Anytime you get behind the wheel of your vehicle and venture out onto the roadway, there is always the risk you may wind up in an accident. In some cases, these unfortunate situations cannot be avoided, and serious injuries and even fatalities can occur. If you have suffered in a car accident as the result of another party’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional wrongdoing, the legal assistance of an Albuquerque car accident lawyer can prove to be essential in your claim.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Albuquerque
Even with the many safety measures, laws, and new protective features of many vehicles, accidents happen every day across the state of New Mexico, and the city of Albuquerque is no exception. Many of these devastating accidents are the result of human error, and in these scenarios, there is most likely a specific party that can be held liable for the damages you have suffered.
When determining which party is to be held liable in a car accident case, your attorney will want to review the accident itself in order to discover what caused it in the first place. Common causes of car accidents in Albuquerque include the following:
- Distracted Driving: When a driver takes part in any action that removes their hands from the wheel and their eyes and attention from the road, this is considered distracted driving. Common forms of distracted driving can include texting, eating, drinking, or grooming while driving; reaching for something in the car; interacting with other passengers; or adjusting the temperature or radio controls.
- Road Rage: Operating a vehicle with aggression is never a good idea. When a driver takes part in behaviors such as tailgating, cutting in between lanes, or demonstrating risky passing techniques, this can lead to serious accidents and even fatalities.
- Speeding: When a driver operates their vehicle with excessive speed, they are more likely to cause accidents due to having a slower reaction time. When you speed during poor weather, such as heavy rain or dust storms, this can further decrease your ability to stop as necessary to avoid an accident.
- Driving Under the Influence: When a driver operates their vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, this is a recipe for disaster. Impaired drivers often have a decreased reaction ability and poor judgment, making it easier for them to become involved in a car accident.
- Poor Road Conditions: When the local municipality or governing body does not keep their roadways up to repair or is negligent in these repairs, roads can deteriorate, causing conditions where accidents become more likely. These conditions can include loose gravel, cracked or missing pavement, and potholes.
- Defective Vehicle Parts: When a vehicle manufacturer or designer puts a vehicle on the market while ignoring the results of safety tests or knowing that certain parts are defective or may malfunction, the vehicle might become involved in an accident.
If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a car accident caused by any of the aforementioned factors, the team at King Law Firm is here to help you recover the compensation and justice you deserve.
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King Law Firm: Fighting for You After a Car Accident
At King Law Firm, our team of experienced personal injury lawyers is passionate about doing whatever it takes to ensure you recover the damages you have suffered in an Albuquerque car accident. We can help to do that by taking the following actions in your claim:
- Determining who the liable party is by reviewing the case, gathering evidence from the accident scene, and speaking with any viable eyewitnesses
- Gathering medical evidence to support your claim that can demonstrate the severity of your injuries and the costs or projected costs of necessary treatments
- Negotiating with the involved parties of the claim, including the liable party, their legal team, and all insurance companies with an interest in the claim in order to reach a fair settlement
If negotiations are not fruitful and the other parties involved do not wish to cooperate, your attorney from King Law Firm can take your claim to court and employ our experienced litigation skills to argue your claim before a judge and jury.
Damages Available in a Car Accident Claim
In addition to seeking justice and holding the liable party responsible for their behavior, which led to the car accident, you can also file a claim to recover the losses you have suffered. Accidents can cause many devastating injuries and negative impacts on a victim’s life. At King Law Firm, we believe you deserve the maximum settlement amount available to cover all the losses you have suffered.
The most common kinds of damages available in a car accident claim include the following:
- Economic Damages: These damages are easily assigned a monetary value or price tag and include losses such as property damage to your vehicle, the cost of repairs or replacement, all medical costs related to the accident, any loss of income you may suffer, and any earning potential lost if your injuries cause you to suffer temporary or permanent disability and you cannot return to work.
- Non-Economic Damages: These damages are typically more abstract and not as easily assigned a monetary value. They include pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of care, consortium, or companionship, mental anguish, emotional distress, or scarring and disfigurement.
- Punitive Damages: Though these are rarely awarded, they can significantly increase the overall value of your claim and are often applied to cases in which the courts deem that the liable party acted with gross negligence or in an act that was particularly egregious. These damages are typically awarded to punish the liable party and keep them from taking similar actions in the future.
- Wrongful Death Damages: If you lose a loved one in a car accident, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim. In these claims, damages typically can include the lost wages or employment benefits of the deceased, the coverage of their accident-related medical expenses before they passed, and any funeral or burial costs.
Injured in a Car Accident? Our Attorneys Can Help
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the team at King Law Firm is here to help. Contact our offices today to schedule your initial consultation and learn more about our services.