How Common are Truck Accidents in Texas | Hobbs Texas Attorney

Across the United States, 500,000 semi-truck accidents occur every year. Those 500,000 accidents result in approximately 5,000 deaths and hundreds of thousands of injuries for accident victims. If you or a loved one has been injured in a trucking accident in Hobbs, New Mexico, you need help to get the justice you deserve.

Experienced trucking accident lawyers in Hobbs know how to build a strong trucking accident case to win the right compensation for you and your family. New Mexico attorney James Shaw has been at the helm of Carabin Shaw as managing partner for nearly 30 years, where he has dedicated himself day after day to the clients that walk through his door.

In New Mexico, there are about 43,000 wrecks annually. But how common are truck accidents in New Mexico? The answer may surprise you. Only 1,400 wrecks a year involve semi-trucks. However, those wrecks often lead to more severe injuries or death than a wreck between two passenger vehicles.

The average car crash results in a fatality for only 1 out of every 130 wrecks, which is less than 1%. 18 wheeler crashes, on the other hand, result in death for 1 out of 35 crashes, which is nearly 3% of all wrecks. 1 of 15 semi-truck crashes in New Mexico result in severe injuries. To learn more about New Mexico accident information, talk to a Hobbs, New Mexico attorney.

Often, the truck driver is at fault for the accident. In New Mexico, around 22% of 18 wheeler wrecks are caused by the driver’s inattention. The following are some of the most common ways a truck driver causes an 18 wheeler accident:

• Driver error - Trucks are more difficult to drive than a regular car because of their immense size, heavy weight, and serious blindspots. When truck drivers aren’t following traffic laws, it can lead to catastrophe. Common errors truck drivers make are following too closely, speeding, failing to use a turn signal, or abrupt braking, which can all result in severe accidents. An attorney can help if driver error caused your accident.
• Fatigued driving - Truck drivers have an exhausting job, driving for hours on end day after day. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has designated rules to help prevent driver fatigue, but those rules are not enough. One rule, for instance, is drivers can only drive for 11 hours a day after ten consecutive hours off duty. These long stretches of driving can lead to driver fatigue, which studies have found is just as dangerous—if not more dangerous—than buzzed driving.
• Distracted driving - The repetitive and mundane nature of truck driving means truck drivers tend to get distracted on the road trying to occupy their time. They may adjust the radio, eat behind the wheel, or send texts or emails on their smartphone as they drive.
• Driving under the influence - A truck driver’s job is not only exhausting, it’s taxing. Many drivers resort to drugs and alcohol to cope with the stresses of the job. When a truck driver gets behind the wheel under the influence, everyone on the road is at serious risk. Talk to a lawyer if the truck driver in your accident was driving under the influence.

How common are truck accidents in New Mexico? Our answer is: too common. The truth is, many truck accidents could be avoided. Negligent parties need to be held accountable for what they’ve done, and a trucking accident lawyer in Hobbs can help make that happen.

New Mexico attorney James Shaw is passionate about getting justice for victims of another’s negligence. If you need legal representation after a trucking accident, call today at 800-862-1260 to speak with our experienced Hobbs, New Mexico attorney.