Santa Rosa Truck Crash Lawyers

In tractor-trailer crashes, the occupants in smaller vehicles often suffer extensive catastrophic and life-altering injuries, if they survive at all. The majority of crashes involving commercial trucks result in fatalities. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), over 4,000 fatalities due to commercial truck crashes occur each year.

The majority of tractor-trailer crashes are not accidents but the result of driver error and risky driving habits. These incidents are not inevitable but preventable, as the trucks themselves are dangerous and difficult to control and often initiate a chain of events leading to crashes.

Determining the cause of crashes involving commercial trucks can be incredibly challenging due to the extent of damage they cause during a collision. Some of the most common causes of truck crashes include reckless, distracted, drunk, or drowsy driving, equipment failure, improperly loaded or unsecured cargo, inexperienced operators, poor maintenance, speeding, tailgating, and weather conditions.

Why Are Truck Crashes So Dangerous?

Consumer demand grows each year, increasing the number of trucks on American roads and further endangering motorists with a rising crash risk for crashes. However, with increased awareness and stringent safety measures, we can work towards reducing this risk. Truck crashes cause extensive damage and devastating outcomes due to factors such as:

• Weight: Trucks with fully loaded trailers can weigh more than 80,000 pounds, a weight that makes stopping more difficult. Tractor-trailers need much further distance to begin slowing than passenger cars. In heavy traffic, motorists suddenly darting in front of a truck decreases the available stopping distance if a sudden stop is needed.
• Size: Tractor-trailers loom in height and stretch up to 70 feet in length, dwarfing the average passenger vehicle by a significant margin. When combined with their weight, a truck’s massive size creates a scenario where property damage and injuries are significantly worse and more often fatal for smaller vehicles’ occupants. This underscores the vulnerability of these motorists, reminding us all of the importance of driving responsibly and respecting the rules of the road.
• Stability: Semi-trucks’ size, weight, and construction make them top-heavy, further endangering those around them. High winds hitting the trailers broadside can cause the trucks to roll over without warning, posing an immense danger to vehicles on either side. Taking turns and exits too quickly and on slippery roads can also cause semis to flip, especially if sudden movement causes the cargo to shift, displacing the weight to one side.
• Visibility: Due to their height, length, and shape, tractor-trailers have numerous blind spots on all four sides, and drivers who ignore blind spot warnings posted on the trailers put themselves in immense danger.
• Balance: When loading, cargo should be calculated and precisely positioned based on weight to maintain balance in the trailer. Imbalanced and unsecured cargo, should it shift during transportation, presents a grave danger to the driver and others on the road.
• Less control: Tractor-trailers are more vulnerable to inclement weather and slick roads for many reasons, including their size, weight, and shape. Trailers can easily jackknife on slick roads, brakes can lock, and drivers can quickly lose control. Vehicles near the truck at the wrong moment can be struck, drug, or crushed in an ensuing crash.
• Cargo: Many commercial trucks carry hazardous materials like gasoline and other chemicals. Crashes involving trucks with hazardous materials are far more dangerous and frequently deadly, as hazardous materials often prevent emergency personnel from rescue attempts for their safety.

How Are Tractor-Trailers Regulated?

The federal government strictly regulates the trucking industry to minimize the frequency of crashes and protect the public at large. Trucking companies and drivers must adhere to stringent rules regarding the following:

• Driver’s operating and resting hours
• Drug testing
• Licensing requirements
• Lower blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels
• Mandatory inspections and maintenance
• Medication use
• Medical evaluation and fitness assessments
• Required, permitted, and prohibited devices
• Size and weight restrictions

To obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL), drivers must complete rigorous training, including defensive and emergency driving techniques, hazard identification and avoidance, navigating multiple terrains, safe backing, night driving, and more.

Who Is Responsible for Truck Crashes?

Crashes involving tractor-trailers are complex, largely because there can be multiple parties who share responsibility, such as:

• Truck driver: If the crash occurred based on the driver’s actions, such as failing to stop, ignoring traffic signals, speeding, or weaving in and out of traffic, the driver could be liable for the crash.
• Trucking company: In most cases, the driver’s employer is often the legally responsible party if they fail to maintain the truck or train the driver correctly.
• Truck owner: Trucks are commonly owned by third parties, including the driver, and may be responsible if the truck was poorly maintained or failed inspection.
• Truck manufacturer: If the crash occurred due to a defective part or system, the manufacturer may be ultimately responsible, especially if they knew of the problem and failed to notify owners or discontinue production.

If you or a loved one are injured in a tractor-trailer crash, you need a dedicated and experienced lawyer capable of handling these complex cases on your side. At Buchanan Law Firm, LLC, our Santa Rosa truck crash lawyers understand the devastation truck crashes cause and are dedicated to protecting your rights and holding the responsible parties accountable. Our skilled legal team has successfully recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation for our clients injured in tractor-trailer crashes.

What Are the Most Serious Truck Crash Injuries?

In truck crashes, most passenger vehicles suffer catastrophic damage, resulting in injury or death. Over 97 percent of all truck crashes result in fatalities. Other catastrophic injuries include amputations, burns, traumatic brain injuries, and paralysis. Truck crash survivors typically require long-term hospitalization, extensive rehabilitation, and life-long medical care.

How Can Buchanan Law Firm, LLC Help Me After a Truck Crash?

When working with Buchanan Law Firm, LLC, our Santa Rosa truck crash lawyers will investigate the scene, review police reports, hire experts, establish your ongoing medical needs with your care team, negotiate with insurance companies for a settlement, and represent you in court, if necessary.

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

Compensation in tractor-trailer crashes is typically significant due to the severity of injuries and exorbitant medical expenses. Compensation is based on a combination of economic damages, such as medical bills and repair or replacement costs, and non-economic damages, such as psychological trauma, loss of life enjoyment, and pain and suffering.

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

The statute of limitations for truck crashes is three years from the date of the collision or death. These cases can be lengthy, so you should speak with a Santa Rosa truck crash lawyer as soon as possible.

Our Santa Rosa Truck Crash Lawyers at Buchanan Law Firm, LLC Fight for Victims of Tractor-Trailer Crashes

Tractor-trailer crashes often have disastrous outcomes, leading to insurmountable medical costs, lost wages, and life-altering injuries. If a tractor-trailer has injured you or a loved one, our Santa Rosa truck crash lawyers at Buchanan Law Firm, LLC can help you seek compensation. Call 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.