
Las Cruces Car Accident Lawyer
Injured in a Car Accident Caused by Negligence in Las Cruces, NM?
Getting into a serious accident in Las Cruces can change the course of your life. When another driver behaves recklessly, it can damage far more than just your car. Bodily injuries are almost inevitable when you mix heavy machinery and speed with human negligence, and they can have devastating consequences on everything from your job to your personal life.
That’s why it’s important to have an experienced law firm on your side. When you call the Harmonson Law Firm in Las Cruces for help, you take the first step toward making it right and holding the responsible party or entity accountable for their wrongdoing.
Call (915) 233-6427 to speak to a Las Cruces car accident lawyer about your injuries, your costs, and your options with a FREE consultation.
Types of Auto Accidents We Handle in the Las Cruces Area
A car accident can happen to anyone in virtually any situation. Understanding the cause of the accident is essential to deciding who is liable for it, but the type of accident can also be relevant to a claim. This may affect the scope and nature of the victim’s injuries, which determine how much their claim is worth. Certain types of accidents also lead to assumptions about who may have been at fault, which you may need to take into account if you are bringing a claim.
This is an overview of how accidents may be classified, depending on the type of impact, the type of driver, and the type of vehicle involved.
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bike accidents
- Taxi and rideshare accidents
- Bus accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Chain reaction accidents
- Hit and run
- Teen driver accidents
- Head-on collisions
- Rear-end collisions
- Failure to yield accidents
- Rollover accidents
- Crosswalk accidents
Common Causes of Car Accidents
Car accidents happen for a variety of reasons, but most can be traced back to human error or unsafe driving behaviors. Below are some of the most common causes:
- Distracted Driving: This is one of the leading causes of accidents today. Drivers who text, eat, adjust the radio, or use GPS while driving take their attention off the road, often leading to collisions.
- Speeding: Driving above the speed limit reduces a driver’s reaction time and increases the severity of accidents. Speeding makes it more difficult to stop in time to avoid a crash.
- Driving Under the Influence: Alcohol, drugs, and even certain prescription medications impair judgment, coordination, and reaction times, making it dangerous to drive.
- Reckless or Aggressive Driving: Tailgating, weaving between lanes, failing to yield, and ignoring traffic signals are all examples of reckless behavior that can cause serious accidents.
- Fatigue: Drowsy driving is particularly dangerous because it can mimic the effects of driving under the influence. Tired drivers have slower reaction times and may fall asleep at the wheel.
- 6Weather Conditions: Rain, snow, ice, fog, and other weather hazards can make roads slippery and reduce visibility, increasing the risk of losing control or being unable to stop in time.
- Failure to Obey Traffic Signals and Signs: Running red lights, stop signs, or failing to yield the right of way can easily lead to collisions at intersections or pedestrian crossings.
- Poor Road Conditions: Potholes, uneven pavement, missing signage, or construction zones can cause drivers to swerve or lose control.
- Vehicle Defects or Lack of Maintenance: Mechanical failures such as brake failure, tire blowouts, or steering problems can lead to serious accidents if the vehicle isn’t properly maintained.
- Inexperienced Drivers: New drivers may lack the skills or judgment to handle complex driving situations, making them more prone to mistakes that can cause crashes.
Impact of Car Accidents
Find out what everyone should know before speaking with the adjuster or hiring an attorney. As you may already have experienced, such injuries come with a hefty price tag.
Common expenses and losses associated with car accident injuries include:
- Hospital bills
- Outpatient rehab
- Long-term disability costs
- Cost of medications and treatment
- Lost wages due to time spent out of work
- Loss of employment or job possibilities
- Long-term care for lifelong damages
- Loss of consortium
- Anesthesia
- Surgery
These are just the tip of the iceberg. If your injuries create permanent changes in your abilities or quality of life or if they require long-term treatment, your medical costs could ultimately cost you millions of dollars. Our Las Cruces car accident attorneys believe that you shouldn’t be left to foot the bill when someone else makes poor decisions while behind the wheel of a car—and we are here to help you get the compensation you need.
Even if your injuries do not come to light until later on, you can still take legal action against the driver who hit you.
New Mexico Car Accident Laws
New Mexico follows a fault-based system when it comes to car accidents. This means that the driver who causes the accident is responsible for paying for the damages resulting from it. The state uses a pure comparative negligence rule, which allows an injured party to recover compensation even if they were mostly at fault for the accident. For example, if you were found to be 70% at fault and suffered $100,000 in damages, you could still recover $30,000 (your damages reduced by your percentage of fault).
State law also requires drivers to report any accident that results in bodily injury, death, or property damage exceeding $500. The accident must be reported to the police immediately and to the New Mexico Department of Transportation within five days. Failure to report an accident can lead to fines and other penalties.
The statute of limitations for personal injury claims is three years from the date of the accident, and four years for property damage claims. Exceptions may apply in certain cases, such as when the injured person is a minor or the at-fault party is out of state.
Local Car Accident Statistics
According to City Data, in Las Cruces, New Mexico in 2019, there were 18 vehicles involved in fatal accidents, with 31 people killed in these accidents. At least three of those fatal accidents involved an impaired driver. There were 5 pedestrians killed in a car accident during that same year.
Where to Turn if You’re Injured in Las Cruces
If you’ve been injured in a Las Cruces car accident,t the following resources may be of assistance to you:
- Hospital
- Three Crosses Regional Hospital—(915) 233-6427
- Mountain View Regional Medical Center—(915) 233-6427
- Memorial Medical Center—(915) 233-6427
- Advanced Care Hospital of Southern New Mexico—(915) 233-6427
- Urgent Care
- Mountain View Urgent Care at Valley (915) 233-6427
- Las Cruces Urgent Care—(915) 233-6427
- Memorial Urgent Care Sonoma—(915) 233-6427
- Covenant Clinics—(915) 233-6427
- Central Medical Services of Southern New Mexico—(915) 233-6427
- Rio Grande Emergency Medicine—(915) 233-6427
- Police Department
- Las Cruces Police Department—(915) 233-6427
- Fire Department
- Las Cruces Fire Department—(915) 233-6427
- Las Cruces Fire Department Station 4—(915) 233-6427
- Las Cruces Fire Station 6—(915) 233-6427
Understanding Your Rights After a Car Accident in Las Cruces, NM
After a car accident, it’s crucial to understand your legal rights and options. Many individuals are unaware of the compensation they may be entitled to, which can include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage. Our Las Cruces car accident attorneys believe that knowledge is power. Our experienced team is dedicated to guiding you through the legal process, ensuring you receive the justice and compensation you deserve.
Here’s how we can help you navigate your rights:
- Free Consultation: We offer a no-obligation consultation to discuss your case and evaluate your situation.
- Case Evaluation: Our attorneys will thoroughly review the details of your accident to determine the best course of action.
- Negotiation Expertise: We have a proven track record of negotiating favorable settlements with insurance companies on behalf of our clients.
- Trial Representation: If necessary, we are prepared to take your case to court to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Don’t navigate the aftermath of a car accident alone.
Contact Harmonson Law Firm today to schedule your free consultation and take the first step towards reclaiming your rights and peace of mind. Act today by calling (915) 233-6427 to speak to a Las Cruces auto accident attorney.


From Injury to Recovery FAQ's to Help Start Your Journey
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What rights do I have following my car accident?If you sustain significant injuries in an accident, you should call 911 and go to the emergency room as soon as possible after a car accident. The hospital must treat you regardless of your financial ability to pay and even if you do not have health insurance. This is important to know, as a significant… CONTINUE READING
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Is a driver at fault for an accident when a pedestrian is in or near a crosswalk?The fact that a pedestrian is in or near a crosswalk does not mean that the other driver is automatically responsible for the pedestrian’s injuries. Pedestrians are always required to obey all traffic signals. If a pedestrian enters the crosswalk when not allowed, the other driver may be able to either wholly or partially escape…CONTINUE READING
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What is negligence and does it play a role in my car accident?Negligence is a legal term and is defined as failing to do that which a person of ordinary prudence would have done under the same or similar circumstances. Negligence also means doing that which a person of ordinary prudence would not have done under the same or similar circumstances. When a driver’s negligence causes another…CONTINUE READING
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What information do I need to gather at the scene of a car accident?Gather as much information as possible about the other driver, including the driver’s name, address, telephone number, driver’s license number, and insurance information. Take photos of your vehicle and the other driver’s vehicle. If you have cuts, bruises, or other injuries and are in shape to take photos, do so. Also, get the name, address…CONTINUE READING
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What should I do if I was involved in an auto accident?Immediately after an accident, stop, don’t leave the scene, and make sure everyone is okay. If there are injuries, the first call you should make is 911. You should always call the police in the event of an accident, cooperate, and be respectful to the police and the other driver. Gather as much information as…CONTINUE READING
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