In a matter of seconds, a car accident can cause life-altering injuries or end the life of someone you love. Unfortunately, they are not uncommon either, with one crash occurring every 11 minutes in New Mexico 2018. On top of that, the state’s total car accident count in 2018 was 46,786 accidents, 19,790 injuries, and 392 deaths; the vast majority of these car accidents were preventable and had to do with negligence or human error.
With experienced auto accident attorneys in Albuquerque, Ring Jimenez, P.C. has the knowledge and resources to help you with any type of car accident claim. We will tailor our advice and strategies to suit your unique needs. If you or a loved one were injured in a recent car accident in Albuquerque, contact our Albuquerque injury lawyers without hesitation for a free legal consultation. Someone may owe you and your family financial compensation.
In this guide:
- Why Hire Ring Jimenez, P.C
- Causes Car Accidents in Albuquerque
- Should I Make a Statement to the Insurance Company?
- Car Accident Laws in New Mexico
- Compensation Available in Car Accident Claims
- Free Consultation: Contact Our Albuquerque Car Accident Attorneys
Why Hire An Albuquerque Car Accident Lawyer From Ring Jimenez?
- We are a full-service personal injury law firm that can see your case through from start to finish.
- We are committed to case results. Our Albuquerque accident lawyers, have recovered millions of dollars for their clients.
- We have significant experience handling car accidents in the greater Albuquerque area.
- We can advocate for you using the proper resources, employees, and technology.
- We offer free consultations and work for clients on a contingency fee basis in Albuquerque.
What Can an Albuquerque Car Accident Attorney Do For You?
You might need to hire a car accident attorney to represent you if you have suffered serious injuries, damages, or lost someone you loved as the result of an accident. Furthermore, auto insurance companies in New Mexico often try to downplay these types of claims and offer claimants far less than their damages are worth. An insurer will have no choice but to offer a fair amount, however, with a lawyer advocating for you, your car accident lawyer will negotiate a fair outcome for your losses while you focus on healing.
Should I File an Insurance Claim?
Soon after your car accident, an insurance adjuster may reach out to you and ask you to provide a statement about the crash. He or she may claim that this statement can help you reach a settlement faster, allowing you to recover from your damages. However, this is not always the case.
Insurance companies are responsible for paying for your damages after an accident. Because your settlement comes directly out of their pockets, these companies often try to justify providing less compensation than what you actually deserve. Providing a premature statement can harm your future claim.
At this stage in your case, you may not know the full extent of your injuries and the damages you can claim. If you make a statement about your injuries and later discover that you require more compensation, the company may use your previous statement to discredit you or justify a low offer. You should not speak to any insurance representative until you speak to your attorney.
What Are The Car Accident Laws in New Mexico?
Under New Mexico’s fault laws, a negligent person will be responsible for his or her actions, and negligence behind the wheel comes with a cost in New Mexico. The at-fault driver will have to pay for a victim’s past and future losses, including medical expenses and property damages, through insurance coverage. Use a lawyer to identify the at-fault party and file your insurance claim as soon as possible.
In New Mexico, you have no more than three years to file a car accident claim before the statute of limitations runs out. You could have more or less than three years, however, if your case is an exception to the rule. It is important to talk to an attorney about filing a case as soon as possible after your auto accident. If the at-fault party tries to allege that you contributed to the crash, this could reduce your recovery according to the state’s comparative fault law. A lawyer can help argue your degree of fault down to maximize your financial compensation.
What Are New Mexico Negligence Laws?
Since New Mexico is a fault-based insurance state, you will need to prove that the other driver’s actions are responsible for your crash and resulting injuries to seek compensation. In an insurance claim, an independent investigation can establish the evidence you need to prove this liability. If you plan on filing a lawsuit, you and your attorney will need to follow a series of steps to prove negligence.
Negligence is a legal theory that forms the basis of many lawsuits, including New Mexico personal injury claims. To establish negligence, you will need to supply evidence that supports four key elements.
- The at-fault driver owed you a duty of care to follow traffic laws and drive safely.
- The at-fault driver breached his or her duty of care.
- The breach of care directly caused your injuries.
- You suffered damages you can claim compensation for in your lawsuit.
Common Car Accident Injuries
Vehicle accidents often result in a wide range of injuries for drivers and passengers involved. At Ring Jimenez, our team has extensive experience helping clients recover compensation for minor, moderate, and catastrophic injuries they sustain after a vehicle accident occurs in Albuquerque. These injuries include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Fractured, broken, and dislocated bones
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Concussions
- Open head or facial wounds
- Spinal cord injuries
- Whiplash
- Severe lacerations
- Amputation injuries
- Crush injuries
- Internal bleeding or organ damage
However, these acute traumatic injuries are not the only types of trauma that we help clients with after vehicle accidents occur. We understand that individuals involved in these incidents can also suffer from a range of physical, emotional, and psychological pain and suffering. This can include feelings of stress, anxiety, sleeplessness, fear, and even symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Our goal is to make sure the clients recover compensation for all injuries they sustained in these incidents, including their traumatic physical injuries and these relatively unseen emotional and psychological pain and suffering damages.
What Are The Common Types of Damages In Albuquerque Car Accidents?
The following are common types of damages you can claim in New Mexico car accidents. These include but are not limited to.
- Lost wages
- Past and future medical expenses
- Loss of future earnings
- Property damage
- Chronic pain
- Disability and disfigurement
- Loss of quality of life
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
Luckily, not all of these damages suffered can be counted as total losses. It is the job of our Albuquerque accident lawyers to ensure that you receive the compensation that you deserve for anything you may have lost as a result of the accident.
How Our Albuquerque Car Accident Lawyers Help Victims
If you are filing a car accident claim, you need an attorney on your side. At Ring Jimenez, P.C., we strive to provide our clients with comprehensive, full-service representation, advocating aggressively for your rights each step of the way. Hiring a car accident attorney from our law firm can provide several benefits to your claim, including the following.
- Access to expert witnesses who can validate your claims
- Knowledge of New Mexico’s civil court system and personal injury law
- Experience handling a wide range of car accident claims
- Aggressive negotiation skills for countering insurance agents and opposing counsel
- Resources to help you receive the care you need to recover from your injuries
Although car accident claims may seem simple, hiring a lawyer provides you with the resources you need to craft a compelling case for your compensation. After your accident, speak to an Albuquerque car accident attorney at Ring Jimenez, P.C. to determine your legal options.
What Are The Appropriate Steps To Take After a Car Accident in Albuquerque?
While no one expects to be in a car accident, they happen when you least expect them. You can’t plan for a car accident in advance, but you can arm yourself with knowledge so you know what to do should you ever be unfortunate enough to be involved in one.
- Call for Help: Check everyone at the scene if possible. Report any injuries immediately and get medical attention by dialing 911. The 911 dispatcher will also alert the police. In cases where no one has visible injuries to the point where they need help at the scene, you should still call the police to report the accident and wait there for them to arrive.
- Don’t leave the scene of an accident after the police have been called. Note that in areas with scarce resources, the police may not come out for a minor accident, so you’ll have to file a report at the local police station instead. If this is the case, make sure to take pictures before the vehicles are moved as long as it’s safe for you to do so. Your report is your side of the story, so make sure you take the time to give one. If you have an injury, make sure you seek medical attention afterward. Some injuries, such as whiplash, can seem minor at first but become more serious later. Don’t delay medical treatment, as that can increase your recovery time and your chances of complications.
- Contact Your Insurer: Contact your insurance company and report the accident. There will be a series of questions that will be asked from your insurance company make sure to answer them as truthfully as possible. The best practice is to write down everything you remember from the accident from how it happened to the conversation that took place between the parties involved. Insurance companies may ask you several questions within a few days to a couple of weeks.
- Record the Other Driver’s Information: Ask the other driver for their contact information, insurance information, and driver’s license number. Write down the year, make, model, and license plate number of the other vehicles involved in the accident. Speak to any witnesses and get their contact information as well. Should your case go to court later, witnesses may be able to give valuable information.
- Take Photos: Use your phone to take time-stamped photos of the accident if possible. Aim for the full amount of damage to your car, the accident site, and the other vehicle(s) involved. You can also take photos of any conditions you believe may have contributed to the accident.
- Speak to an Attorney: Contact experienced car accident attorneys in Albuquerque as soon as you can. Car accident cases can be complex, and you’ll want to ensure both that your legal rights are protected and that you receive the compensation you’re entitled to. The Albuquerque car accident lawyers at our law firm help fight against the negligence of irresponsible drivers and the bullying of insurance companies. Don’t accept a quick settlement from the insurance company. You are likely entitled to more. Contact the attorneys at Ring Jimenez, P.C. today for your free consultation.
What Are The Common Causes of Car Accidents in Albuquerque?
Negligence is the basis for most personal injury and car accident claims in New Mexico. Essentially, negligence is the failure to do what a normal and prudent person would in the same circumstances. It can refer to someone breaking the law, behaving recklessly, or being careless. If negligence caused your car accident, the negligent party may owe you financial compensation according to New Mexico’s fault laws. Our lawyers can help you discover the cause of your car accident in Albuquerque. Other common causes of accidents include:
Dangerous Drivers
Negligent and reckless drivers cause hundreds of auto accidents in Albuquerque each year. Common examples of driver negligence are driving while distracted, fatigued, and intoxicated. Speeding, weaving between vehicles, tailgating, and running red lights are also examples of dangerous driving. Each driver in New Mexico must carry car insurance to pay victims for their damages after they cause accidents. New Mexico is a fault state, meaning the at-fault driver will have to pay for damages after a collision. In a no-fault state, this is not the case. In no-fault states, injured drivers seek benefits from their own insurers regardless of fault. In addition, if you are riding a motorcycle and are involved in a collision with another vehicle, please contact our Albuquerque motorcycle accident lawyers today.
Dangerous Roads
A driver is only as safe as the road he or she drives upon. Roadway defects are a common cause of preventable car crashes, deaths, and injuries throughout Albuquerque. Bad weather such as hard winds, droughts, and extreme heat can contribute to faulty roadways. It is up to the city and state, however, to maintain reasonably safe roads. This means inspecting roads regularly and responding quickly to reports of defects, such as potholes, cracks, road separation, uneven shoulders, debris, downed power lines, and missing guardrails. If an ignored roadway defect caused your auto accident, the government in New Mexico may owe you compensation.
Dangerous Cars
Vehicle manufacturing companies owe great responsibilities of care to their customers. They are in charge of designing and creating powerful weapons. It is critical for automakers to take their time to design safe vehicles, manufacture them correctly, and test their crashworthiness. If a defective auto part, such as bad brakes or bald tires, makes its way to a customer, it could cause a serious or deadly accident. If your injuries occurred because of a defective auto part, the manufacturer could be liable for your losses.
At Ring Jimenez, P.C., our car accident lawyers can work closely with investigators to get to the bottom of who or what caused your collision. We can file an injury claim against the at-fault person or party for you. Then, we can demonstrate fault using special legal technologies. Our attorneys will handle the entire legal process for you from start to finish. We will fight to hold a negligent driver or party accountable for his or her actions on your behalf.
What Are Common Injuries From Car Accidents?
Whether you’re involved in a fender-bender or something as serious as a truck accident in Albuquerque, it’s no surprise that many car accidents result in the injury of either one or both of the parties involved. These injuries can range from being, mild scratches and bruises, and even catastrophic injuries. Yet some of the most common injuries resulting from automotive accidents are usually:
- Scrapes
- Bruises
- Broken bones
- Burns
- Muscle damage
- Amputations
- Spinal cord injuries
- Brain injuryÂ
- Wrongful deathÂ
Partial Liability for Albuquerque Car Accidents
One of the most common tactics used by insurance carriers in New Mexico is to try and say that the injury victim was responsible for the incident and, therefore, should not be able to recover compensation. However, this state operates under a “pure comparative negligence†system. This means that individuals can recover compensation even if they are up to 99% at fault for an injury.
However, there is a caveat to this pure comparative fault system. Individuals will receive reduced compensation amounts based on their percentage of fault for the incident. For example, using simple numbers, if an individual sustains $10,000 worth of medical bills and property damage expenses in a rear-end accident, but it is determined that they were 20% responsible for the incident because of faulty equipment, they would receive $8,000 instead of a full $10,000 to account for their percentage of fault.
After an Albuquerque vehicle accident, it is crucial to work with a skilled attorney who can help you every step of the way. An attorney will work diligently to push back against any allegations of partial fault made by the other parties involved in the case.
Will Your Case Make it to Court?
The vast majority of vehicle accidents in New Mexico are resolved through settlements with insurance carriers. In these situations, the case will not end up in the courtroom. However, there are times when auto insurance carriers refuse to offer a fair settlement, and sometimes they deny claims altogether. When this happens, it may be necessary to file a personal injury lawsuit in civil court. When a civil lawsuit gets filed, this increases the chances that you will have to go to court to receive compensation. There will still be significant back and forth negotiation between both sides even after a lawsuit gets filed, and it could take some time before the case makes it to a jury. Most claims are still resolved before they get that far.
Don’t Wait Contact Our Albuquerque Car Accident Attorneys Today
You have rights as the victim of a serious car, truck, bicycle, or pedestrian accident in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Let our lawyers protect them as your legal representatives and advocates during a personal injury claim. We have years of experience and case results supporting us as the right choice for you. Our Albuquerque car accident lawyers can go up against any defendant in and out of the courtroom in pursuit of maximum compensation for your losses. Discuss your recent car accident, personal injury, or a loved one’s unexpected death with our Albuquerque injury attorneys today. We care about your future. Call (505) 295-6008 or contact us online now for a free case review at our local law firm. Our team can travel to meet you anywhere in New Mexico if you cannot come to us.
Additional Information and Car Accident Resources
- Time Limits on Car Accident Claims in New Mexico
- What to Do If You’re Injured in a Car Accident as a Passenger
- Most Common Causes of Car Accidents in Albuquerque
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