Our New Mexico 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers Have Won $20+ Billion for Clients
Fully loaded and traveling at highway speeds, the force of an 18-wheeler is roughly equivalent to that of a single train car. The difference between tractor-trailers and trains, however, is that trucks drive side-by-side with motor vehicles a tenth their size. While train crashes are relatively rare, trucking accidents occur daily—each one potentially devastating.
Our Albuquerque trucking accident lawyers are familiar with the destruction these crashes can cause. Wrongful death, amputation, burn injuries, and other forms of catastrophic injury can burden families with overwhelming debts. Arnold & Itkin has helped clients recover billions in compensation for losses such as lost income, medical bills, and reduced earning capacity. Our New Mexico personal injury law firm fights for big rig accident survivors—whether they're drivers, passengers, independent contractors, or carrier employees. We also represent grieving families.
Call (888) 493-1629 or send us a message to review your options during a free consultation with a truck accident attorney in Albuquerque, 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, as the largest city in the state and where major highways like I-40 and I-25 intersect, serves as a conduit for commercial north-south and east-west traffic. The city's roads frequently bear the weight of heavy trucks transporting 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 accounted for 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. We've compiled up-to-date information about truck accidents, their causes, who is responsible, and what can be done for survivors and victims' families.
Major Trucking Companies in New Mexico
Lobo Trucking, LLC
Founded in Hobbs and with satellite operations in Artesia, Lobo Trucking provides fluid management services exclusively in the Permian Basin. Its fleet includes vacuum, winch, and pump trucks, and its services include saltwater disposal, acid pumping, frack and other oilfield tanks, and the provision of fresh water, brine water, and oilfield chemicals.
Willbanks Trucking Services
Founded in 1987, Willbanks provides oilfield construction and production services in the Permian Basin from hubs located in Artesia and Hobbs, New Mexico.
Triple S Trucking
Headquartered in Aztec and with additional offices in Hobbs, the Triple S Trucking delivers production fluids, fresh water, and other oilfield materials in the Permian Basin region of Texas and New Mexico. Its fleet includes forklifts, escort vehicles, hauling trailers, tank trailers, and more than 30 fluid hauling trucks.
Three Rivers Trucking
Three Rivers Trucking provides a range of transportation services for oilfield operators, including water hauling, heavy hauling, and equipment rental. Its fleet includes tankers for fluid transportation as well as flat-bed, low-boy, and rig-up trucks for heavy equipment.
Rinchem Company
Specializing in hazardous materials and temperature-controlled goods, Rinchem operates three transportation brands: Carolina Tank Lines, Chem-Star Global Logistics, and CGL Transport. The company operates worldwide and offers transportation by ground, air, and sea.
Whether headquartered in New Mexico or simply moving loads across the Permian Basin and throughout the state, these trucking companies shape both our roads, and in crash litigation, our legal strategies.
You Can Trust Our Albuquerque Truck Accident Firm
Arnold & Itkin has earned a national reputation in trucking accident litigation, representing people from all walks of life who have been seriously injured or have lost loved ones in collisions with 18-wheelers, tanker trucks, delivery vehicles, tractor-trailers, and more. Founding attorneys Jason Itkin and Kurt Arnold have been recognized by numerous organizations for their professionalism and outstanding results, including Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, and Forbes. Our lawyers were recognized in the 500 Leading Lawyers in America by Lawdragon and are longtime members of the Inner Circle of Advocates, an exclusive organization comprised of the top 100 plaintiff trail lawyers in the United States.
People choose Arnold & Itkin because:
We have won more than $20 billion on behalf of our clients.
“I was on my way home from work, and I had a friend in the car with me. We came to an intersection, we were at a complete stop. We were rear-ended by a commercial vehicle."
After a serious accident that left him with back and neck injuries, Kenny Barclay turned to Arnold & Itkin's truck accident lawyers for counsel. In addition to helping Kenny get the specialist care he needed, our firm secured a substantial recovery on his behalf.
“Now I have a sense of relief that in the future, if I need surgery or any type of medical care, I have the resources to take care of that.”
Survivors of truck accidents endure some of the most severe injuries 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 leave a person unable to work or live as they did before. That's why our New Mexico truck accident law firm utilizes all available resources to recover as much compensation 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 a semi truck accident.
What's Increasing the Number of Truck Accidents in New Mexico?
Truck crashes are on the rise in New Mexico—and it’s no coincidence. From the oilfields of the southeast to the shipping corridors of I‑40 and I‑25, our state sits at the center of a freight network that demands more from drivers while giving them less in return. Trucking companies push hard to keep schedules tight and costs low—especially in regions like the Permian Basin, where 18-wheelers haul oil, water, sand, and pipe through rural roads not built for that kind of traffic.
Most drivers are paid by the mile. That may sound fair—but in practice, it means they earn nothing while inspecting their rigs, stuck in traffic outside Carlsbad or waiting for hours at a Hobbs loading yard. To make up for the lost income, drivers may feel pressured to skip rest breaks, stretch their hours beyond federal limits, and hit the road exhausted. In southern New Mexico, where lease roads intersect with narrow highways like U.S. 285, even one tired decision can lead to tragedy.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration says fatigue plays a role in at least 13% of commercial truck crashes. But experts—and any New Mexico state trooper—will tell you that number’s likely much higher. Fatigue doesn’t show up in police reports like a broken taillight or speeding ticket, but it impairs judgment just like alcohol. On the sharp turns of U.S. 82 or the fast-moving lanes of I‑40 through Albuquerque, that kind of impairment can be fatal.
Types of Albuquerque 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 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 Albuquerque truck accident lawyers understand how to develop strong cases and seek accountability.
In a state with vast distances between towns, few rest stops, and a high volume of oilfield traffic, truck accidents are an unfortunate reality. We see it in Roswell, Hobbs, Artesia, and Las Cruces: long shifts, high pressure, and little oversight from the companies that profit most. Until those companies are held accountable—until they follow the rules, compensate drivers fairly, and invest in safety—New Mexico families will continue paying the price.
Our recent truck accident case filings in New Mexico include:
At Arnold & Itkin, we don’t let trucking companies off the hook. We fight for families hurt in preventable crashes, and we make sure the companies responsible feel it in the only place they care about: the courtroom. If a trucking company cut corners and it cost you everything, we’re ready to hold them accountable.
New Mexico Oilfield Trucking Accident Attorneys
New Mexico is home to a significant portion of the Permian Basin, one of the oldest and most prolific oil-producing areas in the United States. The San Juan Basin, 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 believe the high rate of truck accidents is primarily due to drowsiness behind the wheel. Long commutes to job sites, exhausting shifts, and insufficient rest between shifts create 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 this question. Families of victims ask it too. Determining what caused a big rig or 18-wheeler accident is one of the most important tasks for our Albuquerque truck accident attorneys. Understanding the factors that led to the collision enables us to determine who is responsible. We can then file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault 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 an Albuquerque 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:
Catastrophically injured truck accident victims in the Albuquerque area may receive treatment at UNM Hospital, home to New Mexico’s only Level I trauma center. This facility is equipped to handle the state’s most severe injuries, including brain trauma, spinal cord damage, and extensive burns. Depending on the type of injury, patients may also be treated at specialized facilities such as Presbyterian Hospital, which offers advanced surgical and neurological care, or Lovelace Medical Center, known for its orthopedic and cardiovascular services. In the most critical cases, victims may spend weeks or months in intensive care or undergo rehabilitation at one of UNM Health's dedicated rehabilitation centers.
The road to recovery may be long, painful, and extremely costly. Attempting to return to your normal life, much less get back to work, 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 more. When the stakes are high, your choice of counsel makes all the difference.
Fatal Trucking Accidents in Albuquerque & All of 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 negligent and careless conduct by trucking companies, manufacturers, and other at-fault parties.
A successful wrongful death case for a fatal trucking accident may include compensation for:
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.
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 Albuquerque Truck Accident Lawyers at (888) 493-1629
Trucking companies and insurers don't help the victims of truck accidents willingly. They won't offer to replace your income while you recover, buy groceries for you, or 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 Albuquerque 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 allocate 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.
Who Is Liable for My Injuries After a Truck Accident?
The individual or company that caused your accident should be held responsible for your injuries. This means that they could be made to pay you for your medical treatment, any ongoing care that you require, lost earnings and benefits, and more. You will have the burden of proving that the defendant or defendants acted or failed to act in such a way that they caused you harm. This may mean that they were negligent in loading a truck, were speeding, did not inspect truck equipment, or did something else that violated their duty to act with reasonable care in the circumstances. Intentional acts could also provide grounds for a truck accident lawsuit in New Mexico.
When Should I Call a New Mexico Big Rig Accident Lawyer?
We recommend talking to an attorney as soon as possible if you’ve been seriously injured in a trucking accident. You need to seek medical care and follow your doctor’s orders, but you may also find that you’re being bombarded by insurance adjusters or other parties who are more interested in getting you to accept an unfairly low settlement offer, sign a statement that says you’re to blame, or otherwise jeopardizing your rights. A New Mexico big rig accident lawyer can put a stop to all of this, handling all communication with the insurance company and others while you focus on healing.
What Is My 18-Wheeler Accident Lawsuit Worth?
Each case is different, and the value of your truck accident lawsuit will depend on the severity of your injuries and their impact on your life. Catastrophic injuries like severe burns and spinal cord injuries will require extensive treatment and possibly ongoing therapy and care. Some injuries will limit your ability to perform normal activities or may render you unable to work. Your lawyer should consider every single expense, loss, and injury you have already experienced and may encounter in the future in order to determine the fair value of your 18-wheeler accident lawsuit.
