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Carlsbad 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer
Experienced 18-Wheeler Accident Attorney in Carlsbad
Collisions with 18-wheelers can have devastating consequences, such as catastrophic and disabling injuries or even death. An Carlsbad 18-wheeler accident lawyer can help you file a personal injury claim or a wrongful death claim to hold negligent companies and drivers accountable. These claims can’t fix your loss but can provide closure and the financial support you need to move forward.
Hire an 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer at Egolf + Ferlic + Martinez, LLC.
You need empathetic and dedicated legal representation after an 18-wheeler accident. The attorneys at Egolf + Ferlic + Martinez, LLC have decades of collective experience and provide compassionate and fierce legal support. We have a deep understanding of these complex accident cases.
Our team prides itself on having the resources and experience of a large firm but the personalized guidance of a small firm. Let us help you navigate the aftermath of this accident.
The Complex Issues of 18-Wheeler Accidents
From 2016 to 2020, there were 741 vehicle accidents involving heavy trucks in Carlsbad, according to the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT).
US 62 and US 285 intersect in Carlsbad, and both are significant routes in the freight network of New Mexico. Combined, these routes have 159.94 miles of road in the state. The higher number of commercial trucks and 18-wheelers on these roads increases the risk of 18-wheeler accidents.
Accidents involving 18-wheelers are more complex compared to other types of accidents. This is for many reasons, including:
- Crash severity. Collisions with 18-wheelers are more likely to cause catastrophic injuries and death compared to other crashes. According to the NMDOT, heavy trucks were involved in 13.9% of fatal accidents. These cases require more compensation, which can be hard to secure.
- Commercial insurance companies. In some collisions with 18-wheelers, claims are filed against a commercial company. These claims are handled by the company’s commercial insurer. Commercial insurance policies usually have higher coverage limits, which can make it simpler to recover full compensation. However, it is also harder to get the damages you are owed. Commercial insurers have more resources to undermine and avoid paying fair claims.
- Regulations. Commercial trucks have to follow state and federal regulations, addressing issues like employee hours of service, driver licenses, maintenance and truck repairs, load capacities, and how trucks are inspected. If these regulations are not followed, it increases the risk of an accident. It also points to the liable party in the accident.
It’s crucial that you get the support of an attorney who provides compassion and competence in your legal representation.
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What Are Common Causes of 18-Wheeler Accidents in Carlsbad?
Most often, a negligent driver is to blame for a crash. However, there are many people and companies who are responsible for putting 18-wheelers on the road, and any of them might have acted negligently and caused an accident. 18-wheeler accidents can be caused by:
- Fatigued drivers. This is much more likely to occur if drivers ignore or are encouraged to ignore the federal regulations for rest breaks.
- Poorly loaded cargo. A third-party shipping or loading company may be liable for overloading a vehicle, loading the cargo with improper weighting, or failing to secure it properly, when these errors cause an accident.
- Insufficient maintenance. Federal regulations require regular inspection and maintenance of trucks. Companies that fail to do this, inspectors that do not report issues, or mechanics that provide poor maintenance might be liable.
- Mechanical failures. The failure of truck or car parts can be caused by a lack of maintenance, but it can also be caused by unreasonably dangerous and defective vehicle parts.
Multiple parties might be liable for these accidents, which makes claims more complex. It takes a thorough investigation to compile evidence to hold the at-fault party or parties liable.
FAQs
How Much Are Most Truck Accident Settlements in Carlsbad?
Most truck accident settlements in Carlsbad are high in value compared to the settlements of other vehicle accidents. This is because these accidents, on average, result in more severe and catastrophic injuries.
However, every case is unique. Your settlement depends on your specific injuries and resulting economic and non-economic damages. It also relies on whether you hire an 18-wheeler accident lawyer. The resources and experience of an attorney make you more likely to recover full and fair compensation.
What Shouldn’t You Say to the Insurance Adjuster?
You shouldn’t admit fault to an insurance adjuster or even provide a statement without an attorney. If it is your insurance company, only provide the basic information needed to report the accident and wait to provide a statement. If it is the insurance company of the at-fault party in the collision, avoid talking with them at all until you have an attorney. These insurance adjusters will use whatever you say to try to undermine your injuries and your claim.
What Is the Three-Collision Rule?
The three-collision rule refers to the fact that there are three collisions when a vehicle accident happens. First, there is the collision between the vehicle and another vehicle or object, then, there is the collision of the driver and passengers against the inside of the vehicle. Finally, there is a collision of organs against the interior of the human body.
Accidents like 18-wheeler accidents are more likely to result in severe injuries because they increase the severity of these collisions.
How Long Does It Take to Settle an 18-Wheeler Accident in New Mexico?
The time it takes to settle an 18-wheeler accident in New Mexico depends on many factors, and each case has its own timeline. Settlements are generally faster than cases that are litigated, although litigation can be needed to recover full compensation.
A timeline for a settlement depends on a number of factors, including the severity of your injuries, the time it takes you to reach maximum medical improvement, how much investigation your case requires, and whether there are disputes of liability.
Carlsbad 18-Wheeler Accident Attorney
It is devastating to deal with the consequences of an 18-wheeler accident, but you don’t have to navigate a claim alone. Reach out to Egolf + Ferlic + Martinez, LLC to learn how we can help.
We Can Help You Obtain Justice
With our main office in Santa Fe and dedicated staff across New Mexico—including Las Cruces, Albuquerque, and Taos—we’re ready to support your case wherever you are.
123 W. San Francisco St. Floor 2
Santa Fe, NM 87501-2111
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123 W. San Francisco St. Floor 2
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