Hit and Run Car Accidents in Albuquerque

Road accidents are unexpected and stressful. If someone plows into you at high speed or has too much to drink before sideswiping your vehicle, you may face medical treatment, car repairs, and possible emotional damage from the shock. Who pays these bills if the accident is not your fault? And worse, what happens if the aggressor flees the scene?

If this happens to you, there are immediate steps you should take. Make sure you get proper medical treatment because some harm, such as a traumatic brain injury, may not manifest itself right away. Then call us. Our car crash attorneys are lifelong residents who are passionate about helping our neighbors. We are prepared to assist you after hit and run car accidents in Albuquerque.

What to Do After a Hit and Run Accident

New Mexico requires all drivers involved in accidents to remain on the scene. Leaving a scene with property damage is a criminal misdemeanor, and if someone is seriously hurt by a hit and run driver, it is a felony. Once police locate the fleeing driver, the injured party can reach a settlement with the insurer or sue in a civil action for personal injury. Immediately after an accident, the law commands those at the scene to:

  • Exchange contact information, including license tag and driver’s license numbers
  • Share insurance company information
  • Assess bodily injury of those involved
  • Contact police and remain at the scene for help

New Mexico is an at-fault accident state. This means the party that causes an accident must cover the damage they do through their insurer or risk being sued. Motorists should consider carrying uninsured motorist/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage through their insurers. It is an add-on that allows drivers to seek a settlement from their insurers if the at-fault driver leaves the scene and cannot be located.

If possible, it is also wise to take pictures, particularly of the at-fault driver’s license tag, with a cell phone camera if a driver’s actions convey they are going to flee. Our experienced and compassionate attorneys know Albuquerque and can intuit from the location of a hit and run car accident the different ways it could have happened. We build a strong case using reenactment, medical records, police reports, and witness testimony to get clients the most compensation possible.

The Statute of Limitations for Car Crashes

New Mexico Statutes § 37-1-8 defines how long an injured party has before the time clock runs out and a civil action for damages will be barred. A person has three years from the date of the accident to sue, which gives police time to find the hit and run driver.

Missing filing deadlines in civil actions is common for those who try to represent themselves. Waiting too long can compromise witness testimony and evidence which are lost over time. We are confident that we can help you. There is no fee until we win compensation after a hit and run car crash in Albuquerque.

Call for Help With a Hit and Run Car Crash Case in Albuquerque

Hit and run accidents are stressful because the police must hunt down the fleeing driver. Fleeing the scene is a crime. We recommend adding UM/UIM coverage to your insurance for protection when an at-fault driver vanishes, but our local law enforcement officers work hard to catch a fleeing driver, after which we can negotiate from a good position with their insurer or file an injury lawsuit on your behalf.

You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by scheduling a no-fee consultation. We have the experience to advocate well for you, and the knowledge to know whether your claim is viable if the at-fault driver is uninsured or cannot be located. To learn more about how we can help after hit and run car accidents in Albuquerque, call our lawyers now.