No one wants to get injured or involved in an on-road mishap. Unfortunately, accidents do happen in Albuquerque, and often, these mishaps involve drivers and people who are not at fault. When it comes to car accidents, New Mexico is a fault state. The driver who caused the accident because of their negligence or fault is liable for the losses endured by other drivers/passengers/pedestrians. If you were injured in a crash, talk to an Albuquerque car accident attorney to know your claim. For your help, here’s a quick look at New Mexico laws.
Reviewing the statute of limitations
All states have a law, called the “statute of limitations”, which sets a time limit for injury lawsuits, including cases involving car accidents. In New Mexico, you have three years to file a lawsuit against the driver/party responsible for the accident. The statute of limitations also sets the same deadline for wrongful death lawsuits. If you have just suffered vehicle damages, you have to file a lawsuit within four years. The deadline set by the statute of limitations starts from the accident date (or date of death for wrongful death claims).
Comparative fault explained
Compared to many states, New Mexico has rather claimant-friendly laws. You can file a lawsuit against an at-fault driver, even when you share a bigger part of the blame. In other words, unless your fault is 100%, you can sue the other party. However, your settlement would be reduced by your fault share.
Do you need an attorney?
There are numerous injury law firms in Albuquerque, which are committed to helping car accident victims and drivers. These lawyers typically work on a contingency fee, and therefore, you don’t have to pay anything to engage them to fight your case. Right from evaluating the worth of your claim to dealing with the insurance claims adjuster, they do it all. Each car accident lawsuit is unique, but having an attorney on your side definitely improves your chances of getting a fair compensation amount.
Protect your rights
The whole battle of winning a settlement for a car accident claim is not easy. Insurance companies don’t care for people and would do anything possible to minimize their burden. Get an attorney on your side to protect your rights and interests. You can ask around for references or just check online to find local lawyers in Albuquerque. Ensure that the lawyer has experience working on car accident claims.
