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Rio Rancho Car Accident Lawyer

Rio Rancho Car Accident Lawyer

Over six million accidents happen annually in the United States. Of that number, a significant amount of car crashes occur right here in the heart of New Mexico. If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident, you need legal support from an experienced lawyer.

Money doesn’t heal everything, but it can certainly make an impact following a catastrophic car accident. From medical bills to pain and suffering, Shapiro Law Team can recover the compensation you deserve. Reach out to our personal injury lawyers in Rio Rancho for legal assistance.

Why Do Clients Choose Our Car Crash Attorneys in Rio Rancho?

Rio Rancho Personal Injury Law Firm
At Shapiro Law Team, we take care of our clients on a personal level. Our approach to superior legal care is unmatched and shows in every case we take on.

Years of Experience & 500+ Cases Won
We’re proud to be one of the most trusted law firms in New Mexico. Shapiro Law Team has been achieving client goals since 2017, including a $2.75 million settlement for a truck collision.

You Don’t Pay a Dime Unless We Win
Shapiro Law Team operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning we’ll never ask you to pay any legal fees unless we win. Get started with a free, confidential consultation.

When Should You Contact a Car Accident Lawyer?

Do you know your rights following a car crash? If you don’t, you’re not alone. Many people don’t know about the rights they have after getting into an accident. Unfortunately, auto insurance companies are not your friend and will try to get you to accept their initial offer—but this is typically a fraction of what the claim value is worth. Avoid low payouts by working with an experienced car accident lawyer like Shapiro Law Team.

Legal proceedings are complicated. Self-representation will likely hurt your case more than anything. Never settle for less than what you deserve. Instead, let Shapiro Law Team fight for your justice.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Rio Rancho

Accidents don’t happen out of thin air. Be it a big rig collision, motorcycle accident, fender-bender, or something in between, there’s always a cause. At Shapiro Law Team, we see car accidents of all kinds. Below are the most common causes we see as car accident lawyers.

  • Driver Negligence: One of the most common car accident causes in New Mexico is driver error. Driver error includes driving while tired, drugged, distracted, or under the influence of alcohol. Other causes that fall under driver negligence include reckless driving, speeding, tailgating, illegal passing, running red lights, and failing to yield the right-of-way.
  • Vehicle Owner Negligence: It’s the owner’s responsibility to maintain their vehicle for safe operation. Vehicle owner negligence happens when a motor vehicle such as a car, bus, or motorcycle doesn’t operate correctly due to maintenance issues. These issues can lead to vehicle malfunctions and even car accidents.
  • Defective & Malfunctioning Car Parts: Sometimes, parts of a vehicle will malfunction. When a component malfunctions, a vehicle may not operate properly or safely, leading to a potential crash. Again, it’s the owner’s responsibility to make sure all components are working safely. However, flukes do happen.
  • Dangerous Roads & Driving Conditions: There are times when no one is the cause of an accident. Rather, road issues like loose rubble, debris, potholes, unsafe construction zones, or unclear signs may cause an accident. In cases like this, the city or government entity could be held liable.

Common Car Accident Injuries

A car crash can cause serious, catastrophic, or even deadly injuries. Unfortunately, many minor head injuries can lead to serious medical emergencies or even death if not dealt with immediately. Common car accident injuries we frequently see include:

  • Whiplash
  • Back and spinal cord injuries
  • Herniated disks
  • Bone fractures
  • Broken ribs/chest injuries
  • Muscle sprains or strains
  • Joint and ligament injuries
  • Head injuries
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Internal injuries
  • Burn injuries
  • Lacerations
  • Fatal injuries

Many accidents cause lifelong issues that lead to millions of dollars in medical costs throughout a victim’s life. A lawyer like David Shapiro fights on your behalf, working hard to secure compensation for any present or future losses.

How to Prove Negligence in Car Accidents in Rio Rancho

Proving negligence is complicated, especially when you’re trying to do it yourself. That’s why we urge car accident victims to hire an experienced car accident attorney. Shapiro Law Team is fully prepared to gather evidence for your case. If necessary, we will go to court.

We consider four key factors when pursuing compensation:

  1. Duty
    All drivers owe a duty of care to other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. This means as a driver, you’re responsible for operating your vehicle safely to ensure no one gets injured. To resolve an injury case, you must prove the defendant (whoever caused the injury) owed a duty of care to the plaintiff (victim of the injury).
  2. Breach
    Once the duty of care has been established, the victim of the injury must prove the at-fault driver breached their duty. If you’re the plaintiff, you must present evidence to show the defendant wasn’t being careful or adhering to a proper standard of care while on the road.
  3. Causation
    If evidence is presented showing a breach of duty, the plaintiff must prove this breach single-handedly caused the accident. The lawyers at Shapiro Law Team can help you prove this breach.
  4. Damages
    Finally, the car accident victim must prove some sort of monetary loss as a result of the breach of duty, including but not limited to medical bills, property damages, and pain and suffering.

Remember…

Understanding negligence is not enough. Take these steps to help prove negligence:

1. Seek Immediate Medical Care
Your health and well-being should always be at the top of your priority list. Getting immediate medical attention helps establish the severity of your injuries and trauma. Failing to get medical care isn’t only detrimental to your health but also to your case. Do this regardless of the type of injury you have. Small injuries could lead to major complications.

2. Call Law Enforcement Officials
If you’ve been in a car accident in Rio Rancho, you should report it to law enforcement. Once the police are notified, law enforcement will conduct a preliminary investigation and write a report. This will help your attorney when investigating your case.

3. Take Photographs at the Scene
Thanks to modern technology, a camera is in your pocket at all times. If it’s safe to do so, pull out your phone and take pictures of the accident. This includes damages to your car, other vehicles, debris, injuries, weather conditions, traffic signs, or any other possible causes.

4. Get Contact Information of Eyewitnesses
Eyewitnesses are a crucial part of your case. The names and contact information of those who witnessed the crash must be obtained. Eyewitnesses could include other passengers, pedestrians, and other bystanders who may have seen the accident from a different perspective. If you need immediate medical assistance and can’t gather witness information, a police officer will do it.

5. Gather Video Surveillance Footage
Surveillance cameras are everywhere. Check if there are any cameras near the crash scene—they may have caught important crash information. Your attorney may be able to gather surveillance footage to help prove liability and fault in your case.

6. Continue Medical Care
Continue seeking medical care until your doctor says otherwise. Failing to finish medical treatment before you’re fully healed might compromise the total compensation you’re entitled to.

Types of Car Accident Cases Shapiro Law Team Accepts

Shapiro Law Team accepts many car accident cases in Rio Rancho, including:

  • Passenger cars
  • Commercial trucks
  • Delivery vehicles
  • Vans and buses
  • Motorcycles
  • Bicycles
  • Pedestrians
  • Wrong-way crashes
  • Driving under the influence (DUI) accidents
  • Head-on collisions
  • Rear-end accidents
  • Intersection accidents
  • Rollovers
  • Texting and driving accidents

What Are Damages? How Much Is Your Car Accident Claim Worth?

You’ve heard the word “damages,” but what does it mean? Damages refer to the losses you suffered in a collision and the potential compensation you could receive.

When determining damages, we look at past, present, and future losses. In New Mexico, you can receive compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. These types of damages may include:

  • Medical bills
  • Lost wages
  • Vehicle repairs
  • Out-of-pocket costs
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional injuries
  • Diminished enjoyment of life
  • Death benefits
  • Punitive damages

Understanding damages can be nuanced and complicated. Call Shapiro Law Team for a free consultation and let one of our attorneys explain the damages for you.

Get Superior Representation in Rio Rancho, New Mexico

As the largest city in Sandoval County, Rio Rancho unfortunately sees its share of car accidents. If you were involved in a car accident and need professional legal assistance, you can lean on the lawyers at Shapiro Law Team. Choose New Mexico’s five-star law firm, and let us fight for maximum compensation. Get started with a free call to Shapiro Law Team.

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