Albuquerque Car Accident Lawyer
Andras Szantho fights for justice in New Mexico
The largest city in New Mexico, Albuquerque is a hotbed of local culture, business and higher education. Famous for its desert climate, diverse population and many popular annual events (including Balloon Fiesta), Albuquerque is also home to the University of New Mexico, Kirtland Air Force Base and Petroglyph National Monument. No wonder the city's population has grown in recent decades.
Unfortunately, serious accidents sometimes happen here too. You or a loved one may have been involved in a truck accident on the Pan-American Freeway or a pedestrian accident on Central Avenue. Perhaps you were in a car accident caused by an asleep-at-the-wheel driver on Coors Boulevard. Or maybe you were bitten by a dog and now need compensation under Angel's Law. After an accident in Albuquerque, you need a tough, competitive personal injury attorney on your side.
When you’ve been injured due to negligence, insurance companies are supposed to help. But they are mostly interested in paying you as little as possible so they can protect their profits. There are different ways they will try to do this. They may question the extent of your injuries or argue they were pre-existing. They even try to blame you for causing the accident.
FAQs about Albuquerque personal injury claims
- What causes car accidents in Albuquerque?
- What types of injuries happen in Albuquerque motor vehicle accidents?
- What should I do immediately after a car or truck accident in Albuquerque?
- How are car accidents in Albuquerque investigated?
- What types of damages can I recover after an accident?
- How does an Albuquerque personal injury lawyer deal with insurance companies?
- Do I have to go to court for a personal injury claim?
- What if the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance?
- How long does it take to settle a personal injury claim in Albuquerque?
- How long do I have to file a lawsuit in New Mexico?
What causes car accidents in Albuquerque?
As New Mexico’s largest city and a busy transportation hub, Albuquerque’s roads see a unique mix of traffic conditions that increase the risk of car accidents. From crowded interstates to seasonal weather, several factors regularly contribute to crashes.
Common causes of accidents in Albuquerque include:
- Major Highway Interchanges: I-25 and I-40 intersect in the city, creating high-speed traffic and complex merging situations.
- Busy City Roads: Central Avenue (historic Route 66) experiences heavy pedestrian activity near shops, restaurants, and the University of New Mexico.
- High-Volume Commuter Routes: Coors Boulevard carries both daily drivers and large commercial trucks along the Rio Grande.
- Special Events: The International Balloon Fiesta and other large gatherings bring in visitors, increase congestion, and cause detours.
- Severe Weather: Spring dust storms, summer monsoon rains, and occasional winter snow or ice make roads hazardous.
- Infrastructure Issues: Potholes, poor road design, and malfunctioning traffic signals can all contribute to collisions.
Attorney Andras Szantho understands how these local conditions factor into negligence claims. His legal team investigates every detail, from crash reports and road conditions to weather data and traffic patterns, to identify all possible causes of your car accident.
What types of injuries happen in Albuquerque motor vehicle accidents?
Motor vehicle accidents in Albuquerque can leave victims with a wide range of injuries. Some are minor, while others can be life-altering and require long-term care. These are among the most common:
- Whiplash and Neck Injuries: Sudden jerking movements strain muscles, ligaments, and tendons in the neck.
- Back and Spinal Injuries: Herniated discs, fractures, and spinal cord damage can cause chronic pain or paralysis.
- Head and Brain Injuries: Concussions, traumatic brain injuries, and skull fractures may lead to lasting cognitive or emotional challenges.
- Broken Bones: Arms, legs, ribs, and facial bones are frequently fractured in high-impact crashes.
- Internal Injuries: Damage to organs such as the lungs, liver, or spleen can be life-threatening without immediate medical treatment.
- Cuts and Lacerations: Shattered glass or debris can cause deep wounds and permanent scarring.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: Sprains, strains, and deep bruising may not appear serious at first but can lead to ongoing complications.
What should I do immediately after a car or truck accident in Albuquerque?
The moments after a crash can be overwhelming, but what you do right away can make a big difference in your health, safety, and your potential legal claim.
First, check yourself and others for injuries and call 911. Even if the car accident seems minor, having police on the scene ensures there’s an official crash report, which may become important later.
Seek medical attention immediately. Even injuries that feel minor at first, such as whiplash or a concussion, can worsen over time if untreated. While waiting for help, exchange names, contact details, driver’s license numbers, license plate numbers, and insurance information with the other driver.
If you’re able, take photos or videos of the vehicles, the roadway, skid marks, traffic signs, and any visible injuries. Also, collect names and phone numbers of witnesses, as their statements may support your version of events.
Finally, avoid admitting fault and contact a local Albuquerque car accident lawyer before speaking with insurance companies. This protects you from tactics insurance adjusters use to reduce your compensation and ensures your rights are safeguarded from the very beginning.
How are car accidents in Albuquerque investigated?
A thorough investigation helps prove liability and damages. Our team begins by obtaining the New Mexico Uniform Crash Report filed by the responding officer. This document includes basic information about the parties involved, witness statements and a narrative of what happened. We supplement this with witness interviews and, when available, video footage from traffic cameras, dash cams, or nearby security systems.
In complicated cases, such as those involving multi‑vehicle pileups or commercial trucks, we engage accident reconstruction specialists. These experts use physical evidence such as skid marks, vehicle damage and roadway conditions to determine factors like speed, point of impact and the sequence of events.
If a vehicle malfunction or poor roadway design contributed to the crash, we may consult mechanical engineers or road design experts. All this evidence helps us build a compelling case that can stand up to scrutiny by insurance adjusters, defense lawyers and jurors.
What types of damages can I recover after an accident?
A serious crash can impact nearly every part of your life – physically, emotionally, and financially. New Mexico law allows car accident victims to seek several types of damages depending on the circumstances of the case.
Common types of damages include:
- Economic Damages: Emergency medical care, hospital stays, rehabilitation, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and property damage.
- Non-Economic Damages: Pain and suffering, emotional distress, permanent disability, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Szantho Law Firm can calculate both the immediate and long-term costs of your car accident. Our legal team builds strong cases backed by evidence to pursue the full range of damages available, so insurance companies don’t undervalue your claim.
How does an Albuquerque personal injury lawyer deal with insurance companies?
Once we understand how the accident happened and the extent of your injuries, we compile a demand package for the insurance company. This includes medical records, billing statements, proof of lost income and a description of how the car accident has affected your daily life. We also calculate future costs, such as continuing medical care and lost earning potential.
Insurance adjusters may push back by arguing that your injuries are not as severe as claimed or that they predated the accident. They may also try to shift blame onto you or other parties. By presenting clear evidence and being prepared to go to trial, we increase the likelihood of a fair settlement.
If the insurance company refuses to negotiate in good faith, filing a lawsuit may be the only way to compel them to act responsibly. Throughout the negotiation process, we keep you informed and advise you on whether to accept an offer or continue fighting.
Do I have to go to court for a personal injury claim?
Not every accident claim ends up in court. In fact, many are resolved through settlement negotiations between your attorney and the insurance company. A settlement can save time and stress while still providing fair compensation. However, some insurance companies refuse to negotiate in good faith, especially in cases involving serious injuries or disputed liability.
If that happens, going to court may be the only way to secure the compensation you deserve. However, filing a lawsuit doesn’t always mean your case will go to trial. Many claims still settle after litigation begins, once the insurance company realizes you’re serious.
Having an experienced Albuquerque car accident lawyer on your side ensures you’re prepared either way. Their willingness to take cases to trial often motivates insurance company to make better settlement offers. If trial becomes necessary, you’ll have a skilled advocate fighting for you every step of the way.
What if the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance?
Being hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t mean you’re without options. Many New Mexico drivers carry uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage as part of their auto insurance policies. This coverage is designed to step in when the other driver cannot fully compensate you. It may cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages just as the at-fault driver’s insurance would have.
Even so, filing a UM/UIM claim is not always straightforward. Your own insurance company may still try to keep your compensation as low as possible. An Albuquerque car accident attorney can review your policy, explain your coverage, and handle communications with your insurance provider to make sure you receive the compensation you’re entitled to.
In addition, other parties may share liability, such as vehicle manufacturers in defect cases or government entities responsible for unsafe roads. A lawyer can help you explore all possible sources of recovery so you’re not left paying the price for another driver’s lack of responsibility.
How long does it take to settle a personal injury claim in Albuquerque?
The time it takes to settle a car accident claim can vary widely depending on the facts of the case. If liability is clear and injuries are minor, some cases may resolve within a few months. However, cases involving serious injuries, multiple parties, or disputed fault can take a year or more.
One key factor is how long it takes you to reach maximum medical improvement (MMI) – the point where your condition has stabilized. Settling before then can leave you without enough compensation for future treatment or lost wages. Insurance companies may also delay negotiations in hopes of pressuring you into accepting a lower settlement.
If a fair resolution cannot be reached, filing a lawsuit can further extend the timeline. While this process may feel slow, patience often leads to better results. An experienced Albuquerque personal injury lawyer can help move your case forward, push back against stalling tactics, and ensure you don’t settle for less than you deserve.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit in New Mexico?
New Mexico law sets a strict deadline (known as the statute of limitations) for filing personal injury claims, including those arising from car accidents. Generally, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, the court will almost certainly dismiss your case, no matter how strong your evidence is or how severe your injuries are. This means you could lose your chance to recover compensation for medical bills, lost income, and other damages.
While three years may sound like plenty of time, waiting too long can hurt your case. Evidence can disappear, witnesses may forget details, and insurance companies often delay negotiations in hopes you’ll run out of time. Certain circumstances, such as cases involving government vehicles, may shorten the filing period and add extra notice requirements.
The safest step is to consult with an Albuquerque attorney as soon as possible. Szantho Law Firm will make sure all deadlines are met, protect your claim from procedural pitfalls, and begin building your case before key evidence is lost.
We know how to get results
Insurance companies have lawyers who fight for their interests and try to limit your compensation. That’s why you need a lawyer who knows how to take on the insurance companies and get results. Since 2007, attorney Szantho has been helping the injured in Albuquerque recover the financial compensation they deserve.
We investigate your accident to get the facts. That means reviewing all documentation, such as accident reports and medical records. It means identifying and interviewing witnesses. Sometimes, it involves consulting accident reconstruction experts and other specialists. Attorney Szantho knows how to build a strong case that proves you were hurt due to another party’s negligence.
Many times, insurance companies agree to negotiate a settlement when they see we are ready to fight for you. But our firm is not interested in lowball settlement offers that don’t come close to covering the damages you have suffered. We are only interested in a resolution of your case that meets your needs.
You need someone who understands the legal system in Bernalillo County. You need someone who knows how to win and has the case results to prove it. You need the Szantho Law Firm. A former New Mexico prosecutor with extensive experience in the courtroom, attorney Szantho has the dedication and drive you need to see your case all the way through.
- Albuquerque Car Accidents
- Albuquerque Truck Accidents
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- Albuquerque Personal Injury
We understand how complicated accidents can be in Albuquerque. That’s why we want to help you. We know how to negotiate with insurance companies and take them to court if necessary. We can aggressively pursue the compensation you deserve and help you get everything you need to move on with your life.
This may be your only opportunity for justice. Make your case count. Contact our Albuquerque office and schedule your free case evaluation. Call (505) 365-6686.
Our Albuquerque Office
Szantho Law Firm
10749 Prospect Ave NE, Ste E
Albuquerque, NM 87112
Phone: (505) 365-6686