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Rio Rancho Truck Accidents

Rio Rancho Truck Accidents

Rio Rancho is the largest and most populous city in Sandoval County. It also sees its fair share of trucking accidents. Due to the size and weight of semi-trucks, injuries from these accidents can range from severe to fatal.

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 truck accident attorneys at Shapiro Law Team.

How a Truck Accident Lawyer Can Change Everything

Unfortunately, many trucking companies have put regulations and safety standards on the back burner. As a result, trucking companies have fostered a climate where profit trumps the safety of others.

If you’ve been involved in a truck collision, consulting with an experienced truck collision attorney should be your top priority. Why? Hiring a truck accident lawyer not only saves you time but helps you get the compensation you deserve. After all, you’ve dealt with enough already.

Shapiro Law Team understands the complexities of truck collisions and will manage your case from start to finish.

Shapiro Law Team Proudly Represents Truck Injury Victims

You deserve to be compensated for your losses. Backed by years of experience and a proven track record—including a $2.7 million truck collision settlement—we’re ready to fight for your rights. Shapiro Law Team works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t pay us anything unless we win your case.

How We Build Your Case

Once you contact us, we’ll begin building your case from the ground up. We utilize our expansive network of trucking accident experts, including reconstructionists, biomechanical engineers, and automotive design specialists to answer 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?

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 a backlog of resources to dispute your case—and trust us, they don’t want to pay you. It’s important to remember you have rights. Protect yours by contacting Shapiro Law Team. We’ll advocate for your case and take on even the largest trucking corporations. We also consider the severity of your injuries, eyewitness accounts, and the driver’s logbook when investigating the specifics of your case.

What Should I Do After an Accident?

Make no mistake: Life won’t feel normal for a while. But Shapiro Law Team can make the legal process a lot more bearable. Even though you’re feeling a mix of emotions right now, it’s important to follow these important steps after an accident:

1. Call 911

Don’t flee the scene. Remain at the crash site, and contact law enforcement. They’ll create an official accident report—an important document that will help build your case.

2. Seek Medical Care

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

3. Take Pictures

It’s now easier than ever to share photos and videos. Use your smartphone to take pictures of all vehicles involved, including any injuries. Remember to take a few pictures of tire marks. Tire skids can help determine 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 at Shapiro Law Team.

5. Act Quickly

Black boxes aren’t just for planes. Most commercial trucks have a black box, too. But important information from this black box won’t be available forever. Collect evidence before it disappears by hiring an attorney from Shapiro Law Team.

How Can I Be Compensated After a Truck Accident?

It depends on the specifics of your accident. Here’s how it works: 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.

Insurance companies are notorious penny pinchers. They’ll most likely present a lowball offer, prioritizing their finances over your well-being. In other words, they don’t care about you. But we do.

Get Shapiro Law Team on your side. Contact us for a free consultation.

Available Compensation Types

There are three different types of compensation you could receive in New Mexico. As a trucking accident victim, you may be entitled to:

Economic Compensation

Also known as “special damages,” this type of compensation covers losses such as 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 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 at-fault party. Punitive damages are rare and not granted in most cases.

Top Causes of Truck Accidents in New Mexico

Driver Negligence

Negligence makes up the majority of trucking accidents in Rio Rancho. Whether the driver was driving while under the influence or failed to abide by traffic laws, we see a long list of causes for commercial truck accidents, including:

  • 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 trucking company’s fault or the parts manufacturer’s fault. Regardless, common issues of truck failure include operational problems and malfunctions that result in unsafe driving.

Most Common Truck Accident Injuries

Commercial trucks are some of the heaviest vehicles on the road—and due to their size, a lot can go wrong. At Shapiro Law Team, our lawyers continue to help New Mexico truck accident victims who have sustained 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. Our Rio Rancho lawyers help those who have suffered emotional or psychological trauma as a result of a trucking accident. These injuries can often be just as serious as physical injuries and may last a lifetime.

What About Wrongful Death Lawsuits?

The pain of losing a loved one is unbearable. If your family has suffered such a loss, our team employs wrongful death lawyers who offer compassionate assistance while we navigate the legalities of your case.

How Often Do Truck Accidents Occur?

Too often.

Thousands of trucking accidents happen every year, often occurring on major highways and expressways where cargo is commonly transported. 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

If you or a loved one has been in a trucking accident, time is of the essence. Shapiro Law Team is here to provide superior representation and help you secure maximum compensation. Let’s turn your life around starting today. Begin building your case by contacting New Mexico’s trusted trucking accident lawyer to get started with a free consultation.

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