Car accidents happen daily across the state, and some of these crashes can have deadly consequences.
There are various types of car accidents, but all of them can potentially result in fatal injuries.
If you or someone you love sustained injuries from another negligent driver’s actions, you have rights in New Mexico.
To learn more about pursuing compensation after any type of car accident in New Mexico, contact Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro P.C.
What Are the Different Types of Car Accidents in New Mexico?
Let’s take a look at the six main car accident types.
- Rear-end collisions: Rear-end accidents are some of the most common and involve one or more vehicles rear-ending the vehicle in front of them.
- Head-on collisions: A head-on collision is often a deadly accident type. It occurs when someone is driving the wrong way on a road or highway, or crosses a median and travels into oncoming traffic.
- T-bone collisions: People often refer to these as side-impact collisions because this car accident type occurs when one vehicle impacts another at a 90-degree angle—resulting in the cars colliding in a “T” pattern. These accidents often occur at intersections.
- Rollover accidents: Just like the name implies, rollovers are when the vehicle literally rolls over on itself, often (but not always) throwing occupants from the vehicle. This is another type of accident that often causes one or more fatalities.
- Sideswipe collisions: A sideswipe collision is when two vehicles are traveling in the same direction, and their sides collide. An example would be when one driver doesn’t check their blind spot and impacts another car while improperly changing lanes on the highway.
- Single car accidents: A single car accident means no other vehicle was involved—perhaps the driver hit a tree or stop sign. However, fault can still be shared because one driver may have been forced to swerve to avoid colliding with another car.
When it comes to filling out the police report, you do not need to be concerned with designating a type of accident because the responding officer will notate this information.
What’s important is gathering evidence that proves someone else was negligent.
Frequently Asked Questions About Types of Car Accidents in New Mexico
To help you prepare for your initial meeting with your lawyer, here are answers to some of the most common questions.
Can you file a claim for your injuries even if you are partially at fault?
New Mexico is a pure comparative negligence state. This means you can collect a portion of your damages, even if you are primarily at fault. For example, if a jury decides your negligence is 80%, you could still collect 20% of your damages.
What type of compensation can I receive for a car accident claim?
Generally, you can file a lawsuit to recover money for medical expenses, time off from work, pain and suffering, property damage, emotional distress, and more.
How long do I have to file a claim for damages in New Mexico?
In most cases, you only have three years from the accident date to file a lawsuit for your injuries. Property damage-only claims typically get one extra year.
If someone passes away from their injuries, surviving family members have three years from the date of death to bring a wrongful death claim.
Contact Our New Mexico Car Accident Lawyers
If you have questions about how to pursue compensation for any of these types of car accidents in New Mexico, the legal team at Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro P.C. is here to help.
We have years of experience helping injured victims get justice after a New Mexico car accident. Let us help you fight for maximum compensation.
Contact our office today to schedule a consultation to learn more.