Dealing with the aftermath of an accident in Rio Rancho, NM, can be extremely challenging, particularly when it leads to a personal injury. During such tough times, having a dedicated personal injury attorney by your side is truly invaluable.
A competent attorney can guide you through complex legal proceedings while compassionately understanding your ordeal and striving to secure full compensation to aid your recovery. Let us help you. Contact Curiel & Runion Personal Injury Lawyers, to schedule a free consultation with a Rio Rancho personal injury lawyer. Call (602) 595-5559 or contact us online.
How Curiel & Runion Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help if You’re in an Accident in Rio Rancho
If you’ve been a victim of an accident in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, our team of skilled personal injury attorneys can provide multiple types of assistance to ensure that your path toward recovery encompasses both health and justice. Our attorneys have over 55 years of combined experience and have secured more than $30 million in compensation for our clients.
Here’s how our personal injury law firm can help:
- We’ll conduct a comprehensive evaluation to understand the complexity and merits presented by your case. This helps us determine an appropriate legal strategy.
- We’re meticulous with collecting all relevant documents, such as police reports, medical records, or witness testimonies. These tell critical narratives about your incident.
- To protect your interests effectively, we communicate on your behalf with all involved parties.
- Our attorneys will engage in the settlement negotiation process with the at-fault party’s insurance company to ensure you receive just compensation for your damages.
- Should the situation call for it, we are capable and ready to take your case to court. We can develop a compelling legal argument and present evidence during hearings to get you a favorable verdict.
If you need help after an accident in the area, we’re here for you. Reach out Curiel & Runion Personal Injury Lawyers, to schedule a free case review with a Rio Rancho personal injury attorney.
How Common Are Personal Injury Accidents in New Mexico?
In New Mexico and throughout the country, personal injury accidents are a significant matter of concern. Consider the following:
Car Accidents
- In 2021, there were a total of 40,769 car crashes in the state, resulting in 17,971 injuries and 483 fatalities.
- Driver inattention played a role in 18 percent of car accidents leading to injuries.
- Alcohol or drug involvement contributed to 25 percent of the accidents involving fatalities.
- In 2022, there were a total of 466 fatalities.
Workplace Injuries and Illnesses
- Private industry employers reported 13,500 nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in New Mexico in 2021.
- Of these cases, 7,000 were of a more severe nature, leading to days away from work, job transfer, or restriction.
These numbers illustrate the ongoing challenge of personal injury accidents in the State of New Mexico. It’s essential to continue efforts to address the contributing factors and improve safety on the roads and in workplaces to reduce personal injury incidents.
What Is My Rio Rancho Personal Injury Case Worth?
The worth of a personal injury case is primarily predicated on the nature and extent of damages that you have suffered as a result of someone else’s negligence. The most common factors that will play a role in the value include:
Extent and Severity of Injury
The extent of your injuries largely determines the compensation you receive. The more injured you are, the more likely you are to receive a higher settlement or verdict, as this will lead to significant medical expenses and other losses.
Strength of Evidence
Establishing liability is integral in personal injury lawsuits. If you have strong evidence to prove your claim, it’s more likely that you will receive a high settlement offer.
Insurance Coverage
The compensation you receive is also generally tied to insurance coverage limits held by the at-fault party. If there isn’t sufficient coverage, you may have to file a personal injury lawsuit to obtain the compensation needed to cover your losses.
Whether Your Injury Is Permanent
If your injury leads to permanent disability or life-altering changes, it can significantly influence the value of your case and lead to a higher settlement or verdict.
It’s vital to have effective legal representation on your side to advocate for the compensation you deserve.
What Kind of Damages Are Available to Accident Victims in Rio Rancho, NM?
Damages in personal injury cases are classified into three primary categories:
Economic Damages
Economic damages are quantifiable and tangible losses that you’ve incurred as a direct result of the accident. They include past, current, and future medical expenses, loss of wages due to inability to work during recovery, reduced earning capacity, cost for rehabilitation services or home care if required, and other monetary losses you’ve suffered because of the accident.
Non-Economic Damages
Unlike economic damages, non-economic damages aren’t easily quantifiable; they’re aimed at compensating you for intangible consequences like pain and suffering, decreased quality of life, and emotional distress caused by the incident.
Punitive Damages
While the aim of economic and non-economic damages is primarily to compensate victims, punitive damages are designed differently with a dual intention. One purpose is to punish defendants for their particularly reckless or intentionally harmful actions, and the other is to deter future similar conduct by defendants themselves or others in society.
Can I Recover Compensation if I’m Being Blamed for an Accident in New Mexico?
Yes, you can still recover compensation even if you’re being partly blamed for an accident in New Mexico. This is due to the state’s adherence to a rule known as pure comparative negligence.
Under this system, any damages that are awarded in your personal injury case will be decreased by a percentage equal to your level of fault for the incident.
So, if it’s been determined that you’re 20% at fault and your total damages amount to $100,000, you would be able to take home $80,000 (80% of $100,000).
We’ll Fight To Recover Compensation for All of Your Personal Injuries
Personal injury cases encompass a broad spectrum of scenarios where individuals suffer harm due to someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing. These injuries can range from minor to severe, with complex medical and legal implications. The most common ones include the following:
- Traumatic brain Injuries and concussions
- Spinal cord and other back injuries
- Fractures or broken bones
- Burns and disfigurement
- Soft tissue injuries like sprains or strains
- Internal injuries like organ damage
Facing any of these common types of personal injuries can cause significant medical costs and decreased quality of life. Always seek medical attention after an accident to give yourself the best chance at recovery.
What Causes Most Personal Injury Accidents in Rio Rancho, New Mexico?
Personal injury accidents have several causes, with the most common including:
Motor Vehicle Accidents
These are quite common reasons for personal injuries. They may occur due to distracted driving, speeding, failure to adhere to other traffic rules, or being under the influence while behind the wheel.
Slip and Fall Accidents
These accidents typically occur due to negligently maintained premises, such as wet floors without signage, uneven walkways, poor lighting, or stray objects on pathways. Property owners might be held financially responsible for resulting injuries.
Product Liability
These relate to injuries resulting from defective or dangerous products. Manufacturers, suppliers, and retailers can be held liable if their product causes harm due to certain factors like manufacturing defects or lack of adequate safety warnings.
Pedestrian Accidents
These involve pedestrians being struck by a vehicle. They can lead to severe and often fatal harm due to the pedestrian’s vulnerability and lack of protection.
This list is not exhaustive, as there are many other ways a personal injury accident can occur.
How Do I Prove Negligence After an Accident in New Mexico?
Proving negligence typically involves establishing four key elements:
Duty of Care
You’ll first need to demonstrate that the other party had a duty of care to keep you safe. For instance, drivers have a duty to adhere to traffic rules and operate their vehicles carefully to ensure they don’t harm those on the road around them.
Breach
After showing the existence of a duty of care, you must establish how this was violated or breached. This could be a driver failing to abide by the speed limit or a property owner failing to maintain their property.
Causation
Next, you must prove that the defendant’s negligent act directly caused the injuries you sustained. For example, a driver hit your car because they ran a red light.
Damages
Finally, you have to demonstrate that you experienced actual harm or loss due to the accident. This can include various losses like medical expenses, lost wages, or even pain and suffering.
By successfully proving these elements in your case, you can establish negligence against the responsible parties and potentially secure compensation for harm suffered.
How Long Do I Have To File a Lawsuit After an Accident in New Mexico?
In New Mexico, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases provides you three years from the date of accident to file a lawsuit. However, it’s important to note that there are exceptions that may either extend or shorten this general timeframe.
Always speak with a legal professional as soon as possible after an injury to ensure you don’t miss out on the chance to recover compensation.
Contact Our Rio Rancho Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
The repercussion of a personal injury isn’t merely physically debilitating but often emotionally financially draining as well. Therefore, partnering with an expert accident attorney who understands these cases is critical. Let us help you get the justice and compensation you deserve.
Contact Curiel & Runion Personal Injury Lawyers, to schedule a free consultation with a Rio Rancho personal injury lawyer. Since we work on a contingency fee basis, you only pay us attorney’s fees if we get compensation for you.