How Wrongful Deaths Occur in New Mexico 18 Wheeler Wrecks
Understanding Wrongful Deaths in New Mexico 18 Wheeler Wrecks: What are the Causes
Our Albuquerque trucking accident lawyers know that a wrongful death is the ultimate personal injury that a victim in New Mexico 18 wheeler wrecks could suffer. Unfortunately, there are many reasons why a wrongful death can occur in a big rig wreck. In fact, it is more common in tractor trailer wrecks than in any other type of collision. There are a lot of reasons why that is, but the most common and obvious reason is that large commercial trucks are big. The bigger and heavier a vehicle is, the more momentum it will gain as it moved. This is particularly true on highways and interstates like I-40, I-25, and I-10.
But the size of a large commercial truck is just one component how these large vehicles cause significant personal injuries or wrongful death in a New Mexico 18 wheeler wreck. There are many other reasons why box truck crashes are so deadly and likely to cause a wrongful death in New Mexico. These include the following main reasons:
Large Blind Spots – With such a long vehicle, there are long and multiple blind spots that all truck drivers will have to negotiate safely. However, some do not do that and make improper lane changes. When a truck driver makes an imprudent lane change at the last moment, that can result in a very serious collision with a smaller passenger vehicle which could be pulled under the truck’s wheels or rear end the tractor trailer. Particularly adding that this could occur on an interstate which makes it more deadly, the blind spots are usually incredibly dangerous.
Distractions in the Cabin – Truck drivers have a lot of distractions in the cab. This includes hand radios that are used by truckers or the employee. It also includes navigation devices to help the truck driver use the best route possible. Other devices that distract all drivers like cell phones, GPS, radio, and other objects can also cause a distraction. When a truck driver is distracted, it turns a large commercial truck into an unguided missile likely to kill an innocent person.
Difficulty and Training Required – Large tractor trailers, semi trucks, box trucks, elongated trailers, double trailers, 18 wheelers, and other big rigs are difficult to drive. Truck drivers must obtain a CDL, which requires studying and a knowledge test than skills test. There are many maneuvers which are very difficult to do. Regular skills must be kept up, and some skills which are not commonly used every day like backing up into a bay or making a very sharp turn may not be competent skills for a driver. This means that drivers need to safely practice them before they can use them on the roadway. Mistakes on the roadway can result in serious trucking wrecks.
Fatigued Driving – Time is money, and the longer it takes to make a delivery the longer it takes to get paid. But FMCSA regulations impose certain hours of service requirements wherein a truck driver must not drive more than 11 hours in a 14 hour shift, and must be off for 10 hours after a shift. This is to decrease fatigue and allow a truck driver to sleep. However, when a truck driver violates the hours of service violations, it can result in a truck driver falling asleep at the wheel. This could mean that an 18 wheeler will collide with another vehicle at full force, as the truck driver will not be awake to even brake. This is incredibly deadly and disturbing.
Families of Wrongful Death Victims from New Mexico 18 Wheeler Wrecks Should Call the NM Truck Accident Attorneys
Here at the NM Truck Accident Attorneys, we know that the wrongful death of a loved one is an incredibly difficult time. Call our compassionate and experienced Albuquerque trucking accident attorneys at the NM Truck Accident Attorneys to lear what we can do for you by dialing (505) 883-5000. You can also contact us on our website through the easy to use and convenient Contact box located by clicking here.
