Ten Steps You Should Take After a Truck Accident in New Mexico

At the Law Office of Samuel I. Kane, P.A., our truck accident attorneys in Las Cruces, New Mexico know that collisions with 18-wheelers are much more complex than a crash with a passenger vehicle.

If you have been injured in a crash with a semi-truck in New Mexico, chances are, your injuries are severe, and you are going to need help with your recovery.

Our Las Cruces, New Mexico truck accident attorneys believe the more you know about what to do after a collision with a commercial vehicle, the better positioned you will be to pursue the best outcome during a personal injury claim.

Here is what our New Mexico residents should know.

Address Your Injuries First

Your personal well-being should be the priority. Call 911 if you are unsure of your injuries and are afraid to move about on your own. If you must get out of your vehicle, stay nearby – out of harm’s way – until first responders arrive.

Move Yourself and Your Vehicle to Safety

Chances are your truck accident occurred on a congested city street or roadway. If you are able, move your vehicle – and yourself – to a safe place without disturbing the evidence.

Do Not Leave the Scene of the Accident

Unless you are rushed away from the scene by an ambulance to pursue immediate medical treatment, stay behind to collect as much evidence as possible.

Report the Accident to the Local or State Police

If you have not already, call 911 to address your injuries, and ensure responding law enforcement completes an accident report from the scene.

The police report is an integral part of your personal injury case’s success.

Gather the Truck Driver’s Complete Information

Since truck accidents are different from passenger vehicle collisions, you will need to collect more information from the truck driver.

That will include their Commercial Driver’s License, registration, and insurance information, and the trucking company or truck owner he or she works for, the company’s insurance information.

Record All Witness Information

Eyewitnesses could provide valuable testimony – especially if someone had a dashcam that caught the collision on video.

Talk to witnesses, take down their contact information, and be sure they talk to the responding officer(s) to ensure their statements are included in the police report.

Take As Many Photos of the Crash Scene as You Can

If you have a smartphone, its camera will become an invaluable resource for your case.

Take as many pictures as possible of the accident scene, the damage to your vehicle, and any injuries that occurred.

Be sure to back them up to another device, or the cloud, to ensure they are available later.

Do Not Hesitate to Write Down Everything You See

After a collision of any kind – especially one involving a large commercial truck – the adrenaline may be overwhelming. It is important to write down (or enter into your cellphone) the details of the crash, including where you were going, the speed at which you were traveling, the weather, and any circumstances you can remember about the truck and the accident.

Follow Your Medical Treatment Advice, Plan, and Timeline Without Fail

The core of your personal injury claim is centered around your injuries. If you fail to attend a doctor, rehabilitation, or therapy appointment, the insurance company will know about it, and will use that information against you during your claim. If you are not following the necessary treatment plan, they will interpret the lack of care as you not being that hurt.

Contact Our New Mexico Truck Accident Attorneys for Help

It is going to become increasingly difficult for you to challenge the truck driver, trucking company, insurance representatives, and their team of lawyers without having legal representation protecting your rights too.

If you have been hurt in a truck accident in New Mexico, contact our truck accident attorneys in Las Cruces, New Mexico at the Law Office of Samuel I. Kane, P.A. by calling (575) 222-0472 to schedule a free consultation, so we can review the circumstances of your truck crash injuries and begin building your case for success.