Santa Fe Car Accidents
Every car accident is unique, and the cause can vary greatly depending on the specific circumstances. However, some of the most common types of car crashes in Santa Fe that our accident lawyers help with:
- Rear-End Collisions: Typically caused by distraction, tailgating, or speeding, resulting in one vehicle hitting the back of another.
- Head-On Collisions: Extremely dangerous, often resulting from wrong-way driving, intoxication, or fatigue.
- Intersection Collisions: Commonly occur from running red lights, ignoring stop signs, or failing to yield, especially at uncontrolled intersections.
- Side-Impact Collisions: Arise when drivers ignore the right of way at intersections, switch lanes without caution, or exit parking areas carelessly.
- Single-Vehicle Accidents: These can involve hitting road barriers or trees, often due to driver impairment, distraction, or vehicle malfunction.
- Fatal Auto Accidents: Result in death, caused by severe impacts or risky behaviors like impaired or reckless driving.
- Speeding Accidents: Increases accident severity and likelihood, often leading to loss of vehicle control and higher impact collisions.
- Drunk Driving Accidents: Impairment from alcohol leads to poor judgment and coordination, often causing deadly crashes.
- Distracted Driving Accidents: Inattention from phone use or other activities leads to a failure to react to road hazards.
- Failure to Yield Accidents: Results from ignoring traffic signs or rules, causing side-swipes or intersection crashes.
- Highway Accidents: High speeds and dense traffic contribute to severe and multi-car crashes on Interstate 25 and US highways.
- Multi-Vehicle Accidents: Chain-reaction crashes often on congested roads, with high damage and injury potential.
- Hit & Run Accidents: Being the victim of a hit and run is incredibly frustrating, but you may have options for relief through your own insurance policy. Consulting with our car accident attorneys in Santa Fe can clarify your next steps.
NM Car Accident Injuries
No one expects to be hurt in a car wreck. But after a car accident, your recovery encompasses more than just your physical health. It means securing adequate compensation for the impact the car crash had on your life.
The law acknowledges this by allowing for compensation for damages such as emotional distress. In Santa Fe, the nature of these injuries—ranging from traumatic brain injuries to spinal injuries and whiplash—plays a crucial role in securing a substantial settlement or court verdict.
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Back & Disc Injuries
- Facial Injuries
- Whiplash & Neck Injuries
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
- Concussions
- Fractures & Broken Bones
- Shoulder, Knee & Joint Injuries
- Lacerations & Cuts
- Amputation Injuries
- Internal Organ Injuries
- Burns
- Hearing Loss or Damage
- Disfigurement & Scarring
- Vision Impairment or Loss
- Soft Tissue Injuries & Contusions
- Psychological Injuries & Car Accident PTSD
Santa Fe Car Accident Facts & Figures
Certain roads, highways, and intersections are more likely to be sites of vehicle accidents in Santa Fe.
According to recent data from the New Mexico Department of Transportation, Cerrillos Road is consistently one of the most dangerous streets in Santa Fe, with six of the top 10 most dangerous intersections located along this major corridor. The intersection of Cerrillos Road with Airport and Rodeo roads leads the city with 110 crashes over a three-year period.
St. Francis Drive is another high-risk area, with three of the top 10 dangerous intersections. The intersection of St. Francis Drive and Cerrillos Road alone recorded 93 crashes in the three-year period from 2019-2021. Other frequently cited dangerous areas include:
- US Highway 84/285: This major north-south corridor connecting Santa Fe to Española and points north has seen multiple serious accidents, including wrong-way crashes and commercial vehicle accidents
- Interstate 25: The primary highway connecting Santa Fe to Albuquerque and Colorado, with challenging mountain terrain and high-speed traffic
- St. Michael’s Drive: A busy arterial with significant pedestrian and vehicle traffic
- Alameda Street: Another area with elevated accident rates
- NM 599 (Santa Fe Relief Route): The bypass route around Santa Fe that intersects with major highways
From 2019-2021, Santa Fe recorded 5,532 crashes at intersections or within 150 feet of street crossings, involving 14,472 people. Of these, 2,740 people were suspected to have been injured and 25 were killed. Most officials attribute these accidents to distracted drivers and errors in heavy traffic.
If you have been involved in an accident in any of these areas, make sure to reach out to our experienced local car accident attorneys in Santa Fe.
Compensation in NM Auto Accident Claims
The severity of your injuries directly influences the amount of compensation you can receive, as more serious injuries often result in higher medical bills, extended absence from work, or permanent disability that affects your earning capacity.
No matter what caused your car accident or the injuries you suffered, you must get medical attention as soon as possible. After receiving medical attention, you should contact and retain a team of the best car accident lawyers you can find.
Our car accident lawyers in Santa Fe, NM are highly experienced in these and other motor-vehicle collisions, having secured millions in compensation for victims statewide. If you have questions about an accident type not mentioned, need to identify the at-fault party, or determine whether you are entitled to compensation, it’s best to contact our New Mexico legal team.
Damages in Car Accident Claims
We understand the devastating impact car accidents can have on your life, not just physically but also financially and emotionally. Our experienced car injury lawyers are dedicated to seeking all the compensation you deserve to help you recover and move forward.
We go beyond the standard list of damages and fight for every penny you’re entitled to:
Medical Expenses
- Past, present, and future medical bills: We ensure you’re compensated for all medical treatment related to your accident, including emergency care, hospital stays, doctor visits, specialists, surgeries, physical therapy, medication, and rehabilitation.
- Lost wages: We fight for compensation for wages lost due to missed work while recovering and explore potential future lost earnings if your injuries impact your long-term earning potential.
Vehicle Damage
- Repair or replacement costs: We work with reputable auto repair shops to assess the damage and ensure you receive the full cost of repairs or the fair market value of your totaled vehicle.
Pain and Suffering
- Physical pain and suffering: We aggressively pursue compensation for the physical pain and discomfort you endure due to your injuries, using medical records and expert testimony to accurately assess your pain level.
- Emotional distress and mental anguish: We recognize the emotional toll accidents can take and fight for compensation for anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other mental health consequences of your accident.
Other Damages
- Loss of enjoyment of life: We understand that your injuries may limit your ability to participate in activities you once enjoyed, and we fight for compensation for this loss of enjoyment.
- Scarring and disfigurement: We ensure you receive compensation for any lasting physical scars or disfigurement caused by the accident.
- Punitive damages: In cases of extreme negligence or intentional wrongdoing, we seek punitive damages to punish the at-fault party and deter similar behavior in the future.
How We Achieve the Most for You
- Thorough investigation: We meticulously gather evidence, including accident reports, police reports, medical records, witness statements, and expert opinions, to build a strong case for your maximum compensation.
- Aggressive negotiation: We negotiate aggressively with insurance companies, aiming to secure the highest possible settlement before resorting to litigation.
- Trial-ready attorneys: If negotiations fail, we are prepared to take your case to court and fight for your rights in front of a jury.
- Client-centered approach: We keep you informed throughout the process, listen to your concerns, and answer your questions promptly.
Remember, you deserve fair compensation for your car accident injuries. Don’t settle for less than what you’re entitled to. Contact Law Giant Injury Lawyers for a free consultation and let us fight for the compensation you deserve.
Why You Need a Car Accident Lawyer
Car accident cases can be complex, and the insurance companies may try to deny your claim or offer you a low settlement. An experienced Santa Fe car accident lawyer can help you:
- Investigate the cause of your accident and gather evidence.
- Identify the liable party.
- Negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf.
- File a lawsuit in court, if necessary
- Recover the compensation you deserve.
What To Do After a Car Accident in Santa Fe?
If you’re still at the scene of the accident…
- Check yourself and your passengers for injuries
- Call 911 if anyone is seriously hurt
- Contact the Santa Fe Police Department non-emergency number and follow any instructions you’re given
- Exchange information with all drivers involved. Don’t admit fault.
- Speak with any witnesses
- Document the accident through photos and video
- If you’re seriously injured, use an ambulance, and get medical treatment
Shortly after the accident…
- If your injuries don’t appear serious, go to urgent care or visit your doctor, preferably within 48 hours
- Get a copy of the police report of the accident
- Call your insurance company and tell them you’ll be consulting with an attorney
Because the next stages of your injury treatment and crash investigation are crucial, contact our Santa Fe car accident attorneys as soon as possible for a free consultation. We can help you get the medical attention you need and start our investigation before evidence is lost and witnesses’ memories fade.
Proving Negligence after a Car Crash
In New Mexico, driver error—whether careless, distracted, or reckless—often leads to car accidents and subsequent legal claims. Success in these claims hinges on proving negligence.
At Law Giant Injury Lawyers, our car accident attorneys focus on four key elements:
- Duty: Establishing that the other driver had a responsibility to act reasonably and safely.
- Breach: Demonstrating the driver failed to fulfill this responsibility.
- Causation: Linking the driver’s failure directly to the accident and your injuries.
- Damages: Showing you incurred physical, emotional, and financial losses due to the accident.
Proving negligence is a fact-intensive process. We conduct thorough independent investigations to gather the necessary evidence, ensuring the strongest case for your claim.
Our Santa Fe Accident Attorneys Can Help
At Law Giant Injury Lawyers, our car accident attorneys in Santa Fe, NM have considerable experience and in-depth legal knowledge in helping clients with these cases. We can also help you with the other accident-related issues you’re facing so you can concentrate on recovery.
We have won million and multi-million-dollar settlements in some cases. While we never guarantee a specific outcome in a case, if the insurer refuses to negotiate fairly or wrongly denies your claim, we have the skill and resources to push forward, prepare for trial, and pressure big companies to do what’s right.
Insurance Claims after a Car Crash in New Mexico
Filing a successful auto accident claim involves much more than filling out forms. It is all about using the process to tell your story, the extent of your injuries, why the other driver is at fault, and why the insurance company should pay your personal injury claim. Furthermore, this process involves supplying the evidence the company wants to see. Our car crash lawyers in Santa Fe are here to help you through the process.
We’ll Deal with the Insurance Company
You won’t have to deal with a claims adjuster or an attorney working for the insurance company. We’ll be communicating with them, showing the persistence needed to be successful.
Full & Fair Compensation after a Crash
The goal is a car accident settlement that sufficiently compensates you for your losses. If you handle the case by yourself, you won’t know the value of your claim, and your settlement will come up short.
The Support & Resources Necessary
We’re dedicated to helping car crash victims. We can gather the evidence needed to prove your claim. This includes getting help from professionals in medicine, accident reconstruction, and economics.
We Fight for You at Every Phase
If the insurance company isn’t reasonable and we can’t settle, we can file a lawsuit to enforce your rights as a victim, and a jury will decide the issues. Litigation requires high-level legal knowledge, skills, and courtroom experience.
Throughout the process, Law Giant Injury Lawyers will be at your side. You should focus on getting your health back and your family. Our New Mexico car accident attorneys will handle the legal issues while you recover.
