Santa Fe Truck Accident Lawyer

Santa Fe has experienced staggering growth over the last ten years. Unfortunately, an increase in the number of commercial truck accidents has accompanied all the new development and expansion.

Truck accidents on I-25, Cerrillos Road, the Old Las Vegas Highway, or any other Santa road or highway can leave truck accident victims with devastating injuries and overwhelming challenges. If you or someone you love has suffered due to a truck accident, you deserve a strong advocate to help you fight for justice and the compensation you deserve to rebuild your life.

A Santa Fe truck accident lawyer with Bailey & Galyen can help you achieve that. We provide compassionate legal guidance and aggressive legal representation to obtain the best possible results. With decades of experience in personal injury law, we’re committed to helping you and your family recover physically, emotionally, and financially after a life-altering accident.

Schedule A Free Consultation Today!

Santa Fe Truck Accident Guide

Why Choose Bailey & Galyen for Your Santa Fe Truck Accident Case?

Choosing the right legal team to represent you after a Santa Fe truck accident is the key to achieving a successful outcome. At Bailey & Galyen, we understand the unique challenges truck accident cases pose, and we aim to achieve the best possible outcome for you. We offer our clients:

  • Proven Results: With over 40 years of experience, our firm has a long history of obtaining life-changing settlements and verdicts in personal injury cases.
  • Commitment to Clients: We prioritize your needs, offering 24/7 availability.
  • Se habla español: We offer Spanish-language support to ensure language is never a barrier to justice.
  • Personal Attention: From your first consultation through resolution of your case, you’ll receive dedicated, empathetic support tailored to your situation.
  • Free Consultations: We provide a free case review to evaluate your claim and outline your options without obligation.
  • Extensive Resources: Our team has the tools and connections to investigate truck accidents thoroughly and build a strong case.
  • 5-Star Reputation: With nearly 1,000 5-star Google reviews, we strive for 100% client satisfaction.
  • No Fee Unless We Win: We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay unless we secure compensation for you.

Why Are Truck Accidents So Deadly?

Truck accidents are far more dangerous than car accidents because of the sheer size and weight of commercial vehicles. Fully loaded trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, compared to an average passenger car that weighs about 3,000 pounds. The force of impact in a collision with such a massive vehicle can result in catastrophic injuries or death.

St. Francis Drive, Highway 599, Cerrillos Road, St. Michael’s Drive, and I-25 are just some of the roads and highways in and around Santa Fe that are heavily traveled by commercial trucks. As truck traffic continues to grow in the Land of Enchantment, so do the risks.

In one recent year, the number of truck crashes in New Mexico soared to 3,235—the highest level in over a decade. Eighty-three people were killed in New Mexico truck crashes in the same year, and more than 500 people were injured, including 127 people who suffered serious and catastrophic injuries.

According to a recent University of New Mexico crash report, heavy trucks were involved in 7.9% of crashes statewide but accounted for 17.8% of all fatalities.

Truck accidents often leave victims facing years of recovery, mounting medical bills, and emotional trauma. If you or a loved one were injured in a Santa Fe truck crash, Bailey & Galyen’s award-winning team of truck accident lawyers can help you move forward with hope for the future.

What Are the Leading Causes of Truck Accidents in Santa Fe?

Santa Fe truck accidents are often the result of preventable errors or failures by drivers, trucking companies, or other parties. Identifying the root cause or causes of a truck accident is key to holding the responsible parties accountable and pursuing fair compensation for your damages and losses.

The top causes of truck accidents in Santa Fe are:

  • Driver Error: This includes fatigue, distracted driving, speeding, traffic violations, failure to compensate for weather and road conditions, and driving under the influence.
  • Poor maintenance: Accidents often result from neglected brake inspections, worn tire treads, or malfunctioning lights that compromise a truck’s safety.
  • Improper loading: Overloaded or unbalanced cargo can destabilize a truck, making it harder to control and increasing the likelihood of rollovers or other crashes.
  • Road hazards: Potholes, uneven pavement, or poorly marked construction zones can disrupt a truck’s path and contribute to collisions.

Each of these factors could indicate negligence on the part of the driver, the trucking company, or another responsible party. A thorough investigation is critical to identifying the cause and holding the right party accountable.

Different Types of Truck Accidents

Truck accidents occur in various ways, and the nature of a crash often influences the severity of the damage and resulting injuries. Each type of accident brings specific risks and challenges when pursuing compensation.

Common types of truck accidents include:

  • Jackknife accidents: Jackknife crashes occur when a truck’s trailer swings out of alignment with the cab, forming a sharp angle that can block traffic and cause additional collisions, including side underride crashes.
  • Rollover accidents: Trucks can tip over due to high speeds, overcorrection on wet or icy roads, improperly balanced loads, or sharp turns, creating hazards for surrounding vehicles.
  • Underride collisions: Smaller vehicles can slide under a truck’s trailer during a collision, often causing the occupants of the smaller vehicle to suffer catastrophic injuries or fatalities.
  • Override collisions: Overrides occur when a truck runs over the top of a smaller vehicle, either because the truck driver fails to stop in time or because the smaller vehicle is trapped in the truck’s path.
  • Rear-end collisions: Trucks require a longer stopping distance than passenger vehicles, and failing to stop in time can result in serious rear-end crashes.
  • Tire blowouts: A sudden tire failure can cause the driver to lose control of the truck, leading to accidents that may involve other vehicles.
  • Wide-turn accidents: Trucks making improper or miscalculated wide turns can collide with vehicles in adjacent lanes or pedestrians nearby.

Every truck accident requires thorough investigation and evidence, such as black box data, hours-of-service and maintenance logs, and witness statements, to determine liability. Properly identifying the type of accident and the contributing factors strengthens your case and helps hold all responsible parties accountable.

Common Types of Truck Accident Injuries

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The violent forces generated in truck collisions often cause severe injuries that can alter a victim’s life forever. These injuries often require extensive medical treatment and long-term care. Nearly one hundred people have died in New Mexico truck accidents annually in recent years, while hundreds have been left with debilitating long-term or permanent injuries.

Some of the most common injuries associated with truck crashes include:

  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs): Motor vehicle collisions, including 18-wheeler crashes, are a leading cause of traumatic brain injuries. TBIs can result in cognitive impairment, memory loss, permanent disability, and other serious impairments.
  • Spinal cord injuries: Spinal cord injuries can result in paralysis or significant loss of mobility, often requiring extensive medical care, rehabilitation, and lifelong support to manage the physical and emotional challenges.
  • Internal injuries: The force of impact in a truck accident can cause damage to vital organs, such as the liver, spleen, or lungs, leading to life-threatening conditions that demand immediate and ongoing medical attention.
  • Broken bones: Fractures sustained in a collision can range from simple breaks to complex injuries requiring multiple surgeries, physical therapy, and prolonged recovery periods, potentially causing lasting physical limitations.
  • Burns: Fires or explosions caused by truck accidents can result in severe burns that often require painful treatments, such as skin grafts and reconstructive surgeries, as well as long-term care for physical and emotional scars.
  • Amputations: The severe trauma of a truck crash can lead to the loss of limbs, significantly altering a person’s life and necessitating prosthetics, rehabilitation, and adjustments to daily living.
  • Death: Tragically, the extreme force and severity of truck accidents can lead to fatalities, leaving families grappling with the emotional and financial aftermath of losing a loved one.

The physical pain and emotional trauma of your injuries, or the grief of losing a loved one, cannot be overstated and should never be undervalued. Call Bailey & Galyen today to talk to a Santa Fe truck accident attorney if your life has been turned upside down by a negligent truck driver.

Do I Have a Truck Accident Claim?

Determining whether you have a valid truck accident claim depends on proving negligence. To succeed, your lawyer must establish four key elements in your case:

  1. Duty of Care: The truck driver or another party had a legal obligation to drive or operate responsibly.
  2. Breach of Duty: The at-fault party failed to uphold this responsibility.
  3. Causation: Their actions directly caused the accident and your injuries.
  4. Damages: You suffered damages and losses, such as medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering.

Proving these elements requires solid evidence, including police reports, medical records, and often, expert testimony. A Santa Fe truck accident lawyer can help gather and present the evidence necessary to build a case and pursue maximum compensation.

Leave the Insurance Companies to Us

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Insurance companies often prioritize protecting their bottom line over fairly compensating victims. They may use tactics like denying liability, delaying claims, or offering lowball settlements to save money.

Facing these challenges without legal representation can be overwhelming, especially while recovering from a serious injury. A knowledgeable lawyer from Bailey & Galyen can handle negotiations, ensuring you’re not taken advantage of by aggressive insurance adjusters.

Who May Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident Case?

Truck accidents often involve more than just the driver. Liability can extend to multiple parties, each contributing in different ways to the conditions that led to the crash. Identifying all responsible parties is critical to helping victims receive full and fair compensation.

Parties liable for a truck accident may include:

  • The truck driver: Truck driver negligence might include speeding; violating traffic signs, signals, and rules; driving while distracted; and operating under the influence.
  • The trucking company: Employers may be responsible for hiring unqualified drivers, failing to provide adequate training, neglecting routine vehicle maintenance, or pushing drivers to complete deliveries past their legal limits, all of which increase the risk of an accident.
  • Truck and parts manufacturers: Defective brakes, tires, steering mechanisms, trailer hitches, and other vehicle components can cause or contribute to truck accidents. When they do, manufacturers may be held liable for an accident.
  • Cargo loaders: Improperly secured or overloaded cargo can destabilize a truck, leading to rollovers or cargo spills that cause collisions.
  • Government entities: Poorly maintained roads, such as those with potholes, uneven surfaces, or missing signage, can also contribute to accidents, placing responsibility on the agencies tasked with maintaining public infrastructure.

Determining who is at fault requires careful analysis of evidence, including driver logs, maintenance records, and accident reconstruction reports. An experienced attorney can ensure no responsible party is overlooked, giving you the best chance of holding all liable entities accountable and maximizing your recovery.

What Compensation Is Available to Truck Accident Victims?

Working with your truck accident attorney to determine the full scope and value of your damages and losses is a critical part of the claims process. While every case is different, some of the most common damages claimed in truck accidents include:

  • Medical Expenses: Current and future medical costs related to your injuries
  • Lost Income: Wages lost during recovery and reduced earning capacity
  • Pain and Suffering: Compensation for physical and emotional trauma
  • Property Damage: Reimbursement for repair or replacement of your vehicle
  • Wrongful Death Damages: Applicable in cases where a loved one was lost due to the accident

Don’t rely on insurance companies to do the right thing and honor your claim after a truck accident. They won’t. An experienced Santa Fe truck accident attorney can thoroughly evaluate your claim and fight for maximum compensation.

Is There a Deadline for Filing a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Santa Fe?

New Mexico’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases is generally three years from the date of the accident. However, exceptions may apply, such as cases involving minors or government entities.

Failing to file within the deadline can jeopardize your ability to recover compensation. Consulting a lawyer as soon as possible helps protect your rights and ensures your case is filed on time.

How Can a Lawyer Help With My Santa Fe Truck Accident Case?

Truck accident cases are complex because they involve complex rules and regulations, industry standards, and, potentially, a number of parties. They also require detailed investigation, a mastery of trucking regulations, and experience. A lawyer can assist by:

  • Conducting a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the accident
  • Identifying all liable parties, including drivers, companies, and manufacturers
  • Building a solid case for your maximum compensation
  • Gathering evidence, such as black box data and driver logs
  • Negotiating with insurance companies to secure a fair settlement
  • Taking your case to court if insurance adjusters try to stop you from getting a fair deal

When you hire Bailey & Galyen for your Santa Fe truck accident claim, your fight becomes our fight. Leave your legal battles to us so you can focus on recovering and moving forward.

Contact the Santa Fe Truck Accident Lawyers at Bailey & Galyen Today

Phillip Galyen, Attorney for Personal Injury in Springdale, AR

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. Trucking companies normally have an army of lawyers and insurance adjusters fighting for them. Santa Fe personal injury lawyers will level the playing field so that you have the best possible shot at obtaining the compensation you deserve.

Call us today at (844) 402-2992 to schedule a free consultation with a compassionate and dedicated Santa Fe truck accident lawyer, or use our easy online contact form. The Bailey & Galyen staff is here for you 24/7 to answer your questions or discuss your concerns. Call today.

Bailey & Galyen Attorneys at Law – Santa Fe Office

150 Washington Ave #201
Santa Fe, NM 87501

Phone: 505-524-2646