A hit-and-run accident is when a driver causes an accident and then leaves the scene. This is illegal in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and can expose the driver to criminal charges and civil lawsuits.
All car accidents are stressful and traumatic. Hit-and-run accidents can be particularly difficult for victims. If you’re even involved in a hit-and-run accident, you should hire an Albuquerque hit-and-run accident lawyer.
Contact an Albuquerque hit-and-run accident attorney at Curiel & Runion Personal Injury Lawyers to learn more or discuss your Albuquerque, NM, hit-and-run case. Call (505) 594-3621 now for a free consultation with one of our Albuquerque car accident lawyers, or contact us online.
How Curiel & Runion Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Hit and Run in Albuquerque
If you were injured in a hit-and-run accident in Albuquerque, NM, Curiel & Runion Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers is here for you. Our Albuquerque personal injury lawyers have over 55 years of combined experience and have recovered more than $50 million for injured clients.
When you choose to hire us, you can expect our Albuquerque car accident attorneys to do the following:
- Investigate your claim
- Create a legal strategy
- Handle communications with insurance companies
- Assess your damages
- Negotiate for a fair settlement
- Represent you at trial if needed
Contact our law office today to schedule a free consultation with an Albuquerque hit-and-run accident lawyer.
New Mexico Traffic Laws
Under New Mexico traffic laws, all drivers are required to stay at the scene of an accident and determine if anyone needs medical attention. Any driver involved in an accident with injuries or death must stay at the scene until law enforcement arrives.
After an accident, drivers should provide law enforcement with their:
- Full name
- Address
- Registration
- Driver’s license number
It can be difficult to recover the damages you are entitled to when other drivers don’t comply with these laws. An Albuquerque car accident lawyer can help explain your rights and give you a strategy for recovering after an accident.
What to Do After a New Mexico Car Accident
If you’re involved in an accident, you should always stay at the scene until law enforcement arrives.
Here are some things you should do immediately after an Albuquerque car accident:
- Get medical attention. The most important thing to do after a car accident is to get any needed medical attention. If you’re not injured, check with other drivers to see if they have any injuries. Immediately call 9-1-1 if anyone is injured. Even if you don’t think you need medical attention, it’s always a good idea to get checked out after an accident.
- Report the accident to the police. The next step is reporting the accident to law enforcement and waiting for a law enforcement officer to arrive. This is key for getting a police report and gathering critical information about the accident.
- Write down details of the accident. At the scene, write down as many details of the accident as you can remember. This is helpful in all accidents, but it’s especially helpful in hit-and-run accidents. While it’s fresh in your mind, write down anything you can remember about the at-fault car and driver. This includes the make, model, and license plate number of the car and a physical description of the driver.
- Exchange information. Get the contact and insurance information of any drivers still at the scene. You should get the name, license plate number, contact information, and insurance information of all drivers involved.
- Get the name and contact information of any witnesses. Witnesses can provide helpful information and help establish who was at fault.
- Take photographs and videos of the accident scene. Before the scene is cleared, take pictures and videos. You can also look for traffic cameras or other cameras in the area that might have documented the accident.
Contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after a crash. Dealing with insurance companies and personal injury lawsuits can be difficult. It’s particularly challenging when a driver flees the scene. Your lawyer will help determine who was at fault for the accident and help you get compensation for your losses.
How to Recover Losses After a Hit-and-Run Accident
When you’re involved in a New Mexico car accident, the driver who caused the accident is responsible for the damages of all accident victims. However, when an at-fault party flees the scene, it can be hard for victims to get the compensation they deserve. There are three primary ways that hit-and-run victims get compensation after an accident:
The police track down the at-fault party, and victims file a claim against them. This is the best option for drivers. In some cases, witness testimony, video footage, and other evidence enable law enforcement to track down the responsible party. Once the at-fault party is located, victims can file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company or file a personal injury lawsuit against them.
Victims file a collision coverage claim with their insurance. Your insurance coverage will pay for the repair and replacement of your car regardless of who was at fault. This type of claim can cover your property damage after an accident.
Drivers file an uninsured motorist claim. Insurance companies treat hit-and-run accidents like uninsured motorist accidents. If you have uninsured motorist coverage, your own insurance company will compensate you the same way the at-fault party’s insurance company would. In these cases, you simply need to show that the other driver caused the accident and provide evidence of your damages.
A car accident lawyer can help you understand your options for recovery and create a personalized strategy after a hit-and-run accident.
Contact Our Albuquerque Hit and Run Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
If you’ve been involved in a hit-and-run accident in Albuquerque, NM, contact an Albuquerque hit-and-run accident lawyer at Curiel & Runion Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers. Our legal team can help you pursue the compensation you need to move forward.
Call today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about your legal options.