Fe?

Compensation for truck crashes is typically significant due to the destruction and severity of injuries. In New Mexico, the damages you can pursue are based on a combination of actual and intangible expenses, referred to as economic and non-economic damages, which include but are not limited to:

• Medical expenses and ongoing care
• Lost wages and future earning capacity
• Permanent or temporary disability
• Medical devices, equipment, and in-home care
• Rehabilitation and therapy
• Wrongful death and funeral expenses
• Cognitive impairment
• Disability
• Emotional distress and PTSD
• Loss of consortium and life enjoyment
• Scarring and disfiguring

In New Mexico, you are limited to three years from the date of the crash or death to file a claim for damages. Truck crash cases involve a lengthy process of gathering evidence to determine liability and establish the value of claims, so speaking with an experienced truck crash lawyer as soon as possible is imperative.

Why Choose Buchanan Law Firm, LLC for Your Santa Fe Truck Crash Case

Truck crash lawyers are invaluable resources and advocates. The severity of injuries prevents most individuals from handling their own claims, and family members are often uncertain where to seek help. A truck crash lawyer possesses the knowledge to thoroughly evaluate, investigate, and hold those responsible accountable. Our Santa Fe truck crash lawyers at Buchanan Law Firm, LLC can help in a variety of ways, such as:

• Investigating the crash and reviewing police reports.
• Gathering evidence to support your claim.
• Interviewing witnesses.
• Filing required documents.
• Working with your medical team to establish current and future medical needs.
• Hiring industry experts to provide testimony.
• Negotiating with insurance companies for maximum settlement.
• Representing you in court proceedings if necessary.

For decades, our Buchanan Law Firm, LLC legal team has been fighting for the rights of truck crash victims and their families, securing hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation for our clients.

Our Santa Fe Truck Crash Lawyers at Buchanan Law Firm, LLC Represent Injured Victims

If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a tractor-trailer crash, our Santa Fe truck crash lawyers at Buchanan Law Firm, LLC can help you today. Call us at 505-900-3559 or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. We are here to answer your questions. Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, we serve clients in Santa Fe and the surrounding areas.