chat text
Las Cruces Truck Accident Lawyer

Las Cruces Truck Accident Lawyer

Each year, commercial trucks contribute to numerous car crashes. While they play a vital role in our economy, their size and weight pose significant risks in the event of an accident. Victims of trucking accidents often face catastrophic, and sometimes fatal, injuries.

Unfortunately, lazy trucking regulations and a reluctance to enforce stricter safety standards have fostered a climate where profits take precedence over safety. If you or a loved one has suffered from a trucking accident, seek help as soon as possible. Get the representation you deserve by reaching out to the personal injury attorneys at Shapiro Law Team.

Why You Need to Hire a Las Cruces Truck Accident Lawyer

Truck accidents are seldom minor crashes. Collisions caused by semi-trucks and 18-wheelers frequently result in severe injuries and even fatalities.

If you’ve been involved in a trucking accident, talking to an experienced truck accident attorney should be at the top of your to-do list. Shapiro Law Team understands the implications surrounding truck accidents and will handle your case from start to finish.

Shapiro Law Team Proudly Represents Truck Injury Victims

The Las Cruces truck accident lawyers will proudly help you with your case. Backed by years of experience and a proven track record, including a $2.7 million truck collision settlement, we’re ready to fight for maximum compensation. Our firm operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning if we don’t win, you won’t pay us a dime.

How Shapiro Law Team Builds Your Case

Upon contacting us, we will quickly begin investigating the specifics of your crash. By leveraging our network of trucking accident experts, including reconstructionists, biomechanical engineers, and automotive design specialists, we will explore tough questions like:

  • Was the truck driver properly licensed and trained?
  • Was the truck driver observing safety protocols such as not exceeding their maximum hours?
  • Was the truck driver speeding to meet delivery deadlines imposed by the company?
  • Was the truck properly maintained and were safety checks regularly conducted?
  • Was the truck driver under the influence of alcohol?
  • Was the truck driver under the influence of prescription drugs?
  • Were the truck’s tires unsafe or defective?
  • Did the truck have improper reflectors?
  • Was the truck’s load unsecured or improperly mounted?
  • Did the truck driver make an aggressive maneuver such as an unsafe lane change?

We also consider the severity of your injuries, eyewitness accounts, and the driver’s logbook.

When Is the Trucking Company Held Liable?

A trucking company may be held liable in the event of:

  • Broken Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rules
  • Broken general traffic laws
  • Poor fleet and vehicle maintenance
  • Unsafe cargo loading
  • Lack of proper securement of hazardous cargo
  • Dangerous hiring or training procedures
  • Hiring unlicensed or incompetent drivers
  • Pressuring drivers to meet deadlines
  • Broken hours of service regulations
  • Truck driver negligence or recklessness

Trucking companies have plenty of resources to dispute accident claims—and trust us, they don’t want to pay you. Remember that you have rights. Safeguard your rights by contacting Shapiro Law Team. We’ll advocate for your case and take on even the largest trucking corporations.

What You Should Do After a Truck Accident

Life won’t feel normal following a truck accident, but Shapiro Law Team can make the legal process a lot more bearable. Even though you’re feeling stressed and overwhelmed, it’s important to take the necessary steps after a trucking accident:

1. Call 911

Stay at the scene and contact law enforcement to create an official crash report. An official report is a vital document that will help build your case.

2. Seek Medical Care

If injuries were sustained by you, your passengers, or the truck driver, request immediate medical attention—even for minor injuries. Injuries that seem small could turn into life-threatening medical issues.

3. Take Pictures

Use your smartphone to take pictures of all vehicles involved, including any injuries. Also, snap a few shots of tire marks—these can play a part in determining liability.

4. Call an Insurance Company

Report the accident to the at-fault party’s insurance company. However, don’t engage in claim negotiations until consulting with an attorney.

5. Act Quickly

Most commercial trucks have black boxes, just like planes do. But important information from the truck’s black box won’t be available forever. Hire an attorney to begin collecting evidence before this information disappears forever.

How Can I Be Compensated After a Truck Accident?

Your compensation depends on your case information. If you were at fault for a trucking accident, you’ll rely on your health insurance for compensation. If the crash wasn’t your fault, you may get compensation from the at-fault party’s insurance company or the trucking company.

Keep in mind that insurance companies often try to minimize payouts. They may present a lowball offer, prioritizing their finances over your well-being. In other words, they don’t care about you. But we do. Contact Shapiro Law Team for a free consultation so you always have someone on your side.

Available Compensation Types

In New Mexico, there are three different types of compensation you could receive. As a trucking accident victim, you may be entitled to the following:

Economic Compensation

Also known as “special damages,” this type of compensation covers quantifiable losses, including medical bills, lost wages, property damage costs, and other out-of-pocket expenses.

Non-Economic Compensation

Referred to as “general damages,” this type of compensation makes up for losses that lack economic value, such as the loss of enjoyment of life, emotional and psychological damage, pain and suffering, and trauma.

Punitive Damages

Also known as “exemplary damages,” punitive damages are awarded not to compensate the victim but to punish the negligent party. Punitive damages are rare and not granted in most cases.

Top Causes of Truck Accidents in New Mexico

Driver Negligence

Negligence makes up most trucking accidents in Las Cruces. Whether the driver was operating their truck while under the influence or failed to abide by traffic laws, we see a long list of causes for semi-truck collisions:

  • Operating while impaired by alcohol or drugs
  • Operating while distracted by a phone or another device
  • Disregarding FMCSA hours of service requirements
  • Purposely overloading the truck
  • Failing to follow traffic laws
  • Operating too fast for conditions

Truck Company Negligence

Trucking companies can be considered negligent for the following reasons:

  • Failure to regularly inspect and maintain trucks
  • Failure to maintain a certain amount of cargo
  • Failure to properly train the truck driver

Truck Failure

Finally, trucks may fail. Truck failure could be either the truck company’s fault or the parts manufacturer’s fault. Common problems include operational failures and malfunctions that result in hazardous driving.

Most Common Truck Accident Injuries

Semi-trucks are some of the heaviest vehicles on the road. Due to their sheer size and weight, a lot can go wrong. At Shapiro Law Team, our lawyers continue to help Las Cruces truck accident victims who have experienced the following injuries:

  • Spinal cord injuries (often causing paralysis)
  • Other severe back or neck injuries
  • Devastating soft tissue injuries
  • Severe lacerations or puncture wounds
  • Amputations
  • Crush injuries
  • Broken or dislocated bones
  • Internal organ damage
  • Internal bleeding
  • Significant scarring and disfigurement

Not all injuries are visible. In addition to physical injuries, our Las Cruces lawyers help those who have suffered emotional or psychological trauma. These injuries can often be just as serious as physical injuries and usually come with long-lasting or even lifelong effects.

What About Wrongful Death Lawsuits?

Losing a loved one due to a trucking collision is a harrowing experience. If your family has suffered such a loss, Shapiro Law Team employs expert wrongful death lawyers who offer compassionate assistance while navigating the legal complexities during this challenging time.

How Often Do Truck Accidents Occur?

We take a risk every day when we get behind the wheel. That’s because thousands of trucking accidents happen every year, often occurring on major highways and expressways. According to recent reports, the United States saw 166,853 accidents involving large trucks. Of that number, 99,600 were semi-trucks. In the same year, 72,137 of those involved in a trucking collision were injured.

In a Trucking Accident? Contact Shapiro Law Team

You already have enough on your plate, and self-representation during your truck claim shouldn’t be on it. Shapiro Law Team is here to provide superior representation and help you secure maximum compensation. Let’s turn your life around starting today. Contact New Mexico’s trusted trucking accident lawyer to get started with a free consultation.
Call for a Free Consultation

Free Consultation

  • All fields required *
  • Hidden
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
  • Hidden
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.