A Legal Warrior for Santa Fe Personal Injury Victims
Attorney Andras Szantho takes on tough cases and doesn’t stop until justice is served
New Mexico's capital, Santa Fe, is well-known for its pueblo architecture and for being a thriving cultural center. Artists have been flocking to Santa Fe for decades to draw, paint and sculpt the natural beauty around them. You can see many of their works in galleries throughout the city, as well as in New Mexico Museum of Art and the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum. Along with tourists, Santa Fe also attracts many scientists and high-tech entrepreneurs to the city's thriving technological sector.
Unfortunately, accidents sometimes happen in Santa Fe. Perhaps you were in a rear-end collision or other car accident, or a truck accident on I-25. Or maybe you sustained an injury in a motorcycle accident on Route 84 or a slip-and fall accident at a local business at Cerrillos Road. Whatever the circumstances of your accident, you need a personal injury lawyer. The Szantho Law Firm can fight for the compensation you deserve.
FAQs about Santa Fe personal injury claims
- What types of personal injuries does our law firm handle?
- What steps should I take after a personal injury accident?
- What damages and compensation can I recover after a personal injury accident?
- How long does a personal injury case take?
- Do I have to go to court?
- How much will a lawyer cost?
- Why should I hire a Santa Fe personal injury lawyer?
What types of personal injuries does our law firm handle?
The Szantho Law Firm handles a wide variety of personal injury cases. Here are some of the most common:
- Slip and Fall Accidents: These cases arise when property owners fail to maintain safe walkways. Examples include spilled liquids at a grocery store, broken steps at a museum, or icy sidewalks outside a restaurant.
- Dog Bites and Animal Attacks: Pets are part of many households in Santa Fe, but owners must control them. When dogs bite or knock someone over, their owners can be held responsible for medical bills and other damages. Local ordinances such as Albuquerque’s Angel’s Law reflect this principle and raise awareness about dangerous dogs.
- Product Liability: Manufacturers and sellers have an obligation to make sure their products are safe. Defective appliances, contaminated food, or unsafe children’s toys can lead to injuries. Product liability claims seek to hold companies accountable and prevent similar incidents.
- Negligent Security: Businesses must provide reasonable security measures to protect patrons. Poor lighting, broken locks, or lack of security staff can lead to assaults in parking garages, hotels and apartment complexes.
- Wrongful Death: When negligence results in fatal injuries, surviving family members can bring a wrongful death claim. Compensation can include funeral expenses, loss of companionship and the income the deceased would have provided.
- Workplace Accidents: Although workers’ compensation is often available for on‑the‑job injuries, third‑party claims may also arise. For example, if a subcontractor’s negligence or defective machinery caused the injury, an additional personal injury claim might be appropriate.
Each case type has its own legal nuances, and our Santa Fe personal injury attorneys can help you navigate them. Even if your situation doesn’t fit neatly into one category, it may still be covered by personal injury law.
What steps should I take after a personal injury accident?
Your actions in the hours and days following an injury can significantly influence your claim. Here’s what you can do to maximize your chances of getting full compensation:
Seek medical attention.
Even if your injuries seem minor, a doctor can diagnose conditions that might not be immediately apparent, such as internal bleeding or a concussion. Keep copies of all medical records and follow your doctor’s treatment plan.
Document everything.
If you slipped on a wet floor, photograph the area before it’s cleaned up. Collect names and contact information for witnesses. Save receipts for out‑of‑pocket expenses related to your injury, such as transportation to medical appointments. A daily journal recording your symptoms, pain levels and how the injury affects your activities can also provide valuable evidence.
Be cautious in your communications.
Don’t admit fault or speculate about the cause of the accident to the property owner or their insurer. Avoid posting about the incident on social media. Insurance companies monitor public posts and may use them against you. Contact a Santa Fe personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your rights and next steps. They can advise you on whether to provide a recorded statement, how to report the incident to your insurance and how to avoid common pitfalls.
What damages and compensation can I recover after a personal injury accident?
Victims of negligence are entitled to compensation that reflects the full scope of their losses. Economic damages cover quantifiable expenses like medical bills, rehabilitation costs, lost wages and property damage. They can also include future medical treatment and diminished earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job. Non‑economic damages address harder‑to‑measure losses such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of consortium (companionship) and decreased quality of life.
A lawyer can help you understand which damages apply to your case and gather the evidence needed to prove them. They may consult economists, vocational rehabilitation specialists, or medical experts to calculate long‑term costs. Without this support, it is easy to underestimate the true value of your claim and accept a settlement that doesn’t cover future needs.
How long does a personal injury case take?
The timeline can vary widely depending on several factors. Straightforward cases involving minor injuries and clear liability may be resolved in just a few months through settlement negotiations. However, if your injuries are severe, medical treatment is ongoing, or liability is disputed, the process can take much longer.
Cases that proceed to trial may stretch into several years, as courts often face heavy caseloads and multiple procedural steps. Throughout this process, our attorneys can keep you updated and help you make informed decisions at each stage.
Do I have to go to court?
The majority of personal injury claims are resolved through settlement before ever reaching a courtroom. That said, preparing every case as if it might go to trial is a key strategy. Doing so signals to the insurance company that your attorney is ready to fight for the best possible outcome. This often leads to stronger settlement offers.
In the rare event your case does go before a judge or jury, your attorney will guide you through each step to ensure you are fully prepared and supported.
How much will a lawyer cost?
Hiring a personal injury lawyer does not mean adding financial stress to an already difficult situation. Our firm works on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing upfront and owe no legal fees unless we successfully recover compensation for you. If we don’t win, you don’t pay. This arrangement makes legal representation accessible to everyone, no matter their financial circumstances, and ensures that your lawyer is fully invested in securing the best possible result for your case.
Why should I hire a Santa Fe personal injury lawyer?
Raised in Santa Fe, attorney Andras Szantho knows the area and understands how the legal system works here. A former prosecutor in the First Judicial District Attorney’s office (which covers three counties, including Santa Fe County), attorney Szantho has extensive courtroom experience and knows what evidence to look for to build a strong legal case. As your attorney, he will aggressively represent you in negotiations with the insurance companies and, if necessary, before a jury. Our legal team will carefully investigate the circumstances surrounding your accident and tirelessly search for evidence proving that you were hurt due to someone else’s negligent behavior.
When you’ve been hurt in an accident, recovering financial compensation should be a simple process. You get the medical treatment you need. The insurance company determines the damages you have suffered and issues payment. That’s the way it’s supposed to work but the reality is far more complicated.
In reality, the negligent party that caused your accident often won’t accept responsibility and denies doing anything wrong. The insurance company may question the extent of your injuries or blame you for causing the accident. Why? Because they want to pay you as little as possible to protect their profits.
We fight for your rights
Attorney Szantho knows the tactics used by insurance companies and doesn’t put up with them. He builds strong cases that hold negligent parties accountable and force insurance companies to take your claim seriously. This often convinces them to start settlement negotiations.
We aren’t interested in making quick deals that help insurance companies save money. Any resolution of your case has to be one that meets your needs. This includes compensation for all current and future medical expenses related to your injury, any lost wages if you couldn’t work, and other damages, such as pain and suffering.
If you were injured in a Santa Fe accident, it’s important to talk to an experienced lawyer as soon as possible. By law, you have three years from the date of your accident to take legal action. Over time, evidence can be lost or destroyed, and the memories of witnesses can fade. So, the sooner we can start working on your case, the better.
- Santa Fe Car Accidents
- Santa Fe Truck Accidents
- Santa Fe Motorcycle Accidents
- Santa Fe Pedestrian Accidents
- Santa Fe Bicycle Accidents
Learn more about how a personal injury attorney can help. Take your first step toward getting the justice you rightfully deserve. Contact our Santa Fe office at (505) 395-7880 and schedule your free case evaluation today.
Szantho Law Firm
532 Don Gaspar Ave
Santa Fe, NM 87505
Phone: (505) 820-3366