Albuquerque Car Accident Lawyer

A car accident of any kind can be stressful, traumatic, and damaging to a car’s occupants and the car itself. In the immediate aftermath of an accident, it can be hard to remember all the details or collect all the information necessary 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 at Barrera Law Group LLC. With over a quarter of a century of expertise representing victims of car crashes like you, we understand the nuances of the legal system, and we’ll seek compensation for your injuries and damages.

Common Causes of Car Accidents

Most car accidents are due to driver error for several reasons, most commonly:

• Road rage: Impatient or irate drivers who feel personally attacked by choices other drivers make on the road. This can become very dangerous as these drivers become rapidly aggressive and will go to great lengths to cause harm.
• Speeding: Anytime someone drives over the recommended, 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.
• Distracted: Cellphones, radios, food, passengers – all of these can cause a driver to be distracted, which, in turn, shortens their reaction time and can lead to more frequent accidents.
• 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 means more margin for error on the part of both the truck and the smaller car drivers.

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

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

Injuries From Albuquerque Car Accidents

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

• Whiplash
• Severe burns
• Amputations
• Internal organ damage
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
• Broken or fractured bones
• Emotional injuries (pain and suffering)
• Death

If you or someone you know has been in an accident and you want to pursue legal action against the other driver, we’re here for you. At Barrera Law Group LLC, we understand how devastating a crash can be, and our team is ready to help.

What To Do in the Aftermath of a Car Crash

While you may be in shock or pain after being in a car accident, if at all possible, 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/video
• Get eyewitness contact information
• Give the police a statement if they arrive on 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 car accident lawyer on the right track in gathering everything necessary to pursue your case to the fullest extent of the law.

Car Crash Statistics for New Mexico

According to data from the National Safety Council (NSC), there were 292 reported car accident fatalities in New Mexico from January to September of 2023, compared to 347 during the same period in 2022. These are just the preliminary findings and only include fatal accidents that have been reported.

In 2021, New Mexico had the highest number of fatal distracted driving accidents for the third year in a row. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states there were 195 deaths in fatal accidents in New Mexico due to distracted driving, and 41% of all fatal crashes were caused by distracted driving.

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 18-wheeler accidents due to the large amount of oil field workers and trucks that frequent it. Additionally, US-550 is known as the “killing zone” as it rivals I-40 in the most traffic fatalities.

The deadliest road in Albuquerque is Central Avenue, more specifically, the section of road from San Mateo Blvd SE to Dorado Place SE. As of August 2023, the City of Albuquerque is looking at another busy road, Louisiana Blvd, specifically between Central Ave. and Gibson Blvd., where high speeds and street racing mix with heavy pedestrian traffic.

Who Will Be Held Accountable for Your Accident?

Similar to a lot of other states in the country, New Mexico has a comparative negligence law. 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 party. 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.

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 the courts how serious you are about your case and that you’re going to pursue all legal courses of action available to you. Additionally, your lawyer will 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.

Every state has a statute of limitations for accidents, that is, the amount of time from when the accident occurred to when you can no longer file a claim for injury or damage. The statute of limitations in New Mexico is three years from the date of the accident to file a claim for any bodily injuries and four years for any damages to your property. Your lawyer will know this information and make sure your case is filed on time with all the necessary information.

Gathering Details To Support Your Case

When you hire a car accident lawyer from Barrera Law Group LLC, understand that they will help you and your case in every way possible. They will need some information and documentation from you, but they will also gather details for the claim and speak to witnesses or insurance companies on their own.

These are some of the ways a car accident lawyer can help your claim:

• Getting a copy of the police report
• Getting a copy of your medical bills and doctor’s notes
• Contacting any witnesses and getting their statements
• Gathering any evidence (pictures, video, etc.)
• Talking to the insurance companies
• Proving the other driver’s liability
• Negotiating a reasonable settlement

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

Uninsured Motorist Claims

If the other driver in your car accident is an uninsured driver, 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 motorist or hit-and-run claims, so in these cases, it’s best to contact a lawyer as soon as possible to ensure you get the maximum compensation for your injuries and damages.

Expected Car Accident Compensation

While it’s difficult to know exactly how much you may receive in compensation for your car accident, your lawyer will fight for the maximum amount based on your injuries, damage to your car, medical bills, etc. The following are some common damages your lawyer will seek compensation for:

• Pain and suffering
• All medical expenses related to the accident
• Property damage
• Mental anguish and mental health treatment
• Lost income and loss of earning potential
• Permanent injury or scarring
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Barrera Law Group LLC – Fighting for Justice in the Land of Enchantment

Car accidents 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 you weren’t fully responsible, you shouldn’t continue to suffer because of it.

Reach out to our office today for a free consultation and see how Barrera Law Group LLC can fight for you!