A November car crash resulted in the death of two University of New Mexico students and the hospitalization of two others. After several months of investigation, a 21-year-old man has been indicted for the accidents and charged with stealing a motor vehicle, tampering with evidence, larceny, child abuse, vehicular homicide because of DWI, and three counts of vehicular homicide because of reckless driving.
According to a local news report, the driver and his passenger left the scene after causing the accident. They were eventually arrested shortly after the crash. The driver was tested, and it was determined that he had methamphetamines in his system. Police have indicated that the car the defendant was driving was stolen.
Unfortunately, two of the students died at the scene of the accident, and two other students were taken to a nearby hospital. One of the students who was taken to the hospital has been undergoing extensive physical therapy and is just now learning how to walk on his own again. The other student taken to the hospital has been recovering from a fractured sternum, a lacerated liver, and a serious head injury.
Hit-and-Run Accidents in New Mexico
Leaving the scene of an accident, or what is commonly known as a hit-and-run, is generally considered a felony offense. Even if the accident did not result in a fatality. Individuals who cause a car accident and even those who are merely involved in a car accident are required by law to remain at the scene of the accident. Generally, individuals have the duty to provide their pertinent identifying and insurance information to the other party. Additionally, if bodily injury has resulted because of the accident the party has the duty to contact emergency personnel as soon as it is safe to do so.
Many times, individuals leave the scene of an accident because they are afraid of the repercussions that they will face as a result of the incident. However, the repercussions of leaving an accident are often far greater. People leave the scene of an accident for several reasons, which include things such as:
- Not having insurance;
- Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol;
- Being involved in the commission of another crime; or
- Driving a stolen vehicle.
Even if an individual was not negligent in causing the accident, he or she may still be held responsible for a hit-and-run for failing to remain at the scene of the accident to render aid to the injured party.
Have You Been a Victim of a Hit and Run in New Mexico?
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a hit-and-run accident in New Mexico, you may be entitled to monetary compensation as a result of the other driver’s negligence in fleeing or leaving the scene. Hit-and-runs can be particularly complicated because often the process is delayed because the defendant is still being identified. That delay can lead to questions of whether the defendant was under the influence and other pertinent information. An attorney is indispensable in these types of cases because they have the knowledge and ability to analyze and present your case in the most favorable way possible. The Albuquerque car accident lawyers at the Fine Law Firm in New Mexico have years of experiences handling, settling, and litigating hit-and-run cases. Contact our office at 505-889-FINE to schedule a free initial consultation regarding your negligence claim.
More Blog Posts:
Sleeping Driver Responsible for Fatal Lea County Accident, New Mexico Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, November 9, 2014.
Hospital Attempts to Get Case Dismissed Because of Statute of Limitations, New Mexico Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, January 20, 2015.