Proven New Mexico Semi-Truck Accident Lawyers
Survivors of truck accidents experience the worst harm anyone can endure on America's highways. Lifelong injuries from traumatic brain injury or spinal cord damage, loss of limb or movement, burn injuries—all of these can render a person unable to work or live as they did before. That's why our New Mexico truck accident law firm pours all our resources into recovering as much as legally possible for plaintiffs.
Our notable truck accident case results include:
- $117 million verdict for a woman catastrophically injured in an ambulance accident with a sugar cane truck.
- $35.5 million settlement for a family grievously harmed in a collision with a commercial vehicle.
- $12.4 million verdict for a worker injured when he was struck by a UPS truck at work.
- $12 million settlement for a trucker buried under his own cargo and blamed by his employer for his injuries.
- $11.7 million settlement for a man struck by an 18-wheeler and denied recovery by the trucking company.
- $10 million settlement for two families after their loved ones were fatally struck in an semi truck accident.
Each of these results paid for our clients' medical expenses, replaced lost wages, and rebuilt their lives. These results also ensure that trucking carriers know the cost of negligence, forcing them to improve how they conduct business. It's our sincerest hope that these results will prevent property damage or passenger vehicle accidents in the future.
Recent New Mexico Truck Accident Cases We've Filed
People turn to us because we get results, but they also turn to our law firm because we understand what plaintiffs are facing. Trucking accidents put survivors in the crosshairs of insurance companies who do everything in their power to undermine any attempts at recovery. In response, our team rigorously prepares each truck accident claim for trial to maximize our clients' recoveries. We know this makes all the difference in their ability to move on with their lives.
It's an approach we continue to use with recent New Mexico truck accident claims we've filed:
If you were injured in a truck accident, speak with our New Mexico 18-wheeler accident attorneys to learn your legal options for free: (888) 493-1629.
All About Trucking Accidents in New Mexico
New Mexico’s strategic location in the Southwest makes it a critical hub in the American transportation network, connecting the east and west coasts. Albuquerque in particular, as the largest city in the state and where major highways such as I-40 and I-25 intersect, is a conduit for commercial north-south and east-west traffic. The city's roads often bear the weight of heavy trucks carrying goods to and from distribution centers.
The high volume of semi-trucks, tankers, and other commercial vehicles significantly contributes to the local economy but also increases the likelihood of trucking accidents. These collisions have a higher likelihood of causing severe injury or death. According to the 2022 New Mexico Traffic Crash Annual Report, heavy trucks were involved in just 7.9% of all traffic collisions but 17.8% of fatalities. In 2022, the number of heavy truck accidents reached its highest point in over a decade at 3,235. Heavy trucks are continually over-represented in New Mexico traffic fatality statistics.
For those affected by trucking accidents in New Mexico, especially in high-traffic areas like Albuquerque, it is crucial to understand the unique challenges these cases present. Here, we’ve gathered some of the most up-to-date information about truck accidents, their causes, who is responsible, and what can be done for survivors and victims’ families.
What's Increasing the Number of Truck Accidents in New Mexico?
To put it bluntly, there are more accidents now than 20 years ago because shipping companies designed the industry to overwork their drivers. Low pay and harsh conditions encourage drivers to break federal laws while putting themselves and others at risk. Most drivers are paid by the mile. For new drivers (the vast majority of drivers enter the industry with little to no knowledge), pay-by-mile sounds fair, but it leaves drivers unpaid for vital non-driving work. Daily inspection, waiting for loading and unloading, sitting in traffic—all of this eats away at a driver's living.
Trucking companies do it this way to keep costs low and predictable, helping their profit margins to grow as drivers push themselves to drive longer to make ends meet. Carriers turn a blind eye toward defying federal safety regulations to make more money. Unfortunately, that results in more pain than in better pay.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, up to 13% of trucking accidents are directly attributable to fatigue. However, officials believe these estimates are too low, as fatigue likely contributes to countless crashes. Evidence suggests moderate tiredness can impair driving ability as much as drinking alcohol.
Types of NM Truck Accident Cases We Handle
At Arnold & Itkin, we have a national reputation as leading trial attorneys. We have handled some of the biggest cases against the largest companies, standing up for good people who experienced the worst losses and injuries. When it comes to truck accident cases, our commitment to our clients has led to substantial, life-changing recoveries. In Albuquerque, across New Mexico, and nationwide, our trucking attorneys are here to help.
We've handled truck accident cases involving:
- 18-wheeler accidents
- Tractor-trailer collisions
- Box truck crashes
- Flatbed truck accidents
- Garbage truck accidents
- Jackknife accidents
- Underride accidents
- Tanker truck crashes
- Tow truck collisions
- Gas truck accidents
- Delivery truck accidents
- Construction vehicle accidents
Each of these incidents presents unique challenges. With extensive experience dealing with all kinds of carriers and vehicles, our New Mexico truck accident lawyers understand how to develop strong cases and seek accountability.
New Mexico Oilfield Trucking Accident Attorneys
New Mexico is home to a significant portion of the Permian Basin, one of the oldest and prolific oil-producing areas in the United States. The San Juan Basin, which has been a major source of fossil fuels for decades, is located in the northwestern part of the state. These New Mexico oilfields are hazardous for motorists and truck drivers alike.
Oil and gas extraction has one of the highest rates of injury and hospitalization among all American industries, and the leading cause of death in that industry is “transportation accidents,” largely involving both passenger and commercial trucks. Experts think the high rate of truck accidents is largely due to drowsiness behind the wheel. The long commute to job sites, long and exhausting shifts, and insufficient rest between shifts contribute to a dangerous situation on New Mexico highways around oil and gas production, increasing the likelihood of trucking collisions.
Cause & Liability in an Albuquerque Big Rig Accident
“Why did this happen?”
Truck accident survivors inevitably ask themselves this question. Victims' families ask the same thing. Determining what caused a big rig or 18-wheeler accident is one of the most important tasks for our Albuquerque truck accident attorneys. We need to understand what factors led to the collision so we can determine who is responsible. We can then file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault party or parties for everything you've lost.
Truck accidents may be caused by:
- Fatigued drivers and hours-of-service violations
- Speeding or driving too fast for current road/weather conditions
- Improperly loaded trucks or cargo that is not secure
- Negligent inspections and poor maintenance of truck parts and equipment
- Defective truck or automobile parts
- Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs
- Dangerous and defective roadways, traffic signs, or signals
- Unsafe lane changes, reckless merges, and failures to check blind spots
If any intentional act or instance of carelessness or negligence was the cause of your 18-wheeler accident, you may have a viable case. Proving liability will make you eligible to receive financial compensation for your losses and expenses, which may include emotional trauma, lost earnings, medical care, and much more. This can go a long way in helping you create a stable future for your family.
Types of Truck Accident Injuries
A truck accident can cause devastating harm, most often to the occupants of smaller vehicles. Pedestrians, motorcyclists, and bicycle riders are at the greatest risk of injury in an accident with a large truck. The injuries any person experiences in a New Mexico 18-wheeler accident will depend on the circumstances surrounding the crash itself: the speed, force, and location of impact, the size of each vehicle, the type of cargo the truck is carrying, seat belt use, the crashworthiness of each vehicle, and more.
Some potential trucking accident injuries include:
Attempting to get back to your normal life, much less get back to work, after injuries like these can be extremely difficult. If your injuries are permanent, it may be impossible. Working with a truck accident lawyer in Albuquerque may be your only chance to seek fair compensation for medical treatment, ongoing care, lost earnings, and so much more. When the stakes are this high, your choice of counsel makes all the difference.
Fatal Trucking Accidents in New Mexico
Some truck accidents claim lives, leaving families without parents, spouses, children, and other loved ones. When this happens, families that have been torn apart can seek answers and accountability through wrongful death lawsuits. As New Mexico truck accident attorneys, we at Arnold & Itkin help families across the state and nation who have experienced devastating losses because of the negligent and careless conduct of trucking companies, manufacturers, and other at-fault parties.
A successful wrongful death case for a fatal trucking accident may include compensation for:
- Medical expenses prior to death
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of support
- Pain and suffering prior to death
- Funeral/burial costs
- Lost earnings
These damages cannot make up for the loss of someone you love, but they can make it easier to build a stable future for yourself and your family. A successful case can also bring peace of mind after seeing justice served.
Facts & Info: New Mexico
New Mexico Truck Accident Statistics (2022)
- There were 83 fatalities from truck crashes.
- Bernalillo County had the most fatal truck accidents.
New Mexico State Information
- Population: 2,117,522
- Capital: Santa Fe
- Most Populous City: Albuquerque
Top 10 Cities
- Albuquerque
- Las Cruces
- Santa Fe
- Rio Rancho
- Roswell
- Farmington
- South Valley
- Alamogordo
- Clovis
- Hobbs
Top 5 Counties
The top five counties in New Mexico, by population, are Bernalillo County, Doña Ana County, Santa Fe County, Sandoval County, and San Juan County. We represent clients throughout these counties and statewide.
Call Our New Mexico Truck Accident Lawyers at (888) 493-1629
Trucking companies and insurers don't help the victims of truck accidents. They won't offer to replace your income while you recover, to buy groceries for you, or to pay for your medical care. Insurers may promise to help, but they'll put you through months of delays and pressure you to settle for less before you see any money.
Our New Mexico 18-wheeler accident attorneys have done all that for our clients and more. We've helped them pay off their medical bills, keep their homes, and provide for their families while they decide what to do next. Our verdicts and settlements do more than help people get what they lost—we help them afford stability, afford peace, and afford the time to plan and dream about the future again. Get started by calling us for a free review of your case. We get nothing until you win—and we cover the costs of your truck accident claim from start to finish.
Why You Can Trust Our Albuquerque Truck Accident Firm
- We have won billions of dollars on behalf of our clients.
- We use contingency fees, meaning you do not pay unless we win.
- We have won cases for clients across the country.
- We have won cases that set both state and national records.
- We offer completely free and confidential consultations.
Call our New Mexico truck accident attorneys at (888) 493-1629 or contact us online for a free consultation.
