Who can be liable after a semi-truck crash in Albuquerque?

Potentially liable parties may include the truck driver, the motor carrier, a cargo loader, a maintenance contractor, or a parts manufacturer, depending on the facts and evidence.

What are common causes of semi-truck accidents in New Mexico?

Truck crashes can happen for many reasons, including: driver fatigue or hours-of-service violations, distracted or impaired driving, improperly secured cargo, equipment failure or poor maintenance, speeding or reckless driving, and unsafe lane changes and blind spot collisions.

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Q: What evidence is important in a truck accident claim?

Helpful evidence may include crash scene photos and video, black box/ECM downloads, driver logs and hours-of-service records, maintenance and inspection records, bills of lading and cargo documentation, and witness statements.

Q: Should I give a recorded statement to the trucking company’s insurer?

Recorded statements may affect your claim. It’s generally wise to understand your rights and review your options before speaking with an insurance adjuster.

Q: What costs can be involved after a truck crash injury?

Truck crashes can lead to medical bills, lost income, vehicle damage, and other out-of-pocket costs. The appropriate next steps depend on the facts, the available insurance coverage, and the documentation in the case.

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Hit by a Truck? Our Truck Accident Attorneys Hit Back

Truck accidents in New Mexico can cause devastating injuries and financial challenges for victims and their families. Collisions involving commercial trucks, 18-wheelers, or other large vehicles are more complicated than typical car crashes because multiple parties may share responsibility, and trucking companies are regulated by both federal and state law.

If you were injured in a truck accident in Albuquerque or anywhere in New Mexico, understanding your rights and options is an important first stp toward protecting your future.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in New Mexico

Truck crashes can happen for many reasons, including:

Driver fatigue or hours-of-service violations
Distracted or impaired driving
Improperly secured cargo
Equipment failure or poor maintenance
Speeding or reckless driving
Unsafe lane changes or blind spot collisions

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What Makes Truck Accident Cases Different?

Truck accident claims involve unique challenges compared to car accidents, including multiple liable parties, federal and state regulations, complex investigations, and higher insurance coverage:

Multiple liable parties: Responsibility may fall on the driver, trucking company, cargo loader, maintenance provider, or parts manufacturer.
Federal and state regulations: Trucking companies must comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules, including hours-of-service limits, vehicle inspections, and maintenance requirements.
Complex investigations: Evidence often includes logbooks, black box data, GPS records, and hiring/training policies.
Higher insurance coverage: Commercial carriers typically carry larger insurance policies, but insurers often fight claims aggressively.

According to the New Mexico Department of Transportation, large trucks are involved in hundreds of crashes each year, many resulting in severe injuries or fatalities.

Unique Differences Between Car & Truck Accidents

Size and weight: Trucks are much larger and heavier than passenger vehicles, which can make them more dangerous in the event of an accident. The size and weight of a truck can also make it more difficult to stop or maneuver, increasing the likelihood of an accident.
Damage and injuries: Because of their size and weight, truck accidents often result in more severe damage to vehicles and more serious injuries to drivers and passengers.
Cause of accidents: There are many factors that can contribute to truck accidents, including driver fatigue, improper training, equipment failure, and poor vehicle maintenance.
Legal considerations: Truck accidents often involve complex legal issues, such as determining fault and liability, that may not be present in car accidents. In addition, federal regulations apply to trucking companies and their drivers, which can further complicate legal proceedings.
Insurance: Trucking companies typically carry much higher levels of insurance coverage than individual drivers, which can affect the settlement process in the event of an accident.

Negligent Actions That Contribute to Truck Crashes

Drowsy Truck Driver Statistics

Studies have shown that being awake for a long period of time (18 hours) will leave a driver with the motor reflexes of someone who has a BAC level of 0.08%, putting them at equal risk of crashing.
Commercial trucks account for a small percentage of registered vehicles on our roadways, yet account for an alarming number of passenger vehicle accidents that involve death. (According to a 1999 report by the NHTSA, large trucks accounted for 3% of the registered vehicles on our highways, however, they were responsible for 13% of passenger vehicle deaths.)
Fatigue and drowsy driving are said to be contributing factors in as many as 30-40% of all commercial truck accidents.
A 1995 National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) study found that of 107 heavy truck crashes, fatigue was a prominent factor in 75% of the run-off-the-road crashes, with 68% of long-haul drivers and 49% of short-haul drivers suffering fatigue-related crashes.
A commercial truck driver who skips mandated rest breaks and sleeps greatly increases the likelihood of their being involved in an accident due to drowsiness. Additionally, a truck driver's ability to gain proper restorative sleep is affected even if they try to "catch up" on sleep when they have a day off.
Australian research and on-site investigations over the last several years have determined that, overall, one crash in every five truck drivers is due to falling asleep at the wheel and that up to 30% of truck crash fatalities on rural roads are due to sleep deprivation.
The risk of a crash effectively doubles from the eighth to the tenth hour of driving and doubles again from the tenth to the eleventh hour of driving alone. (FMCSA, 2000).

New Mexico Truck Accident Statistics

According to the University of New Mexico's 2023 New Mexico Traffic Crash Annual Report:

There were 3,161 crashes involving trucks (the 2nd-highest level in over a decade).
Heavy trucks were involved in 7.4% of crashes, but 22.0% of fatalities.
On average, a truck accident occurred somewhere in New Mexico every 3 hours in 2023.

Where Truck Accidents Happen in Albuquerque

Some of the busiest trucking routes in New Mexico run directly through Albuquerque. Interstates I-25, and I-40 carry heavy commercial traffic, increasing the risk of serious collisions. Other dangerous corridors include U.S. Highway 550 and State Road 47.

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Steps to Take After a Truck Accident

Knowing how to respond after being invovled in a truck accident is critical to getting the care you need, and is vital to protecting your legal reights. If you are involved in a truck accident in Albuquerque or elsewhere in New Mexico, consider taking these important steps:

Call 911 and seek immediate medical care.
Report the crash to law enforcement.
Gather contact and insurance information from all drivers involved.
Collect photos or videos of the vehicles, roadway, and scene if safe to do so.
Request witness contact information.
Avoid discussing fault or giving recorded statements to insurance companies without first understanding your rights.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Truck Accidents in New Mexico

What makes truck accidents more dangerous than car accidents?

The size and weight of large trucks means collisions often result in catastrophic injuries, extensive property damage, and longer recovery times.

How long do I have to file a truck accident claim in New Mexico?

Most personal injury claims must be filed within three years of the accident date, but some circumstances can change the deadline.

Who can be held liable after a truck accident?

Liability may rest with the driver, the trucking company, a cargo loader, a maintenance contractor, or even the manufacturer of a defective part. Learn more about how NM truck accident settlements are calculated here.

What evidence is important in a truck accident claim?

Helpful evidence includes crash scene photos and video, black box/ECM downloads, driver logs and hours-of-service records, maintenance and inspection records, bills of lading and cargo documentation, and witness statements.

What costs are involved after a truck crash injury?

Truck crashes can lead to costly medical bills, lost income, vehicle damage, and other out-of-pocket costs. The appropriate next steps depend on the facts, the available insurance coverage, and the documentation in the case.

Should I give a recorded statement to the trucking company's insurer?

Recorded statements may negatively affect your claim. It's generally wise to understand your rights and review your options with an attorney before speaking with an insurance adjuster.

Should I take the first settlement offer after a truck accident?

After an accident, the trucking company's insurer may contact you with a quick settlement offer. While the money could help pay your medical bills, the insurance company's goal is to close your claim as cheaply as possible. Accepting a lowball offer could leave you paying out of pocket for accident-related expenses for years to come.

How our Truck Accident Attorneys Can Help

At Keller & Keller, our truck accident attorneys help injured victims throughout New Mexico, just as we have for decades. We understand the unique challenges of these cases and the impact they can have on families. Our team investigates detail, from federal regulation compliance to insurance negotiations, to help client pursue the compensation they deserve under the lawy.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident in Albuquerque or anywhere in New Mexico, contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

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