While there are no guarantees to compensation, after an auto accident you’ll want to contact an Albuquerque auto accident lawyer to review your case. If your accident was a result of recklessness, you may have a legal case. Here are some examples of reckless or negligent behavior that can cause car accidents:

Speeding

While most people never admit to it, virtually everyone has sped at some point in time while driving. A “harmless” five miles over the speed limit may not seem like a big deal, but this reckless behavior can have serious consequences if it causes an auto accident. If you were injured in an accident that was determined to be the result of speeding and reckless driving, contact an Albuquerque or Santa Fe personal injury attorney. They can review your case and may be able to seek compensation for any injuries sustained due to this reckless driving.

Cell Phones

Cell phone distractions are becoming commonplace in American society. It seems everyone is always talking or texting while driving. Any use of a cell phone without a hands free device is illegal in Albuquerque and Santa Fe and is negligent behavior. While fender benders during rush hour happen, if they are the result of someone being distracted by their cell phone, this reckless behavior may be cause to seek legal representation. If you were injured in a car accident by someone using their cell phone in Albuquerque or Santa Fe, personal injury lawyers can represent you in the event of possible legal action against the reckless driver. 

Driving Under the Influence

Unfortunately, driving under the influence is an epidemic in New Mexico. Despite tough DUI laws, these accidents happen frequently and with tragic results. Albuquerque and Santa Fe personal injury attorneys can represent you if you’ve been injured as a result of a DUI car accident. DUI is one of the most extreme examples of recklessness and negligence and if you’ve been injured in one of these accidents, a personal injury attorney can review your case and may be able to seek legal compensation on your behalf for medical bills and pain and suffering.

No single auto accident is like any other. With some accidents, there is no legal recourse because some auto accidents are just that. But if further investigation reveals the accident was a result of someone else’s recklessness and negligence, an Albuquerque auto accident lawyer can represent your interest and try to win compensation for your injuries, medical bills, and pain and suffering.

After being involved in an accident, your adrenaline will be racing and your nerves will be frayed. The following tips are some common sense tips, but also wise advice to keep in mind following an accident: 

1. Safety First

   : Stop your vehicle. If at all possible, move your vehicle out of traffic lanes and to the side of the road. When your vehicle is secure, check for injuries among yourself and passengers. If you or any passengers are injured, do not move. Dial 911 immediately and wait for an ambulance. If you are uninjured and it is safe to do so, check on the other driver(s) and again dial 911 if there are any injuries.  

2. Exchange Information

   : You’ll want to call the police for a police report, but before they arrive, you’ll also want to exchange information with the other driver. Albuquerque and Santa Fe car accident attorneys may recommend you exchange the following information: full name, address, phone number, insurance information (including company, policy number, and expiration date), driver’s license number, license plate number, and the make, model, and year of the other person’s vehicle.  

3. Take Notes

   : If later you must contact an Albuquerque personal injury attorney as a result of your accident, you’ll want pictures, notes, and contact information for witnesses. This can help an attorney determine what kind of case you may have by being able to look at some of the initial evidence.  

4. Inform Your Insurance Company:

   Your insurance company will look at your accident claim and communicate with the other driver’s insurance company. Insurance companies will generally offer you a sum of money for repairs and medical expenses. Before you settle, contact an Albuquerque or Santa Fe personal injury lawyer to review the facts of your case and ensure you’re getting a fair settlement to help you get your life back on track.   

 The actions you take after an auto accident are crucial. You want to ensure your safety and get immediate medical attention for any injuries. After the accident, it can take time to get your life back on track and you may need the assistance of a Santa Fe or Albuquerque personal injury lawyer to help you seek any possible compensation you may be entitled to.

• Medical bills
• Rehabilitation expenses
• Prescription drug costs
• Time missed from work
• Affect on ability to earn an income
• Pain and suffering

Only an experienced attorney can tell you exactly what damages you are eligible to seek compensation for after thoroughly evaluating your case. A thorough evaluation includes an investigation of the accident scene, collection of evidence, tracking down witnesses and securing expert testimony as to the dangerous conditions present at the accident scene.

Keep in mind that just because you fall on someone else’s property does not mean that you can automatically seek to recover damages for your injury; you must be able to prove that a property owner was aware of a hazardous surface condition, had time to address the problem and did not take the appropriate action to correct the problem or properly warn people of the hazardous area. This is not always easy to prove; hiring an experienced attorney can greatly increase your chances of receiving the money you need to recover from a slip and fall accident.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a slip or trip and fall accident, it’s important to take proactive measures to ensure your chances of a successful case. Below are some actions you may want to take after being involved in a slip and fall accident:

Seek Medical Attention

It is a good idea to see a medical doctor soon after a slip and fall accident so that you can be made aware of the extent of your injuries and get the care you need. A doctor can not only diagnose and treat your injury, but make you aware of how your injury may affect your life.

Take Pictures

It is important to take pictures of the accident scene as soon as possible after the accident. Pictures should be taken from a variety of angles and distances to properly document the accident scene. Failure to take pictures promptly after the accident can make it difficult to prove that hazardous conditions ever existed as property owners can clean up or fix the problem before you get a chance to document the problem.

Get Witness Contact Information

If anyone witnessed your slip and fall accident, it is important to write down their name, address and phone number so that you can contact them in the future if such testimony is necessary for proving a property owner’s fault.

Report the Accident

If your accident occurred at a retail store or place of business, be sure to alert the manager of your accident before you leave the store. It is important to have documentation of your accident immediately after it happens.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a slip or trip and fall accident, be sure to contact an experienced slip and fall attorney for the advice and legal representation you need to pursue a successful case against a negligent property owner.

When you are involved in an accident and want to pursue an accident claim, time is of the essence. Just like many other areas in our lives, there are deadlines you must meet to file an accident claim. The maximum amount of time you have to file a claim is known as a statute of limitations. Statutes of limitation vary for different lawsuits and in different states. An accident lawyer will be able to advise you and help you file your claim in a timely manner.

Failing to file a claim within the time period allotted for your lawsuit may terminate your right to recover damages if someone else is liable for your accident or injuries. Therefore, if you are pursuing an accident claim, it is important to seek the advice of an experienced accident lawyer soon after your accident so you can file your claim before the statute of limitations runs out.

Statutes of limitations usually begin immediately after the incident occurs; however, in some instances, the statute of limitations does not begin until the plaintiff knows or should have known about the negligence or fault of another party. In instances where a person has a delay in discovering the harm or negligence, statutes of limitations can be tolled, or extended.

Statutes of limitations are also tolled for minors. If a minor experiences an incident that causes them injury or harm, the minor will have a chance to pursue legal action when they turn 18.

If you experienced an accident that caused you personal injury or significant damages, always seek the legal advice of an accident lawyer immediately so you do not risk losing your right to fair compensation due to the passing of time.

When both parties share responsibility for an accident, an accident lawyer may be able to use comparative negligence liability to reduce the amount of money a defendant is responsible for. Comparative negligence reduces the amount of damages a plaintiff can recover due to their own negligence in contributing to the accident that caused their damages.

For example, if a person runs a red light, hits your car while you are driving through the intersection with the right of way, and you receive extensive injuries due to not wearing your seatbelt, you are partially at fault for your injuries since you were not wearing a safety restraint. In this instance, if your case went to court, a jury would decide how much responsibility you bear for your injuries. Responsibility is measured by percentage and a jury may tell you that you are 30 percent responsible for your damages and the person who ran the red light is 70 percent responsible. In this case, the defendant would only be responsible for paying 70 percent of your damages due to the accident and you would be responsible for the remaining 30 percent on your own.

Standards for determining comparative negligence liability vary from state to state. In some states, the plaintiff may not receive any recovery for damages if they are found to be more than 50 percent at fault for the accident. In other states, the plaintiff may recover a percentage of their damages no matter what percentage of the responsibility they share. And in still other states, contributory negligence reigns. That means you can recover no damages if you are responsible to any degree. An experienced accident lawyer can help you understand what to do if you are partially responsible for your damages.

When comparative negligence is a possibility in your car accident claim, it is imperative that you seek the assistance of an experienced accident lawyer. An accident lawyer with expertise handling cases with comparative negligence will be familiar with state laws that may help you recover the most money you are entitled to for recovery of your damages.