Motorcycle Accidents in Santa Fe
Determining fault is, arguably, the most important element of a Santa Fe motorcycle accident claim. This is because the liable party will be responsible for repaying the victim for their losses. It is easy to assume that the driver of the vehicle that struck you is to blame. And that very well may be the case if they were driving recklessly.
The most common types of negligent driving that cause motorcycle crashes are:
- Drunk driving
- Drugged driving
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Failure to stop
- Failure to use a turn signal
- Failure to yield
- Road rage
- Drowsy driving
- Distracted driving
- Risky driving
But negligent drivers aren’t the only cause of motorcycle accidents in Santa Fe County. Sometimes dangerous road conditions or defective auto parts cause a collision. Only a thorough analysis of your motorcycle accident case will determine what caused your accident and who is at fault.
Motorcycle Injuries in NM
Our motorcycle accident attorneys have handled cases involving all types of motorcycle-related injuries, including:
- Road rash
- Muscle, tendon, and ligament injuries
- Bone fractures
- Dislocated joints
- Leg and feet injuries
- Chest and Abdominal injuries
- Back injuries, including herniated or slipped disks
- Spinal cord injuries
- Nerve damage and paralysis
- Traumatic brain injuries
If you are currently suffering after a motorcycle crash, give us a call. When another person is at fault for the accident, you should not foot the bill. Let us pursue compensation through an insurance claim, or if necessary a personal injury suit.
Insurance After a Motorcycle Crash
As a motorcyclist, you know that the insurance company already views you as risky. The insurance company will almost certainly try to capitalize on the fact that bikers are perceived as reckless. They blame riders for accidents so they can pay less. However, having an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer prevents you from being taken advantage of because a professional will handle the negotiations and present the facts.
Compensation in NM Motorcycle Claims
Under New Mexico law, when someone else is responsible for causing your motorcycle accident injuries, you have the right to be made whole. This means that every single way in which your life has been negatively affected by your motorcycle accident should be included.
Also called economic damages, financial losses are the most commonly thought of because they are easily counted. You can look at a medical bill and know how much it’s going to cost. Or, you can examine your rate of pay and how many hours of work you lost to figure out how much you should be repaid for lost wages.
Other economic damages in your Santa Fe motorcycle crash claim may include:
- Diminished earning potential
- Loss of benefits
- Childcare expenses
- Household maintenance costs
- Future medical expenses and equipment
- Costs of repairing or replacing your bike
- Increased insurance premium costs
It is unlikely that your life was only impacted financially. These are known as your non-economic damages. Although these losses do not have a set value, they are much more impactful.
Some common non-economic damages that you could recover are:
- Scarring
- Nuisance
- Lost quality of life
- Loss of consortium
- Damage to your reputation
- Emotional distress
- Physical pain
Depending on your case, you may also be entitled to additional damages. Punitive damages are awarded rarely. But such an award could significantly increase the amount of your final injury settlement. The court may decide to award you punitive damages only if they find that the defendant’s actions were deplorable.
