Late last month, a truck driver on Adam Sandler’s “Ridiculous Six” show was almost killed in a single vehicle accident. The woman was thrown from her truck when it overturned near the Santa Fe Municipal Airport. A national online newspaper reported that the accident occurred when the woman approached a sharp turn that she was unable to navigate.
The Santa Fe police representative explained that a preliminary investigation has revealed that the woman was not wearing a seatbelt when the accident occurred, and it is likely that speed played a role in the accident. The road conditions were noted to be normal at the time of the accident and alcohol was not considered to be a factor in the accident.
The woman’s injuries were so severe that she had to be immediately airlifted to a hospital that was about an hour away from the accident location. She was not breathing for several minutes and was brought back to life by emergency workers. Further, she has just now begun to be able to move all of her limbs–prior to that, paralysis was a concern.
Although the above article discusses the injuries that woman faced, it is important to note that she was extremely lucky that her speeding did not result in the death of any other pedestrian or driver.
Car Accidents in New Mexico
Car accidents entail many subsequent difficulties, including property damage, financial strain, injuries and may even result in death. The University of New Mexico releases a monthly report, which records the number of fatalities that are caused by car accidents in the state. In January and February 2015 there have already been 28 deaths; this total is higher than the same time period in the past two years. Out of all of the deaths, 10 fatalities were in cars, three were in pick-up trucks, two were in semi-trucks, three were in vans/utility vehicles, three were motorcycle accidents, four included pedestrian fatalities, and one was a bicyclist. This jarring number shows the prevalence of accidents and the toll it can take on all parties involved.
Civil Liability in Accident Cases
Fortunately no one else was injured besides the driver of the truck in the case discussed above. However, this was an anomaly and often times more than one individual is hurt or killed in these types of accidents. When a victim is injured or killed in one of these traffic accidents, they may consider bringing a personal injury suit against the wrongdoer.
To bring a civil claim in New Mexico, a victim or their representative must be able to establish that the wrongdoer was negligent. They must be able to show that the culpable party owed them a standard duty of care that they breached that duty and that breach resulted in their injuries.
In an Albuquerque car accident case, the victim would need to basically show that the other driver breached the duty owed by driving unsafely and that unsafe driving resulted in the subsequent accident and injuries.
Have You Been Injured In a Car Accident in New Mexico?
If you or a loved one has been injured because of another person’s negligence, you may consider bringing a personal injury lawsuit against the culpable parties. An attorney at the Fine Law Firm can assist you during all stages of the lawsuit, including negotiations, settlement, and even litigation if necessary. If you are successful, you may be entitled to monetary compensation for your injuries, including damages for your past medical bills, future medical expenses, and other related awards. Please contact one of the dedicated attorneys at the Fine Law Firm at (505) 243-4541 to schedule your free initial consultation.
More Blog Posts:
Hospital Attempts to Get Case Dismissed Because of Statute of Limitations, New Mexico Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, January 20, 2015.
Skateboarder Hit and Killed in Fatal DUI Accident in New Mexico, New Mexico Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, February 25, 2015.