Hurt in a Rear End Trucking Accident: Common Causes Explained by New Mexico 18 Wheeler Wreck Lawyer
Understanding Liability and Causes When You are Hurt in a Rear End Trucking Accident in New Mexico
Large commercial trucks like 18 wheelers, tankers, semi tractor trailers, big rigs, and other box trucks are large and heavy. This also means they are powerful and dangerous. Our New Mexico 18 wheeler wreck lawyer in Albuquerque, NM knows this to be true. Especially on fast-moving highways and interstates, like I-40, I-25, and I-10, trucking accidents can cause serious and life-threatening injuries. There are many common causes of 18 wheeler wrecks and rear end collisions are one of the most common types and causes of serious injuries after a big rig crash. While most rear end collisions can be avoidable, unfortunately far too many truck drivers fail to exercise reasonable case in the use or operation of their commercial vehicle. This means that victims who are hurt in a rear end trucking accident were likely needlessly harmed.
Victims who are needlessly harmed are likely to have a cause of action against a truck driver, trucking company, or sometimes a mechanical or repair company. Sometimes defendants could even be state, municipality, or federal entities. If you or a loved one were seriously injured or wrongfully killed in a rear end trucking accident occurred anywhere in New Mexico, ask our New Mexico 18 wheeler wreck lawyer at the Caruso Law Offices, P.C. for help with your claim. We offer a free consultation and ensure that our clients are well-protected when negligent defendants harm them.
Liability in a Rear End Trucking Accident
Generally, liability in a rear end trucking accident is clear. We all know this. When a vehicle rear ends another vehicle, the vehicle hitting from behind is going to be liable unless there is a non-negligent excuse. There rarely is when a massive tractor trailer causes the collision.
This is because New Mexico law creates certain obligations of motorists following other vehicles. One of the most obvious is under NM Stat Section 66-7-318, which governs following too closely, and provides under subdivision (A) that “[t]he driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of such vehicles and the traffic upon and the condition of the highway.” A defendant truck driver that follows too close and cannot stop is likely violating this statute. That means that liability could automatically be established through the doctrine of negligence per se.
Common Causes of Rear End Collisions
Truck drivers who cause rear end collisions in New Mexico could be negligent in so many other ways. While section 66-7-318 applies, there could be other provisions that also apply based on the conduct of the defendant. This means a victim hurt in a rear end trucking accident should ask our New Mexico trucking accident lawyers for help to prove liability.
Some of the common ways that a rear end trucking accident could be caused and therefore why it could be due to the negligence of a truck driver or trucking company include the following:
- Distracted driving like texting while driving, using the handheld radio, eating, or other distractions
- Speeding
- Drunk driving
- Drugged driving
- Fatigued driving, including falling asleep at the wheel
- Improper lane changes
- Unsafe turns
- Aggressive driving
- Inexperience
- Mechanical error, and
- Many other common causes.
Hurt in a Rear End Trucking Accident in New Mexico? Call the Caruso Law Offices, P.C. for Help
If you or a loved one were seriously injured or wrongfully killed in a rear end New Mexico trucking accident, please call our experienced New Mexico 18 wheeler wreck lawyers at the Caruso Law Offices, P.C. to learn how we can help you today. We handle cases throughout New Mexico, including in Las Cruces, Rio Rancho, Santa Fe, Roswell, Farmington, Hobbs, Lordsburg, or anywhere else in the state, including Albuquerque where our law office is located. Call the Caruso Law Offices, P.C. 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.
