Las Vegas NM Car Accident Lawyer

Las Vegas NM Car Accident Attorney

Car accidents range from inconvenient fender-benders to life-altering events. Whether the collision was caused by a distracted drunk driver or someone texting while driving, accidents can result in devastating injuries. After a car accident, you need the legal services of a Las Vegas, NM, car accident lawyer who will fight to protect your rights and help you receive fair compensation for your injuries.

If you live in Las Vegas, New Mexico, and need the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer, Berenson & Associates, PC, can help you. Our legal team provides personalized and comprehensive legal services to injured clients.

Common Causes of Car Accidents

If you were injured due to the actions of another person, the at-fault party may be financially liable for the harm they caused. With the help of a Las Vegas car accident lawyer, you may be able to receive monetary compensation for your injuries. Common causes of accidents that can lead to a personal injury claim include the following:

• Drunk driving: Drunk driving is a serious problem in New Mexico. The overconsumption of alcohol can lead to impairment that leaves drivers less able to make quick decisions on the road. Drunk drivers are also more likely to engage in reckless behavior like speeding. Alcohol is a common contributor to fatal accidents.
• Distracted driving: Distracted drivers are a danger to drivers and bystanders. When a driver is driving at high speeds, even momentary lapses in focus on the road can leave a car effectively driving blind. Smartphones are a common cause of distracted driving, but anything that leads drivers to take their focus and eyes off the road can potentially lead to a preventable collision.
• Texting and driving: It is an unfortunate reality that many drivers believe texting while driving is acceptable. Texting is a particularly dangerous form of distracted driving because it takes the driver’s hands, focus, and eyes off the road. The chances of an accident increase considerably when a driver is texting.

Types of Car Accidents That Can Lead to Personal Injury Claims

Car accidents can involve different types of vehicles and different liable parties. Some common types of accidents include:

• Uninsured motorists: Drivers are required to keep active insurance policies that meet the state’s minimum requirement for coverage. Many drivers believe they do not have to follow the rules and take a risk by driving without insurance. If an uninsured driver causes an accident, you can hire an attorney to take legal action against the driver.
• Head-on collisions: Head-on collisions can cause devastating injuries. Proving fault after a head-on collision can be difficult and requires evidence from several sources to recreate the moments before a crash. When a head-on collision leads to a fatality, the surviving relatives can sue the at-fault driver on behalf of the deceased’s estate.
• Commercial truck accidents: The sheer size and mass of a truck make commercial vehicles particularly damaging in the event of an accident. Semi-trucks can cause serious damage to multiple vehicles. Following a commercial truck collision, the trucking company’s insurance provider may try to discredit the accounts of victims or take actions to avoid accountability. A car accident lawyer can work to hold the truck driver and the trucking company accountable for the damage they caused.

What Can a Car Accident Lawyer Do for Me?

Before you file a personal injury claim, you and your attorney will have to determine which party or parties are at fault for causing the accident, the details of the damages, and how much money you should be paid to make things right.

As the case moves forward, your attorney may collect new information and further investigate the cause of the accident. In order to improve the chances that you can maximize your monetary compensation, you will want to hire an experienced car accident lawyer who can:

• Examine the details of your car accident to establish the cause, fault, and liability.
• Gather and review essential evidence, such as medical records, law enforcement reports, witness statements, physical evidence, and forensic data.
• Defend you against claims that you share responsibility for the accident.
• Negotiate with insurance adjusters and other parties for you.
• Collaborate with respected professionals to prepare, build, and argue your case.
• Prepare to take the case to trial if necessary.

If an insurance company tries to lowball you, your personal injury attorney can prepare to take the case before a jury. You should never have to settle for anything other than fair compensation for your injuries.

What Kind of Settlement Can I Expect?

Each car accident case is unique, and there is no easy way to predict exactly what your final settlement or jury award could be. In general, the more severe the accident, the larger the potential settlement an accident victim can expect. During your consultation, your lawyer will go over the factors that can determine how much compensation you could receive from your personal injury claim.

We will need to consider things like:

• Your ability to continue working
• Any temporary or long-term disabilities that result from the injury
• The severity and type of injury that you incurred from the accident
• Any financial burdens and debts you took on following the injury
• Any emotional harm or trauma you endured due to the car collision
• The cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle
• Your age
• How long you were hospitalized
• The potential future cost of medical treatments
• Whether the other driver engaged in misconduct

Personal injury cases can be complicated and require the accumulation of vast amounts of information and data. In order to maximize your potential settlement, your attorney will consider every financial and emotional hardship you endured as the result of someone else’s negligent driving.

FAQs

Q: How Much Does a Lawyer Get From a Car Accident Settlement in New Mexico?

A: How much a lawyer gets from a car accident settlement in New Mexico depends on the case. Many car accident attorneys work on contingency. This means that they do not get paid until their client does. The attorney and client agree on the terms of the contingency agreement early on in the case. The percentage that the attorney takes from the final settlement depends on the time and resources that would need to go into a case, the potential settlement amount, and other factors.

Q: Is New Mexico a No-Fault State for Auto Insurance?

A: No, New Mexico is an at-fault state when it comes to car insurance. This means that the driver who caused the accident is financially responsible for any damage they caused. This could be property damage or bodily damage. If the insurance of the at-fault driver does not fully cover your financial losses, you may be able to hire an attorney to file a personal injury claim against the liable party.

Q: What Should You Do After a Car Accident in New Mexico?

A: The first thing you should do after a car accident in New Mexico is call 911 if the accident involves bodily injury to anyone involved and wait for police and EMS to arrive. If possible, drive or move your car off the road and away from moving traffic. EMS will assess everyone for injuries.

Take pictures and videos of the accident scene and exchange identification and insurance information with the drivers who were involved in the accident. As soon as possible, request a copy of the police report.

Q: What Is the Statute of Limitations on a Car Accident in New Mexico?

A: The statute of limitations for most personal injury cases in New Mexico is three years. If you are approaching the three-year mark from the date of the car accident, contact a personal injury attorney who can assess your case and potentially file a personal injury case on your behalf.

Filing a claim sooner rather than later can have advantages because evidence can be more difficult to gather in the weeks or months after an accident. Witness statements can be harder to come by as well.

Q: What Happens If the At-Fault Driver Is Not Insured?

A: If the at-fault driver is not insured, it is advised to work with a car accident attorney to take legal action against the driver. Although drivers in New Mexico are required by law to carry liability insurance, not every driver follows this law. Some people would rather take a gamble than pay for insurance. Insured or not, drivers are financially liable for causing damage or harming others while on the road.

Schedule Your Las Vegas Car Accident Consultation Today

A serious car accident in Las Vegas can have life-altering consequences for injured victims. No amount of money can undo the physical and psychological damage of a preventable motor vehicle collision. With the right attorney by your side, you can hold the negligent accountable for their actions while ensuring that someone else’s mistake doesn’t cost you financially.

The attorneys at Berenson & Associates, PC, have the experience and resources to handle tough car accident cases. We can assist you with auto insurance claims and personal injury suits to ensure you have the funds to recover fully. Contact us today to schedule your consultation.