Hobbs Truck Accident Attorney
If you or a loved one were involved in a collision with a commercial truck in Hobbs, whether it was an oil and gas vehicle or any other entity, you have likely been left with serious injuries. At Stout & Stout Lawyers, we can help. Our firm has been helping victims of serious injury recover compensation for nearly 70 years. Our Hobbs accident attorneys have significant experience handling trucking accident cases in Lea County, including several multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements. We offer a free and confidential case evaluation, so call today to find out how we can help.
The oil and gas boom in New Mexico has wreaked havoc on the state’s infrastructure and significantly increased commercial truck traffic along highways in the Hobbs area. N.M. 18, U.S. 62/180, and others have become thoroughfares for oil and gas trucks. Unfortunately, the traffic has also led to a significant increase in collisions and motor vehicle fatalities in the area.
Types of Negligent Accident Cases
Accidents with large vehicles can happen almost anywhere and at any time. Here are some of the types of negligent accident cases that the team at Stout and Stout have handled over the years:
- Semi truck accidents
- Drunk driver crashes
- Oilfield vehicle accidents
- Commercial vehicle accidents
- Fatigued driver accidents
- Texting and driving wrecks
- Distracted driving accidents
- Unqualified 18-wheeler drivers
- Railroad and train accidents
- Company vehicle wrecks
- New Mexico Safety Regulation Violations
Perhaps more than any other type of accident, swift action is incredibly important in Hobbs trucking accident cases. Almost immediately after a collision, trucking companies and their insurers will be at the scene conducting their investigation. Injured victims need an advocate on their side immediately to preserve evidence such as tire tread marks, vehicle black box data, driver logs, vehicle maintenance logs, and other crucial evidence that can be lost or destroyed.
Causes of Big Trucking Accidents
There are several reasons why these large vehicles cause so many accidents. Here are a few of the most common reasons for truck accidents.
Truck Driver Fatigue
Many semis and big rig drivers have to haul cargo long distances and drive for long hours at a time. While there are regulations in place about drive time, many times these are not followed or regulated closely leaving drivers putting in more hours than they should and driving while tired. This dramatically increases the risk of an accident.
Truck Driver Drug Use
Some drivers that have to put in such long hours to reach their destinations on time resort to drug use to stay awake, this can lead to incredibly dangerous circumstances while driving including medical complications, and falling asleep at the wheel once the drugs wear off and more.
Truck Driver Error
No driver is perfect, and while big truck drivers have to pass tests to qualify to drive, there is still a chance they can make mistakes. Taking a turn too wide, driving too fast, and other errors can result in an accident that ends up costing people their lives if not seriously injuring people.
Truck Equipment Malfunction
The equipment that big truck drivers deal with is large and heavy. If any part of the vehicle or trailer they are carrying malfunctions, it can lead to disastrous consequences and victims can be seriously injured as a result.
Our Hobbs Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help You Win Compensation
If you’ve been hurt in a truck accident in New Mexico, you may be entitled to several different types of compensation to help you recover and move forward. Each type serves a different purpose and is based on the losses you or your family have experienced.
Medical Expenses
Compensation can cover all health care costs needed because of the accident. This includes emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, medication, physical therapy, and even future medical needs related to your injuries.
Lost Wages and Reduced Earning Ability
If your injuries keep you from working or reduce your ability to earn a living in the future, you can seek compensation for any missed paychecks, lost benefits, or losses in your long-term earning power.
Pain and Suffering
These are damages for the physical pain and emotional distress you’ve experienced since the accident, which might include anxiety, trouble sleeping, and loss of enjoyment of daily activities. These losses are not always easy to measure, but they’re very real and should always be considered.
Property Damage
You may recover the cost to repair or replace your vehicle and any personal belongings that were damaged in the crash. Examples include a cell phone or laptop that was damaged in the incident.
Punitive Damages
If the truck driver or company acted with clear disregard for your safety and the safety of others on the road, the court may award punitive damages. These go beyond simple repayment and are meant to punish the wrongdoer and prevent similar conduct in the future.
The exact type and amount of compensation awarded varies with each case, but knowing the categories that apply helps make sure you aren’t short-changed during your recovery.
How Can a Truck Accident Lawyer Help Negotiate with Insurance Companies?
After a truck accident, dealing with insurance companies on your own can feel overwhelming and confusing. A truck accident lawyer steps in to protect your interests and make sure you don’t settle for less than you deserve. Here’s what they can do for you:
Communication and Representation
An experienced attorney handles all correspondence and phone calls with the insurance adjusters, so you don’t have to worry about saying something that could accidentally hurt your claim. Your lawyer knows what information to share and what to keep private until the right time.
Evaluating Settlement Offers
Insurance companies generally try to settle claims quickly and in a way that allows them to pay out as little money as possible. Your lawyer carefully reviews every offer to make sure it covers all your expenses, both immediate and long-term, so you aren’t left paying a ton of money out of your own pocket for someone else’s mistakes.
Building a Strong Claim
A good attorney knows how to strengthen your case with solid evidence, such as accident reports, expert assessments, and statements from witnesses. They make sure to present this information to the insurance company and their attorneys.
The simple fact that you’re working with a lawyer usually means the insurance company will take you more seriously and is less likely to try to take advantage of you.
Contact Stout and Stout Lawyers Today
Being in an accident with a big truck is never a position someone wants to be in, but if you are, you want a local team of legal experts on your side. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident as a result of big trucking, contact Stout and Stout today!