Albuquerque Car Accident Lawyer

What to Do After a Vehicle Incident in Albuquerque

An experienced lawyer can help you understand the legal process and navigate the complexities of the legal system. They can gather evidence, interview witnesses, and determine liability to provide you with the legal advice and representation you need to ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive the compensation you deserve. 

Obtaining a police report after the accident can also be crucial in supporting your claim.After an accident, you may be entitled to compensation for a variety of damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

An experienced car accident lawyer in Albuquerque can help you understand the types of damages you may be able to claim in the event of an accident, as well as guide you through the recovery process.

Insurance companies have a legal obligation to handle claims fairly and promptly, and it is important to understand your rights and responsibilities when dealing with them so that you can ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive the compensation you deserve.

Depending on the severity of the accident, you may be able to seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and even pain and suffering. It is important to understand that each case is unique and the amount of healing time needed to overcome emotional trauma will vary from person to person.

Some individuals may be able to move on from a traumatic experience relatively quickly, while others may take much longer. The healing process can be difficult and lengthy, but it is possible to overcome the pain and hurt that comes with the experience. It is important to remember that healing is a journey, not a destination.

If you have been injured in a car accident, it is important to contact a car accident attorney as soon as possible to discuss your legal rights and options, as they can help you pursue compensation for medical expenses, such as hospital bills, doctor visits, physical therapy, and medications, as well as any other damages you may have suffered due to the accident.

What to Expect when Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer

If the accident was caused by another person, you may also be able to receive compensation for lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to receive a settlement that covers medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses related to the accident.

In some cases, you may even be able to receive compensation for emotional distress, such as anxiety or depression. Additionally, you may be able to receive compensation for physical pain and suffering, such as chronic pain or disability.

You might even be able to receive compensation for punitive damages, which are intended to punish the wrongdoer for their actions. Depending on the situation,  punitive damages may be awarded to the plaintiff in addition to compensatory damages, which are intended to compensate the plaintiff for any losses they have suffered as a result of the defendant’s actions.

How Much does a Vehicle Wreck Lawyer Cost?

An Albuquerque car accident lawyer is a legal professional who specializes in representing clients who have been injured in car accidents. These lawyers help victims of automobile collisions by pursuing legal claims against the negligent parties responsible for causing the accident.

It is important to be mindful that a lawyer may be able to help you secure compensation for damages from a vehicular collision in Albuquerque, usually requiring a contingency fee, which is usually a portion of the complete reimbursement received for you.

This fee is typically calculated as a percentage of the total amount recovered, and is paid to the lawyer, such as those found at a reputable law firm, only if the case is successful. This means that car accident attorneys take a risk in taking on car accident cases, as they only get paid if the case is successful.

This means that the auto accident attorneys must be confident in their ability to win the case against the insurance company, as they will not be compensated if they lose in situations such as those involving reckless driving or serious car wrecks.

When dealing with spinal cord injuries or other severe consequences, having a strong auto accident claim can make the difference in the assistance you receive. Knowledge of personal injury law can play a significant role in increasing the chances of success.

How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim in New Mexico?

In New Mexico, the statute of limitations for filing a car accident claim is three years from the date of the accident. If you fail to file a claim within this timeframe, you may lose your right to recover compensation for your injuries and damages.

This means that if you fail to file a claim within the designated time period, you will be unable to receive any financial compensation for the harm that you have suffered. This could be a significant financial burden, as medical bills, lost wages, and other

Many of the top traffic safety concerns in New Mexico involve driver negligence. Negligence is reckless behavior that can include driving while intoxicated, driving distracted, or driving aggressively. If you or a loved one were injured due to someone else’s negligence, call Ornelas & Serna Law today.

Whether your accident looked minor or major, you could have significant injuries. You might even have injuries that weren’t immediately apparent after your crash. Getting prompt medical care is crucial because internal injuries, concussions, and whiplash don’t always announce themselves but still require urgent care.

Can I Still Recover Compensation if I Was Partially at Fault for the Accident?

Yes, in New Mexico, you may still be able to recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for the accident. The amount of compensation you can receive will be reduced by your percentage of fault, as determined by a court.

Victims of car accidents may be eligible to recover compensation for a variety of damages, including:

An experienced Albuquerque car accident lawyer can help you determine which damages you may be eligible to recover in your case.

Emergency room visits, physical therapy, doctor’s visits, and lost wages can add up fast. But you shouldn’t have to pay out-of-pocket for another driver’s negligent actions. If you were in an accident, call Ornelas & Serna law today for your free consultation. We can help you get the compensation you need for mounting medical bills and other damages.

When looking over crash data, you’ll notice some characteristics and behavior typical in crashes and fatality crashes. Many of these behaviors qualify as negligent, meaning crashes like these could be grounds for a personal injury lawsuit.

What Types of Damages Can I Recover in a Car Collision Claim?

Victims of car accidents may be eligible to recover compensation for a variety of damages, including:

1. Medical expenses (past and future)
2. Lost wages and earning potential
3. Property damage
4. Pain and suffering
5. Emotional distress
6. Loss of enjoyment of life

An experienced Albuquerque car accident lawyer can help you determine which damages you may be eligible to recover in your case.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Albuquerque

According to the New Mexico Department of Transportation (2020):

• 6% of crashes and 36% of crash fatalities involved alcohol
• A motor vehicle crash occurred every 14 minutes
• A motorcycle was involved in a crash every 10 hours
• A person was injured in a crash every 34 minutes
• A distracted-driving crash occurred every 29 minutes

After a motor vehicle accident, we understand that you could face pain and suffering, emotional distress, lost wages, and more. The Ornelas & Serna Law team can help relieve those burdens by handling the legal aspects of your accident and fighting for the compensation you deserve.

Common New Mexico Traffic Safety Concerns

There are a wide variety of factors that can contribute to an automobile accident. However, some causes are more widespread than others. The 2020 Annual Traffic Crash Report shows which areas need improvement to help boost driver safety on New Mexico roads.

Traffic safety concerns that need improvement in New Mexico:

• Over the last five years, New Mexico’s crash and fatality rates have been higher than the national average.
• Pedestrian fatalities are at some of the highest levels in over ten years.
• For three years in a row, the number of alcohol-involved teen driver crashes has increased.
• Driver inattention was involved in 19.2% of crashes.
• 17.6% of total crashes were hit-and-run crashes.

Many of the top traffic safety concerns in New Mexico involve driver negligence. Negligence is reckless behavior that can include driving while intoxicated, driving distracted, or driving aggressively. If you or a loved one were injured due to someone else’s negligence, call Ornelas & Serna Law today.

Common Car Accident Injuries

Whether your accident looked minor or major, you could have significant injuries. You might even have injuries that weren’t immediately apparent after your crash. Getting prompt medical care is crucial because internal injuries, concussions, and whiplash don’t always announce themselves but still require urgent care.

Common car accident injuries include:

• Whiplash
• Concussion
• Broken bones
• Sprains, strains, and tears
• Spinal injuries
• Back injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries

Emergency room visits, physical therapy, doctor’s visits, and lost wages can add up fast. But you shouldn’t have to pay out-of-pocket for another driver’s negligent actions. If you were in an accident, call Ornelas & Serna law today for your free consultation. We can help you get the compensation you need for mounting medical bills and other damages.

Albuquerque Car Accident Causes

When looking over crash data, you’ll notice some characteristics and behavior typical in crashes and fatality crashes. Many of these behaviors qualify as negligent, meaning crashes like these could be grounds for a personal injury lawsuit.

Common Albuquerque auto accident causes include:

• Driver inattention (19.2% of crashes)
• Failure to yield the right of way (6% of all crashes)
• Under the influence of drugs (12.2% of crashes involving fatality)
• Under the influence of alcohol

The Alarming Reality: 467 Lives Lost on New Mexico Roads

According to the information provided by the N.M. Department of Transportation and University of New Mexico, the total number of road deaths in New Mexico during 2022 amounted to 467.

This means that, on average, more than one person lost their life on N.M. roads every single day throughout the year. Although there was a slight decrease compared to 2021 when 481 people died, the figure is significantly higher than the 398 traffic fatalities recorded in 2020.

To gain a more comprehensive understanding of the data, it is crucial to examine how these deaths were distributed across various modes of transportation and identify the factors that played a role. Here are the key findings:

1. Vehicle Types: The fatalities were categorized as follows:

   – Cars: 142 deaths

   – Pedestrians: 93 deaths

   – Vans/SUVs: 82 deaths

   – Pickups: 64 deaths

   – Motorcycles: 55 deaths

   – Semis or Buses: 19 deaths

   – Bicycles: 4 deaths

   – ATVs: 2 deaths

   – “Vehicle other/unknown”: Remaining cases

2. Alcohol-Related Fatalities:

Alcohol was a contributing factor in 106 of the deaths, accounting for approximately 23% of the total fatalities. Notably, this includes eight motorcyclist fatalities and 20 pedestrian fatalities. It is essential to highlight that alcohol-related deaths decreased from 177 in 2021 and 145 in 2020.

3. Geographic Distribution:

The deaths were relatively evenly split between rural and urban areas, with 242 fatalities occurring in rural regions and 225 in urban areas.

4. County Analysis:

Bernalillo County had the highest number of deaths, with 111 recorded. On the other hand, De Baca, Harding, and Los Alamos counties reported no fatalities during the same period.

5. Monthly Trends:

July emerged as the deadliest month, with 51 deaths. Conversely, January recorded the fewest fatalities, with 30.

6. Age Group Breakdown:

The data revealed that 57 of the fatalities involved individuals under the age of 21, while 67 fatalities involved individuals aged 65 or older.

7. Seat Belt Usage:

Alarmingly, approximately 40% of those killed in vehicles were not wearing seat belts. District 2, specifically Roswell, reported the highest percentage of unbelted fatalities at 51.7%.

8. Motorcycle Helmet Usage:

Out of the motorcyclist fatalities, 34 individuals were not wearing helmets.

If you or a loved one are struggling with PTSD after a motor vehicle accident, do not hesitate to reach out to our experienced team for a free consultation. We are here to help you navigate the legal process and work towards a brighter future.

Our Location: