What To Do If You’re Injured in a Car Accident While Visiting New Mexico
An experienced attorney can ensure your claim goes smoothly, even from afar
Traveling to New Mexico can be an exciting adventure, but an unexpected car crash can quickly turn a vacation into a stressful experience. If you’re injured in a car accident while visiting New Mexico, you may feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next.
Being far from home can add complications to an already stressful situation, but knowing the right steps to take can help protect your health and your right to compensation.
What challenges will I face after a New Mexico car accident if I’m from out of state?
Being in a car accident in New Mexico while you’re from out of state can have many complications that you wouldn’t face back home. These include:
Unfamiliarity with New Mexico laws
New Mexico’s laws may differ from those in your home state, especially regarding fault and compensation. New Mexico follows a pure comparative negligence rule, which means that compensation may be reduced if you’re partially at fault.
For example, if you were involved in an intersection accident with a driver who ran a red light, but you were exceeding the speed limit, you could be found 10% at fault. If your damages were $50,000, your eligible compensation would be reduced to $45,000.
Handling the claims process remotely
If you’ve returned home after your car accident in New Mexico, handling your claim from out of state can be inconvenient. You may need to communicate with local authorities, insurance companies, and a New Mexico car accident lawyer over long distances, which can delay the process.
Accessing medical care
If you’re injured, getting treatment locally in New Mexico and ensuring that your medical expenses are covered can be difficult. You’ll also need to transfer medical care to a doctor in your home state once you return.
Coordinating between healthcare providers to obtain consistent records can lead to delays, especially if doctors in New Mexico and your home state use different systems or processes for documentation.
Dealing with out-of-state insurance companies
Dealing with New Mexico’s at-fault insurance system and your out-of-state insurance provider at the same time can complicate negotiations and claims because the two systems may not align seamlessly.
Your out-of-state insurer may be less familiar with New Mexico’s comparative negligence laws, which could lead to misinterpretations or delays in processing your claim. Additionally, coordinating between the at-fault driver’s insurance company and your own provider can create friction, especially if coverage issues arise, such as uninsured/underinsured motorist claims.
What should I do if I’m involved in a New Mexico car accident from out of state?
If you’re involved in a car accident in New Mexico as an out-of-state visitor, here are the key steps to take:
Ensure your safety and get medical help
Your immediate priority after a car accident is ensuring your safety. If possible, move to a safe location away from traffic to avoid further danger. Check yourself and others for injuries. Even if you feel fine initially, call 911 to report the car accident and request medical attention.
Symptoms of serious injuries such as concussions or internal damage can appear later, so it’s important to get a medical evaluation right away. This medical documentation will also serve as evidence for your claim. It can establish a clear connection between the crash and your injuries.
Contact local authorities
After making sure you are safe, contact the police to report the car accident. They will secure the scene and get help for people who need it. Also, a police report from the local police or the state highway patrol can serve as a key piece of evidence in your car accident claim.
The police report will include key details about the car accident, such as the conditions of the scene, statements from involved parties and witnesses, and any traffic violations.
Gather evidence
While waiting for authorities, gather as much evidence as possible. Take photos or videos of the crash scene, vehicle damage, your visible injuries, and any contributing factors, such as road signs or hazardous conditions.
Exchange contact and insurance details with the other driver(s) involved, and if there are any witnesses, collect their contact information as well. Be sure to document every detail, as this evidence will strengthen your case and help prove liability.
Notify your insurance company
Contact your out-of-state insurance provider to notify them of the car accident as soon as possible. Provide accurate details about the car accident, but be careful not to admit fault or speculate on who caused the crash.
Insurance companies will investigate the crash, and anything you say could affect your claim. Your provider will explain the next steps and guide you on how to proceed, especially if the other party’s insurance is handling the claim.
Get medical treatment in New Mexico
When you seek medical attention, don’t wait until you get home. Find local healthcare providers in New Mexico and keep all records of your treatment, including bills, diagnoses, and prescriptions. When you return to your home state, make sure your new doctor receives your medical records from New Mexico to ensure continuity of care.
Seek legal help from a local New Mexico attorney
If your car accident happened in New Mexico, it’s important to seek legal help from someone who understands the state’s laws and insurance requirements.
A local attorney familiar with New Mexico’s comparative negligence laws can help you determine fault, file paperwork on your behalf, and negotiate with insurance companies. If your case requires a lawsuit, a New Mexico attorney can represent you in court, reducing the need for you to return to the state.
Coordinate with your attorney remotely
If you’ve returned home after your car accident, it can be challenging to manage a claim from out of state. Fortunately, a local New Mexico attorney can handle communications with local authorities and insurance companies on your behalf.
They can gather evidence, interview witnesses, and file any necessary documents. This can allow you to focus on your recovery without needing to travel back for every step. Your attorney will keep you informed throughout the process and make sure your rights are protected, even from afar.
Don’t let distance stand in the way of justice
If you’ve been injured in a car accident while visiting New Mexico, the Szantho Law Firm is here to make the claims process easier. Our team is dedicated to helping you recover the compensation you deserve while minimizing the stress of handling your claim.
We know how to build a strong case, investigate car accidents, and negotiate with insurance companies to help you recover the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free and confidential case consultation. With our contingency fee arrangement, you won’t pay a dime unless we win your case.
The Szantho Law Firm handled my case professionally and aggressively and made sure that my insurance company was held accountable. Due to Mr. Szantho’s aggressive and spirited representation my insurance company gave a settlement that I was very happy with. Mr. Szantho also made sure that my medical bills were paid and dealt directly with my medical providers. I was extremely happy with the representation that I received with the Szantho Law Firm and I would highly recommend the Szantho Law Firm to anyone who has been injured in a car accident. — J. Martinez
Click here to download a printable PDF of this article, “What To Do If You’re Injured in a Car Accident While Visiting New Mexico.”