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Commercial vehicles like 18-wheelers and tractor trailers can be found all over New Mexico highways. Operating a passenger vehicle around these trucks is stressful for other motorists, and professional drivers must take the proper precautions to ensure safety is a priority. Careless behavior often leads to accidents, which can impact multiple drivers and cause serious injuries.
At Roybal-Mack & Cordova, PC, we’ve seen first hand the havoc wreaked by negligent truck drivers. We also understand that trucking companies have a lot of legal and financial resources at their disposal, which makes it hard for accident victims to get a fair shake when it comes to the settlement. That’s why our dedicated attorneys provide personalized attention to each and every case, no matter how complex.
Driving a big rig or 18-wheeler is nothing like operating your standard passenger vehicle. Under optimum highway conditions, a fully loaded truck traveling at highway speeds takes almost two football field lengths of road to come to a complete stop. This becomes even greater when you add in things like inclement weather or driver distraction.
There are also massive size disparities between commercial trucks and passenger vehicles. A commercial truck can weigh up to 40 tons or more. These vehicles also have a higher center of gravity, which means they’re more vulnerable to roll overs. Additionally, the ample ground clearance makes it easy for smaller vehicles to become lodged under a truck during accidents.
Due to the above risks, commercial truck drivers must make every effort to drive safely when on the road. Hours of service regulations are in place to prevent drivers from logging too many miles and possibly driving fatigued. Fatigued driving causes a similar effect to drunk driving, such as impaired thinking and slow judgement time. As a result, it can also lead to deadly accidents.
Laws regarding driving under the influence are also harsher for commercial drivers. While the legal limit for drivers is .08% blood alcohol content (BAC), a commercial vehicle operator must be below .04% BAC. This illustrates the responsibility a commercial driver takes on when getting behind the wheel.
Our auto accident attorneys are poised and ready to help accident victims in Santa Fe pursue justice. We have extensive experience with auto accident cases, including those involving multiple vehicles or those causing serious injuries like spinal trauma. We’ll help you compile compelling evidence to establish fault, while also determine the appropriate amount of damages to aid in your recovery. Keep in mind that the first offer from an insurance company might not be the best option for you.
If you’d like to schedule a consultation with a truck accident attorney at Roybal-Mack & Cordova, PC, please call 505.832.3411 today. You can also learn more about auto accident litigation by visiting us online.
Call us to interview our Albuquerque-based team and take the legal action required to move towards a better future.
Roybal-Mack & Cordova, P.C.
6700 Jefferson St NE suite A3
Albuquerque, NM 87109
Phone: 505-288-3500
M-F 8am – 5pm