Albuquerque Personal Injury Attorney
Navigating a personal injury claim can be daunting, especially when faced with intimidating insurance companies. At Sutten Law Group, we understand the complexities of these situations. With over two decades of experience, we are dedicated to guiding you through the process and ensuring you receive the compensation you rightfully deserve. If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, an experienced Albuquerque personal injury lawyer can help.
Our Areas of Expertise in Personal Injury Cases
We pride ourselves on meticulous legal work, ensuring every case is handled with precision from the start. Our expertise lies in handling a variety of personal injury cases, including
- Motor Vehicle Crashes
- Trucking Collisions
- Wrongful Death
- Animal Bites
Strategically Align and Execute Your Legal Objectives
Legal challenges can feel overwhelming. At Sutten Law, we don’t just react; we strategically guide. We’re committed to understanding your unique situation and providing proactive solutions that protect your interests. Let’s discuss how we can bring clarity and direction to your legal journey.
Motor Vehicle Crashes
Protect Your Rights After a Motor Vehicle Crash Injury
An experienced personal injury attorney can help with an accident involving a car, truck, motorcycle, sports utility vehicle, electric vehicle, recreational vehicle, or boat. When someone has been injured in a vehicle accident, it’s important to consult an experienced attorney to discuss your legal rights and explore all avenues for financial recovery.
At Sutten Law Group, LLC, we are champions for the victims of vehicle crashes from our office in Albuquerque. We know to what extent victims rely on compensation to move forward. While a car crash can be disorienting, seeking justice does not have to be. You should know what you are up against and what to do in the days and weeks following the accident.
I Was Told New Mexico Is an ‘At-Fault’ State. What Does That Mean?
In at-fault states, the driver who caused the crash is responsible for paying damages. If the other driver is at fault, you can file a claim with their insurance company to recover compensation. Another option is to file a claim with your own insurance company. When you file a claim with your own insurance company, they typically seek reimbursement from the at-fault driver and/or their liability insurance company. You also have the option of filing a claim to recover damages.
How Much Time Do I Have to File A Claim?
The statute of limitations in New Mexico for filing a personal injury claim is three years. That is, you have three years from the date of the crash to conclude your claim or file against the at-fault driver for your injuries and damages. Filing in a timely manner is also important to ensuring that evidence and memories remain intact.
While three years might seem like a long period of time, it’s vital to discuss your claim with a trusted personal injury attorney right away. The sooner you contact them, the quicker they can begin investigating your accident and gathering time-sensitive evidence. If you have questions about a potential personal injury claim, seek advice from an accomplished Albuquerque attorney who can ensure your claim is filed in a timely manner.
The Other Driver’s Insurance Company Is Calling Me. Should I Talk to Them?
No. After the crash, you may receive calls from the other driver’s insurance company requesting you make a recorded or unrecorded statement. Do not make any statements to anyone other than police officers before speaking with an attorney. You may make a statement that appears to be incriminating that the insurance company can use against you. Right away, an attorney can support you during your claim and make sure you protect your legal rights.
Trucking Collision Cases
The Truth About Trucking Accident Cases and Victims’ Rights
Recovering from a commercial trucking accident can be a long and winding road. At the Sutten Law Group, LLC, we want to help you heal. Whether you were involved in a rollover, jackknife, or rear-end crash with a truck, we know how to build an impenetrable case. Our team can work with you at your own pace, ensure you receive maximum compensation, and explain the process from start to finish.
The Stakes Are High in Trucking Accident Claims
When commercial trucks crash into cars, injuries are often catastrophic, if not fatal. If victims do survive, they may face a long road to emotional and physical recovery. The amount of property damage can also be quite high. Many commercial trucking companies are backed by $1 million in liability coverage.
With the stakes so high, you should not expect the insurance company to hand over compensation without a fight. They may try and shift responsibility and say that you are at fault. That is why contacting our office in Albuquerque as soon as possible after a crash is of the utmost importance.
We Fully Investigate to Determine Who Is At Fault
While the insurance companies launch their own investigations, we can simultaneously start preserving evidence to prove fault. There are various pieces of evidence that can help to prove fault. These include photographs, video footage, black box data, logbooks, witness statements, maintenance data, personnel records, and more. We can also review the trucker’s qualifications to determine if they received the proper training and certifications to operate a commercial vehicle.
One or more parties may be at fault for the crash, including:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- Maintenance companies
- Shipping/receiving companies
- Parts manufacturers
We cannot always rely on the investigations conducted by insurance companies. We can bring all the facts to the table to paint a comprehensive picture to determine who should be held responsible.
Since these cases are complicated, can involve strict trucking regulations, and often include multiple at-fault parties, it’s vital to retain a seasoned lawyer to help. They can:
- Fully investigate your accident.
- Skillfully negotiate a settlement.
- Make sure you get the maximum compensation possible for your specific injuries and damages.
Recovery is often difficult to secure on your own, and an experienced Albuquerque attorney can provide invaluable assistance during this process.
Dog and Animal Bites
Some dogs and animals can exhibit aggressive and vicious behavior, especially if their owners fail to properly control them. If you need to discuss a dog bite that you or a loved one have experienced, an Albuquerque attorney can discuss your unique case and potential recovery for your injuries – both physical and psychological.
What Does the Future Hold After a Dog Bite?
In an instant, a family pet can turn on those around it and launch a vicious attack, leaving victims, especially children, with physical and emotional scars that can last a lifetime. They may no longer trust animals and even develop anxiety disorders.
The expenses to recover physically and emotionally can quickly inflate. We know the burden victims carry, and we want to do our part to relieve that burden.
Attorney Richard W. Sutten helps dog bite victims across New Mexico find answers and build their cases.
Who Is Responsible for A Dog Bite Injury?
While dog bites are often poorly addressed in our laws, their owners can still be held liable for injuries their dog(s) cause. Owners may be liable if they were aware that their dog was prone to attacking. Owners may also be liable if they behaved negligently and caused a dog with no violent history to attack. However, the dog owner may not be responsible if you knew that the dog could attack and you provoked it.
Put Your Well-Being First
Some victims feel hesitant to pursue a claim because they do not want to damage the relationship they have with the dog’s owner. The owner may be their neighbor, friend, or family member.
However, it is critical not to let this fear interfere with your rights as a victim. You should not feel a sense of guilt for seeking compensation. It is important to put your health and well-being ahead of your relationships and the way others might perceive you. An attorney can help you file a claim under their renters or homeowners insurance and take the stress off your shoulders. Once you discuss your bite incident, an attorney can determine the next steps and individual needs.
Why Should I Hire an Albuquerque Attorney for My Personal Injury Claim?
A personal injury claim may be intimidating to approach without experienced legal counsel. An attorney with extensive experience handling cases just like yours can walk with you throughout your case and positively impact the recovery amount you might expect. An attorney can assist you in the following ways:
- Negotiate with any involved insurance companies
- Gather relevant, admissible evidence to support your case
- Represent you at court appearances
- Ensure all recovery you’re entitled to is included in your case
- Maximize your chance for complete and fair compensation
- Include all potential parties that were at fault for your injuries
- Provide reliable legal help during the case and answer any questions you have
Even though it’s possible to negotiate your own personal injury recovery, it’s usually not recommended. An attorney can help you calculate the amount of financial recovery you might be eligible for to ensure that you are requesting the maximum amount possible for your situation.
For most cases, especially those involving complex legal issues or severe injuries, it’s important to consult a knowledgeable local attorney who can help calculate your damages and then seek a higher recovery amount than you would pursue by yourself. Also, if liability over who is responsible for personal injuries is unclear, an attorney can defend you by proving that liability belonged to someone else. Contact an attorney to protect your rights.
FAQs
In Albuquerque, personal injury attorneys rely on a variety of fee structures. Their fees usually depend on the complexity of your case and their level of experience. Many personal injury attorneys use a contingency fee, which means you would only pay them once they’ve won your case on your behalf.
If you’re considering a specific attorney, it’s important to discuss their specific compensation agreement. You can discuss their written fee agreement and anticipated costs during an initial consultation.
Many Albuquerque personal injury cases settle out of court for an agreed amount to compensate the Plaintiff for their injuries. Many cases settle because trials can be unpredictable, long, and costly. If you go to trial, many factors impact recovery, including the injury severity, who hears the case (a jury or judge), and the strength of the Plaintiff’s case.
If you’ve experienced a personal injury, consult an experienced Albuquerque attorney to discuss your recovery goals and maximize your recovery.
In Albuquerque, personal injury settlements can take a while to resolve. The time frame depends typically on the case complexity, as complex cases with more serious injuries or questions of fault can take longer to conclude.
A knowledgeable Albuquerque attorney can help investigate your specific case, discuss your financial recovery goals, and estimate how long it might take to fully compensate you for your injuries.
If you agree to settle an Albuquerque personal injury claim, it’s a formal, binding legal agreement. You can’t pursue any further legal actions against the parties that caused your injuries – even if your injuries later get worse. Once signed, your attorney usually receives a check, which is distributed to you after they deduct their previously agreed upon legal fees.
If you have other questions about the settlement process, an experienced Albuquerque personal injury attorney can help.
Your Path to Recovery Starts Here – Contact Sutten Law Group Today
If you’ve suffered injuries and are entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost income, property damage, or loss of consortium, please don’t hesitate to reach out. The personal injury team at Sutton Law Group can advocate on your behalf and compassionately listen to your unique circumstances. Your pursuit of justice is important to us, and we’re ready to help.
Contact us to schedule a free consultation. Located conveniently in Albuquerque near Interstate 25, we are here to help you move forward on your path to recovery.
