Hire the Best Car Accident Lawyers in Rio Rancho
You deserve justice and fair compensation for your losses
In a city that depends on motor vehicles, like Rio Rancho, occasional accidents and dangerous collisions are an unfortunate part of life. Although accidents on the road are common, many drivers aren’t prepared for the damage they can cause—physically, financially, and emotionally.
Even a seemingly minor incident can leave you to grapple with long-term injuries that lead to growing medical bills and complex insurance claims.
If you or a loved one is dealing with the painful aftermath of a car accident, know that you don’t have to handle it alone. A Rio Rancho car accident attorney can provide valuable guidance for crash victims struggling to get the financial support they need for their injuries on the road.
When someone else is to blame for the accident, you can hold them legally and financially responsible for the damage they’ve caused.
Contact an attorney at Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro P.C. to learn more about your rights and options. Our top-rated personal injury lawyers in Rio Rancho have the training and legal insights to help you recover the compensation you deserve to get back on your feet after an accident.
We Want to Hear Your Story – and We Want to Help
Types of Car Accident Cases We Handle
The attorneys at Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro have first-hand experience with the many collisions Rio Rancho motorists suffer. We commonly represent clients injured due to:
- Rear-end accidents—when one car hits the vehicle in front of it due to speeding, tailgating, or distracted driving;
- Head-on collisions—often caused by reckless lane changes or attempts to run a red light;
- Side-impact crashes—also known as T-bone collisions, which happen when the front of one vehicle hits the side of another;
- Multi-vehicle accidents—complex crashes involving three or more vehicles and multiple insurers;
- Hit-and-runs—incidents when a driver illegally leaves the scene of the crash without providing aid or information to the others involved;
- Distracted driving—texting, talking on the phone, eating, GPS use, or other distractions contributing to a crash;
- Driving under the influence—when a driver is impaired by drug or alcohol use; and
- Reckless or careless driving—accidents caused by speeding, aggressive weaving, failure to yield, illegal passing, or other traffic law violations.
When you’re injured on the road, and someone else is to blame, we’re prepared to help. Our attorneys have the skills to hold the responsible party legally accountable and help you get fair compensation for the harm you’ve suffered.
Compensation Available for Rio Rancho Car Accident Victims
Under New Mexico law, you can seek financial compensation from a driver whose mistakes or negligence causes you harm.
Accident victims can recover compensatory damages for a crash’s economic and noneconomic costs. Economic damages are calculated based on the financial losses you sustain in an accident and its aftermath, including:
- Property damage—cost to repair or replace your vehicle and other damaged possessions;
- Medical expenses—hospital bills, surgeries, specialist visits required to treat injuries from the crash;
- Future medical needs—prescriptions, home care, medical equipment, physical therapy, and other costs for long-term treatment;
- Lost income—back pay for wages and employment benefits lost while recovering from injuries; and
- Reduced earning capacity—reimbursement for lost future income when injuries are debilitating or permanently limit someone’s ability to work.
You can also recover compensation for less easily quantified losses, known as noneconomic damages. These damages offer compensation for the psychological or intangible toll a car accident can have, such as:
- Pain and suffering,
- Emotional distress,
- Loss of enjoyment of life,
- Disfigurement, and
- Permanent disability.
Rio Rancho car accident victims may also recover punitive damages in some cases. Punitive damages are penalties a court imposes on the driver for especially reckless or malicious behavior. These damages also aim to deter other drivers from taking purposeful and dangerous risks behind the wheel.
What to Do After a Car Accident
It’s normal to feel confused and even paralyzed after a car accident. However, what you do in the minutes and hours after a crash can significantly impact your physical and financial well-being. Here are some essential steps to take to protect yourself after an accident.
Call Emergency Services
Once you’ve gotten yourself and anyone else involved out of harm’s way, immediately call 911. Tell them where you are, how many people are involved, and what injuries you’ve suffered.
In addition to an ambulance, it’s crucial to have the police at the crash site. The police can help safely secure the scene and conduct an initial investigation into what happened.
Their crash report can also be helpful for later insurance claims and determining fault. Plus, failing to report a crash could land you in legal trouble. New Mexico law requires you to call the police to the scene of an accident involving injury, death, or more than $500 in property damage.
Exchange Information and Gather Evidence
When it’s safe to do so, exchange contact and insurance information with any other drivers involved in the crash. Be sure to note the make, model, and license plate numbers of their vehicles.
It’s also important to document the crash scene itself. Take photos and videos of the vehicle damage, the road conditions, and the area around the crash. If there are any witnesses, try to get their names and contact information. All this evidence can be valuable when determining fault and making your case for compensation.
Seek Medical Attention
See a doctor as soon as possible after the accident, even if you don’t seem visibly hurt. For one, adrenaline often masks pain, which can lead you to overlook a potentially serious injury that may not be outwardly apparent, such as whiplash, concussion, or other soft tissue damage.
Medical documentation is also critical to ensure you’re properly compensated for your injuries in a claim.
Contact a Lawyer
It’s always best to consult a legal professional after a car accident. Even if the damage seemed minor, speaking with an attorney can help ensure you’re on the way to the best possible outcome when dealing with insurers and other drivers after a crash.
Speak to a Skilled Rio Rancho Car Accident Attorney
Our legal team is here to help you with your case.
Why Do I Need a Rio Rancho Car Accident Lawyer?
The support a legal professional can provide after a crash can’t be understated. An attorney’s guidance and legal knowledge can be invaluable at each stage of the recovery process. A Rio Rancho car accident lawyer can help:
- Prepare insurance claims while you recover from your injuries;
- Investigate the cause of the crash and collect valuable evidence;
- Settle disputes over liability with another driver;
- Manage communications with insurers and other parties;
- Navigate comparative negligence and other complex legal issues;
- Evaluate the value of your economic and noneconomic losses; and
- File a personal injury claim and advocate for your right to compensation in court.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, don’t wait too long to get the legal help you need. There’s a three-year deadline for taking legal action after a car accident in New Mexico. If you miss this deadline, you could lose your chance to recover the compensation you need to support your financial and physical recovery after a crash.
Find Your Rio Rancho Car Accident Attorney at Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro P.C.
No one is ever truly prepared for the trauma of a car accident. That’s why we’re here. The team at Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro provides Rio Rancho residents with high-quality and accessible legal support after the devastation of a crash.
Our top-rated personal injury attorneys in Rio Rancho have extensive experience in New Mexico personal injury law and are prepared to fight for you to get the recovery you deserve. With our contingency fee structure, you don’t pay anything unless we can recover compensation on your behalf.
Contact our office today to schedule your free consultation and learn more about how we can support you.