The moments immediately following a collision happen in a split second. Knowing what to do after a car accident is something we should all memorize. It could save your life or someone else’s and make a challenging situation a little more manageable.
In this post, a personal injury lawyer serving Santa Fe addresses how to handle this situation. You must take the following steps after a car accident in New Mexico:
Table of Contents
Step 1. Get Immediate Medical Attention for Severe Injuries
Injuries either present at the accident scene or develop over time. Here are two general guidelines to consider:
- Severe injuries: Head to the nearest emergency room
- No injury present: Visit a doctor within 72 hours of the accident**
**Check with the insurance company to determine how much time you have to see a doctor. If you’re injured, you don’t want them to deny your claim based on a policy violation.
Further, it is crucial to seek an evaluation from a physician ASAP and follow all medical directives on follow-up care, treatment, or appointments. Seeking medical care right away ensures that all injuries are diagnosed and treated promptly.
Step 2. Help Others Get to Safety
When the accident involves injury or death, the driver is obligated to help any injured person. The driver must also share their name, address, and the registration number of the vehicle they’re driving. They should also, upon request, offer a driver’s license to the injury or property damage victim for accidents not involving an injury.
Step 3. Call the Police for Injuries or with Damage over $500
In New Mexico, drivers must report an accident if it results in the bodily injury or death of any person or $500 in property damage. Our state’s laws require you to report the accident immediately through “the quickest means of communication.”
You should notify the municipal police if it occurs in a town or city. Drivers can also report them to the county sheriff or the nearest New Mexico state police office.
Step 4. Remain at the Scene for Police or E.R. Responders
New Mexico law requires drivers to remain at the scene until police or emergency responders arrive and to provide an accident report. If the accident involves great bodily harm or death, penalties for leaving the scene vary from a misdemeanor to a fourth-degree felony.
Step 5. Take Pictures and Video Evidence (If Possible)
Preserving the accident scene as soon as possible is of utmost importance. If possible, take pictures of injuries, video of the traffic conditions, and recordings of the weather conditions. Make notes of things like skid marks, street signs, and any other external factors that might help establish what happened.
You can use this information if the police get your report wrong. Accurate information is essential to getting a fair insurance settlement as well.
Step 6. Report to the NMDoT if Damages Exceed $500
If you’re the injury victim, you must forward a report to the New Mexico Department of Transportation within five (5) days. They may ask you for supplemental information or seek statements from witnesses or others at the scene at the time of the accident.
The police or sheriff will also generate a written report, which they will forward to NMDoT.
Step 7. Talk with an Injury Lawyer BEFORE Filing a Claim
Accident injury cases are costly for insurance companies to settle. Before filing your claim, get a consultation with a personal injury lawyer. We can help you understand your legal rights and options at no cost or obligation.
For example, my law firm offers a free consultation. In some cases, I walk the individual through the claims process, explain their rights, and offer my thoughts on their specific situation. They may not need to hire me at this point or at all. However, I might recommend hiring me from the outset for traumatic injuries, wrongful deaths, or just hard-to-prove injury cases, like uninsured motorist matters, to avoid legal risks.
Our Doors Are Open
My point is that a personal injury lawyer’s door is usually open to car accident injury victims. Insurance companies typically take out-of-context statements or covertly gather evidence against you. They have years of institutional knowledge that the regular person doesn’t have, and they’re not afraid to leverage it.
Whether you end up hiring a lawyer or not, look for a personal injury lawyer who offers a free consultation, and let us know what’s going on. You’ll at least have peace of mind when filing a claim.
Step 8. Keep Copies of All Accident Documentation
You may be entitled to recover all of your costs related to the accident, including medical bills, a rental car, and less-obvious damages such as lost wages related to your absence from work and pain & suffering. Keeping receipts and other documentation will be necessary to recover the total amount to which you are entitled. When in doubt, don’t throw it out.
Do You Need Legal Help from a Team that Cares?
What can Grano Law Offices, P.C. do for your case? Our main objective is to help YOU recover as much money as possible from the insurance company. We take cases on contingencies and won’t receive a penny until you win.
You can also count on Marc to:
- Handling your case with personalized and friendly attention
- Investigate your case and deal directly with the insurance adjusters
- Assess your claim and prepare as if we’re going to trial
- Treat you with respect and dignity throughout the process
- Keep you fully informed every step of the way
- Fight for the best outcome possible
Get a Free Consultation After a Car Accident in New Mexico
My law firm invites you to contact us for a Free Consultation by calling (505) 426-8711 or sending us a message below.
