
Why I-25 Is a Hotspot for Truck Accidents
Interstate 25 is one of the busiest highways in New Mexico, carrying commuters between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, travelers to Colorado, and heavy commercial freight from the border in Las Cruces all the way north. This constant mix of passenger vehicles and tractor-trailers creates a perfect storm for catastrophic crashes.
Several factors make I-25 especially hazardous:
- Congestion in Albuquerque. With tens of thousands of vehicles passing through every day, one distracted or fatigued truck driver can cause a devastating chain-reaction collision.
- Mountain passes and winter storms. North of Santa Fe, truck drivers face steep grades, snow, and black ice that make it harder to control an 80,000-pound vehicle.
- Fatigue on long stretches. Between Las Cruces and Albuquerque, long, monotonous stretches of desert tempt drivers to push past safe hours of service, increasing the risk of drowsy-driving crashes.
- Construction zones. Narrow lanes and reduced speed limits in construction areas leave little margin for error, yet trucks often barrel through at unsafe speeds.
When crashes happen in these conditions, the results are rarely minor. Survivors often face permanent injuries, while families may be left grieving preventable deaths.
Common Types of I-25 Truck Accidents
Truck crashes on I-25 often share patterns that reflect the highway’s unique mix of traffic and terrain.
Some of the most common include:
- Rear-End Collisions. A tractor-trailer traveling at highway speed can take more than 500 feet to stop. In congested areas near Albuquerque or Santa Fe, that lag time often leads to catastrophic rear-end crashes.
- Unsafe Lane Changes. Trucks have massive blind spots. On crowded stretches of I-25, a sudden lane change can crush smaller vehicles.
- Jackknife Accidents. Sudden braking on slick mountain passes or icy bridges can cause trailers to swing out of control, blocking multiple lanes.
- Fatigue-Related Crashes. Long hauls from Texas or Colorado leave drivers exhausted. Drowsy truckers are as dangerous as drunk drivers.
- Multi-Vehicle Pileups. When weather, congestion, and commercial traffic collide, a single mistake can trigger massive chain-reaction wrecks.
Each of these accidents brings unique challenges in proving fault, identifying all responsible parties, and fighting the corporate defense teams that step in to protect trucking companies.
Serious Injury and Wrongful Death Claims After an I-25 Truck Wreck
The force of a tractor-trailer collision is overwhelming. For survivors, injuries often require extensive medical treatment, time away from work, and long-term care needs that strain families emotionally and financially. In these cases, a personal injury claim is about more than medical bills — it’s about securing the resources needed to rebuild life after a catastrophic event.
- Serious injury claims allow victims to pursue compensation for ongoing medical treatment, rehabilitation, lost wages, reduced earning ability, and the pain and suffering that comes with permanent or life-altering harm. These cases often involve brain trauma, spinal cord damage, or other injuries that change the course of a person’s future.
- Wrongful death claims give surviving family members a way to hold negligent parties accountable when a loved one is killed in a trucking crash. Damages may include funeral and burial costs, the loss of the deceased’s income and household support, and the irreplaceable loss of companionship, guidance, and love.
At Buckingham & Vega Law Firm, we handle these cases with both precision and compassion. We understand that families are not just seeking compensation. They are also looking for accountability, closure, and the assurance that their voices are heard against powerful trucking companies and insurers.
Who Can Be Held Liable After an I-25 Truck Crash?
Trucking cases are rarely straightforward. Unlike a typical car accident, there may be multiple layers of responsibility:
- Truck drivers who speed, text, drive drunk, or push past safe hours.
- Trucking companies that cut corners on safety, fail to screen drivers, or push them to meet unrealistic delivery schedules.
- Cargo shippers and loaders that improperly secure freight, creating tipping hazards or road debris.
- Maintenance providers that skip inspections or overlook mechanical defects.
- Manufacturers of faulty brakes, tires, or other parts.
Uncovering liability requires an aggressive, immediate investigation. Our firm acts quickly to preserve black box data, secure logbooks, inspect the truck, and work with accident reconstruction experts before evidence is lost.
Statute of Limitations: Why Acting Quickly Matters
In New Mexico, most personal injury lawsuits — including trucking crashes — must be filed within three years of the accident. Wrongful death claims typically have the same three-year limit from the date of death.
But waiting is risky. Trucking companies move fast to protect themselves, and some claims (such as those involving government contractors) have notice deadlines as short as 90 days. Speaking with an attorney quickly helps ensure your rights are preserved and your case is built on solid evidence.
Early action also gives your legal team more time to gather black box data, driver logs, witness statements, and other critical information that can fade or be lost if you wait too long.
FAQ: I-25 Truck Accidents in New Mexico
Can I file a claim if multiple vehicles were involved?
Yes. Multi-vehicle accidents are common on congested stretches of I-25. Liability may be shared among several drivers, trucking companies, or other entities. Our team investigates thoroughly to determine all responsible parties.
What if I was partially at fault for the crash?
New Mexico follows a pure comparative fault system. Even if you were partly responsible, you may still recover compensation, though your recovery is reduced in proportion to your fault. Insurance companies often try to inflate your share of blame, and we fight to protect your rights.
Do I need a lawyer with trucking experience?
Trucking cases are not like regular car accidents. They involve federal regulations, corporate defendants, and complex evidence. Our 1-25 truck accident lawyers have decades of experience in trucking litigation and the resources to take these cases to trial.
Call for a Free Consultation: (505) 388-0066
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a truck accident on I-25, you don’t have to face the trucking company or insurer alone. At Buckingham & Vega Law Firm, we’ve fought for crash victims across New Mexico since 1999, and we’re ready to fight for you.
Call (505) 388-0066 or contact us online for a free consultation. Our I-25 truck accident attorneys in New Mexico are standing by to help.

The Right Legal Team Matters
Meet Our Dedicated Team of Attorneys

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Mr. Buckingham won our case after two other law firms said it would be impossible to win. He knew the medicine better than the experts in the case. I guess the fact that he’s also a doctor was a great help.Former Client
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Mr. Buckingham flew to the East Coast several times & understood how a correct gall bladder surgery is supposed to be done better than the surgeon. He was very knowledgeable & precise.Former Client
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When I first contacted Mr.Vega, I knew he was different because he listened to me with compassion. Mr. Vega and his team gave me hope and most important they gave my son a better life.Former Client
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They fought for my injured baby and made sure we would be taken care of for the rest of our lives. I highly recommend this law firm.Former Client
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We turned to him when we had nowhere else to go. Turns out it was the best decision we could have ever made. They represented us in a difficult case and made those responsible accountable for their actions.Former Client
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This was an experience I'll never forget and felt like family and not a business associate. Adrian kept me informed and up to date on all matters of the lawsuit. Needless to say, I received more ( much more ) than expected...Former Client
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I would highly recommend using Buckingham & Vega if you have been injured in an accident. Very professional firm and well knowledgeable!Former Client
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We had a great experience working with Adrian. He was very professional and guided my family through a difficult situation.Former Client

Our Results Make a Difference
Explore How We Have Helped Our Clients
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$16 Million Truck Accident
Buckingham & Vega obtained a $16 million settlement in a truck accident case. The truck driver was speeding and inattentive (texting) and crashed into the rear of a pickup truck stopped at a stoplight.
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$13 Million Truck Accident
Our team secured a 13 million settlement in a truck accident case. An eighteen-wheeler made an unsafe turn in front of a car driven by a grandmother and her family. The grandmother was killed and the family suffered severe injuries.
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$2 Million Truck Accident
The Buckingham & Vega team obtained a $2 million wrongful death settlement on behalf of a client who was killed in a truck accident collision.
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$2 Million Truck Accident
Buckingham & Vega Law Firm secured $2 million after a wrongful death that occurred after a trucking collision.
