Rio Rancho Car Accident Lawyer

What Should I Do After Being Hit in Rio Rancho

If you are injured, seek medical attention as soon as possible for your health. Keep all medical records and bills related to the accident as they will be vital when negotiating with the insurance company, and experienced injury attorneys can explain their importance to clients during consultation.

Seek Medical Attention

If you or a loved one has been injured, call 911 immediately. Even if there are no injuries, it’s important to contact the police to document the accident as part of their police reports. They will take statements and photos of the scene and file them as evidence.

Call the Police

Exchange information with the other driver(s) to initiate the compensation process. The information you should share includes their legal names, contact details, physical addresses, insurance policy, and the make and model of their car.

Exchange Information

The court and insurance company will rely on photos taken to determine whether the accident occurred and the magnitude of the damage to your property. The images also document the road conditions and nearby traffic signals or signs.

Collect Evidence

Witness statements will come in handy if you fail to reach a fair settlement with the insurance company and opt to proceed to file the case in court. Record their statement and contact information. Ask them if they would be willing to provide a statement if called upon by the police.

Talk to Witnesses

Notify your insurance company of the accident as soon as possible. Provide them with all the information they request, and be honest. Minor discrepancies in the documents could result in your claim being rejected. This is why consulting with car accident lawyers can be crucial to ensure that all necessary details are properly included.

Contact your Insurance Company

By now, you already know that filing a car accident compensation claim is not easy. Experience and knowledge of the legal process and laws that govern this kind of claim, such as negligence and collision-related statutes, are required.This is where hiring a law firm with accident lawyers can make a significant difference in the services they provide, such as connecting you to a personal injury lawyer specialized in accident recovery.

Hire a Rio Rancho Car Accident Lawyer

Your best bet to getting compensated and resuming your everyday life is hiring a licensed car accident lawyer in Rio Rancho – Ornelas and Serna, who are well-versed in handling various circumstances regarding injury claims and settlements for their clients, ranging from pain and loss management to recovering lost income for victims.

If you have been involved in a car accident, you may wonder whether you should hire a car accident lawyer in Rio Rancho or handle the process independently. You may be tempted to choose the latter to save on legal fees. However, choosing a well-established firm can immensely help your case.

Why You Should Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in Rio Rancho

The truth is that insurance companies will manipulate you to take a raw deal if you don’t have a legal expert. Here are reasons why you should hire a car accident lawyer in Rio Rancho with experience helping clients like you.

Insurance companies are usually in a haste to settle claims quickly and for as little money as possible. They have trained insurance adjusters whose main objective is ensuring you don’t get the full amount. This is where injury attorneys from a reputable law firm come in to fight for your rights.

Protect Your Rights

An experienced car accident lawyer will come in handy to protect your rights and ensure that the amount offered is equivalent to the damages and injuries sustained during the collision.

Your claim’s success rate depends on how well the evidence is documented and presented to the insurance company or in court. The attorney will use their skills and expertise to investigate your accident thoroughly. They will gather evidence, interview witnesses, and consult with experts such as medical practitioners to get a complete overview of the accident.

Carry Out Investigations

The information will enable them to build a strong case on your behalf and counter any claims made by the insurance adjusters arguing that you don’t deserve compensation.

Earlier, we mentioned that insurance adjusters are witty and will use every opportunity or loophole to exploit and discredit your call. With the best car accident lawyer in Rio Rancho from a trusted firm on your side, you are safe from such theatrics.

Liaise with the Insurance Company

Your lawyer will schedule meetings with the insurance company and present your interests to the insurance adjusters. If they fail to agree on the compensation amount, your lawyer will proceed to file the case in court for trial.

If you feel confused and don’t know where to start, know you’re not alone. A majority of people don’t know what to do after an accident. Your car accident lawyer in Rio Rancho will help you understand your legal rights and ensure the insurance company and police do not violate them.

Highlight and Protect Your Legal Rights

Our knowledgeable legal team will supply you with the top-notch counsel and support obtainable. We recognize the complexity of the legal sector and will strive to make sure your rights are safe. We will make an effort to listen to your narrative and comprehend the particulars, so that we can give you the best advice and direction. We grasp that this is a hard period for you and we desire to make sure that you are conscious of your rights and that you are not taken advantage of.

How to Choose a Car Accident Lawyer

First, do you feel comfortable with the lawyer? It is important to feel comfortable with your lawyer, as they will be representing you in court and you need to be able to trust them and feel confident in their abilities. It is essential that you find a lawyer who is experienced and knowledgeable in the area of law that you need help with. It is also important to ensure that the lawyer you choose is someone who is willing to listen to your concerns and take the time to understand your unique situation.

Here are some questions to help you choose the right lawyer for your case.

What are your qualifications?

How many cases have you handled, particularly in the practice areas related to my situation?

What is your success rate in handling similar issues and treatment of clients with compassion?

How much experience do you have in handling cases involving factors like death and suffering?

What are your fees, and do you offer payment plans or sliding scale rates based on financial need?

What are the risks involved in pursuing my case, and are there any potential drawbacks to consider?

What are the chances of winning my case based on your experience and research in similar cases?

First, you can file a claim with your insurance company if your policy covers uninsured motorists. Note that uninsured motorist coverage is optional to the typical car insurance policy. This coverage is meant to help you offset medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages if you get involved in a car crash with someone who doesn’t have insurance.

What Should I Do If the Person Who Hit Me Doesn’t Have Insurance?

Your second option is to sue the at-fault driver for damages. Remember that even if you win the lawsuit, there is no guarantee that you will successfully get the amount awarded by the court from the at-fault driver if you don’t have a car accident attorney who specializes in this practice area.

The third and final option is negotiating a settlement with the at-fault driver outside of court. The at-fault driver may be willing to pay for the damages in exchange for not being sued, which can alleviate some of the suffering and avoid lengthy legal battles.

No matter which action you take after the accident, it would be best not to wing the entire process alone. Anything can go wrong in the documentation process or court proceedings, resulting in your claim being declined or further complicating the issues at hand.

Contact Ornelas & Serna

Get in touch with Ornelas & Serna today to get professional guidance and a review of your case. We will provide care and compassion while guiding you through the legal process, ensuring you get the compensation you deserve.

At Ornelas and Serna, we have the experience and qualifications to help you navigate the legal process. Our team of experienced attorneys has the expertise to guide you through the complexities of the legal system across various practice areas. Call us for a FREE CONSULTATION.

Car accidents are not a rare occurrence on Rio Rancho roadways. Here are the latest car accident statistics documented by the New Mexico Department of Transportation and the Rio Rancho Police Department.

Latest Statistics of Car Accidents in 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.

At Ornelas and Serna we have the experience and qualifications to help you through the legal process. Our team of experienced attorneys have the expertise to guide you through the complexities of the legal system. Call us for a FREE CONSULTATION

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