Did someone else cause your car accident in North Valley, New Mexico? You might be entitled to monetary compensation, and Runion Personal Injury Lawyers can assist. Our North Valley car accident attorneys can help you secure damages for lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, medical bills, and more.
We’ve recovered over $50 million for our clients, and our North Valley car accident lawyers have 55 years of combined experience. Since our founding in 2011, we have been dedicated to helping accident victims in New Mexico.
We can get started on your car accident case today. Contact our law offices in North Valley, NM, for a free initial consultation at (505) 594-3621.
How Runion Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You After a Car Accident in North Valley
Insurance companies don’t make the claims process easy; they want to minimize their liability however possible. They stay in business by accepting premiums, not by paying large settlements. You may need an experienced North Valley car accident attorney on your side to even the playing field.
Runion Personal Injury Lawyers is a dedicated personal injury law firm in New Mexico. Our results speak for themselves, and defendants know we mean business. We are willing to take any case to trial if that’s what will put the most money into our client’s pocket.
If our North Valley personal injury lawyers represent you, we can:
- Determine liability
- Calculate damages
- Hire experts
- Negotiate a settlement
- File a lawsuit if needed
You can take the time you need to recover from your injuries; we can handle your claim from start to finish, including all the paperwork and communications. Contact our law offices serving North Valley, NM, today for a free case evaluation.
How Common Are Car Accidents in North Valley, New Mexico?
Car accidents are unfortunately common in North Valley and the surrounding areas. According to the New Mexico Department of Transportation, thousands of accidents occur in Bernalillo County each year.
Recent statistics show that for the state overall, there were 40,769 accidents and 483 fatalities in 2021 and 40,884 accidents and 466 fatalities in 2022.
On average, there are dozens of collisions each day in the county – and over 100 overall in the state. Understanding the prevalence of car accidents highlights the importance of driving safely and being prepared in case an accident occurs.
What Is My North Valley Car Accident Claim Worth?
Since New Mexico is an “at-fault” state for car accidents, you can file an insurance claim or lawsuit against the liable driver. Cases can vary substantially in their values.
Some of the factors our legal team considers include:
- The limits of any applicable insurance policies
- How old you were when the crash happened
- Your injuries’ severity and the types of injuries you have suffered
- Whether you can make a full medical recovery
- The nature of your pain and suffering
- Who the at-fault party is
- Whether you share any responsibility for the accident
How skilled your attorney is can also impact how much your North Valley car accident claim is worth. An experienced trial attorney may be able to raise its value significantly.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in North Valley
Driver negligence is usually why accidents take place. Negligence means carelessness.
Common causes of auto accidents include:
- Fatigued driving
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Improper lane changes or turns
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Road or vehicle defects
- Unfavorable weather conditions
- Tailgating
- Drunk driving
- Failing to check blind spots
- Aggressive driving
- Brake checking
- Running a red light
Our car accident attorneys in North Valley can help you regardless of the cause of your crash. During your free consultation, we can answer your questions and offer legal advice.
What Damages Can I Get After a North Valley Car Accident?
New Mexico personal injury laws permit both economic and non-economic damages. In rare cases that reach trial, punitive damages are possible.
Economic damages include:
- Medical bills and equipment (both future and current)
- Therapy, rehabilitation, and similar services
- Property damage
- Miscellaneous out-of-pocket expenses
- Diminished earning capacity and lost wages
Non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of companionship
- Inconvenience
- Loss of quality of life
- Conditions like PTSD and anxiety
If you have strong evidence and can demonstrate that the defendant acted wrongfully—such as causing you harm on purpose—you might be able to get punitive damages. However, they are not guaranteed and are meant to punish the at-fault party.
What if I’m Being Blamed for My Car Accident in New Mexico?
In New Mexico, you can still get damages even if you share some of the blame for your accident. The state follows a pure comparative negligence standard.
You may be assigned a percentage of responsibility for your car accident. Your damages will be reduced by the percentage of your fault. For example, if you share 10% of the blame, your damages would be reduced by 10%.
If you don’t have an attorney in your corner, the other side could try to get away with blaming you for the entire accident. Protect your interests and contact our North Valley personal injury attorneys today.
We’ll Fight To Recover Compensation for All of Your Car Accident Injuries
Car wrecks can leave victims with lifelong injuries that some never fully recover from medically.
If you have sustained any of the following kinds of injuries, our car accident attorneys can help you:
- Whiplash
- Spinal cord injuries
- Nerve damage
- Broken bones
- Soft tissue injuries
- Crushing injuries
- Eye injuries
- Back injuries
- Amputations
- Neck injuries
- Paralysis
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Organ damage
- Internal bleeding
- Road rash
- Lacerations or puncture wounds
- Wrongful death of a loved one
You can learn about forming an attorney-client relationship when you call us to set up your free consultation. Contact us today; we can help you file a personal injury claim.
What Does It Cost To Hire a Car Accident Attorney in North Valley?
Most car accident lawyers in North Valley work on a contingency fee basis instead of charging by the hour or upfront. The only way these attorneys receive payment is if they win compensation for the client.
At the onset of your case, you and your attorney will sign a contingency fee agreement. If your attorney recovers a jury verdict or settlement for you, you will give them a percentage for their legal services. Most cases have a 33% contingency fee, but it can vary.
This system incentivizes your attorney to collect as much money as possible for you. Further, hiring a top-rated attorney is available to you regardless of your financial status.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident in North Valley?
What you do in the aftermath of a car crash can impact the outcome of your legal claim.
Keep in mind the following to protect yourself:
- Get yourself and your vehicle to safety if possible, ideally off the roadway.
- Call 911. The police will arrive at the accident scene and file a police report. You can use this report for your case.
- Exchange contact and insurance information with the other people involved in the crash.
- Do not accept responsibility for the accident, and do not apologize for it. Those kinds of statements might hurt your case.
- Collect evidence if you can. Taking photographs, getting information from eyewitnesses, and checking for any nearby surveillance cameras are helpful.
- Receive medical treatment promptly. Not every injury will have symptoms at the scene, and you may need medical records to help prove your claim.
From here, reach out to a car accident attorney in North Valley. You can then understand what to do next, given the unique facts of your case.
How Much Time Do I Have To File a Car Accident Lawsuit in New Mexico?
Three years is the time limit for filing a car accident lawsuit in the State of New Mexico, set by its statute of limitations. If your lawsuit isn’t filed within three years from the date of your wreck, you could lose your right to compensation.
However, the deadline isn’t always three years; it is different for some kinds of cases. For example, you might have less time if you need to sue a government entity. Protect your legal rights and interests by calling our attorneys for help as soon as you can.
Call Our North Valley Car Accident Attorneys Today for a Free Case Review
You don’t have to endure the consequences of your car accident in North Valley, NM, alone. You can put a dedicated law firm with over $50 million dollars recovered in your corner—and you only pay your attorney if you get paid, too.
Contact Runion Personal Injury Lawyers today to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced North Valley car accident attorneys.
