Cerrillos Road in Santa Fe, New Mexico is one of the most dangerous streets in the area. Several accidents occur on that road each year. If you or a loved one were injured in a car accident on Cerrillos Road, I offer my deepest sympathies during this time.
You are likely facing medical bills and missed time at work, all while trying to recover physically. Eventually, you will have to call the insurance company to file a claim if you have not done so already.
Handle Your Cerrillos Road Accident Injury Claim Effectively
I wrote this post to help people in your situation. Insurers will give you less money for your injuries if they can. You will learn about protecting your case in this article, including:
- Where To Seek Medical Attention Near Cerrillos Road
- No Insurance Emergency Medical Care Options
- Filing A Police Report After An Accident On Cerrillos Road
- How To Get A Copy Of Your Accident Report From The Santa Fe PD
- Dealing With The Insurance Company After A Cerrillos Road Accident Injury
Keep reading to learn more about protecting your rights. Always speak with a car accident injury lawyer for Santa Fe directly if you need personalized legal advice.
Where to Seek Medical Attention Near Cerrillos Road
Above all else, ensure that you get immediate medical attention. Severe or worsening injuries will obviously require immediate medical attention at a nearby emergency room. It is essential that you get to one as soon as possible after your accident.
The following emergency medical centers and medical clinics are located near Cerrillos Road:
- CHRISTUS St Vincent: Emergency Room
- Urgent Care at Santa Fe Medical Center
- Aspen Medical Center Urgent Care and Primary Care
- Railyard Urgent Care
- Ultimed Urgent Medical Care
Even if you feel only a little sore, visit a physician for a check-up. Doing so will prevent the insurance companies from saying that you did not perform your due diligence to prevent further injury. It also proactively protects your long-term health, which will stay with you for the rest of your life.
For more information about handling the ER visit, check out my article: “After a Car Accident: Protecting Your Rights at the Hospital.”
No Insurance Emergency Medical Care Options Near Cerrillos Road in Santa Fe
If someone else negligently caused your accident injuries, then you have a right to compensation. Visit your doctor, nearby urgent care clinic, or emergency room, even if you don’t have the money. Public emergency rooms will not turn you away.
Getting Help Paying Medical Bills
Then, contact a personal injury lawyer in Santa Fe to help you deal with the other driver’s insurance company upon release from the hospital. My office does not charge upfront legal fees to personal injury clients.
Other Compensation Is Available
If you do not have insurance, we can negotiate an adequate insurance settlement that covers your medical bills, lost work wages, and pain and suffering. However, I cannot work on getting you this money if you do not receive medical attention. Don’t give insurance companies any reason to reduce your award.
Filing a Police Report After an Accident on Cerrillos Road
Under New Mexico Stat. § 66-7-206, you must immediately report an accident if it resulted in bodily injury or death of any person, or $500 worth of property damage, to the Santa Fe Police Department. The nearest location to Cerrillos Road is 2515 Camino Entrada. You can reach the Santa Fe Police Department by calling (505) 428-3710.
Do Not Speculate About Your Case
If you speak with the Santa Fe PD, avoid making any guesses about your accident. Instead, stick to the facts of which you are sure. The statements you make in a police report can come back to haunt you later.
Reporting Minor Accident Injuries
Even if the accident was minor, you should file a report within five (5) days of your accident. The Santa Fe Police Department allows the public to file such reports online through their website here.
What Happens If You Could Not Call the Santa Fe Police Department Because You Were Injured?
There are exceptions to the immediate notification rule. It is likely that they already took a report involving a severe accident. However, you can never be certain unless you confirm it happened.
NMSA Stat. § 66-7-208 states that if another vehicle occupant was capable of providing a police report, then he or she should have done so. If you were injured in a car accident on Cerrillos Road and are unsure about your reporting requirements, contact a car accident attorney to help.
What Happens If You Do Not Report a Serious Car Accident In Santa Fe?
If you do not file a report with the Santa Fe PD after an accident injury, this decision will negatively impact your life in several ways, or even lead to criminal charges.
Consequences of not reporting a serious car accident in Santa Fe include:
- Driver’s license suspension
- Misdemeanor or felony charges
- Issues getting compensation for your injuries
Avoid taking any chances and file the police report.
How to Get a Copy of Your Cerrillos Road Accident Report from the Santa Fe PD
There are specific details that the police will capture during their accident report, including crash details, eyewitness names, present conditions, and a description of the damages and injuries involved. The Santa Fe PD will make this report available to you once complete.
Phone, Email, or Online
However, you must request one. Reach out to the Santa Fe Police Department, Records Division office at (505) 955-5751 to check on the status of your crash report. You can also email them at [email protected] or request a copy online.
In-Person
You can purchase a copy of the accident report in-person by visiting the Santa Fe Police Department at 2651 Siringo Road, Building I. Photocopy fees are $1 for the first page, and $0.25 for subsequent pages. It is easiest to pay for them in cash.
Dealing with the Insurance Company After a Cerrillos Road Accident Injury
Once you have received medical treatment and handled the accident reporting with the police, your next step is contacting the insurance company. The insurance company will try to give you less than you deserve if you make legal mistakes, including inadvertent self-incriminating statements.
Before calling your insurer, read my articles on:
- What Evidence Do You Need to Prove a Car Accident Injury?
- 5 Misleading Things An Insurance Adjuster Might Say After An Accident
- How to Prove Pain and Suffering After an Accident in New Mexico
- What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Car Accident in New Mexico?
- 3 Signs You Should Call an Injury Lawyer (And When You DON’T)
The above-referenced articles are tremendously helpful for understanding what to expect during the claims process. You should not have to accept a lesser award. If you know your rights, then you can handle your claim more effectively.
However, mistakes occur often in the claims process frequently. Insurance companies are pros at investigating cases and will use any statement you make against you. Do not say anything that can harm your settlement value if recuperating your losses is essential.
Get Legal Help After an Accident Injury on Cerrillos Road in Santa Fe
If you are curious about getting legal help, my phone lines are always open. You can get a free case evaluation with a car accident lawyer serving Santa Fe by phone at (505) 426-8711 (or message me at the form below). You will at least have a starting point from which you can work and avoid legal mistakes altogether. If you decide to hire my firm to represent your case, I do not get paid for my time and resources until you win your case.
