How a Silver City, NM Car Accident Lawyer From Harmonson Law Firm Can Help
Being in a Silver City car accident can be a jarring experience—both physically and emotionally. Perhaps you are on your way home on a Friday afternoon, looking forward to your weekend after a long work week. Without warning, a driver runs a red light, slamming into the side of your vehicle. You end up sustaining injuries, dealing not only with the physical and emotional aspects of your injuries, but also the financial aspects.
Your medical bills may be mounting alarmingly, and if your injuries are severe, you may be unable to return to work and pay your normal monthly expenses. Even worse, the at-fault driver’s insurance company may offer you a settlement that will not cover your actual damages. You need experienced, knowledgeable legal assistance, and you need it quickly.
Once you have spoken to attorneys Clark Harmonson and Hadley Huchton from the Harmonson Law Firm, you will be able to focus on the healing process while we deal with the insurance company on your behalf. At Harmonson Law Firm, you benefit from a smaller law firm that provides highly personalized services, yet you still receive the exceptional experience, legal skills and knowledge, and client resources of a larger firm. When you choose Harmonson Law Firm, you will quickly see that we truly care about your injuries and health, your family and finances, and your future.
Explanation of Potential Damages Following a Silver City Car Accident
Following your Silver City car accident, you are entitled to certain damages that will be dependent on the facts and circumstances of your car accident, as well as the severity of your injuries. If your injuries are considered catastrophic, then you will have ongoing medical expenses, possibly for the remainder of your life. Pain and suffering damages cover actual physical pain caused by your injuries, as well as emotional pain and trauma.
As an example, suppose you sustained a spinal cord injury in your car accident that left you partially paralyzed. Your quality of life will be significantly affected for an extended length of time, probably forever. You may need assistive devices and ongoing medical care, including rehabilitative therapies. You could also be entitled to lost wages, and future lost wages if you will never be able to return to your job. Having an experienced Silver City, NM car accident lawyer from Harmonson Law Firm can make a difference in the outcome of your car accident.
New Mexico Car Accident Laws That Could Potentially Affect Your Claim
Every state sets its own car accident laws that govern automobile accidents. These laws include statutes of limitations (the window of time in which an individual has to file a claim for damages). In the state of New Mexico, the statute of limitations is three years from the date of the accident. That time limit is shorter if you are in an accident with a government owned vehicle so it is best to call to speak to our lawyers about your options. States are either “fault” or “no fault” states, and New Mexico is a fault state. This means that the at-fault driver (or his or her insurer) must pay the damages of those who are injured in the accident. As far as negligence goes, New Mexico is a pure comparative negligence state which simply means that even if the victim is partially at fault for the accident, they are still allowed to seek damages from the other at-fault driver.
What Should You Do Following Silver City Car Accident Injuries?
If you are involved in a Silver City car accident, it is important that you seek medical attention for yourself and all those involved. It’s easy to overlook injuries when your body is flooded by adrenaline, so seeing a doctor is always the best course of action. If there were witnesses to the accident, you should get their contact information if you are physically able to do so. This can be invaluable information for your attorney as he or she builds a case for damages on your behalf.
Snap a few photos at the scene of the accident with your cell phone, and exchange information with the other driver. Resist the urge to ever say “I’m sorry,” even if you are simply saying you’re sorry that the accident occurred. These words can be misconstrued as an admission of fault, so keep the conversation with the other driver to a minimum. Once you are home, you will need to contact your own insurance company, as well as an experienced Silver City, NM car accident lawyer from Harmonson Law Firm. The following Silver City resources could be helpful following a car accident.
- Silver City Police Department—1011 North Hudson Street, Silver City, NM 88061/ (575) 538-3723
- Silver City Fire Department—1011 North Hudson Street, Silver City, NM 88061/ (575) 956-1273
- Silver City Urgent Care—1600 East 32nd Street, Silver City, NM 88061/ (575) 538-2981
- Gila Regional Medical Center (Hospital)—1313 East 32nd Street, Silver City, NM 88061/ (575) 538-4000
What Are the Most Common Types of Car Accident Injuries?
Broken bones, cuts and bruises, neck and back injuries, and knee injuries are the most common types of car accident injuries. More severe car accident injuries include traumatic brain injuries, severe internal organ injuries, burns, vision and hearing loss, and spinal cord injuries that result in paralysis. In particular, traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries can cost hundreds of thousands, even millions of dollars over a person’s lifetime. These injuries can prevent the victim from ever returning to work, and can even alter the individual’s personality and cognitive abilities.
What Is the Car Accident Claims Process?
Your Silver City, NM car accident lawyer from Harmonson Law Firm will gather all necessary evidence to begin building your case, including evidence that will help them accurately assess your damages. A demand letter will be submitted to the at-fault driver’s insurance, and negotiations will begin. If the insurance company refuses to agree to a full and fair settlement for damages, your attorney may file a lawsuit against the insurer. If an agreement is still not reached, then the case will go to trial and a jury will decide what damages you are entitled to receive.
The determination of fault is a crucial component of the claims process. If the accident occurred in an area with video cameras, this video may help prove fault. The police report could also shed some light on which driver is at fault. In some cases, the data box from both vehicles may be used to determine the speed both vehicles were driving and whether there was any hard braking just prior to the accident. If fault cannot be determined by the insurance companies, the attorneys, or the police, then a jury will likely make that determination.
How to Choose the Best Silver City, NM Car Accident Lawyer for Your Needs
The qualifications and experience of your Silver City, NM car accident lawyer are crucial to the outcome of your claim. Choosing an attorney is often done through a referral from a co-worker, loved one, or friend, or is accomplished by searching online and choosing an attorney that seems to have applicable skills and experience. While there are certainly many car accident lawyers out there, at Harmonson Law Firm we believe that once you have spoken to Clark Harmonson or Hadley Huchton, your choice will be crystal clear.
We have everything you would find in a large law firm, along with the highly personalized attention of a small firm given to every client. If you could benefit from having a strong advocate in your corner, giving you the time you need to recover from your injuries and resume your normal daily activities, the Harmonson Law Firm is right for you.
The Harmonson Law Firm Helps Good People Injured in Bad Accidents
If you’ve been the victim of a negligent Silver City driver, you need strong legal assistance to ensure the at-fault driver’s insurer does not take advantage of you. Harmonson Law Firm wants you to have the time you need to take care of your injuries and get your life back on track without worrying about how you will pay for your damages. We fight for every single client, zealously representing their interests from beginning to end, in order to secure a full and fair settlement.
With offices in El Paso, TX, and Las Cruces, NM, we serve these cities and those living in the surrounding NM areas, including Silver City, Deming, and Ruidoso. Attorneys Clark Harmonson and Hadley Huchton take care of our clients on a personal level you simply cannot get at other firms, with focus and expertise in car accidents, as well as instances of medical malpractice. Contact the Harmonson Law Firm today for a free consultation and answers to your questions.
Clark Harmonson is licensed in New Mexico and Texas. Hadley Huchton is licensed in Texas.
