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 record-setting victories from truck accident claims include:
- $117 million verdict won for a woman paralyzed by an ambulance crash—the largest single-injury verdict in Louisiana history.
- $35.5 million settlement recovered for a family grievously harmed in a collision with a commercial vehicle.
- $12.4 million verdict won for a worker injured when he was struck by a UPS truck at work.
- $12 million settlement recovered for a trucker buried under his own cargo and blamed by his employer for his injuries.
- $11.7 million settlement recovered for a man struck by an 18-wheeler and denied recovery by the trucking company.
- $10 million settlement recovered 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 Semi 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' recovery.
It's an approach we continue to use with recent 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
Below, we’ve gathered some of the most up-to-date information about truck accidents, their causes, who causes them, and what can be done for the victims of big rig crashes. If you want to know more about your specific situation, you can discuss your legal options with one of our New Mexico trucking lawyers in a free consultation: (888) 493-1629.
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New Mexico Oilfield Trucking Accident Attorneys
The New Mexico oilfields are one of the most critical hazards 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 contributes to a dangerous situation on the highways around oil and gas production.
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 in order to make ends meet. Carriers turn a blind eye toward defying federal safety regulations in order 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.
Even when well-rested, truckers put themselves and others at risk when they push past the hours-of-service rules. At least 25% of trucking collisions occurred when the driver was driving for 17 hours or more without breaks. The result is tragic but inevitable: statistically, more than 3,000 people will die in trucking accidents in the next 12 months. Trucking companies have created an industry that churns through drivers while putting the public at risk.
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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
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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.
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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:
- Whiplash
- Crush injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal organ damage
- Spinal cord injuries
- Brain injuries
- Severe burns
- Amputation/loss of limb
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Fatal Trucking Accidents in New Mexico
Some truck accidents cause irreparable damage. They 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 in seeing justice served.
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Proven New Mexico UPS Truck Accident Lawyers
UPS is one of the leaders of the freight delivery industry. It possesses a commanding market share at 27 percent and employs more than 119,000 vehicles in its delivery fleet. However, according to FMCSA's latest data, its safety record has seen a substantial increase in crashes, injuries, and deaths since 2012.
- 2,635 crashes
- 957 fatalities and injuries
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Hurt in a New Mexico FedEx Truck Accident? Call Arnold & Itkin.
FedEx is another major player in the general freight delivery industry. It trails slightly behind UPS with a market share of 23% and a fleet of 90,000+ vehicles. However, its market share is bolstered by an army of lobbyists in Washington. From 2013 to 2014, FedEx employed 51 lobbyists—37 of whom had once been federal staffers. Since 2012, FedEx has seen an alarming increase in the number of collisions it's involved in. The number of injuries has more than doubled, and the number of crashes and fatalities in the same period have nearly tripled.
- 373 crashes
- 148 fatalities and injuries
See for yourself. Find out how often trucking companies get into accidents on the FMCSA website.
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Facts & Info: New Mexico Truck Accidents
New Mexico Truck Accident Statistics (2014)
- There were 71 fatalities from truck crashes.
- Lea County had the most fatal truck accidents.
New Mexico State Information
- Population: 2,085,109
- 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
- Bernalillo County
- Doña Ana County
- Santa Fe County
- Sandoval County
- San Juan County
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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 from all 50 states.
- 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.