New Mexico Motorcycle Accident Attorney
It is not uncommon for the careless or negligent actions of drivers on the roadway to cause serious motorcycle crashes. Unfortunately, these incidents can lead to catastrophic injuries for the motorcyclists involved. At Liles White, we are here to help if you need a New Mexico motorcycle accident attorney by your side. Our team has significant experience handling complex injury claims, and we know what it takes to determine liability for a motorcycle crash and help victims secure full compensation for their losses.
Why Choose Liles White for This Case?
- At Liles White, our New Mexico personal injury lawyers have a track record of success standing up for clients who have been injured or have lost a loved one as a result of the careless or reckless behavior of others.
- Our network of subject matter experts, access to extensive resources, and a bilingual legal team are available to help you get through this.
- We take New Mexico motorcycle accident cases on a contingency fee basis, which means that our clients will not have to pay any fees related to their case until after we obtain the compensation they need.
How Will an Attorney Help a New Mexico Motorcycle Accident Case?
Motorcycle accident cases can become complicated, particularly because the other parties involved will likely have an inherent bias against the motorcyclist. However, a skilled New Mexico motorcycle accident lawyer will be a strong advocate ready to go up against insurance carriers and at-fault parties.
A motorcycle accident lawyer in New Mexico can use their resources to obtain all evidence necessary to prove liability. Additionally, they will handle all communication with other parties involved as they work to vigorously negotiate a fair settlement amount on behalf of their client.
Will My Motorcycle Accident Case Go to Court?
The vast majority of accident claims, including motorcycle accidents, settle out of court. Some settlements happen within weeks, but others take longer depending on the circumstances of the accident. An accident attorney may need time to identify the liable party and their insurance company. It may take time to collect evidence in your case or hire experts such as accident reconstruction specialists. Often an initial demand letter is followed by back-and-forth negotiations until you can reach a settlement agreement with an insurance company. Only if an acceptable agreement isn’t reached does the case proceed to litigation in a courtroom. In that case, an experienced New Mexico motorcycle accident attorney will vigorously defend your rights in court to help you gain the compensation you need to ensure a full physical and financial recovery.
Motorcycle Accidents Can Lead to Severe Injuries
Motorcycles are incredibly fun to operate, and there are plenty of scenic routes for motorcyclists throughout New Mexico. Unfortunately, motorcyclists have very little protection from the force of a vehicle slamming into them. Additionally, most of these accidents also result in secondary injury impacts with the ground when a collision occurs. This can lead to severe injuries for those involved. Our team of New Mexico brain injury attorneys know how frequently serious head and brain injuries can occur after motorcycle accidents. At Liles White, our experienced spinal cord injury lawyers in New Mexico have represented accident victims who have suffered serious spine injuries. Our team has helped motorcycle injury victims who have sustained the following:
- Severe back or neck injury
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Open head wounds
- Broken or dislocated bones
- Internal organ damage
- Internal bleeding
- Severe lacerations or puncture wounds
- Amputations
- Crush injuries
Data available from the New Mexico Department of Transportation shows us that there were 1,064 total motorcycle crashes during the latest reporting year across the state. Out of these incidents, there were:
- 49 fatalities
- 141 suspected serious injuries
- 540 suspected minor injuries
- 219 possible injuries
Motorcycles were involved in only 2.3 percent of the crashes in this state during the latest year. However, they constituted 14.2 percent of all fatal crashes that same year.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in New Mexico?
The aftermath of a motorcycle accident is particularly traumatic. If your injuries are severe and immobilizing, remain in place until help arrives. If you’re able to move safely, retreat to the shoulder of the road and out of traffic. Then do the following:
- Call 911 and report the accident
- Use your phone to take photos of the accident scene, your motorcycle, and any other involved vehicles
- Collect the contact information of other involved drivers and any eyewitnesses to the accident
- Allow the paramedics to transport you to a hospital and tell the doctors about every injury and all of your symptoms
- Ask for detailed medical notes documenting your injuries, treatment plan, and prognosis
- Obtain a copy of the police accident report
- Call an attorney before talking to insurance representatives
- Avoid posing about your accident on social media
If you can keep a cool head in the chaotic aftermath of an accident you can help protect your future physical and financial recovery by maximizing your chance for a successful motorcycle accident claim.
What Can I Recover in Compensation for My Motorcycle Accident?
The open design of a motorcycle is what provides the exhilarating sense of freedom that riders enjoy. However, it also means that motorcycle injuries can be devastating and require ongoing medical treatment and long recovery times. A successful motorcycle accident claim in New Mexico can relieve financial burdens so you can focus on your physical and emotional recovery. Whether through a settlement with the at-fault party’s insurance or through a court award, you could recover the following damages:
- Medical expenses and future medical expenses for ongoing treatment
- Lost earnings and future lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity in the event of a severe disabling injury
- Pain and suffering
You deserve the compensation you’re owed if someone’s negligence caused your motorcycle accident injury. Working with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in New Mexico can help provide legal representation and secure the compensation deserved.
How Long Do I Have After My Motorcycle Accident to File a Claim in New Mexico?
New Mexico has a statute of limitations in place for motorcycle accident claims. Accident victims have up to 3 years from the accident date to file their claim. Injured persons under age 18 have up to 3 years from their 18th birthday to file an injury claim.
New Mexico’s statute of limitations helps ensure that people file claims in a timely manner while evidence and eyewitness testimony are still fresh and reliable. It also serves to protect defendants from the perpetual ongoing threat of lawsuits long after the accident.
Filing your claim once you understand the full extent of your injuries and the amount of time and medical expense involved in your recovery but as soon as possible after the accident date helps to maximize your chance for a full payout covering your damages. Trying to file a claim in New Mexico after the deadline typically results in case dismissal.
Contact Our New Mexico Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle crash in New Mexico that was caused by the careless or negligent actions of another driver, let the team at Liles White get to work on your behalf immediately. Our attorneys have the resources necessary to fully investigate complex motorcycle accident cases so we can determine liability. Our goal is to ensure that clients receive the compensation they are entitled to so they can make a total recovery. When you need a New Mexico motorcycle accident lawyer, you can contact us for a free consultation of your case or by calling (361) 826-0100.