Every year
on New Mexico roads, hundreds of people are injured or killed in accidents with
commercial vehicles. Truck traffic around urban centers such as Santa Fe and
Albuquerque, and along busy highways such as Interstate 10 and Interstate 25,
is a daily hazard for travelers. If you or a family member has been injured in
an accident with a tractor-trailer, or if you've suffered the loss of a family
member involved in a collision with a truck, make sure you are represented by a
legal team that fully understands truck accident litigation. Michael can lend
his experience to a team of local attorneys to ensure that you receive the
highest compensation for your loss.
Speaking Engagements
I regularly engage in continuing legal education presentations around the country, including the following events in or near New Mexico:
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Phoenix, Arizona (October 22, 2004)
Topic: Using the Internet to Research Truck Accident Cases
Trucking Laws
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (Title 49, Parts 350-399) govern all vehicles engaged in interstate traffic.
There are some situations where a tractor-trailer or other commercial motor vehicle is involved in only intrastate travel. For example, an appliance store in Albuquerque may own a truck that only makes in-state deliveries.
The New Mexico Department of Public Safety has adopted Title 49, Parts 382, 383, 384, 390, 391, 392, 393, 394, 395, 396, 397, 398, and 399 of the federal regulations.
For an overview of laws that affect trucks operating only in New Mexico, visit our New Mexico Trucking Laws page.
For Lawyers
Your truck accident case may be larger than you think. My experience often enables me to maximize awards, well beyond what the co-counsel originally expected. My book Litigating Truck Accident Cases, published by West Publishing, is considered the definitive work on handling truck accident cases. Contact me if you are seeking co-counsel on your case.
Incidents
Fatal Truck Accidents: 60 per year
Non-Fatal Truck Accidents: 865 per year
Accident Locales: 85%(Rural), 15%(Urban)
Carrier Fact: 71% of New Mexico's truck accidents involve carriers whose principle place of business is not New Mexico.
In 88% of New Mexico's truck accidents, weather conditions were NOT a factor.
Roads
Interstate 10: In the Southern United States, I-10 is the major east-west interstate. The portion of the route running through New Mexico makes a brief foray through the state's southwestern corner.
Interstate 40: Spanning the breadth of America from Barstow, California to Wilmington, North Carolina, I-40 is vast. It travels 374 miles in New Mexico and serves as the state's major west-east corridor.
Interstate 25: Also known as the Pan-American Freeway, I-25 is the main North-South highway in New Mexico. I-25 connects Albuquerque with Santa Fe and Las Cruces.