A Farmington man has been indicted by a grand jury as a result of his alleged actions in an accident back in February of this year. According to local news reports, the man was involved in a road rage situation in which he hit another individual and then left the scene of the accident.
The victim was driving on Interstate 25 when a truck driver began to tailgate him and a few other drivers on the road. The victim pulled into a parking lot near Highway 550 and got out of the vehicle. Video footage shows the truck driver following the driver into the parking lot and then slamming right into the victim and speeding away. Unfortunately, the victim suffered serious injuries, including a fractured pelvis, internal bleeding, broken ribs, and punctured lungs. The man is still in serious condition.
Video footage from the parking lot led to several leads, and luckily the truck driver was eventually apprehended. The truck driver was charged with criminal damage to property, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, leaving the scene of an accident, and aggravated assault. The truck driver was arraigned and ordered by the judge not to leave the state.
New Mexico Damage Awards in Personal Injury Suits
In New Mexico, after an individual has established their negligence claim in a personal injury suit, they may be entitled to various types of damages. Generally, successful New Mexico injury victims are entitled to general or specific damages. General damages are determined by establishing a clear nexus between the culpable party’s behavior and the victim’s actual injuries. These types of damages include things such as the physical impairment the victim sustained and their lowered quality of life. To be awarded these damages, the judge or jury will determine the specifics surrounding the injury, and they will then assign a dollar amount to those injuries.
Special or specific damages include things such as the medical expenses that the victim incurred or the loss of items that cannot be replaced. In these cases, the damages are relatively straightforward because the victim has spent a specific amount on the items.
Lastly, in some very rare cases, punitive damages may be awarded. Unlike the other types of damages, punitive damages are not compensatory. Instead, they are solely imposed to punish the wrongdoer. These are only awarded in cases where the wrongdoer acted particularly egregiously. For example, a case where the defendant left the scene of an accident after hitting another person may amount to a situation where punitive damages would be appropriate.
Have You Been Injured in an Accident in New Mexico?
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed following a New Mexico car accident, you should consider consulting with an attorney to assist you in your tort claim. Personal injury suits require a significant amount of research, preparation, and knowledge of the law. It is highly recommended that you contact one of the experienced Albuquerque car accident lawyers at the Fine Law Firm. You may be entitled to one or more of the above mentioned damage awards as a result of your accident. Contact the Fine Law Firm at 800-753-5529 to schedule a free initial consultation.
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