Las Cruces Car Accident Attorney

As the second most populous city in New Mexico and home to such places as the Rio Grande Theatre and the nearby Organ Mountains, Las Cruces sees its fair share of tourists. A rise in visitors, alongside the estimated 111,385 residents, comes with a rise in potential motor vehicle accidents.

According to the most recent Highway Safety Plan from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Doña Ana County had the third-highest number of fatal car crashes and serious injuries (16 and 88, respectively) in New Mexico in 2021.

Information in that same NHTSA report shows that Las Cruces is on the short list of “problem-identified focus areas” specifically for fatal car crashes. If you or a loved one has been involved in a crash in the City of the Crosses, reach out to an experienced Las Cruces car accident lawyer who can assist you with your case. We’re here to do the heavy lifting so that you can focus on healing.

Common Causes of Vehicle Crashes

Most car accidents are due to driver error or a mixture of that and poor weather or road conditions.

When you’re late to work, or you have an emergency, or perhaps you’re just distracted by the radio or a passenger in your vehicle. These, combined with regular traffic, road construction, or adverse weather, can lead to devastating consequences.

Our Las Cruces office frequently has clients involved in accidents due to:

• Distracted driving
• Driving under the influence (alcohol or drugs)
• Reckless driving
• Failure to follow road laws or signs
• Poor weather conditions
• Construction zones
• Vehicle malfunctions/defects

Drivers have a duty of care to be safe and follow the laws of the road when behind the wheel; when they’re negligent in this duty, accidents happen.

With 154 recorded alcohol-impaired driving fatalities and 186 speeding-related fatalities across New Mexico in 2021 (National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA), it’s easy to see how negligent drivers continue to cause unnecessary accidents in our state.

However, it’s important to note that New Mexico is an at-fault or “tort” state, which means that the driver who is at fault for your accident is responsible for your and any other involved person’s injuries or damages as a result of their negligence.

Injuries Our Office Sees

Although a lot of car accidents seem minor with little to no visible injuries to those involved, it’s still a good idea to get checked out by a medical professional following even a small fender bender. Some of the most common car crash injuries we see in Doña Ana County are:

• Bruises and minor cuts
• Broken or fractured bones
• Head and neck trauma
• Spinal cord damage
• Internal injuries
• Loss of limbs
• Loss of life

In the event that someone you know was killed due to the negligence of another driver, either at the scene of the accident or sometime later, you may be able to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit.

Your lawyer will look over the details of your case and can advise you accordingly.

Getting Legal Assistance Helps Your Case

While it’s not required to hire a Las Cruces car accident lawyer to handle your claim, doing so can greatly benefit the success of your case. Your lawyer understands the nuances of New Mexico laws and has experience performing the following for clients just like you:

• Gather all evidence: Collect medical bills, accident reports, witness statements – anything that proves another driver’s negligence caused the accident
• Conduct an investigation: Pore over all the evidence, visit the scene of the accident, and pull in an accident reconstructionist, if needed, to ensure all the details line up correctly
• Negotiate: Contact the other driver’s lawyer and insurance company, as well as your insurance company, to work out a settlement that all parties agree to
• Get compensation: Finalize the settlement agreement and ensure you are properly compensated financially for the damages you received

Generally, car accidents or other personal injury cases settle out of court, but if yours ends up before a judge, your attorney will be prepared and willing to fight for your case in that instance.

Meeting Filing Deadlines

The sooner you contact a qualified lawyer, the better chance you have that your claim will be filed in a timely manner. In the state of New Mexico, all car accident injury claims have a three-year statute of limitations – the time limit to submit your claim in order to pursue legal action. Having a lawyer on your side during this process will ensure your claim is filed correctly and on time and with all the necessary information so that you can receive the maximum amount of compensation allowed by the state.

Expected Financial Recovery

You’ve been in an accident, you’re hurt and need continued medical care, plus your car needs repair, or perhaps you need a new one. Bills are stacking up, and you can’t work. All of these things are not only unexpected but also traumatic, and you want the person responsible to pay for the damages. For the majority of vehicle crashes, financial compensation may be awarded to accident victims for:

• All medical expenses relating to the crash (current and future)
• Current and future lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage
• Mental or emotional trauma (including PTSD)
• Prescription medications
• Therapy or rehabilitation services
• Disability (full, partial, temporary, and/or permanent)
• Loss of life

Although we won’t know the full extent of the compensation you may be entitled to until your settlement is finalized, rest assured that our team at Barrera Law Group LLC will fight for you. We know first-hand how stressful the aftermath of a car wreck can be, and we want you to focus on your health and recovery while we handle the details of your case.

Don’t wait another day. Reach out to our office for your free, no-obligation consultation and see how our Las Cruces car accident lawyers can help you fight for the compensation you deserve!