Auto Accident Injury in Albuquerque, NM

Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident in Albuquerque? If so, your life may never be the same again. Injuries from a car accident can interfere with your ability both to work and to enjoy everyday activities. They can also be incredibly painful. As such, you need an auto accident attorney who understands the laws in and around Albuquerque, NM that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Injury Statistics in Albuquerque, New Mexico

According to the National Safety Council, in 2019 about 4.4 million people suffered serious injuries in motor vehicle accidents and an estimated 38,000 were killed. A report prepared by the University of New Mexico shows that in the first nine months of 2020, there were 89 fatal crashes in Bernalillo County. This is an 8% increase from the same time period in 2019. Serious traffic injuries totaled 13,597 in 2018, up from 13,460 in 2017. To combat the rise in fatal crashes, the city of Albuquerque has implemented a program called Vision Zero, a commitment to provide safer streets to drivers and pedestrians. In September 2020, the city approved $4 million in transportation tax bonds dedicated to Vision Zero projects.

What to Do After an Auto Accident

It’s important to be prepared in the event you are a victim of a car accident. Below are the steps to remember immediately after your crash.

Receive Immediate Medical Attention

What is the most important step that you need to take after an auto accident? You need to receive immediate and proper medical treatment. You may believe that the injuries sustained after an auto accident are minor. Proper medical treatment helps ensure that you have not sustained any internal injuries that you may not be aware of.

File a Police Report

Even if no one sustained injuries, you still need to call 911 and request law enforcement assistance. When officers arrive, jot down each one’s name and badge number. Answer their questions honestly, but don’t volunteer any unasked-for information, especially your thoughts on exactly what happened or who caused the car accident. Be sure to ask the officers for the number of their police reports.

The Albuquerque Police Department contracts with LexisNexis to provide traffic accident reports online, which may be purchased for $7.50 per report. You may also obtain a report by visiting the Law Enforcement Center in person Monday through Friday at 400 Roma NW, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Gather the Appropriate Documentation

While waiting for officers to arrive after a car accident, collect information from all other drivers involved in the accident, including the following:

• Full name, address, phone number, and email address
• Driver’s license state and number
• Auto insurance company name, policy number, and phone number

Use your cell phone to take pictures of each driver’s license, auto insurance card, your vehicle, and each additional vehicle involved in the car accident. Don’t rely on verbal communication. Having as much information as possible will only help you and your case later on. Try to keep this exchange as civil and friendly as possible. However, do not apologize for causing the accident or indicate in any way that you think you may have caused it.

Recovering Damages After an Auto Accident Injury

After surviving a car accident, the emotional and economic toll it takes can be staggering. You are not only dealing with the mental anguish that comes with being involved in a crash, but you may also be experiencing severe physical harm as well.

Common injuries associated with motor vehicle accidents include:

• Burn injuries
• Back and neck injuries, such as whiplash
• Brain and head injuries
• Broken bones
• Spinal injuries
• Soft tissue injuries

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the cost of traffic crash deaths in New Mexico in 2018 was about $574 million. Traffic crash deaths in the United States in 2018 cost $55 billion annually in lost work and medical costs.

Hiring a car accident lawyer ensures you have the financial ability to cover any losses that have occurred as a result of a crash. An auto accident attorney will also help you handle the paperwork that you will have to complete from insurance companies. This boosts your odds of receiving the insurance compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Laws in New Mexico

Liability Laws for Albuquerque

When car accidents happen, it is essential to determine who bears responsibility for the resulting damage and medical bills. Determining fault impacts everything from your insurance claim and level of liability to the amount of confusion you may endure during the claims process.

New Mexico follows a fault-based system, which means the at-fault person will be responsible for the expenses related to any damages. Further, New Mexico is also a pure comparative negligence state, meaning judges award compensation to those who suffer damages according to the percentage of responsibility determined for each of the people involved.

Statute of Limitations in Albuquerque

Each state has its own tort laws that determine the statute of limitations on a claim. In some states, this gives you just one year to file a claim in court, while some others may give you up to six years.

In New Mexico, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim is three years from the date of the accident. For a wrongful death claim, the statute of limitations is three years from the date of the accident victim’s death rather than the date the accident occurred.

This is why it is important to consult with an attorney immediately after your car crash. Don’t wait and risk losing out on any compensation they can recover.

Work With an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer Near Albuquerque, NM

After a car accident, you have enough to worry about. We can help you find an auto accident attorney for your unique case. Get the financial restitution that you deserve if you’re the victim of someone else’s conduct.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in New Mexico!