New Mexico Trucking Collisions | Trucking Company Negligence

When you’re on the highways in Albuquerque, you’re bound to come across 18 wheelers. Although big rigs are a vital part of the economy, they pose a serious threat to drivers on the road. Their size in comparison to passenger vehicles makes them especially dangerous.

Most people would assume that when an 18 wheeler causes an accident, the driver is at fault. However, 18 wheeler accidents are more complex than regular car wrecks because multiple parties are potentially liable depending on your circumstances. If you or a loved one has been involved in a wreck with an 18 wheeler, you need a trucking accident lawyer in Albuquerque to review your case. New Mexico attorney James Shaw has decades of experience helping 18 wheeler accident victims like yourself get the justice they deserve.

Aside from the fault of the truck driver, one of the main causes of 18 wheeler accidents is trucking company negligence. Below are some of the most common examples of trucking company negligence:

● Negligent training and supervision

• Trucking companies are obligated to properly train new employees to ensure they drive safely on the road. If they don’t, it can have serious consequences. Often, trucking companies will cut corners to save money and time, forcing new drivers onto the road before they’re ready. If you believe your accident was the result of negligent training, talk to a lawyer.

● Negligent hiring

• When trucking companies are hiring new truck drivers, they’re required to take reasonable steps to make sure the drivers are properly trained, qualified, and attentive. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has strict guidelines on the steps trucking companies must take when hiring a new employee.
• They should look at the potential hiree’s safety records and performance history for the previous three years, conduct drug and alcohol tests, and review information from each state the candidate holds a commercial driver’s license in for the previous three years.
• Negligent maintenance
• Big rigs have many moving parts that need routine maintenance. Tires need to be properly inflated and replaced if necessary, lights and reflective tape should be checked regularly, and underride guards should be regularly inspected to ensure no passenger vehicle can slide under the bed of the 18 wheeler. The list goes on.
• The FMCSA has regulations for how often trucks need to undergo maintenance to keep them in top shape. However, companies sometimes neglect these rules. When this neglect leads to New Mexico trucking collisions, they can be held responsible.

● Negligent loading

• Because trucks have very specific weight limits, overloaded trucks can cause disasters on the road. Additionally, if cargo is not properly secured, it could fall off the truck, which may have serious consequences. If negligent loading caused your accident, consult an attorney.

When you’re filing a lawsuit against a trucking company, the endgame is to win compensation for the damages you’ve suffered. Damages are divided into two categories: economic and non-economic damages. Costs like medical bills and lost wages are considered economic damages because they have a straightforward dollar value. Pain and suffering, on the other hand, would be an example of a non-economic damage.

If you’ve been injured in an 18 wheeler accident, you and your trucking accident lawyer in Albuquerque will want to pursue both economic and non-economic damages. The types of damages that may apply to your case are as follows:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium
• Funerary costs

New Mexico trucking collisions are tragic. If you’ve been a victim of trucking company negligence, you should talk to New Mexico attorney James Shaw. He always puts his clients first, and will do what it takes to fight trucking companies and get what’s right for the victims he represents. Call today at 800-862-1260 for a free consultation.