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Safety Advocates Push for Federal Law Aimed at Reducing Severity of Truck Crashes in New Mexico, Nationwide

Posted in Firm News

The Truck Safety Coalition (TSC) has reportedly combined forces with a group of individuals who were directly impacted by a crash with a tractor-trailer in an attempt to build support for additional legislation aimed at semi-truck safety. The TSC apparently met with officials from the United States Department of Transportation and members of Congress in support of the proposed Safe Highways and Infrastructure Preservation Act. The federal bill, sponsored by Senator Frank Lautenberg and Representative James McGovern, would purportedly remove existing loopholes used to transport overweight 18-wheeler loads on roadways across the nation. The proposed legislation would also allegedly freeze all current semi weight and size limits and establish a federal safety enforcement program.

According to data obtained from Citizens for Reliable and Safe Highways, more than 4,000 people in New Mexico and across the United States are killed in a collision with a tractor-trailer each year. A national survey conducted on behalf of TSC allegedly found that 68 percent of Americans oppose and 47 percent strongly oppose the use of overweight semis on the nation’s roadways. In addition, 88 percent of those polled said they are opposed to paying higher taxes in order to pay for roadway damage caused by heavy tractor-trailers.

A TSC report claims New Mexico currently ranks seventh in the nation for traffic deaths involving an 18-wheeler. Sadly, more than 2,000 traffic collisions that take place in the State of New Mexico each year involve a tractor-trailer. Semi wrecks may be caused by a number of factors including fatigue, driver impairment, excessive load weights, inadequate driver training, and poor truck maintenance.

Tractor-trailer accidents are different than normal car crashes because they usually involve unique pieces of evidence that do not exist in other wrecks. For example, onboard computers often provide collision investigators with important details regarding the events that led up to a big rig crash. The victim of a traffic wreck with an 18-wheeler may be entitled to receive damages for suffering, lost wages and benefits, medical bills, pain, and any temporary or permanent disability that resulted from the incident. Certain family members of someone who was killed in a crash with a big rig may also be eligible to recover funeral expenses and additional damages. Anyone who was hurt by a negligent semi driver is advised to contact a skilled New Mexico truck accident lawyer as soon as possible.

If you were injured or someone you love was killed in a traffic accident with a tractor-trailer, you should contact the Fine Law Firm. Our caring Albuquerque truck accident attorneys are available to help you recover the compensation you deserve following an unexpected wreck. At the Fine Law Firm, our hardworking lawyers have more than 100 years of combined experience handling thousands of truck, car, motorcycle, and other injury accident cases throughout the State of New Mexico. To schedule a free confidential case evaluation with a knowledgeable advocate, please call the Fine Law Firm today at (505) 889-3463 or contact our quality attorneys through the law firm’s website.

More Blog Posts:

Speed Likely Played a Factor in Negligent Single-Vehicle Accident that Killed Three and Injured Two in Albuquerque, New Mexico Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, April 28, 2013
New Federal Guidelines Aim to Reduce Distracted Driving in New Mexico and Nationwide, New Mexico Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, April 24, 2013
Additional Resources:

Truck crash victims support legislation to freeze truck size and weight limits, Deborah Whistler, Fleet Owner

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