On Friday, September 20th, just before 5 pm, a multi-vehicle collision occurred near the Big-I (a freeway interchange) on Interstate 40 in Albuquerque, ultimately leading to the death of one woman, identified as 26-year-old Chamar Gallegos. 

According to New Mexico State Police (NMSP) officials, Gallegos was driving her Honda Civic east approaching the interchange to head north on Interstate 25 where traffic was backed up. Reports say the Civic did not slow down and rear-ended a GMC SUV, causing a chain-reaction crash with three other vehicles waiting in traffic. 

NMSP said that Gallegos was not wearing her seatbelt and died due to the injuries she suffered in the crash. No other injuries were reported in the crash. 

Officials will continue to investigate the collision for more information.

The Impact of Rear-End Collisions in New Mexico

Rear-end collisions in New Mexico are the most common type of collision to occur. Data collected by the New Mexico Department of Transportation for 2022 shows that over 33 percent of crashes that occurred in the state that year were rear-end collisions. Rear-end collisions also accounted for over 18 percent of fatal crashes, and 33 percent of injury crashes. 

Rear-end collisions can occur due to a variety of factors, including:

• Distracted driving
• Speeding
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Poor weather or road conditions
• Tailgating or following too closely
• Mechanical issues
• Drowsy driving
• And more

“Fatal rear-end collisions, especially those like the one involving Chamar Gallegos where drivers do not see stopped vehicles ahead or fail to react in time, can have a devastating impact,” says Brian Colón, New Mexico managing partner and lawyer of Singleton Schreiber, “not only on the victims involved but also their families. The impacts may include physical injury, financial strain, and emotional trauma. These types of accidents are a stark reminder of the need for heightened awareness and caution, especially on busy interchanges and freeways.” 

Legal Avenues Available to Rear-End Collision Victims and Their Families

Victims of rear-end collisions and their families may be entitled to pursue compensation for the damages they suffer in the accident. In cases where the victim(s) are injured, they may elect to pursue a personal injury claim. A personal injury claim may allow them to obtain compensation for damages they suffered due to the accident, such as:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages due to extended time off of work for recovery
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional suffering
• And more

In cases where the victim unfortunately dies in the accident, their family may choose to pursue a wrongful death claim. A wrongful death claim may allow the family to obtain compensation for damages including:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Loss of companionship
• Future financial support
• And more

Potentially liable parties for wrongful death claims may include:

• The driver who caused the collision
• The car manufacturer if the collision occurred due to a malfunction (such as brakes giving out)
• The mechanic or repair shop, if improper maintenance or repairs contributed to the accident
• Government entities, if poor road design, maintenance, or hazardous conditions played a role in the collision

If you have been injured in a rear-end collision in Albuquerque or unfortunately lost a loved one in a rear-end collision, you may be eligible to file a claim. Contact the team at Singleton Schreiber today to learn more about your options. Call them at (505) 605-2076 or email at info@singletonschreiber.com to schedule your free consultation today. 

Bakersfield, CA | September 20, 2024

Saturday, September 14, 2024, around 2 am Marco Antonio Caballero Flores was involved in a head-on collision with another vehicle on Highway 58, just east of Edison Road. Unfortunately, Flores was pronounced dead at the scene.

California Highway Patrol officials of the Bakersfield area are investigating the cause of the crash.

The Dangers of Head-On Collisions

In 2021, fatal collisions in Bakersfield killed or injured more than 1,800 people. In head-on collisions, even though they make up a smaller percentage of overall accidents, they account for a disproportionate number of fatalities. In the US, head-on collisions account for around 14 percent of traffic fatalities.

Causes of head-on accidents can be attributed to several factors, such as:

• Wrongway driving: Drivers may mistakenly enter a freeway going the wrong way, often due to confusion or impaired driving.
• Distracted driving: When drivers take their eyes off the road to use a phone, adjust settings, or engage in other distractions, they may drift into oncoming traffic.
• Driving under the influence: Alcohol or drugs impair driver’s judgment and reaction times, leading to an increased risk of wrong-way or unsafe passing that results in head-on crashes.
• Fatigue: Tired drivers are more likely to swerve out of their lanes, especially on long stretches of highway, leading to head-on collisions.

“Head-on collisions are dangerous and often lead to severe injuries or death, like the case of Marco Antonio Caballero Flores,” says attorney Brett Schreiber of Singleton Schreiber. “These types of accidents are especially devastating, because often they could have been prevented. In many cases, simple actions can make all the difference. Our thoughts go out to Mr. Flores’ family in this difficult time. We are confident that CHP will quickly determine the cause of the accident and provide his family with closure.”

Legal Recourse Available to Victims of Head-On Collisions & Their Families

Victims of head-on collisions and their family members may be entitled to pursue legal action to obtain compensation for the damages they suffered in the accident. In cases like Mr. Flores’ families may be able to file a wrongful death claim. These types of claims may allow them to obtain compensation for funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and the financial support the deceased would have otherwise provided.

In cases where the victim survives, they may be able to file a personal injury claim and obtain compensation for things such as medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

If you’ve been injured or tragically lost a loved one in a head-on collision contact the team at Singleton Schreiber to learn more about how we may be able to help you get the compensation you deserve. Call (619) 771-3473 or email info@singletonschreiber.com to get started today.

Dr. Charles “Charlie” McMillan, director of Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) died after being involved in a two-car collision in the early morning of Friday, September 6th. 

The fatal crash occurred around 5:15 am. The Los Alamos Police Department (LAPD) received reports of a two-vehicle accident on New Mexico State Route 502, near the Camino Entrada intersection. 

Two individuals were taken to the Los Alamos Medical Center for treatment, a 22-year-old female, and a 69-year-old male, identified as Dr. McMillan. The 22-year-old sustained minor injuries, however, Dr. McMillan succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the hospital. 

LAPD’s crash team is still investigating the cause of the collision. 

The Impact of Fatal Car Accidents in New Mexico and Los Alamos

Fatal car accidents remain a pressing issue in New Mexico and its communities, including Los Alamos. The tragic death of Dr. McMillan serves as a stark reminder of the dangers New Mexico drivers face each day on the roads and highlights the need for greater emphasis on traffic safety. 

New Mexico consistently ranks among the states with the highest rates of traffic fatalities, with more than 500 traffic-related deaths reported in 2023. This statistic highlights significant public safety issues and the importance of implementing legal and regulatory measures to address them. 

In smaller communities like Los Alamos, fatal accidents can have a profound impact. The close-knit nature of these communities often amplifies the emotional and legal ramifications of such tragedies.

“This tragic incident serves as a powerful reminder of the inherent dangers on our roads,” says Michael Duran, attorney at Singleton Schreiber, “Injured drivers on New Mexico roads deserve not only justice but also closure after such a collision with devastating consequences. We are confident the LAPD will work hard to quickly determine the cause of the collision. Our thoughts are with those affected by this tragedy.”

Safe Driving Practices

Staying safe on the road is important, and while accidents happen, there are practices every driver can implement to increase safety on the road. Some safe driving practices that every driver can use include:

• Adhering to posted speed limits
• Driving sober
• Avoiding the use of distractions
• Signaling intention to other drivers
• Maintaining a safe following distance
• Obeying posted signs and signals
• Checking blind spots before changing lanes
• Adjusting speed and following distance according to weather conditions
• Ensuring your vehicle receives regular maintenance 
• And more

If you’ve lost a loved one in a car accident in New Mexico, contact the team at Singleton Schreiber by calling (505) 605-2076 or emailing us at info@singletonschreiber.com to schedule a free consultation.