What to do After a New Mexico Speeding 18 Wheeler Accident

Understanding What to do After a New Mexico Speeding 18 Wheeler Accident, Explained by our New Mexico Trucking Accident Lawyers

Nothing maybe more frustrating than being injured in a New Mexico trucking accident due to a truck driver speeding. Driving above the speed limit is against the law and, frankly, against common sense. This is because speeding increases stopping distance and decreases reaction speed resulting in a recipe for a serious accident. This is particularly true for truck drivers who can easily kill someone and in a low speed collision. Victims within seriously injured in a New Mexico speeding 18 wheeler accident have certain rights under the law to compensation. However, truck drivers and truck insurance companies will do everything in their power to make it more difficult to collect this compensation. There are certain steps what to do after a New Mexico speeding 18 wheeler accident to protect this claim for compensation.

Some of the things that a victim should do after a truck wreck include the following:

1. Call the police. Whenever you are involved in a New Mexico trucking accident, always call the police. Even in a little speed collision or a collision where you may not have suffered injury, always get law enforcement to come to the scene of an accident. This is because the police will always do a quick check to ensure that the truck driver is safely and properly operating their motor vehicle, including complying with state and federal laws or regulations. It may not be obvious whether any laws or regulations were violated, but that is because truck drivers maybe able to hide them from a layperson or truck drivers want to be in a rush to get away from the scene of the accident before someone can discover a mistake. Many times personal injuries from a trucking accident will not be immediately apparent and this is why having it documented by the police is an important step to protecting your rights should injuries appear later.
2. If you need medical help, get it. This is not the time to be a hero. If you may have been injured in any collision, even if you are not sure, get checked out by healthcare professionals. This will protect your claim for compensation later down the road because if you do not immediately go to the hospital, the insurance company will do everything in their power to underpay your claim.
3. If you’re able to, take photos of the scene of the accident. This includes taking photos of other vehicles, the intersection or area of the collision, signs or traffic control devices, and injuries if possible. Videos may also be helpful to proving your case.
4. Get witness information. If there’re other motorists around, make sure to get their information or get their license plate to contact them later. Any witnesses on the street or around the intersection or area of collision should also be contacted. Make sure to also get the information of first responders including please officers and any EMS responders.
5. Make sure to exchange information with the truck driver or have the police gather that information for you.
6. Contact a New Mexico speeding 18 wheeler accident lawyer immediately. While your first instinct might be to contact the insurance company, and it is important to file an immediate and timely claim, if you have suffered obvious and serious injuries you should always contact a lawyer to file a claim with your insurance company first. This is because the lawyer will handle a personal injury action for you, and whatever you report to your insurance company could really hurt or sometimes help your claim. This is why it is imperative to make sure you say the right things to and insurance adjuster who was trained to minimize your injuries and expand your blame. Therefore, since a personal injury lawyer will represent you for a serious trucking accident claim, you could also have a personal injury lawyer help with your insurance claim.

Contacting the Caruso Law Offices, P.C. is What to Do After a New Mexico Speeding 18 Wheeler Accident

When you or a loved one are injured by a truck driver speeding, ask our Albuquerque trucking accident lawyers how we can to help you today.  We accept cases on a contingency basis which means you only owe us money once we recover compensation in a settlement or award for you.  Call to schedule your FREE appointment with our lawyers at the Caruso Law Offices, P.C. by dialing (505) 883-5000.  

We handle causes throughout New Mexico, including Las Cruces, Santa Fe, Roswell, Cuervo, Rio Rancho, Clovis, Farmington, Hobbs, Albuquerque where our office is located, and anywhere else throughout New Mexico.  Please call to schedule for FREE appointment by dialing (505) 883-5000 or contact us through our website’s easy to use and convenient contact box available here.