When you see a massive 80-ton truck driving near you, you may feel nervous, and you have good reasons to feel fearful. 85 percent of the 4,100 annual fatalities caused by truck accidents are the victims in cars, on motorcycles, on bicycles, or pedestrians.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is the government agency that oversees commercial vehicles on U.S. roads, and they provide a comprehensive set of regulations that trucking companies and drivers are legally required to follow to ensure the safety of those around them. Violations are subject to fines, and when these violations cause accidents, then the fact of noncompliance can be used to hold them accountable. Unfortunately, these fines often aren’t enough – every year thousands of violations are found involving truckers pushing the limits to make an extra dollar at the expense of your safety.
What are the Trucking Regulations in New Mexico?
The FMCSA regulations, as well as rules specific to New Mexico, are covered in thousands of pages of laws, forms, and manuals. However, they include such vital topics as:
- Verifying that the driver is qualified, has no felony on his or her record, is of age, and has the appropriate commercial license.
- Tight regulations on drug or alcohol consumption.
- Strict maintenance requirements to ensure that vehicles are entirely functional.
- Strict safety requirements and features, mandatory for each commercial vehicle.
- Hours of service limits regulating how long a driver can legally be behind the wheel to avoid driver fatigue.
- Restrictions on the height, length, and weight of trucks.
- Requirements on load balances to avoid rollovers.
- Regulations regarding the transporting of hazardous materials, and special licensing to transport these materials.
Why You Need a Truck Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one have suffered a serious injury in a collision with a commercial truck along the Permian Basin, the key to your case is proving who was at fault. Determining liability requires a detailed investigation that includes specialists, law enforcement, federal accident investigators, witnesses, and gathering and preserving all supporting evidence.
When you’re recovering from your injury or grieving for the loss of a loved one, the last thing you want to be spending your time on is fighting with insurance companies, struggling with the paperwork, and battling to pay for medical costs, lost wages, and other expenses piling up. When you have Sorey & Gilliland, LLP, at your side, we are committed to providing the highest level of personal service and care. Our goal is to manage all legal issues and allow you the time to recover while we fight behind the scenes to recover the highest level of compensation possible in your case, based on the facts.
Common Trucking Regulation Violations
Some of the more common violations of trucking regulations that lead to accidents include:
- Driving beyond the legal limit of daily driving hours, causing driver fatigue – the single highest cause of trucking accidents
- Skimping on or neglecting the maintenance of the brake system, making it difficult to stop an 80-ton vehicle in case of any emergency
- Hiring inexperienced drivers who aren’t qualified to drive commercial trucks and unable to operate the vehicle safely
- Driving above the legal limit of alcohol for commercial drivers, which is .04% BAC (compared to .08% BAC for non-commercial drivers)
What Your Case May Be Worth
Each case has unique circumstances and varying degrees of injury, and the value of your case will reflect the injuries sustained and the long-term impact on your health and life. Common types of compensation our clients receive include:
- Medical costs
- Rehabilitation
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
If you and your family have lost a loved one in a truck accident, you have the right to file a wrongful death claim and can seek:
- Medical expenses leading up to death
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Emotional trauma
- Loss of support and companionship
Contact Us Today
Our experienced New Mexico truck accident attorneys at Sorey & Gilliland, LLP, are standing by to help you make it through this challenging and traumatic time. We believe that victims of these tragedies deserve help, and we provide an unparalleled level of compassion and service to each client. We don’t charge any legal fees until we win, and we offer a free consultation – so call us today at (903) 230-5600.
