Top 10 Mistakes Albuquerque Car Accident Victims Make and How to Avoid Them

Albuquerque, New Mexico, is a fun and active place. Duke City is always buzzing with activities for locals, not just tourists. Two major interstate highways intersect at almost the center of the city. The intersection of I-25 and I-40 is locally known as “The Big I,” and both roads are always busy.

Albuquerque and Bernalillo County are home to many vehicles of all sizes. Every day, as the number of vehicles on the roadways grows, so does the risk of serious car wrecks.

Prevent yourself from becoming a statistic by avoiding some of the common mistakes of car accident victims. If you or anyone you know is involved in an accident or suffers an injury, you must make the correct and careful decisions so the justice system can work in your favor. Otherwise, you can end up in debt while being held legally liable for the entire incident.

Inevitably, a car accident will happen to you or someone close to you during your lifetime. Every car accident victim needs to know how to act following a car accident. Failure to do so can lead to issues not being resolved and make the process of seeking justice complicated.

Always keep in mind that Ron Bell Injury Lawyers is here to help. Call 898-BELL now for a free case evaluation.

1.    Not Calling the Police or Highway Patrol to Investigate the Accident

Drivers must report personal injury accidents to the police. Their report is required to determine evidence, potential witnesses, the cause, and who is to blame. Remember that the presence of the police is not always legally required at the accident scene, but is highly advised, even in the case of a minor car accident.

2.  Not Gathering Evidence or Witnesses’ Contact Information

Taking pictures and gathering as much evidence as possible after a car accident is critical. It’s also crucial to obtain the contact information of any witnesses and identify the contact information of anyone involved in the accident. If you forget to do so, the insurance company may be able to present a version of the incident in which you were partially, if not entirely, to blame for what happened.

3.  Not Obtaining a Crash Report in Albuquerque, NM

The process of filing a crash report after an accident in New Mexico can be complex, even when a report is filed promptly with a law enforcement agency.

Please contact records personnel at (505) 768-2020 for total charges, the payment process and how to obtain reports.

Starting March 3, 2021, APD Records has been open with these guidelines:

• You must wear a mask when entering the APD Records lobby.
• There will only be three people allowed at a time in the lobby as it is a small area.
• You can request an APD police report in person or by phone at (505) 768-2020
• If you request a report via telephone, you will be prompted to send in your payment before receiving the requested report. The cost is $.50 per page
• When requesting a report in person, cash is only accepted. Bills larger than $20 are not accepted.

We can help you obtain the police report you filed for your accident and ensure that the information listed is correct. Call 505-898-BELL or contact us online. You can get a free consultation for your personal injury claim with a member of our legal team.

4. Not Seeking Immediate Medical Assistance

Even if you feel normal after the incident, seek medical advice or wait for paramedics to assess you for possible injuries. Remember that your body produces a shot of adrenaline during stressful incidents like this that can make people feel painless during the moment. After an accident, symptoms can appear hours, days, or even weeks later.

You should get checked out as soon as possible. Albuquerque has an excellent system of hospitals, including Heart Hospital of New Mexico, Carrie Tingley Hospital, Albuquerque Regional Medical Center, Lovelace Medical Center, Presbyterian Hospital, VA New Mexico Healthcare System, and University of New Mexico Hospital (UNM Hospital). Any of these hospitals or local doctors can provide you with an excellent level of care.

5.  Not Being Honest About Your Condition

When visiting a doctor, it is critical to be completely honest. You should be open about exactly how you’re feeling. Any discomfort, pain, or health differences that have resulted from the accident must be disclosed to get an accurate diagnosis.

6.  Skipping Your Medical Appointments

Even if you feel better or the treatment isn’t working, it’s crucial to keep all medical appointments. If you do not, you are jeopardizing your recovery as well as your injury claim. If your injury doesn’t appear as severe as you claim, the insurance company may reduce the amount of compensation you receive.

7.  Discussing Your Case with the Other Party’s Insurance Company

Speaking with the insurance company of the other driver involved in the accident will only hurt your case. Remember that the insurance adjusters will act as if they are on your side in order to get the best deal for their client and, of course, the company’s finances. These conversations rarely work out in your favor.

Before speaking with an experienced car accident lawyer, seek medical treatment right away and have a doctor evaluate your injuries and provide you with a thorough diagnosis. Allow your Albuquerque car accident attorney to deal with the insurance companies on your behalf.

8.  Not Filing Your Claim Sooner

In New Mexico, the state’s civil statute of limitations is three years for personal injury and four years for injury to personal property and most other civil claims.

When an accident involves a fatality, there is generally only one year left to sue on behalf of the victim’s estate and family. If you don’t file your claim before the statute of limitations runs out, you won’t be able to pursue it. An experienced car accident lawyer can help keep your case on a strict schedule to ensure you don’t have issues like this.

9.  Not Hiring an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer

You wouldn’t want to go through a legal process without the assistance of a car accident lawyer. The chances of obtaining higher compensation are higher when you have an experienced car accident attorney on your side.

Our attorneys will communicate on your behalf to help bolster your case. Call Ron Bell Injury Lawyers for a free consultation and review of your car accident claim. 505-898-BELL.

10. Settling Too Soon

We understand that after being involved in a car accident, you need to get compensation as quickly as possible. When managing medical bills, paying for treatment, or facing lost wages, you may feel pressured to settle for less than you deserve. You should, however, wait until we complete a thorough investigation and negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company.

How Our Accident Attorneys Can Help

If you accept the first offer from the insurance company, you will almost certainly receive a poor and unfair settlement offer.

Our team understands the importance of proper and fair compensation. Keep in mind that we work on a contingency basis, which means we don’t get paid until you do.

Ron Bell Injury Lawyers are here to help at 505-898-BELL. For a free case evaluation, call now.

TAKING GOOD CARE OF OUR NEIGHBORS

Our mission as personal injury attorneys is to represent injured people, but we don’t want you to think of us as just that: personal injury attorneys. Our team members are part of the community.

We live and work here, and it’s the place we call home. We live in the same neighborhoods as you, and we want to make sure that our neighbors and friends are well taken care of as well.

Our practice is located in Albuquerque. We have a team of attorneys and staff members, including case coordinators, investigators, and paralegals, and we handle cases of all sizes.

Our experienced attorneys have obtained successful outcomes for their clients in a variety of practice areas, including car accidents, motorcycle accidents, brain injuries, Social Security Disability, benefits for veterans, defective products, fire and burn injuries, drug injuries, nursing home abuse, truck accidents, and wrongful deaths, among others.

Legal Disclaimer

This website and its contents may be considered attorney advertising under the rules of certain jurisdictions. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

The information and materials offered on this site are for general informational purposes only, do not constitute and should not be considered to be legal advice, and are presented without any representation or warranty whatsoever, including as to the accuracy or completeness of the information. Parties seeking advice should consult with legal counsel familiar with their particular circumstances. Copyright 2022. NM.