Albuquerque Car Accident Attorney

According to the 2022 New Mexico Traffic Crash Annual Report, 40,884 traffic crashes were reported on public roadways in our state. Among those crashes, 18,228 people were injured, and 466 people died.

A car accident of any kind can be stressful, traumatic, and damaging to both a vehicle’s occupants and the car itself. Right after an accident, it can be hard to remember all the details or collect all the information you need to file a future claim.

You or your passengers might be injured and need medical assistance, and the last thing on your mind is gathering evidence for a case.

If you or someone you know has been in a car accident in Albuquerque or anywhere in New Mexico, reach out to an experienced Albuquerque car accident lawyer in our office. All initial consultations at Barrera Law Group LLC are free, so reach out to schedule this risk-free initial meeting now.

What Are the Most Dangerous Roads and Intersections in Albuquerque?

One of the most well-known and dangerous highways in New Mexico is US-285, commonly called the Highway of Death. Although it is a small rural highway, it is prone to crashes involving passenger cars and 18-wheelers due to the large amount of oil field workers and trucks that utilize it.

US-550 is also known as the “killing zone” as it rivals I-40 in terms of having the most traffic fatalities.

The deadliest road in Albuquerque is Central Avenue, and more specifically, the section of road from San Mateo Blvd SE to Dorado Place SE.

Another busy road in Albuquerque is Louisiana Blvd, especially between Central Ave. and Gibson Blvd., where high speeds and street racing mix with heavy pedestrian traffic.

Common Causes of New Mexico Motor Vehicle Crashes

You may have been able to glean some causes of accidents above. Aside from those, auto collisions that occur in our state are often attributable to driver error, such as:

• Road rage: Impatient or irate drivers may feel personally attacked by choices other drivers make on the road. Drivers may become aggressive, harming their fellow drivers.
• Speeding: Anytime someone drives over the posted speed limit, things can get dangerous. Between other drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, road conditions, etc., driving at increased speed means a higher chance of a deadly accident.
• Distractions Cellphones, radios, food, and passengers—all can cause a driver to take their mind and eyes off the road and hands off the wheel, which, in turn, shortens their reaction time and can lead to more frequent distracted driving crashes.
• Semi-Trucks: New Mexico is home to a lot of semi-trucks as most of our highways come from other states, and truck drivers travel through our cities to their final destinations. More big trucks mean more accidents between tractor-trailers and passenger vehicles.

Outside of human error, weather can also play a big role in causing an accident.

New Mexico gets frequent dust storms that can completely affect a driver’s field of vision and make driving on any road very dangerous. Large stretches of roadways in New Mexico go through deserts or mountains, which are likely to have black ice during the winter months or in higher altitudes.

Injuries Caused by Albuquerque Car Wrecks

The physical harm you may suffer from in a car crash can vary from minor scrapes and bruises to major, life-threatening injuries and sometimes even death. Here are some of the most common injuries caused by car accidents in Albuquerque:

• Whiplash
• Severe burns
• Amputations
• Internal organ damage
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Broken or fractured bones
• Emotional injuries (pain and suffering)
• A preventable death

What To Do in the Aftermath of a Car Crash

While you may be in shock or pain after being in a car accident, you or someone with you should try to follow these guidelines as best you can:

• Call 911
• Seek medical attention
• Get somewhere safe
• Exchange information with the other driver
• Take pictures and video footage
• Get eyewitness contact information
• Give the police a statement if they come to the scene
• Contact a lawyer

If you can’t do everything on this list, that is okay; even just a small trail of evidence can start your Albuquerque car accident lawyer on the right track in gathering everything necessary to pursue your case to the fullest extent of the law.

Who’s At Fault for Your Auto Collision?

Like many other states, New Mexico has a comparative fault rule in place. This means that if you’re in a car accident, even if you are deemed partly at fault, you can still pursue legal action against the other motorist involved in the crash. Unlike some other states, even if you are found to be more than 50% at fault, you can still file an injury claim for compensation. Just any amount you recover will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

If someone else’s actions caused you to be hurt in a car accident, they can be held legally responsible for your injuries and any damage sustained to your car.

An experienced car accident lawyer from Barrera Law Group LLC can assist you in your case to make things right.

Why Hire an Albuquerque Car Accident Attorney?

While you’re not required to hire a lawyer to pursue a lawsuit in the wake of your car accident, doing so can be beneficial.

If you have a lawyer submit your case and supporting documentation instead of doing so on your own, it shows insurance companies how serious you are about your case and that you’re going to pursue all legal courses of action available to you.

You can also count on your lawyer to be there every step of the way to make sure all information, evidence, etc., is gathered in a timely fashion to fully support your case so you have the best chance of securing a financial settlement.

Every state has a statute of limitations for accidents, which is the amount of time from when the accident occurred to when you can no longer file a claim for your damages. The statute of limitations in New Mexico is three years from the date of the accident if any bodily injuries occur and four years if it caused property damage. An experienced car crash attorney will know this and make sure your case is filed on time.

Gathering Details To Support Your Case

When you hire a car accident lawyer, they’ll help you with your case in every way possible, but first, they will need some information. Documentation a car accident lawyer will need to assist you in building your car crash case include:

• The police report
• Your medical bills and doctors’ records
• Eyewitness statements
• Photographic or video evidence

All of the above documentation will aid your attorney in proving the other driver’s liability necessary to negotiate a reasonable settlement in your case.

Having an experienced auto accident attorney in Albuquerque on your side during this process only helps you and your case, as it takes some of the stress off you so that you can focus on healing while your lawyer does the hard work.

How New Mexico Uninsured Motorist Claims Work

If the other motorist you were involved in a crash with was uninsured, or if you’re the victim of a hit-and-run, the other driver is immediately held legally liable in the state of New Mexico.

A lot of insurance companies don’t like to pay out for uninsured motorists or hit-and-run claims, so in these cases, it’s best to contact a lawyer as soon as possible to put yourself in the best possible position to secure maximum compensation for your damages.

Compensation for Your Accident-Related Losses

While it’s difficult to predict exactly how much you may receive in compensation for your car accident, your lawyer will fight for the highest possible amount for your crash-related damages, such as:

• Pain and suffering
• Medical treatment
• Property damage
• Mental anguish or emotional distress
• Lost income and diminished future earning potential
• Disfigurement or scarring
• Loss of enjoyment of life

A collision can bring about huge changes to a victim’s life; your medical expenses alone can put you behind on bills for months or years. If you didn’t cause the accident or weren’t fully responsible, you shouldn’t continue to suffer because of it.

Reach out to our office today for a free consultation with an Albuquerque car accident lawyer. We want to learn more about the auto collision that seriously hurt you before advising you how Barrera Law Group LLC can fight to recover compensation on your behalf.