We all make questionable choices in our lives that can sometimes lead to unfortunate circumstances. When those decisions lead to injuries, we consider it a lesson learned and promise ourselves we will never be that foolish again. Lost wages from time off work and expensive medical bills are all the reminder we need to use better judgment in the future. But when someone else’s carelessness, negligence, or irrational decision-making is the cause of our pain and suffering, it is time to call in a personal injury lawyer.
There are several types of personal injuries. It is imperative to understand the parameters for each and how a personal injury lawyer can help if you are the victim in one of these scenarios.
The majority of personal injury cases filed in the U.S. Courts are for motor vehicle accidents and complaints charging damage caused by a motor vehicle. This involves drivers and passengers involved in motor vehicle crashes and pedestrians and bicyclists hit by motor vehicles. It some cases, it may also include accidents involving motor vehicles colliding with residential or commercial buildings and other personal property.
New Mexico has ranked in the top three of worst states for traffic accidents with drivers failing to follow motor vehicle code six times since 2011. From January through August 2020, the New Mexico Department of Transportation recorded 259 traffic accidents resulting in fatalities. Surviving family members of motor vehicle fatalities have the right to sue the liable party. But if you are a survivor living with serious injuries or permanent disabilities, you also have rights.
Here are the steps to follow if you are the victim of a motor vehicle accident to protect your rights:
Next to motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice is another common reason for victims to file personal injury lawsuits. Doctors, nurses, hospitals, and other medical providers and facilities are sometimes negligent in their care of their patients. If their carelessness causes you pain and suffering or causes temporary or permanent disability, you may have cause for filing a medical malpractice case.
Medical malpractice is complicated and involves different categories, including misdiagnosis, medication errors, injuries during labor and delivery, and even surgical mistakes. If you believe you are the victim of medical malpractice, follow these steps to ensure the best outcome in your case.
Getting hurt on the job is a scary experience, especially if the injury results in extended leave from work to recover or a permanent disability that may prevent your ability to return. Most injured workers are eligible for worker’s compensation benefits, which covers ongoing medical care and living expenses while you are off work. There are times when worker’s compensation is not adequate to meet needs and it is wholly appropriate to consider a personal injury lawsuit. Some examples of when it may be time to call a personal injury lawyer skilled in workplace accidents include:
Employers must ensure the workplace is safe. When they fail in their responsibility, call in the professionals at Romero Law for a free consultation about your rights.
Roughly 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year, with 800,000 of those bites requiring medical attention. With a U.S. population of around 328.2 million, that means that one out of every 73 people will be bitten by a dog each year.
Dogs are great friends and furry protectors, but they also can be a source of pain and suffering. Sometimes people are bitten due to their own negligence, which can include approaching a strange dog to interact with them without the owner’s permission. But other times, dogs bite because their owners have failed to train or contain them, especially in public areas. You are entitled to safety from other people’s pets. If you are bitten by a dog or other domesticated pet and have suffered severe injuries, contact Romero Law to review your rights.
No one expects to be seriously injured by a product they purchased in good faith. But it can and does happen. If you are the victim of a defective product, you have rights. There are three types of product liability claims under New Mexico law:
Property owners are legally required to keep their property reasonably safe for visitors. Businesses must maintain a safe environment for customers and employees, while residential property owners are expected to ensure safety for their guests and other visitors. One of the most common types of premise liability lawsuits is of the “slip and fall” variety.
In New Mexico, the onus falls on property owners to either maintain their property to ensure safety to visitors or provide ample notification of unsafe conditions. Failure to do either is grounds for a lawsuit if someone is injured on your property. Two kinds of injuries fall under premise liability laws:
The most important thing to understand about premises liability is that claimants must prove the property owner ignore unsafe conditions, and that negligence contributed to their injuries. Sometimes, a court will determine a premises liability case is the fault of both the plaintiff and the defendant. This is because New Mexico is a comparative negligence state. When this happens, the court will determine the percentage of fault assigned to each party, and the cost of damages will be split based on that calculation. For instance, if the court determines the defendant is 40 percent at fault for the accident that caused his injuries, he will be responsible for paying 40 percent of whatever damages the court assigns.
We entrust the care of our elderly loved ones to nursing homes every day. Sadly, not all facilities provide a safe and caring environment for their residents. If you or a loved one is seriously injured due to the negligence of nursing home staff or an improperly-maintained facility, give the team at Romero Law a call. We can review your case, help gather supporting evidence, and file a lawsuit or seek a settlement out of court for damages.
If you are the victim of a personal injury resulting from any of the above-described situations, reaching out to a personal injury lawyer is a wise decision. The knowledgeable team of personal injury litigators at Romero Law can walk you through the process to ensure the best possible outcome. Here is what you can expect if you contact our firm to represent you in a personal injury lawsuit.
Not all personal injury lawyers are the same. It is important to evaluate your personal injury law team and ask some important questions before agreeing to hire them to pursue your case.
We get it. Personal injury settlements and civil lawsuits are intimidating. That does not mean you should not pursue damages if someone else’s negligence or carelessness has caused you injuries or permanent disability.
At Romero Law, we will give 110 percent effort to achieve the desired outcome. We know what it takes to build a solid personal injury claim and will use our expertise to help leverage your demands. Our team will not rest until we have exhausted all available avenues for damages.
Contact us online or by calling 505-595-2100 to schedule your free consultation with a caring member of our legal team.
Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, Corrales, Belen, Los Lunas,
Bernalillo, Santa Fe, Los Alamos, Espanola, Socorro
The Law Office of E. Marvin Romero © 2023 - All rights reserved
Albuquerque Web Design by BK Design Solutions
DISCLAIMER: The use of this website, internet, or form for communication with the firm or any individual member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this website, internet, or form. This is an Attorney Advertisement and use of this website or the email links do not create an attorney-client relationship. You are not considered a client until Law Office of E. Marvin Romero accepts your case and a contract is signed. This website is intended for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing formal legal advice or solicitation.