New Mexico Rear End Truck Accidents Can Cause Serious Personal Injuries or Death, Even at Low Speeds!
Rear end collisions are one of the most common types of motor vehicle accidents. A lot of rear end collisions occur at low speeds and can be rather innocuous, even though they are annoying and disruptive to every day life. However, high-speed rear end collisions can cause very serious personal injuries, including debilitating pain, permanent disability, and even death.
Some of the most dangerous types of rear end collisions involve tractor trailer trucks, semis, and other large commercial vehicles. This is because these vehicles are very large and have significant momentum that gets transferred into the vehicle they collide with. This is particularly true when the rear end collisions happens at a high speed, such as on an interstate or highway.
Deadly Rear End Collision on Interstate 10 in Trial
This is what happened to the vehicle Joseph Guttuso was traveling in approximately two years ago on Interstate 10. He was in one of three passenger vehicles which slowed down as they traveled through an ongoing dust storm. However, three large tractor trailer trucks did not slow down and continued almost blindly through the ongoing dust storm. These trucks rear ended the passenger vehicles at high speed, resulting in an explosion causing a fatal fire which killed all seven passengers. No truck drivers were killed.
The Mark Caruso, is representing the estate of Mr. Guttuso in a New Mexico trucking accident and wrongful death case. This matter is currently at trial in a Santa Fe courthouse. If you or a someone you know has been injured in a similar accident or in any motor vehicle accident, particularly one causing a wrongful death, call us for a FREE case evaluation by dialing (505) 308-1556.
Rear End Trucking Accidents: Understanding Liability
Generally, the vehicle which rear ends another vehicle is liable for causing the accident and any damages resulting from the accident. This is under both a theory of common law negligence, which is judge-made law that has evolved over the years, and under a theory of negligence per se, a theory of liability based on a statute.
The applicable statute here is NM Stat Section 66-7-318, which governs following too closely. This statute provides 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.” Therefore, a vehicle rear ending another vehicle is violating this statute and liable for any injuries resulting therefrom.
Injuries which are caused from a rear end collision with a tractor trailer, semi truck, or other large commercial vehicle can be significant. Under a theory of both common law negligence and negligence per se, a trucker driver and the truck company can be liable to victims of a rear end collision.
New Mexico Rear End Collisions Caused by New Mexico Trucking Accidents
If a loved one has been seriously injured or killed in a New Mexico trucking accident, contact the experienced rear end collision attorneys at the Mark Caruso today by dialing (505) 308-1556. You can also contact us on our website through the easy to use and convenient Contact box located by clicking here.
