Types of Car Accidents
On average, a motor vehicle accident occurs every 11 minutes in New Mexico, according to a recent Annual Traffic Crash Report prepared by the New Mexico Department of Transportation. A motor vehicle collision’s sudden force can cause catastrophic injuries, death, and drastic consequences to accident victims.
If you’ve been hurt in a car accident, the Albuquerque car accident attorneys at Parnall Law can help you get the compensation you need to cover your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. Attorney Bert Parnall is a former Albuquerque Bulldog who brings that same energetic spirit and ferociousness to negotiations and the courtroom. Our team fights aggressively to win the financial recovery our clients deserve.
Hurt? Call Bert. We offer a 100% client satisfaction guarantee. If you are not satisfied with our work during the first 30 days, you can take your file with you, no questions asked, and no attorney fees charged. Call or contact us online now for a free case review.
Most Common Types of Car Accidents
Some of the most common types of car accidents in New Mexico include:
Rear-end accidents – When a driver follows another motorist too closely or is not paying attention, a rear-end collision can occur. The injuries that result can be substantial. This type of accident commonly results in whiplash, back injuries, and facial injuries.
Head-on collisions – Head-on collisions are one of the most dangerous types of accidents that can occur. This type of accident commonly results from a driver going the wrong way down a street or from a distracted or fatigued driver crossing the median. Oftentimes, head-on collisions lead to catastrophic injuries or even death.
T-bone accidents – Also referred to as side-impact crashes, T-bone accidents often occur when a driver does not yield to another car at an intersection. T-bone accidents also often result from a driver making an improper turn. Because there is less structural reinforcement on the sides of a car, T-bone accidents often result in serious injuries.
Rollovers – A rollover happens when a car rolls over onto its side or ends up on its roof. Rollovers are among the most dangerous types of car accidents and tend to have a higher fatality rate than other types of crashes. While rollovers often involve just a single vehicle, frequently, another driver is responsible for the accident. For example, a driver could suddenly swerve or change lanes to avoid hitting a careless driver, only to wind up rolling over.
Single-vehicle – Single-vehicle accidents are accidents that damage only one vehicle. As with rollover accidents, the driver of the vehicle involved in the accident is not always responsible for the accident. An accident could be caused by another driver’s negligent actions, or by other circumstances, such as a road defect or a defective vehicle. Passengers who are hurt in a single-vehicle accident may be able to make a claim against the insurance policy that covers the driver.
Primary Causes of Car Accidents
Determining the cause of a car accident is crucial to finding out who was at fault and obtaining fair compensation from them. Sometimes, multiple factors can lead to a car accident, such as when one driver is distracted, and another driver is speeding. These situations can lead to multiple parties being at fault in an accident.
The most common causes of car crashes in New Mexico are:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Driver fatigue
- Reckless driving
- Tailgating
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI)
- Changing lanes in an unsafe manner
- Failing to yield to another driver
- Failure to obey traffic signs or lights
- Improper or illegal turns
- Failure to adjust speed for inclement weather
- Hazardous roadways
- Auto defects or poor maintenance
- Medical emergency
Types of Injuries in Car Accidents
When you are injured in a car accident, you may be entitled to significant compensation. The amount of compensation you can seek will largely depend on the extent of the injuries you suffered in the accident. Some of the most common types of injuries that people sustain in motor vehicle accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Neck injuries
- Whiplash
- Nerve damage
- Spinal cord injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Amputations
- Fractures
- Internal injuries
- Crush injuries
- Paralysis
- Facial injuries, scarring, and disfigurement
- Skin lacerations and avulsions
- Burns
How a Car Accident Lawyer at Parnall Law Can Help You
Accidents will happen, especially in Albuquerque. According to the New Mexico Department of Transportation, Albuquerque, by far, had the highest number of crashes of any city in New Mexico. If you were injured in a collision, the highly knowledgeable car accident lawyers at Parnall Law can help by:
- Conducting a full investigation into the accident.
- Determining the cause of the accident, who is at fault, and what sources of compensation are available.
- Assembling and reviewing all available evidence, such as police reports, medical records, and eyewitness testimony.
- Hiring experts who can provide opinions and testimony that support your case.
- Negotiating with all parties involved and their insurance companies.
- Representing you in court, if necessary.
You have a limited amount of time to take legal action if you were hurt by someone else’s negligence. In New Mexico, you only have three years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. It can be even shorter in some circumstances, such as if you need to make a claim against a government entity. An experienced New Mexico car accident lawyer can review the circumstances surrounding your claim and explain what compensation might be available to you.
Hurt? Call BERT Today
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, the New Mexico car accident lawyers at the Parnall Law are ready to help. We will evaluate your case, determine what you are owed, and fight for fair compensation at the negotiating table or at trial. We are prepared to do whatever it takes to see that justice is served. Call or contact us online now for a free, no-obligation consultation.