What to Do After a Car Accident in Albuquerque, New Mexico
If you have been in a Car Accident in Albuquerque New Mexico, it is important to know how to go about the legal process. Here is everything you need to know.
Auto accidents happen all the time in Albuquerque and other parts of New Mexico. While most accidents are preventable, often there is nothing you can do to prevent the crash from happening.
If you have been involved in a car accident in New Mexico, you need to know what to do following the crash in order to prepare a successful claim and obtain the compensation you deserve. Speak with our Albuquerque auto accident attorney at the Law Office of Todd J. Bullion to help you build a strong claim and recover damages on your behalf.
What to Do After an Auto Accident in New Mexico
There are a number of steps you should take following a car crash in New Mexico to strengthen your insurance claim.
- Stop your vehicle immediately
If you have been involved in an accident involving bodily injury, death, or property damage, New Mexico law requires you to stop your motor vehicle as close to the accident scene as you can.
However, under New Mexico Stat § 66-7-201, you must stop your vehicle without obstructing traffic whenever possible.
- Call 911
After the collision, call 911 and let them know about the auto accident. You will need to provide the following information when calling 911:
- The location of the accident scene
- Whether anyone, including yourself, has been injured
- What is going on at the crash scene
- Deal with injuries at the scene of the accident
New Mexico Stat § 66-7-203 requires drivers to render aid to people who have been injured in the crash. It is your duty as a driver in New Mexico to render any injured persons “reasonable assistance.”
One of the things you can do to render aid to an injured person is to call 911 to make arrangements for transporting the victim to a hospital. Do not try to move an injured person at the scene of the auto accident because your actions could aggravate the victim’s injury.
If you have been injured, seek medical attention right away. If the paramedics tell you that you need to be transported to a hospital, do not refuse to go.
Note: Even if you feel completely fine, it is advised to seek medical care after the accident. Some injuries take hours or days to manifest symptoms.
- Provide your information
Under New Mexico law, you must provide your full name, address, and registration number to all parties involved in the auto accident. Also, motorists are required to show their driver’s license upon request.
- Report the car crash
You must report your auto accident to the local police department in Albuquerque if the crash resulted in injuries, death, or at least $500 in property damage (New Mexico Stat § 66-7-206). Also, you must prepare a written accident report and submit it to the New Mexico Department of Transportation within five days of the accident (New Mexico Stat § 66-7-207).
- Gather evidence
If the car accident was caused by another party’s negligence, you would need to collect evidence to prove that the other driver was negligent. Gathering and preserving evidence at the scene of a car crash can strengthen your insurance claim and help you seek compensation for your injuries and financial losses.
Collecting evidence involves taking pictures, recording videos, and taking down the witnesses’ names, addresses, and phone numbers.
- Notify your insurance company
The vast majority of auto insurance policies in New Mexico contain a Notice of Occurrence and Cooperation clause, which requires the insured to notify their insurance company of any accidents.
However, since insurance companies protect their bottom line and are not interested in awarding you maximum compensation, consider hiring a knowledgeable car accident attorney in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to protect your rights when dealing with the insurer.
Contact our auto accident lawyer The Law Office of Todd J. Bullion if you have been involved in a car accident in Albuquerque to review your particular case and fight for the compensation you deserve. Call (505)452-7674 to schedule a free consultation.