Santa Fe Car Accident Lawyer
Car accident attorney Andras Szantho fights for your rights
The fourth-largest city in the state of New Mexico, Santa Fe gets a lot of traffic on its roads each and every day. Unfortunately, this means there are also a lot of car accidents that can leave drivers and passengers seriously injured. Attorney Andras Szantho helps car accident victims get the financial compensation they deserve.
At the Szantho Law Firm, we know the impact a car accident can have on victims and their families. You are hurt and need medical treatment. In some cases, injuries can leave you with a permanent disability. You may not be able to go back to work, resulting in a loss of income. It can become difficult to make ends meet.
FAQ about Santa Fe car accidents
- What should I do after a Santa Fe car accident?
- Who’s responsible for paying for my accident?
- Should I talk to the other driver’s insurance company?
- How much is my claim worth?
- What can I be compensated for?
- Should I accept a settlement offer?
- Should I file a lawsuit?
- Why should I hire a Santa Fe car accident lawyer?
A lawyer who gets results for clients
Whether you were hurt in an accident on I-25, U.S. 285 or West Almeda Street, recovering compensation can be complicated. A negligent driver may have been speeding, driving recklessly, looking at a cell phone or driving drunk. Negligent drivers typically don’t accept responsibility and deny doing anything wrong.
Don’t expect help from the insurance companies. They care mostly about protecting their profits, so they will try to pay you as little as possible. So they may question the extent of your injuries or the need for certain treatment. They may argue your injuries were pre-existing. They may even blame you for causing the accident.
Insurance companies have lawyers who fight for their best interests. You need an experienced car accident lawyer who will fight for you. Santa Fe car accident attorney Szantho knows the tactics that insurance companies use to try to limit your compensation. He builds strong cases that force them to take your claim seriously.
He starts by getting the facts about your accident to find out what really happened. We review accident reports, medical records and other documentation. If there were witnesses, we identify and interview them. If needed, we consult accident reconstruction experts who can help us understand how the collision happened.
When insurance companies see that attorney Szantho is prepared and ready to fight for you in court, they often agree to talk about a settlement. We’re only interested in a settlement that meets your ends. This includes compensation for current and future medical expenses, lost wages and other damages, such as pain and suffering.
What should I do after a Santa Fe car accident?
First, call the police and tell them you have been in a crash caused by another driver. A state trooper from the New Mexico State Police or an officer from the Santa Fe Police Department will likely respond and investigate your crash. Make sure to get the investigating officer’s name and badge number. That way, you can get a copy of your official New Mexico car accident report, officially known as the New Mexico Uniform Crash Report, and make sure it’s accurate.
Other important steps to take immediately after your Santa Fe collision:
- Have a medical professional examine you right away.
- Talk to eyewitnesses at the scene of your crash and get their full name and phone number.
- Take photos of your accident if possible.
- Exchange information with the other driver. This includes your name, address, insurance information and driver’s license number.
- Other than the investigating police officer or trooper, do not discuss your accident with anyone at the scene of the crash.
- Do not post anything on social media about your collision.
- Schedule a follow-up doctor’s appointment with your physician.
- Contact a Santa Fe car accident attorney as soon as possible to learn more about your legal rights.
Who’s responsible for paying for my accident?
New Mexico has an at-fault car insurance system. This means the at-fault party must pay for all accident-related expenses for injury victims. Often, this is the responsibility of the insurance company for the at-fault driver.
But just because the at-fault driver’s insurance company is responsible for paying for your accident doesn’t mean you will automatically get the money you deserve. Often, insurance companies dealing with injury victims in Santa Fe and elsewhere will do everything they can to reduce or deny claims. This is why it’s critical that you talk to an attorney right away after your accident in Santa Fe.
Should I talk to the other driver’s insurance company?
The short answer – no. If the at-fault driver’s insurance company contacts you on the phone, in person or in writing, do not respond. Anything you say or write about your crash could be used by them as evidence to deny your claim. Even saying something as simple as “I’m sorry” could be used by them as proof that you caused the collision and that they’re not responsible for paying you. If they want more information, tell them to contact your Santa Fe car accident lawyer and deal with them on your behalf.
There’s no set dollar amount when it comes to injury claims involving motor vehicle accidents in Santa Fe. Your claim might be worth a few thousand dollars or significantly more. The best way to know how much money you could be eligible to receive is to ask an attorney familiar with these types of cases. Our Santa Fe law firm offers a free case evaluation, where we can review the details of your case and answer any questions you might have about your claim.
What can I be compensated for?
If another driver caused your crash in New Mexico, you should be compensated for all past, present and future accident-related expenses. What you might not realize is just how many expenses you can be compensated for, even years after your crash. All that matters is that such expenses have to be accident related. Such expenses can include:
- Past, present and future anticipated medical care related to your accident injury. This may include surgery, physical therapy and follow-up doctor’s appointments.
- Money to repair or replace your damaged vehicle.
- Replacement income if you cannot work while you’re recovering from your injury.
- Lost future income if you cannot return to work due to a permanent disability.
- Pain and suffering in certain circumstances.
Should I accept a settlement offer?
Many insurance companies make settlement offers to injury victims soon after a motor vehicle crash. You might be tempted to accept their offer, especially if you already have mounting medical bills, vehicle repair costs and other expenses. What you might not realize is if you agree to accept their settlement offer, that’s it. Your claim is settled. As a result, you cannot ask for more money in the future, even if your accident expenses increase dramatically several months or years from now.
This is why it’s important to carefully consider any settlement offer you receive for your accident. An experienced Santa Fe attorney can help you review your offer and decide if you should accept it or ask for more money. If you believe you deserve more, your lawyer can negotiate with the other driver’s insurance company on your behalf and work with you to obtain a better settlement offer.
Many times, the best way to get the money you rightfully deserve is to file a car accident lawsuit. This is especially true if the other driver’s insurance company refuses to increase their initial settlement offer or simply denies your claim altogether. Either way, filing a lawsuit might make the most sense for your Santa Fe car accident injury claim. Keep in mind that you only have three years from the date of your crash to take legal action in New Mexico, according to New Mexico Statutes Annotated section 37-1-8. This deadline is legally referred to as the statute of limitations. If you miss this deadline, you might not be able to file a lawsuit or take other legal action seeking compensation for your crash.
Why should I hire a Santa Fe car accident lawyer?
The sooner you have an attorney helping you after your crash, the better. Your lawyer can deal directly with insurance companies, conduct an in-depth independent investigation and take legal action if necessary on your behalf.
It’s also important to choose a lawyer who knows the area and understands how to handle car accident claims in Santa Fe. Every city and county in New Mexico often presents its own unique challenges. Your attorney can help you navigate your way through the legal system and make sure your injury claim gets the attention it rightfully deserves.
Call today for a free case evaluation
If you’ve been hurt in a Santa Fe car accident, we encourage you to talk to a car accident attorney as soon as you can. By law, you have three years from the date of your accident to take legal action. Starting the investigation sooner can help us build a strong case. Over time, evidence can be lost or destroyed and the memories of witnesses can fade.
Since 2007, attorney Andras Szantho has been helping the injured get the financial compensation they need and deserve after being hurt in a car crash. A former New Mexico prosecutor with extensive experience dealing with injury claims, he is proud to have been able to help clients through a very difficult time in their lives. He is not afraid to stand up to the insurance companies – and he is ready to fight for you. Whether it’s negotiating a settlement offer on your behalf or fighting for you in a Santa Fe courtroom, you can count on us when it matters most.
Learn more about how an experienced car accident lawyer can help you. Contact our Santa Fe office at (505) 820-3366 to schedule a free case evaluation today. Santa Fe car accident attorney Szantho can review the details of your accident, go over your options and answer any questions you have.