Grant County, NM (April 25, 2023) — New Mexico State Police are investigating a single-car crash in Grant County that left one person dead on Sunday afternoon. According to investigators, the accident happened at around 1:20 PM on White Water Road off State Road 90, just south of Silver City. A 2004 Buick, driven by 37-year-old Tyler Trusty of Caballo, NM, was traveling east on White Water Road. For unknown reasons, the car left the road and hit a dirt embankment, causing a rollover crash. Trusty sustained fatal injuries due to the accident and was pronounced dead at the scene. Based on the preliminary investigation, alcohol does appear to be a factor in the crash and it appears that a seat belt was not properly used.
Source: New Mexico State Police
Our Attorneys Offer Their Condolences to the Victim and Their Family
At Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro P.C., our hearts go out to those affected by this accident. While the investigation shows that alcohol may have been involved in this crash, we still don’t know the exact reason that the vehicle left the road. We hope that the New Mexico State Police are able to complete a thorough investigation so that family members of the deceased are able to get the full story.
Damages That Families Can Pursue After a Crash
In situations where the death of a loved one is caused by another’s negligence, surviving family members are able to file a wrongful death claim. This type of claim is similar to a personal injury claim, but there are some distinct differences. The primary difference is that wrongful death reimburses the family for damages they have following a loved one’s death, rather than the damages the loved one may have had.
For example, economic and non-economic damages are pursuable in both situations. However, the economic damages in wrongful death include things like:
- Funeral and burial expenses,
- Medical treatment costs before death,
- Loss of financial support, and
- Lost inheritance.
As you can see, these types of losses typically have a dollar value attached to them. It’s relatively easy to calculate things like burial costs and lost financial support. However, non-economic damages are different. Instead, these losses are intangible and vary widely on a case-by-case basis. This includes:
- Loss of emotional support,
- Loss of consortium,
- Loss of guidance or instruction,
- Mental anguish, and
- Pain and suffering.
With these types of losses, it’s essential that you discuss your claim with a knowledgeable wrongful death attorney. They will help quantify these losses based on your family’s unique situation.
Our Attorneys Are Ready to Fight for You
Whether you lost a loved one in this car crash in Grant County or one similar, the attorneys at Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro P.C. are here for you. Our firm understands that it is impossible to replace the love and support of a loved one. That is why we aggressively advocate for families of those killed in an accident that wasn’t their fault. With multiple industry recognitions from Super Lawyers, The National Advocates, and more, we always put our clients first. To schedule a free consultation with a New Mexico attorney, give us a call at 575-222-1000.