New Mexico Truck Accident Attorney

We Can Connect You With a New Mexico Truck Accident Lawyer Near You

The Goldwater Law Firm works with strategic law firm partners in New Mexico to help injury victims get justice. For more than two decades, we have fought for the injured and ensured they have the resources necessary to get the best possible outcome after serious injuries. 

We understand why you need to recover compensation and how important your case is to your physical recovery and financial stability. We know you’re scared and angry right now and have a right to be. You are facing serious challenges through no fault of your own. Let us help you understand your options and next steps while you focus on healing. 

In addition to co-counsels at some of the most successful law firms near you, we have access to an extensive network of specialists and experts who can provide support and testimony for truck accident victims. This includes industry experts, accident reconstructionists, medical experts, and more. 

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a New Mexico Truck Accident Lawyer?

Many factors can affect how much your attorney’s fees might be for your New Mexico truck accident case. However, one thing is always true: You will never pay anything upfront. Our law firm partners work based on contingency. 

Contingency fees mean the attorney does not collect any money for fees or costs before working on your case. Instead, you sign an agreement that they will receive a specific portion of the payout they recover for you. 

They only receive their payment if and when they recover compensation for you. This ensures all victims can afford experienced representation regardless of their financial situation.

Your New Mexico Truck Accident Lawyer Will Determine the Cause of Your Crash

At The Goldwater Law Firm, our co-counsels understand the causes of truck versus passenger car collisions in New Mexico. New Mexico has several common trucking routes where many accidents occur regularly. This includes: 

• I-10: I-10 connects New Mexico with Arizona and Texas. It’s a popular route for trucks transporting goods.
• I-25: This north-south interstate sees many trucks and has stretches of challenging terrain, especially in Albuquerque at the Big I, where I-25 intersects with I-40.
• U.S. 285: This north-south route runs throughout the state and is frequented by trucks. 
• Mountain Passes: Many accidents occur on mountainous roads, where terrain, narrow lanes, and steep grades make navigation more difficult for large trucks and increase accident risks.

What Causes Truck Accidents in New Mexico?

The causes of truck accidents are similar to the common causes of other traffic collisions and often involve driver negligence. Some things that could cause or contribute to a truck accident include: 

• Driving while fatigued, including violating hours of service regulations
• Speeding or reckless driving
• Driving while distracted
• Drugged or drunk driving
• Failing to adapt to the weather, especially on high-altitude roads
• Narrow lanes, sharp curves, and poorly maintained road surfaces
• Improperly secured or overloaded cargo

These mistakes can cause any of the following types of accidents:

• Rear-End Collisions: Sudden stops or slowdowns can catch truck drivers off guard, especially if they are tired or distracted.
• Side-Swipe Accidents: Because of blind spots around large trucks, side-swipe accidents are common in areas with frequent lane changes. Truck drivers must double-check the adjacent lane before moving over.
• Merge Accidents: Truck merge accidents are common at on- and off-ramps due to the blind spots and limited acceleration of large commercial vehicles.
• Rollover Accidents: In mountainous areas or routes with sharp curves, speeding, shifting cargo, or icy conditions could cause a truck and/or trailer to roll over.
• Jackknife Accidents: Truck drivers can cause a jackknife accident by sudden braking or skidding. Inexperience is often a factor.
• Underride Accidents: Smaller vehicles can get trapped under the trailer of a truck during a collision, often caused by a side-swipe, merge, or rear-end accident.

New Mexico Injury Lawyers Understand Liability in a Truck Accident Case

Liability in commercial vehicle cases can be complex. Unlike car accidents—where the at-fault driver is usually the only one to blame—truck drivers are not the sole party who might be liable after a truck accident. 

Under a legal doctrine known as respondeat superior, employers are often vicariously liable for the actions of their workers when they:

• Are on the clock
• Doing work within the realm of their job
• Act negligently

This applies in many truck accident cases. In addition, trucking companies can be directly liable for some causes of truck collisions. This means many cases are against both trucking companies and individual truck drivers.

These large corporations often have significant corporate liability insurance policies, which is crucial if you have serious injuries. 

Let an Injury Lawyer Pursue Compensation for Your NM Truck Accident

The expenses and losses associated with suffering injuries in an 18-wheeler accident are frequently much more than a family’s budget can handle. Under New Mexico law, you can file an insurance claim or lawsuit and hold the liable party or parties legally responsible. 

This could allow your attorney to recover money for damages that include: 

• Medical Care: You can recover compensation for your current and future treatment, care, and support related to your accident injuries.
• Lost Income: Your lawyer will pursue money for your time missed at work and reduced ability to work and earn if you have lasting disabilities.
• Property Damages: You can recover money to repair or replace your vehicle, rent a car, and pay for other related expenses.
• Related Costs: Other out-of-pocket expenses often occur in these cases. Your lawyer will help you identify and catalog these costs.
• Non-Economic Damages: This includes intangible losses such as physical pain and suffering, inconvenience, and emotional distress

Wrongful Death in a New Mexico Truck Accident 

Our co-counsels in New Mexico also represent families whose loved ones died from truck accident injuries. Under New Mexico’s wrongful death law, N.M. Stat. § 41-2-1, only a personal representative can sue to recover damages when their loved one’s death was “caused by the wrongful act, neglect, or default of another.”

Spouses, children, grandchildren, parents, and parents may be able to recover compensation in these cases. Let us review your options with you today. We will assess your next steps and connect you to a co-counsel near you.

What Actions Will a New Mexico Truck Accident Lawyer Take for Me?

According to an analysis by the University of New Mexico, the state has a reason to be concerned about truck accidents. In 2020, large trucks contributed to almost eight percent of all traffic accidents in the state and 13 percent of fatal accidents. In all, there were 2,846 reported truck accidents and 50 fatalities. Both of these numbers were significantly lower than 2019’s numbers. 

Truck accident victims don’t need to handle their cases alone. A New Mexico truck accident attorney will handle all aspects of your case, including:

• Preserving crucial evidence held by the trucking company (typically includes sending a spoliation letter)
• Developing strong support for the insurance claim or lawsuit
• Managing communication with the liable parties and their insurers
• Understanding the damages that occurred
• Negotiating a fair settlement when possible
• Litigating the case when necessary

What Is the Deadline for Suing a Trucking Company for My Injuries?

Under N.M. Stat. § 37-1-8, collision victims usually have three years from the accident date to begin a lawsuit. Per N.M. Stat. § 41-2-2, families whose loved ones suffered a wrongful death also have three years to sue, although this generally starts on the day their family member passed away. 

Missing these deadlines could jeopardize your right to recover compensation in your case. Contact us as soon as possible to ensure there is plenty of time to manage all the necessary tasks before this deadline arrives.