Learn About Causes and Liability After Being Hit by a Truck Changing Lanes in Albuquerque From our Trucking Accident Lawyer
Semi tractor trailers and other box trucks are very large and powerful machines. Due to their size, they also have very large blind spots. These blinds spots are not just on the back, but also the sides. Although many truck drivers try to combat these blind spots by using multiple mirror systems or even technology like blind spot indicators, this is not always enough to prevent a collision. In fact, some types of collisions could result in very serious and damaging personal injuries due to a victim being hit by a trucking changing lanes in Albuquerque, NM, due to a blind spot.
When this happens, there are many causes. Oftentimes liability can be established from these causes. But it is not always easy. This is why a victim needs to hire an experienced trucking accident lawyer in Albuquerque, NM like one of ours at the Caruso Law Offices, P.C. We have over 30 years of experience handling all types of trucking accidents, auto accidents, and other catastrophic personal injury cases. If you have been hurt by another’s negligence in New Mexico, ask us what your legal rights may be during a FREE consultation.
Common Causes of Being Hit by a Trucking Changing Lanes in Albuquerque
Albuquerque, NM has the Big I interstate exchange between I-25 and I-40. There are a lot of traffic accidents in this area because of the city traffic plus the need to switch lanes quickly to move into the correct lane of travel for the Big I. This is a very important trucking exchange too, because vehicles will be going from north to south and switching to east to west, or vice versa. This makes this an important hub for interstate trucking, and it can be a very busy and difficult hub to navigate. Especially in heavy traffic.
Some of the most common causes of trucking accidents in Albuquerque, NM when a vehicle could be hit by a truck changing lanes includes the following:
- Not looking at mirrors
- Not checking blindspots
- Speeding
- Fatigued driving
- Drunk driving
- Drugged driving
- Driver inexperience
- Mechanical errors, and
- Other mistakes or errors resulting in trucking crashes.
Liability in Cases Where a Driver is Hit by a Truck Changing Lanes in Albuquerque
All motorists changing lanes most comply with the New Mexico traffic law. The specific statute governing changing lanes is NM Stat. 66-7-317 (A), which provides that “[w]henever any roadway has been divided into two or more clearly marked lanes for traffic . . . a vehicle shall be driven as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane and shall not be moved from such lane until the driver has first ascertained that such movement can be made with safety.”
Therefore, if a truck driver leaves a lane and hits another vehicle without making sure it was safe to do so, that truck driver and trucking company could be liable under New Mexico law. This could result in an automatic finding of negligence due to the negligence per se doctrine. As a result, it means that the defendant is liable and a plaintiff would just have to establish damages.
Ask Our Trucking Accident Lawyer For Help in New Mexico After a Lane Change Mistake
If you have been hit by a truck changing lanes in Albuquerque, NM, ask our experienced lawyers at the Caruso Law Offices, P.C. for a FREE consultation to learn what your rights to compensation may be under New Mexico law. We offer a FREE consultation and 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) 273-2978 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.
