Deaths and injuries caused by DUI car accidents are far too common in New Mexico, especially in major cities such as Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Few catastrophic events are more devastating than losing a loved one in a drunk driving accident. Survivors of DUI accidents can suffer life-altering injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries. Indeed, DUI accidents devastate families physically, emotionally, and financially.
If you or your loved one have been seriously injured in a DUI accident, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the drunk driver. The skilled lawyers at Hunt Law have a proven track record of securing millions of dollars in compensation for personal injury victims. We understand how devastating a DUI car accident can be, and we will advocate for you to recover the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule your free initial consultation.
Holding the Drunk Driver Accountable For A DUI Accident in Santa Fe, Albuquerque, & All of New Mexico
Despite all of the public awareness campaigns about drunk driving dangers, drivers continue to get in their cars and drive while intoxicated. Sometimes drivers continue to drive while intoxicated even after being convicted of one or more DUI charges. Becoming injured in a DUI accident is particularly frustrating because drunk driving accidents are entirely preventable. If you or your loved one have been injured or killed by a drunk driver, you may be able to hold a drunk driver financially accountable for his or her actions.
One of the best ways to hold the drunk driver accountable is to bring a personal injury lawsuit against him or her. Not only will the financial compensation help you and your family going forward, but it will send a message to the drunk driver that driving while intoxicated is not acceptable. At Hunt Law, we prepare all DUI accident claims as if they will go to trial. Trial-ready attorneys are ready to take your case to court if the defendant isn’t willing to provide a fair settlement offer.
Submitting an Insurance Claim After a DUI Accident
Many victims of drunk driving accidents bring a claim against the drunk driver’s car insurance policy. Unfortunately, insurance claims are not as cut-and-dry as many people think. New Mexico insurance companies can make it difficult for drunk driving victims to obtain a fair settlement when they file a claim. Even if it’s clear that the driver’s intoxication caused your car accident, you still need an experienced Santa Fe & Albuquerque lawyer on your side who can negotiate with the insurance company.
Insurance companies have a history of making first-time settlement offers that are far too low. They know that car accident victims feel extreme financial pressure and may be willing to take the first offer available. Consulting with one of the experienced lawyers at Hunt Law will enable you to combat this insurance company strategy to obtain as much compensation as possible for your claim. Most victims must obtain all of the compensation they’ll need to cover their medical costs in the future. Accepting a low settlement offer can hurt personal injury victims over the long run. We will use our extensive negotiation strategies and knowledge of insurance procedures for your benefit.
New Mexico Dram Shop Law
You may be able to sue the restaurant or bar that continued to sell alcoholic beverages to the drunk driver who caused her injuries. Under New Mexico’s dram shop law, a personal injury victim can see compensation from a homeowner or establishment that serves alcohol to an already intoxicated person. The injured plaintiff needs to prove that it was reasonably apparent that the defendant was drunk when the bar or individual served him or her alcohol.
Suppose a bar knew that the drunk driver was intoxicated and continued to serve him alcohol. The driver then left the bar, ran a red light, and injured an innocent victim. The victim has a right to sue the bar for her injuries. However, New Mexico law caps the number of bodily injury damages a plaintiff can recover to $50,000 per person or $100,000 per accident.
Compensation Available in a Drunk Driving Accident in Santa Fe & Albuquerque
Under New Mexico law, plaintiffs in personal injury lawsuits have a right to economic and non-economic damages. When a drunk driver causes your injuries, they should pay for all of your medical bills and property damage. When we work with a client, we hire experts to determine all of our client’s future medical expenses. We want to ensure that we pursue a settlement amount or a verdict that will cover all of the financial needs related to their injury going forward. In New Mexico, a successful plaintiff can recover the following types of damages:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost income
- Lost capacity to earn an income
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses related to the car accident
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Punitive damages when the defendant acted egregiously
How Much Is My DUI Accident Case Worth?
If you’ve been seriously injured in a DUI accident, you’re probably wondering how much your case is worth. It’s impossible to determine the exact amount your case is worth without conducting a thorough investigation. The value of your case will depend on the severity of your injuries. When a person becomes permanently injured and unable to work, his or her claim will likely exceed $1 million. On the contrary, if someone suffers injuries but recovers relatively quickly, his or her claim may be worth $100,000 or less.
Typically, plaintiffs will receive a higher settlement if they have catastrophic injuries, such as brain injuries or severely broken bones. The attorneys that Hunt Law will evaluate your case and let you know how much we think your case could be worth. We will provide excellent legal representation and demand maximum compensation.
Contact a Albuquerque & Santa Fe DUI Accident Lawyer Today
If you’ve been seriously injured in a New Mexico DUI accident, time is of the essence. It’s crucial that you reach out to an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Contact Hunt Law today to schedule your free initial consultation.