Causes of Wrongful Death: New Mexico Trucking Accident Lawyer
Understanding the Causes of Wrongful Death in 18 Wheeler Wrecks: New Mexico Trucking Accident Lawyer Explains
The recent New Mexico greyhound bus crash just weeks ago has highlighted in the media some important and deadly risks of large commercial trucks like 18 wheelers, big rigs, semi tractor trailers, and tankers. It is now reported that 9 people have lost their lives in this bus crash on I-40, with almost another 30 being injured. The initial cause of the Thoreau, N.M. crash has been identified as a front, driver’s side tire blowout. We all know how large and powerful buses can be, but the photographs of the crash just depict how a semi tractor trailer could compress and rip through a large bus. Our New Mexico trucking accident lawyer explains what other common causes of wrongful death truck crashes that could be due to negligence.
Common Causes of Wrongful Death from 18 Wheeler Wrecks
Here at the NM Truck Accident Attorneys, we have built a law practice on handling catastrophic trucking accidents in New Mexico and in California, where many of the victims on the Greyhound bus were from. We have seen some of the worst cases of negligence which resulted in the wrongful death of one or more people in a single truck crash. Some of the most common causes of wrongful death in an 18 wheeler wreck include the following:
- FMCSA violations – The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has enacted some very stringent regulations which govern the conduct of commercial truck drivers throughout the United States. When there is a violation, it could result in catastrophic big rig crashes. In the Thoreau Greyhound bus crash, it is likely that there could be FMCSA violations relating to the tires and maintenance or inspections of those tires to ensure they are working properly and not about to fail.
- Hours of Service Violations – Also part of the FMCSA, but also a part of negligence and New Mexico law, commercial truck drivers are prohibiting from driving more than an allotted time per day and per week. This includes being on a shift for no more than 14 hours and driving no more than 10 hours on such shift, and then having 10 hours completely off call after a shift has ended.
- Speeding – Violating New Mexico speed laws is dangerous for everyone, but when you are violating these speed laws when you are in a massive truck, you are acting downright negligent. This is because speeding in a large commercial truck builds significant momentum which is magnified by the heavy weight of the vehicle. This could turn a truck into an explosive force with whatever it collides with.
- Distracted Driving – Distracted driving is one of the most dangerous and deadly causes of motor vehicle accident and large truck crashes. For a truck driver, this could include using a GPS, hand radio, cell phone to text, cell phone to call, tablet or PC, using a map, or looking at delivery instructions or addresses.
Wrongful Death Victims of New Mexico 18 Wheeler Wrecks Should Call the NM Truck Accident Attorneys
There are all many possible causes of truck driver and trucking company negligence which could result in the wrongful death of an innocent person. If this happens to you, trust in our experienced New Mexico trucking accident lawyer to use New Mexico’s wrongful death laws to help recover the compensation your family deserves. This includes minor crashes or single person deaths, but also major collisions such as the tragic Greyhound bus crash a few weeks ago. Call the NM Truck Accident Attorneys by dialing (505) 883-5000 to learn how we can help. You can also contact us on our website through the easy to use and convenient Contact box located by clicking here.
