18 Wheeler Accident

18 Wheeler Accident Attorney — Trusted
Since 1992

On any given day, the nation’s highways and roads can be dangerous because of the volume of traffic and vehicles moving at high speeds.

If you’ve ever driven next to a semi-truck, you know that they are incredibly heavy vehicles capable of serious damage. One single distraction can veer them off the road. It happens. It happens a lot, unfortunately.


Each year, the nation sees an average of 500,000 accidents per year of which roughly 5,000 lead to death. Within that number, 98 percent of the deaths are the driver or passenger of another vehicle, not the 18 wheeler driver.


Given the heavy weight of these trucks, the impact tends to be severe or fatal. The busy highways of Texas and New Mexico are a part of these numbers. In Texas, there are approximately 15,000 commercial truck accidents each year. For every 100 million miles traveled on Texas roads, there is a fatality rate of 1.29 deaths. New Mexico’s rate of 18 wheeler accidents has increased over the past couple of years. While the state is relatively small, across Interstates 25, 10, and 40, there are roughly 2,000 semi-truck accidents per year.


As a trusted 18 wheeler accident attorney, Humberto Enriquez has assisted numerous injured individuals to receive the medical and financial assistance they need to recuperate and secure their well-being. Our law firm understands the unique complications these individuals face as they may be unable to speak or walk following the accident. As your truck accident attorney, it is his duty to help you and your family.
You shouldn’t have to lose sleep over matters concerning the legal process. That’s why we’re here.

Truck Driver — El Paso, TX — The Enriquez Law Firm

Texas and New Mexico’s Respective Laws on Operating 18 Wheeler Vehicles

The life of a semi driver is by no means easy. Many employers demand long hours and strict deadlines. These demands are often the result of fatigued drivers behind the wheel of powerful 18 wheelers. In Texas and New Mexico, truck drivers are required to adhere to federal regulations that are meant to provide safer roads for the entire nation.

A few of the state regulations include:

  • Truck drivers cannot begin a shift without having 10 consecutive hours off duty.
  • During a shift, a driver cannot drive after 14 consecutive hours. To begin again, they must spend 10 hours off duty.
  • During a 14 hour shift, a truck driver can only drive for 11 hours straight.
  • Drivers are required to keep a status log of the number of hours they’ve slept, rested, and have been driving.

Common Causes of Accidents

  • Falling asleep behind the wheel
  • Speeding
  • Driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol
  • Distracted driving
  • Failure to follow traffic signs
  • Lack of qualifications

Common Injuries

  • Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
  • Neck and back injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Disfigurement and burns
  • Broken bones
  • Internal injuries

Texas and New Mexico’s Respective Laws on Operating 18 Wheeler Vehicles

Truck Driver — El Paso, TX — The Enriquez Law Firm

The life of a semi driver is by no means easy. Many employers demand long hours and strict deadlines. These demands are often the result of fatigued drivers behind the wheel of powerful 18 wheelers. In Texas and New Mexico, truck drivers are required to adhere to federal regulations that are meant to provide safer roads for the entire nation.

A few of the state regulations include:

  • Truck drivers cannot begin a shift without having 10 consecutive hours off duty.
  • During a shift, a driver cannot drive after 14 consecutive hours. To begin again, they must spend 10 hours off duty.
  • During a 14 hour shift, a truck driver can only drive for 11 hours straight.
  • Drivers are required to keep a status log of the number of hours they’ve slept, rested, and have been driving.

Common Causes of Accidents

  • Falling asleep behind the wheel
  • Speeding
  • Driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol
  • Distracted driving
  • Failure to follow traffic signs
  • Lack of qualifications

Common Injuries

  • Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
  • Neck and back injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Disfigurement and burns
  • Broken bones
  • Internal injuries

Why You Need To Secure Proper Legal Representation After An Accident

The moments, days, and weeks following an accident are incredibly important when it comes to filing and securing a good legal case. Proper documentation is imperative to taking any legal action. Being involved in an accident with an 18 wheeler is no laughing matter and it likely caused significant damage to your vehicle and maybe even to you or your passengers. Securing legal representation immediately following an accident can ensure that you are properly guided through the necessary steps. We will immediately begin collecting information and performing the necessary investigative work that is needed in every case.


As your trusted legal counsel, we will take care of these essential steps and collect all the pertinent information necessary to securing and strengthening your case. We do the investigation and file the lengthy paperwork. You don’t pay anything unless we recover damages for you. This is part of our no recovery, no fee policy. We are here to build your case and make the process as stress-free as possible for you.

Why Are 18 Wheeler Accidents So Common in the Borderland?

El Paso sits right on the border of several important ports of entry. The junction between Mexico and the United States is right in our backyard, which means that we have a large number of trailers and 18 wheeler traffic coming through every day. It’s a large part of why commercial vehicle accidents are so frequent in the Borderland.


With a large number of factories, maquilas, warehouses across El Paso, our city sees a lot of this passing traffic and is therefore subject to a flow of semi-trucks or other commercial vehicles on our highways and roads. A collision or accident with one of these heavy vehicles is very serious business and we want to help you handle it appropriately.

What To Do If You Have Been Injured in an 18 Wheeler Accident

  1. Call 9-1-1. When the police arrive, provide the facts of the accident. If you are capable of making additional calls, inform a relative of the accident as well to help secure your evidence.
  2. Gather evidence. Take photos of the scene, your vehicle, and physical injuries. Having a relative at the scene can help you collect the license plate numbers and names of other drivers.
  3. Contact a trusted 18 wheeler accident attorney. If you don’t believe you are at fault, we will begin helping you recover damages such as medical expenses, disability, loss of wages, and other compensation that affects your wellbeing.

We will help you secure the following damages:

  • Property damage
  • Medical expenses
  • Rehabilitation and therapy
  • Loss of present and future income
  • Other financial loss

What to Expect from an Initial Consultation

Our job as your truck accident lawyer is to guide you through the process and help you immediately understand your case. In your initial consultation, we will assess the damages and liabilities. First, we look at the extent of your damages. Were you hurt? How badly were you injured? Have you received medical attention? At the same time, we make sure you are getting adequate medical care and documenting your injury properly. Then, we examine the other driver’s actions and asses the level of liability on their part based on the specifics of the accident.

Contact Your Trusted 18 Wheeler Accident Attorney in El Paso

Since 1992, attorney Humberto Enriquez has assisted injured people and families with seeking the financial and emotional support they need following accidents involving 18 wheelers. If you or a loved one has been injured in this type of accident, you are entitled to a financial compensation that will help you with lost wages and medical assistance.


For families who have lost a loved one as a result of the accident, we know this is an extremely difficult time for you and your family. You are also entitled to compensation that will help secure your future. Most importantly, we believe in doing what is necessary to provide justice and peace to those who are injured because of recklessness and negligence. Please contact our office today to begin the process and help answer your initial questions.

Our Attorney is Licensed in Both Texas and New Mexico

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