1. Singleton Schreiber
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, personal injury, car accidents, truck accidents, wrongful death, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, catastrophic injuries, burn injuries
Case Types Handled: Left-turn motorcycle accidents, intersection collisions, rear-end collisions with motorcycles, head-on collisions, multi-vehicle motorcycle accidents, drunk driver accidents, distracted driver accidents, hit-and-run motorcycle accidents, wrongful death from motorcycle crashes, road hazard accidents
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, evidence preservation, witness interviews, police report analysis, insurance claim negotiation, uninsured/underinsured motorist claims, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical lien resolution
Background: Singleton Schreiber is a nationally recognized trial law firm with attorneys recognized by Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers, the National Law Journal, and the Daily Journal. The firm has helped clients win over $3 billion in compensation. They handle cases on a contingency fee basis with no upfront costs.
Location: 500 Marquette Ave NW, Suite 1200, Albuquerque, NM 87102
Contact: (505) 587-3473 | https://www.singletonschreiber.com
Consultation: Free consultation available
2. New Mexico Biker Lawyer (Blazejewski & Hansen)
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents exclusively, road rash injuries, wrongful death motorcycle cases, catastrophic injuries, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries
Case Types Handled: All types of motorcycle injuries, motorcycle vs. car collisions, motorcycle vs. truck collisions, hit-and-run motorcycle accidents, drunk driver accidents, distracted driver accidents, defective motorcycle equipment claims, road hazard accidents
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, punitive damage claims, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims
Background: Attorneys Eva Blazejewski and Heather Hansen have literally written the book on dealing with motorcycle crash accident cases in New Mexico. The firm focuses exclusively on motorcycle injury cases in New Mexico and has recovered millions in legal damages, including punitive damages, for motorcyclists injured throughout the state. They intentionally maintain a small caseload to provide personal attention to each client.
Location: 1720 Louisiana Blvd NE, Suite 100, Albuquerque, NM 87110
Contact: (505) 505-BIKE (2453) | https://newmexicobikerlawyer.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee basis
3. Caruso Law Offices, P.C.
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, personal injury, car accidents, truck accidents, wrongful death, premises liability, pedestrian accidents
Case Types Handled: Left-turn motorcycle accidents, intersection collisions, lane change accidents, rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, multi-vehicle motorcycle accidents, drunk driver accidents, distracted driver accidents, hit-and-run accidents, wrongful death motorcycle claims
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, evidence preservation, witness interviews, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, uninsured/underinsured motorist claims, medical expense recovery
Background: Caruso Law Offices is an Albuquerque-based personal injury law firm led by Attorney Mark Caruso. The firm has extensive experience handling New Mexico motorcycle accident cases with a focus on Albuquerque and surrounding areas. They provide personalized, compassionate representation and work on a contingency fee basis.
Location: 4302 Carlisle Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87107
Contact: (505) 883-5000 | https://www.carusolaw.com
Consultation: Free case evaluation available
4. Parnall Law Firm (Hurt Call Bert)
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, personal injury, car accidents, truck accidents, wrongful death, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, slip and fall injuries
Case Types Handled: Left-turn motorcycle accidents, intersection collisions, rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, lane change accidents, drunk driver accidents, distracted driver accidents, hit-and-run motorcycle accidents, wrongful death claims, catastrophic injury cases
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, evidence compilation, witness questioning, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, expert consultation, medical specialist consultation
Background: Attorney Bertrand Russell Parnall is an Albuquerque native, graduate of Albuquerque High School (salutatorian, Class of 1988), Rice University, and the University of New Mexico School of Law. He started his career as a public defender before entering private practice. The firm takes an aggressive approach to motorcycle accident cases.
Location: 2025 San Pedro Dr NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110
Contact: (505) 268-6500 | https://www.hurtcallbert.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee basis
5. McGinn Montoya Love Curry & Sievers PA
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, personal injury, medical malpractice, trucking accidents, wrongful death, premises liability, product liability
Case Types Handled: Failure to yield motorcycle accidents, speeding-related collisions, distracted driver accidents, drunk driver accidents, left-turn accidents, intersection collisions, lane change accidents, wrongful death motorcycle cases, catastrophic injuries
Legal Services: Negligence investigation, accident reconstruction, evidence preservation, witness interviews, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, expert witness consultation
Background: McGinn Montoya Love Curry & Sievers PA has over 30 years of experience helping motorcycle accident victims in Albuquerque and throughout New Mexico. The firm is known statewide for its toughness and dedication to holding reckless drivers accountable. They work to ensure clients receive fair settlements and handle cases on a contingency fee basis.
Location: 201 Broadway Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM 87102
Contact: (505) 581-5389 | https://www.mcginnlaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation available
Motorcycle Accident Laws and Regulations in New Mexico
Statute of Limitations: New Mexico provides three years from the date of the motorcycle accident to file a personal injury claim (NMSA § 37-1-8). Property damage claims have a four-year statute of limitations. Claims against government agencies must be filed within two years.
Fault System: New Mexico is an at-fault (tort) state. The party responsible for causing the accident is liable for damages.
Comparative Negligence: New Mexico follows a pure comparative negligence rule. Injured motorcyclists can recover compensation regardless of their percentage of fault, though the recovery is reduced by their share of responsibility. For example, even if a motorcyclist is 90% at fault, they can still recover 10% of their damages from the other party.
Minimum Motorcycle Insurance Requirements:
- $25,000 for bodily injury to one person
- $50,000 for bodily injury to two or more persons
- $10,000 for property damage
Helmet Law: New Mexico has a partial helmet law (NMSA § 66-7-356). Helmets are required only for motorcycle operators and passengers under 18 years of age. Adults 18 and older are not legally required to wear helmets. Failure to wear a helmet does not constitute contributory negligence under New Mexico law.
Eye Protection: All motorcycle operators must wear eye protection (goggles, safety glasses, or a face shield attached to a helmet) unless the motorcycle has an approved fixed windshield.
Lane Splitting/Filtering: Lane splitting is not permitted in New Mexico. Motorcyclists must follow standard lane usage rules.
Motorcycle Licensing: Riders must have a valid motorcycle endorsement on their driver’s license or hold a separate motorcycle license (Class M). First-time applicants may be required to complete a motorcycle driver training program. Both a written knowledge test and an on-cycle skills test are required.
Equipment Requirements: Motorcycles must have at least one headlight (operational whenever in use), one red taillight, one red brake light, at least one mirror providing a view of the highway for at least 200 feet behind the motorcycle, turn signals (not required on motorcycles manufactured before 1973), and mufflers in good working order. Handlebars must not be higher than the rider’s shoulders when seated.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: New Mexico insurance policies must include uninsured motorist coverage with minimum limits of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
Damage Caps: The New Mexico Tort Claims Act (NMSA § 41-4-19) limits damages against government entities to $700,000 total, with $300,000 for medical expenses and $400,000 for other damages. There are no caps on damages in claims against private parties.
Motorcycle Safety Training: New Mexico has a “motorcycle training fund” that provides motorcycle training and driver awareness education. First-time license applicants may be required to participate in safety training.
Dram Shop Liability: New Mexico has dram shop laws that may allow injured motorcyclists to hold alcohol-serving establishments liable if they served alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person who subsequently caused an accident.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit in New Mexico?
A: New Mexico provides a three-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims arising from motorcycle accidents, starting from the date of the accident or discovery of injury. Property damage claims have a four-year deadline. Claims against government agencies have a two-year limitation. Missing these deadlines typically results in losing your right to compensation.
Q: How does New Mexico’s comparative negligence rule affect my motorcycle accident claim?
A: New Mexico follows a pure comparative negligence system, which is favorable to injured motorcyclists. You can recover compensation regardless of your percentage of fault. Your recovery is reduced by your share of responsibility. For example, if your damages total $100,000 and you are found 55% at fault, you can still recover $45,000. Even motorcyclists who are 90% at fault can recover 10% of their damages from the other party.
Q: Am I required to wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle in New Mexico?
A: Only riders and passengers under 18 years old are required to wear helmets in New Mexico. Adults 18 and older can legally ride without helmets. Importantly, under New Mexico law, failure to wear a helmet does not constitute contributory negligence, meaning a defendant cannot use your non-helmet use to reduce your compensation. However, insurance companies may still argue that injuries would have been less severe with a helmet.
Q: Is lane splitting legal for motorcyclists in New Mexico?
A: No, lane splitting is not permitted in New Mexico. Motorcyclists must follow standard lane usage rules and cannot ride between lanes of stopped or slow-moving traffic. Violating this rule could negatively impact your injury claim if an accident occurs.
Q: What compensation can I recover after a motorcycle accident in New Mexico?
A: Injured motorcyclists in New Mexico can recover compensatory damages including medical expenses (past and future), lost wages, loss of earning capacity, property damage, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. In cases involving reckless or malicious conduct, punitive damages may be available to punish the wrongdoer. Wrongful death claims allow surviving family members to recover for loss of financial support, funeral expenses, and loss of companionship.