Personal Injury
Scott Atkinson is the leading personal injury attorney in Albuquerque, NM. With more than 30 years under his belt, he has an excellent track record representing Albuquerque residents injured due to someone else’s negligent actions. Scott recognizes that a personal injury attorney in Albuquerque must treat each client with dignity and respect, handling their case with the attention to detail it deserves. Atkinson Law Firm specializes in helping victims receive the compensation they deserve when someone else’s poor decision-making causes them injuries. If you need the help of a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer in Albuquerque, look no further than Scott Atkinson.
What to do if you’ve suffered a personal injury in Albuquerque, NM
No one is perfect. If you are a human being, you likely have made the occasional poor choice. When your actions lead to someone else’s injuries or wrongful death, you might find yourself on the business end of a personal injury lawsuit.
A personal injury lawyer in Albuquerque can help if you are the victim of someone else’s negligence. Whether you were involved in an automobile accident with a careless driver or slipped and fell on property that was improperly maintained, you may be eligible for compensation for your pain and suffering. Do not wait to reach out to a personal injury attorney in Albuquerque NM. From the moment you are injured, it is best to start building a potential case against the negligent party.
What cases can our Albuquerque personal injury attorneys help you with?
Personal injury lawyers in Albuquerque can assist with recovering damages for victims in any of the following situations:
- Automobile accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Dog bites
- Medical malpractice
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Security negligence
- Slip-and-fall accidents
These are not the only kinds of incidents where injuries and wrongful death can occur. Talk with your personal injury lawyer in Albuquerque to determine if your case qualifies for a personal injury lawsuit.
Get your free case review today!
Victims of other people’s negligence do not need to be further victimized by a personal injury attorney in Albuquerque when they are seeking representation. At Atkinson Law Firm, we provide a free case review to all injured parties. If we do not think we can win your case, we will not waste your time (or money). Ask us how to get your free case review today.
Why do you need a personal injury attorney?
A personal injury attorney in Albuquerque can help secure fair compensation for your injuries. When someone else’s negligence causes your pain and suffering, the financial consequences of their poor decisions can continue to mount. Victims may experience temporary or permanent disability, time off work for recovery and treatment leading to lost wages, and expensive medical bills. A skilled personal injury attorney will make sure your rights are protected and you receive the maximum compensation allowed for your injuries under New Mexico tort law.
What compensation can you demand after an Albuquerque accident?
Victims are eligible for compensation for their personal injuries under several categories. Evidence for each category is required. A personal injury attorney in Albuquerque NM can help determine which documentation is needed to prove your case under the following claims:
- Pain and suffering is the legal term that refers to any host of injuries (mental, physical, emotional) a person suffers due to another’s negligence. Compensation depends on the extent and duration of your injuries.
- Medical bills can easily turn into one of the largest expenses of an injury caused by someone else’s poor choices. Victims of car accidents alone can expect an average of $60,000 for initial treatment of their injuries that includes emergency room care, hospitalization, and any therapy associated with recovery. Some costs may be higher depending on the injuries, especially if they involve brain or spine injuries. Seeking reimbursement for all medical bills associated with your injuries is possible.
- Lost wages are another factor for consideration in personal injury lawsuits. When victims are off work for their initial recovery and any ongoing treatment of their injuries, they can miss work that may not be covered by paid time off.
- Property damage is another compensation demand you can make as part of a personal injury lawsuit. If you were involved in an automobile accident that totaled your car or motorcycle, you can include the value of your property in your claim.
These are just a few examples of the kinds of compensation you can demand after an Albuquerque accident. Your personal injury lawyer can present other options after reviewing your case.
FAQ
Personal injury is the legal term used to describe a physical, mental, or emotional injury to a person. To meet the legal definition, the injuries must be caused by the carelessness, negligence, or wrongful conduct of another person.
Yes. Individuals have 3 years from the date their injury occurred to file a personal injury lawsuit that seeks compensation or other damages from another individual. This statute of limitations is reduced to 2 years when filing against a government entity. When filing a wrongful death lawsuit, a victim’s family has 3 years from the date their loved one died from their injuries to take action.
You have the option of filing a compensation claim with your insurance company if the other driver is not insured. Your insurance company can then pursue legal action against the uninsured party to recover the costs. Also, if the other driver is driving a vehicle belonging to another person, the vehicle’s owner may have insurance coverage and could be liable for the accident even though they were not driving.
It depends. Some attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you only pay them a percentage of any damages awarded in your case. Others may require an upfront retainer. It is best to discuss fee structure with your attorney at your initial consultation.
Any attorney who says you have a case without fully reviewing all the factors and evidence is not a reputable personal injury attorney. Your attorney should provide an initial consultation to discuss the merits of your case before determining if it is wise to proceed with filing a lawsuit.
No. Attorneys are required to hold licenses to practice in each state they wish to represent. Our firm is licensed to represent clients in New Mexico only. If you require legal representation for another state, you can find options via the personal injury information center.
A police report is one of your best tools for proving liability in an automobile accident, which is why we recommend contacting the police any time you are involved in an accident. Sometimes the police are automatically called if there are injuries or if the accident prompts temporary closure of the roadway. During rear-end collisions and failure-to-yield during left-turn accidents, New Mexico law is clear cut on determining the at-fault party.
While you are not required to file a police report, we highly recommend it. When the police are called to the scene of an accident involving injuries, they must conduct a full investigation. Their findings are considered evidence if you file a personal injury lawsuit.
Any evidence presented in a personal injury lawsuit must indicate the other person was negligent, and that is what led to your injuries. To prove negligence, you must prove four points: duty, breach, causation, and damages/harm. Your attorney can review required evidence and other documentation for filing at your initial consultation.
Absolutely. Just like a police report is considered supporting evidence in your case, a doctor’s evaluation is just as critical to proving your claim. Your physician can verify your injuries, their cause, and provide an estimation of your recovery, including treatment costs.
It is possible to collect damages as part of a settlement or jury award in a personal injury lawsuit. Ideally, you want to settle out of court to avoid the hassle associated with a trial. Damages are eligible for disfigurement and disability, pain and suffering, medical bills, lost income, and emotional trauma.
It depends on the circumstances and complexity of your case. A best-case scenario is 3 months, but some cases have taken as long as 18 months or more to resolve.
Speak to expert New Mexico personal injury attorneys
Victims have up to 3 years to file a personal injury lawsuit against individuals and 2 years to file against government entities in New Mexico. Do not waste time building your case. If you have suffered at the hands of another, reach out to our offices today to schedule your free case review and initial case consultation. We promise to work hard to secure fair compensation for your injuries.