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Albuquerque Truck Accident Lawyer

A Brief Summary of the Following Article

  • Truck accidents in Albuquerque often result in severe, lifelong injuries, necessitating long-term medical treatment and significant life adjustments.
  • Unlike standard cars, tractor-trailers pose a greater risk of severe injury or death in crashes. Truck drivers must be properly trained, and regulations govern their actions, setting minimum requirements in the trucking industry.
  • Liability for truck accidents can involve multiple parties, including the truck driver, the vehicle’s owner or leaser, the driver’s employer, the truck’s manufacturer, and the maintenance company. 
  • After a truck accident, it is important to contact an experienced Albuquerque truck accident lawyer at Dominguez Law.
  • Call our team of commercial truck accident lawyers today at 505-850-5854 or contact us online to set up a free appointment.

Truck accidents are among the most dangerous motor vehicle collisions that occur on the roads every day. In fact, it is not uncommon for victims of truck accidents to be left with severe, lifelong injuries that require long-term medical treatment, rehabilitative services, and significant adjustments to their day-to-day lives. If you believe someone else was at fault for the accident, a skilled personal injury lawyer may be able to recover the compensation you deserve for any damages related to the accident, including property damage, lost wages, medical expenses, and pain and suffering.

Attorney Paul Dominguez is a strong advocate for his clients, providing compassionate and personalized legal representation to truck accident victims in Albuquerque and throughout New Mexico.

How Are Accidents With Trucks Different From Passenger Vehicles?

Unlike a standard-sized car, the size and weight of a tractor-trailer greatly increases the potential for severe injury or death when involved in a crash. As such, it is crucial that truck drivers be properly trained to operate such a massive vehicle.

When these responsibilities are not met, the driver or their employer should be held liable for the harm they cause. State and federal regulations govern a driver’s actions and set minimum requirements regarding the trucking industry, such as a truck driver’s permissible hours and mandated drug and alcohol testing before commercial licenses can be issued.

If these regulations aren’t met, you may be able to retain compensation for the ensuing property damage, medical expenses, lost wages, and psychological effects experienced as a result of the negligent driver or trucking company.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Truck Accident in Albuquerque, New Mexico?

In a regular passenger vehicle crash, while there are exceptions, liability will typically either sit with you or the other driver. Accidents with commercial vehicles, on the other hand, can involve a multitude of at-fault parties. Depending on the distinct circumstances involved, any of the following groups may be held responsible for a commercial vehicle accident:

  • The commercial vehicle driver
  • The company that leases or owns the vehicle
  • The driver’s employer
  • The truck’s manufacturer or the manufacturer of a particular vehicle part
  • The company responsible for the truck’s maintenance

Fortunately, who could be held liable for your truck accident is not something you have to determine on your own. A Dominguez Law truck accident lawyer in Albuquerque can work to determine fault and put together a concrete plan of attack against the negligent party.

Steps To Take After an Albuquerque Truck Accident

When it comes to truck accidents, there is a good chance there are severe injuries. Semi-trucks are nearly 20 times bigger than the average vehicle and can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded, which puts the average car at a distinct disadvantage if involved in an accident.

The aftershock of a truck accident can be as confusing as it is destructive. Understanding the steps you should take after a crash can be instrumental in helping you protect yourself and a future claim to financial recovery. Here is what you need to know:

Seek Medical Attention

Before anything else, take note of any injuries you or others have sustained. Even if no one appears to be hurt in a significant way, it is still considered a best practice to visit your doctor. You may have an injury like internal bleeding, which may be hard for you to know, but a doctor will be able to diagnose it. If you do require medical attention later for an injury, it might be hard to show that it resulted from the accident. Seeing a doctor will also help your truck accident attorney in Albuquerque know how much compensation to ask for your injuries, and your visit will authoritatively provide a record of your injuries if your case goes to court.

Call The Police

Once emergency vehicles are on their way, make sure to get a police report. When the police arrive on the scene, they can file an official report detailing the events leading up to the collision. Request a copy of the accident report to keep for your records and to present as evidence if you need to go to court over the accident.

Exchange Information With The Other Party

Communicate with the truck driver and any other involved parties. Gather information such as their name, address, phone number, email address, insurance company information, driver’s license number, and employer’s name and contact information. If you do not get this data now, it can be hard to track down at a later point. Nevertheless, if you miss this step, tell your lawyer, and they may be able to get ahold of the driver.

Check For Witnesses

Find any witnesses who may have seen the events of the crash unfold. If you are not at fault, a witness may be able to corroborate what occurred in a court of law. You can collect a witness statement yourself or simply ask for their contact information if more details about the accident are needed. You may also want to check the accident report to see if the responding officer interviewed any witnesses.

Document The Scene

Try to take photos of the scene using your phone. Take pictures of your injury, property damage, marks on the street, stop signs, or anything else that your truck accident attorney may be able to use to prove that you were not at fault. Remember, it is always better to take more pictures than less; your trucking accident attorney can help narrow down what will be useful in court. In addition, documenting the scene can also include writing down what you remember about the events of the crash. It is easy to forget what actually happened, so putting it in writing immediately after the accident can be helpful.

Do Not Give a Statement or Speak to the Insurance Company

It is not uncommon for insurance adjusters to contact you or show up at the scene of the wreck to try and gather information. While they may seem friendly, they are likely just looking out for their own bottom line. Keep conversations to a minimum and say as little as possible, even to your own insurance company. You can state the facts but do not elaborate on details, as anything you say may later be used against you. This also applies to the truck driver or any witnesses to the accident. Leave it all to your Albuquerque truck accident lawyer, who is trained and experienced in this avenue.

Contact an Experienced Albuquerque Truck Accident Lawyer

Get in touch with a knowledgeable 18-wheeler accident lawyer in Albuquerque as soon as possible. A top-of-the-line truck accident lawyer, like those at Dominguez Law, will walk you through the required steps and may be able to retain the compensation you deserve following the accident.

Schedule a Free Review of Your Truck Accident with an Albuquerque Attorney

Injured truck accident victims who prevail in their case may be awarded compensation in the form of past and future medical expenses, lost income, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, and other damages. For assistance in avoiding many of the common pitfalls that plague injured victims in your shoes, look no further than the Albuquerque personal injury attorneys at Dominguez Law. Our team vigilantly protects victims after a truck wreck. We know the devastation these accidents cause, and we have successfully secured compensation for many clients through our top-of-the-line courtroom strategies.

Our trusted and compassionate team has represented clients in the Los Ranchos and Albuquerque areas with a wide range of claims. We understand the specifics of New Mexico truck accident laws and will help you achieve the best results possible based on the circumstances of your injury. Determine your next legal steps by calling our team of commercial truck accident lawyers today at 505-850-5854 or by contacting us online to set up a free appointment. Our team also speaks Spanish.