There’s nothing quite like the feeling of riding a motorcycle through Roswell on a perfect New Mexico afternoon. The wind rushes past, the engine hums beneath you, and for those few minutes or hours, everything else fades away. For many riders, that keeps them repeatedly returning to the open road. But that sense of peace and control can disappear instantly when careless drivers change lanes without looking, run a red light, or fail to yield. What starts as an ordinary ride becomes a nightmare of twisted metal, flashing lights, and overwhelming pain. The rush of the ride disappears in an instant, replaced by shock, fear, and the harsh reality of serious injuries.
In the days that follow, injured motorcyclists face mounting medical bills, a mangled bike sitting in a tow yard, and the crushing weight of lost wages when even standing requires assistance. When negligence causes a motorcycle accident, the injured rider has the right to seek full financial recovery. A Roswell motorcycle accident lawyer can help victims understand their rights, deal with the insurance company, and pursue the compensation they deserve.
Parnall Law has helped injured riders across New Mexico rebuild their lives with strength, stability, and dignity. Our team understands what motorcyclists go through after a crash, and we’re here to advocate for the justice and compensation you need to move forward.
When you’re hurt in an accident in Albuquerque or anywhere in New Mexico, choosing the right lawyers isn’t just important – it can change everything. Here’s why Parnall Law – Hurt? Call Bert stands apart:
We’re Local, and That Matters
We live and work here, so we know the roads, the neighborhoods, and the people of New Mexico. That means we understand the unique challenges our clients face and how to navigate local courts, insurers, and providers.
Proven Results
We’ve helped over 9,000 New Mexicans, recovered more than $400 million for our clients, and earned over 1,000 5-star Google reviews from people we’ve fought for.
No Upfront Costs, No Risk
Your consultation is free, and you pay nothing unless we recover for you.
Integrity and Compassion
We’re honest about your options and treat every client with respect. If we can’t help, we’ll still guide you toward resources that can.
Don’t settle for less. Contact Parnall Law today and take the first step toward justice.
Motorcyclists in New Mexico must obey the same traffic and safety regulations as other drivers, but the risks are far greater for riders on two wheels. According to the New Mexico Department of Transportation 2023 Annual Crash Report, there were 42,836 total traffic crashes statewide, with 979 involving motorcycles. Of these motorcycle crashes, 53 were fatal, 777 resulted in injuries, and 149 caused property damage only. These figures reveal how disproportionately severe motorcycle accidents are compared to other types of collisions.
Considering these dangers, protective gear matters more than ever. The report found that 45.2 percent of riders involved in crashes were wearing helmets, highlighting the ongoing challenge of rider safety compliance. New Mexico law recognizes this need and mandates specific safety measures. Under New Mexico Statutes §66-7-356, riders under 18 must wear a helmet. All motorcyclists are required to carry valid insurance, hold a motorcycle endorsement, and make sure their bikes have working headlights, taillights, and mirrors. Lane splitting is not allowed, and passengers must have a proper seat and footrests.
Even the most careful rider can be hurt because of another driver’s poor choices. When someone speeds, looks at a phone, or ignores the right-of-way, the motorcyclist often suffers the consequences. In those moments, working with a Roswell motorcycle accident lawyer can make a real difference by helping you seek accountability and begin rebuilding your life.

Motorcycle crashes in and around Roswell often stem from preventable causes that could have been avoided with proper attention and care. Identifying how these accidents occur is essential for establishing fault and building a strong legal claim that holds negligent parties accountable. The most common causes include:
Even the most cautious and experienced motorcyclists can suffer devastating injuries when another driver acts recklessly or carelessly. Parnall Law conducts thorough investigations to determine exactly how the crash occurred and holds the responsible party accountable for the harm they caused.
Liability in a motorcycle accident is proven by demonstrating that another party acted negligently or violated the duty of care owed to you. In New Mexico, negligence occurs when a driver fails to act as a reasonably prudent person would under similar circumstances.
Establishing this requires a thorough investigation that includes collecting police reports to document the facts of the collision, interviewing witnesses who observed the crash or unsafe behavior, and reviewing traffic camera or dashcam footage. In more complex cases, accident reconstruction experts may be consulted to clarify disputed details, while cell phone records, vehicle data, and toxicology reports can reveal impairment or distraction.
Once fault is established, New Mexico’s pure comparative negligence system allows injured riders to recover compensation even if they share some responsibility for the accident. Under this rule, any award is simply reduced by the rider’s percentage of fault. For example, if a motorcyclist is found 20% responsible for the crash, their compensation is reduced by that same percentage, but they can still pursue the remaining 80% from the at-fault party.
We’ll fight for the compensation you deserve
Motorcycle accident victims have the right to pursue compensation for the full scope of their losses, both financial and personal. Recoverable damages can include:
We work to ensure your compensation matches what you’ve actually lost, not what insurers want to pay. We negotiate hard, push back against lowball offers, and pursue a settlement that covers your bills, injuries, and emotional pain.
In New Mexico, most motorcycle accident claims must be filed within three years from the crash date. This deadline is defined under the New Mexico Statutes Annotated §37-1-8, which governs personal injury and strict liability actions. Understanding and meeting this timeframe is critical to protecting your legal rights and ensuring you can pursue the compensation you deserve.
Missing this deadline can have severe consequences. Failing to file within the statute of limitations can permanently bar you from seeking recovery, no matter how strong your case may be or how severe your injuries are. While exceptions exist for specific situations, such as when the victim is a minor or the negligent party is a government employee, these are narrow and fact-specific. Because of these strict time limits and limited exceptions, it’s best to consult a Roswell motorcycle accident lawyer immediately after the crash to ensure your rights are preserved and your claim is filed on time.
The duration of a motorcycle accident case depends on the complexity of the facts, the severity of injuries, and whether the case settles or proceeds to trial. A straightforward insurance claim may be resolved in a few months, especially when liability is clear and damages are well-documented. However, more complicated cases involving disputed fault, catastrophic injuries, or multiple defendants can take a year or longer to resolve.
Some of the main factors that affect the timeline include:
Parnall Law combines efficiency with thoroughness, working to resolve your case promptly while ensuring every loss is fully documented and accounted for.
No two motorcycle accident cases are the same, and what you might recover depends on how the crash affected your health, finances, and daily life. Different factors influence the outcome, including how badly you were hurt, what kind of medical care you needed, how long recovery takes, what insurance coverage exists, and how fault gets divided between everyone involved.
Since motorcycle crashes often lead to catastrophic or permanent injuries, the value of these cases varies widely depending on what happened. A Roswell motorcycle accident lawyer can assess the full extent of your losses, explain what fair compensation should look like in your situation, and pursue the complete amount you need to rebuild your life with security, stability, and peace of mind.
When a careless driver leaves you hurt and uncertain about what comes next, you shouldn’t have to handle the legal side on your own. Our team at Parnall Law in Roswell is here to help you pursue the compensation you deserve while focusing on your recovery. We handle the insurance negotiations, gather the necessary evidence, and protect your rights throughout the process.
Call (505) 578-4548 today or reach out online for a free consultation with a Roswell motorcycle accident lawyer. We’ll listen to your story, explain your options, and help you take the next step toward recovery.
Bertrand Russell Parnall is an Albuquerque native, salutatorian of the Class of 1988 at Albuquerque High School, and co-captain of the district football champion Bulldogs. He earned his undergraduate degree from Rice University with a double major in history and French, and his law degree from the University of New Mexico School of Law after coming home to Albuquerque.
Years of Experience: 27+ years
Justia Profile: Bert Parnall
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founding Partner, Bertrand Russell Parnall who has more than 20 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney.
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Hurt? Call Bert ®
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Hurt? Call Bert ®
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Hurt? Call Bert ®
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