How Much Are Most Truck Accident Settlements?

There is no true average truck accident settlement because every case involves unique injuries, property damage, non-economic damages, and liability issues. Minor injury claims may settle for thousands of dollars, while cases involving more severe injuries, permanent disabilities, or wrongful death may settle for hundreds of thousands of dollars or more. A New Mexico truck accident attorney can help you estimate a settlement based on your specific damages.

What Are the Signs of an Acceptable Settlement Offer?

The main sign of an acceptable settlement offer is an amount that fairly compensates you for both your losses. It should also take into account any long-term or future expenses, such as reduced earning potential or anticipated medical expenses. Before accepting any settlement offer, you should hire a truck accident lawyer who can calculate your financial losses and explain whether you should accept a settlement or continue negotiating.

How Long Does a Truck Accident Settlement Take?

The timeline for a truck accident settlement depends on the complexity of your case. Some claims can be resolved quickly, but some cases can take a long time. Your claim may take longer if it involves serious injuries, shared or disputed liability, multiple at-fault parties, extensive investigations, or scheduling conflicts.

Do Insurance Companies Prefer to Settle?

In many cases, insurance companies prefer to settle. Settling has less uncertainty compared with a trial and also comes with less court costs. If a case goes on to litigation, they lose control over the outcome and may be required to comply with even higher verdicts. Just because an insurance company is trying to settle a case does not mean they are offering fair compensation, as many insurers attempt to settle for less than you need.

Can You Recover Lost Wages After a Car Accident in New Mexico?

By Rachel Berenson

Car Accidents

Last Modified on Sep 25, 2026

In addition to physical harm, a car accident may also keep you from earning a paycheck while you recover. Can I recover lost wages after a car accident in New Mexico? Depending on the circumstances of the accident, you may be able to recover compensation for income lost because of your injuries. Evidence and documentation of injuries, employment, and time missed from work are essential to this type of personal injury claim.

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What Types of Lost Income May Be Recoverable?

Lost wages after a car accident can refer to more than the income you lost while recovering from an accident. Hourly wages, salary, overtime, commissions, bonuses, tips, and self-employment income that you were unable to earn due to accident-related injuries may all be part of a claim. In some cases, vacation or sick leave taken during recovery may also be included in your compensation.

Under NM Stat. Ann. § 41-3A-1, New Mexico follows a pure comparative negligence system, which may affect the number of damages recoverable based on each party’s percentage of fault. Claims differ on a case-by-case basis, and the types of income that may be recovered can vary depending on the facts and available evidence. Reviewing the full extent of lost earnings helps pursue all accident-related financial losses and is considered during the claims process.

How Do You Prove Lost Wages After a Car Accident?

Proof of lost wages usually requires information on how much you make as well as when you lose time from work. Helpful evidence might include pay stubs, tax returns, employer statements, work schedules, medical records, and doctor-ordered work restrictions. Self-employed individuals may use business records, invoices, or other financial statements.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median usual weekly earnings of full-time wage and salary workers were $1,194 in the first quarter of 2025. That figure provides context for the income a full-time worker could lose when accident-related injuries prevent them from working.

Why Medical Documentation Matters for a Lost Wage Claim

Your medical records may help to establish the connection between time missed from work and injuries you suffered in a car accident. Doctor’s treatment notes, work restrictions, and any recommendations about your ability to return to work can all help to support a claim for lost income.

Maintaining consistent medical treatment for your injuries can also create a paper trail that may help to demonstrate the amount of time your injuries affected your ability to do your job. If you seek medical care after a collision in Albuquerque, UNM Hospital and other facilities may provide medical records that can become important evidence during the claims process.

Hire a Car Accident Lawyer

Berenson & Associates, PC has been advocating for injured people throughout New Mexico for over 25 years, handling a broad range of personal injury claims. Our personal injury lawyer in Albuquerque recognizes the difficulties caused by lost work time and decreased earning power, and we take the time to review every claim and push for the compensation that the evidence will allow.

Our team can evaluate your financial losses, explain your legal options, and help you pursue the compensation available under New Mexico law. Schedule a consultation today to hire a car accident lawyer.

About the author: Rachel Berenson

Founding Attorney of Berenson & Associates, P.C.

Rachel Berenson is the founding partner of Berenson & Associates, PC, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She has represented clients in personal injury and car accident matters since 1998. A graduate of Hamline University School of Law, she opened her firm in 2006 to focus on advocacy for accident victims. Ms. Berenson is admitted to the State Bar of New Mexico and has been selected to Super Lawyers from 2020 through 2025, reflecting her dedication to her clients and profession.

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