If you were injured in a car accident, you might be confused about your legal rights and how you’ll cover medical bills, lost wages, and other unexpected expenses. An experienced Gallup car accident attorney from Caruso Law Offices can help make sense of the situation and guide you through the legal process so you can make informed decisions about your case. Call our personal injury attorney in Gallup today to get started with a free case review.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Gallup, New Mexico
According to the New Mexico Department of Transportation, 40,884 motor vehicle crashes occurred in the state in 2022, which caused 466 traffic fatalities and 18,228 injuries. The leading cause of car accidents is driver error, which occurs when drivers make mistakes or fail to follow traffic laws. Common causes of car accidents include the following:
- Distracted driving, including texting while driving and using electronic devices
- Not paying attention
- Failing to yield the right-of-way
- Following too closely
- Speeding
- Unsafe passing or lane changes
An experienced attorney can investigate your case and gather strong evidence to prove fault in your case.
What Financial Compensation Can I Recover After a Gallup Car Accident?
You can seek compensation for your accident-related injuries and losses, including:
- Medical expenses
- Hospital stays
- Surgical costs
- Emergency room bills
- Ambulance charges
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
An experienced personal injury attorney from our firm can carefully review your case, identify the damages you can demand as part of your claim, and determine your case’s value.
Can I Still Recover Compensation If I Contributed to the Accident?
New Mexico uses a pure comparative negligence standard that applies when the accident victim contributed to the accident. As long as someone else was at least partially to blame for the accident, you can pursue compensation against them, even if you contributed to the accident or were mostly at fault for it. However, your compensation is reduced by your degree of fault, so if you are found 25% at fault for the accident, your damages are reduced by 25%.
Time Limit for Filing a Car Accident Claim in New Mexico
New Mexico law gives car accident victims three years to file a personal injury lawsuit to seek compensation for their damages. If they don’t file a lawsuit within this timeframe, they can forfeit their right to recover compensation through the court system. You don’t want to give up your rights and let the at-fault driver avoid liability for the harm they caused. Reach out to an experienced lawyer today to preserve your rights.
Contact Us for a Free Consultation with an Experienced Gallup Car Accident Lawyer
When you hire a Gallup car accident attorney with Caruso Law Offices, P.C., we can quickly get to action to protect your legal rights. We can handle communications and negotiations with the insurance company so you can focus on your recovery.
Call us today at (505) 393-3992 or contact us online to arrange a free consultation.