New Mexico Truck Accident Attorneys

Common Causes of Big Rig Accidents

Truck accidents often result from a combination of driver error, company negligence, and mechanical failure. Common causes include:

• Driver fatigue – Long hours on the road, tight delivery deadlines, and violations of federal hours-of-service rules can leave truck drivers dangerously fatigued.
• Distracted driving – Cell phone use, GPS navigation, and other distractions increase the risk of a serious crash.
• Speeding and aggressive driving – Trucking companies often pressure drivers to meet tight schedules, leading to unsafe speeds.
• Improper truck maintenance – Worn brakes, bald tires, and mechanical failures can cause devastating accidents when trucks are not properly inspected and maintained.
• Improper loading – Overloaded or improperly secured cargo can cause a truck to become unstable or shed its load onto the roadway.
• Driving under the influence – Alcohol or drug use, including impairment from prescription medications, significantly increases crash risk.
• Inadequate driver training – Trucking companies that fail to properly train or vet their drivers put the public at risk.

Common 18-Wheeler Accident Injuries

Given the sheer size and weight of commercial trucks, accidents involving these vehicles often result in severe, life-changing injuries, including:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Multiple fractures and crush injuries
• Internal organ damage
• Severe burns
• Amputations
• Wrongful death

Because truck accident injuries are often catastrophic, victims frequently require extensive medical treatment, long-term rehabilitation, and ongoing care. It's essential that any compensation you pursue accounts for the full scope of your current and future needs.

Federal Trucking Laws

Commercial trucking is heavily regulated at the federal level by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), an agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation. These regulations, found in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, apply to trucking companies and drivers operating in interstate commerce and often play a central role in establishing liability after a crash.

Key FMCSA regulations that frequently come into play in truck accident cases include:

• Hours-of-Service (HOS) rules – Property-carrying drivers are generally limited to 11 hours of driving within a 14-hour on-duty window, following 10 consecutive hours off duty. Drivers must also take a 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving and are subject to weekly limits on total on-duty hours.
• Vehicle maintenance and inspection requirements – Trucking companies must ensure regular inspections and maintenance to prevent mechanical failures.
• Driver qualification standards – Drivers must meet certain licensing, training, and medical fitness requirements.
• Drug and alcohol testing requirements – Truck drivers are subject to mandatory testing, including post-accident testing under certain circumstances.
• Cargo securement rules – Regulations govern how cargo must be loaded and secured to prevent shifting or falling.

When a trucking company or driver violates these federal regulations, it can serve as powerful evidence of negligence in a truck accident claim. Our attorneys thoroughly investigate potential FMCSA violations, including reviewing electronic logging device (ELD) data, maintenance records, and driver qualification files, to build the strongest possible case.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident?

Unlike typical car accidents, truck accident claims often involve multiple potentially responsible parties, including:

• The truck driver
• The trucking company
• The vehicle or parts manufacturer
• A cargo loading company
• A third-party maintenance provider

Identifying every liable party is critical to maximizing the compensation available to injured victims and their families.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

In most cases, New Mexico law requires personal injury lawsuits, including truck accident claims, to be filed within three years of the accident date.

Who can be held responsible for a truck accident?

Depending on the circumstances, liability may fall on the truck driver, the trucking company, a cargo loader, a maintenance provider, or a parts manufacturer. An attorney can help identify all liable parties in your case.

What if I was partially at fault for the accident?

New Mexico follows a pure comparative negligence rule, meaning you may still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault, though your award will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

How much does it cost to hire a truck accident lawyer?

Buckingham & Vega Law Firm handles truck accident cases on a contingency-fee basis, so there are no upfront costs, and you only pay if we recover compensation on your behalf.

What should I do after a truck accident?

Seek immediate medical attention, document the accident scene if possible, avoid speaking with the trucking company's insurer without legal representation, and contact an experienced truck accident lawyer as soon as possible, since evidence such as ELD data can be lost or destroyed over time.

Case Results

Our firm’s aggressive advocacy has yielded record-setting verdicts and multi-million-dollar settlements for families across New Mexico:

• $16 Million Settlement: Secured for a client who suffered catastrophic injuries when a speeding, distracted truck driver crashed into the rear of their stopped vehicle.
• $13 Million Settlement: Obtained for a family after an 18-wheeler made an unsafe turn, resulting in a fatal crash that killed a grandmother and severely injured her family.
• $2 Million Recovery: Won for the family of a motorist who was killed in a highway collision caused by a negligent commercial truck driver.
• $72 Million Verdict: The largest medical malpractice/birth injury verdict in the history of New Mexico.

Contact the truck accident lawyers at Buckingham & Vega Law Firm to schedule a free case evaluation. We’ll help you determine what kind of compensation you might be owed.