Las Cruces Uninsured Motorist Lawyer

Uninsured Motorist Attorney in Las Cruces, NM

Another driver’s insurance coverage should not be what stops you from getting the compensation you deserve after an accident. When filing a claim against an uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM), a skilled Las Cruces uninsured motorist lawyer can fight back against insurance companies to secure compensation. Our team can also help you understand New Mexico negligence laws and how they impact your recovery options.

Why Choose Us?

Berenson & Associates, PC, has over 25 years of experience in fighting for justice. An experienced Las Cruces car accident lawyer possesses a deep understanding of uninsured motorist laws. Our firm can provide personalized attention and skilled guidance throughout each step of the claims process. We can also offer certified accident reconstruction services, which can identify the cause of a crash and who may be held liable for your damages. By choosing our firm, you can leverage the benefits of accident reconstruction in New Mexico personal injury cases to build a stronger claim.

Understanding New Mexico’s Uninsured Motorist Laws

Whether driving downtown around Main Street or on I-10, accidents can happen anywhere. While drivers should have insurance to cover the cost of an accident, many Las Cruces drivers do not. In New Mexico, 24.1% of drivers are uninsured, which is the second-highest rate in the United States.

New Mexico requires drivers to have insurance coverage to pay for damages a victim suffered during an accident, such as covering the cost of medical care or vehicle repairs. New Mexico law requires drivers to carry insurance that meets the state’s minimums of:

• $25,000 per person for bodily injury
• $50,000 per accident for bodily injury
• $10,000 per accident for property damage

If insurance challenges are standing between you and your recovery, you should hire an uninsured motorist lawyer who can navigate the process of filing a claim. New Mexico law protects your right to file a claim for damages in an uninsured motorist accident. You could claim compensation through your own UM/UIM coverage, negotiate with an underinsured motorist’s insurance provider, or pursue litigation against the at-fault driver.

How Can UM/UIM Coverage Help You Claim Compensation?

After an accident, the at-fault driver’s insurance provider can cover the cost of your damages up to the coverage limits. However, in about 20% of accident claims that involve injuries, the at-fault driver’s insurance does not cover the total cost of the damages. If this is the case, your lawyer can work with your own insurance provider to get you compensation.

If you are in an accident with an uninsured motorist, you could obtain compensation through your own insurance policy’s UM/UIM coverage. This type of coverage is included in most insurance plans, but it can be opted out of. If you have UM/UIM coverage, your insurance can provide the compensation that the at-fault driver’s insurance should have provided, or it can make up the difference between the compensation you need and what the other driver could pay.

Factors That Influence the Amount of Compensation You May Recover

The level of compensation you get depends on the severity and scope of the damages you suffered from an uninsured motorist accident. Our legal team can provide personal injury settlement amounts examples in New Mexico to give you a clearer picture of how these claims are valued. Common damages include:

• The cost of medical treatments. Emergency medical services, hospital stays, medications, and ongoing medical treatments can all be expensive. The cost of medical services can be included in your compensation.
• The cost to repair or replace damaged property. Often, personal property, including your vehicle, bicycle, clothing, and other valuables, is damaged during an accident. The cost of repairs or replacements can be covered by compensation.
• Pain and suffering. Car accidents are traumatic. Compensation is often increased for severe pain or psychological disorders, such as PTSD or anxiety, caused by the car accident.
• The amount of lost income. Sometimes, your recovery may force you to take time off work. Compensation can reduce financial hardship by recovering the cost of lost wages.

Why You Should Hire an Uninsured Motorist Lawyer

A Las Cruces car accident lawyer can fight against insurance providers and hold the at-fault driver accountable. When filing a claim, a skilled lawyer can:

• Use their knowledge of insurance laws and uninsured motorist laws to bolster your case.
• Calculate the losses you have suffered.
• Gather evidence from the accident and of your damages.
• Negotiate with insurance companies for an increased settlement.
• Handle communications with the insurance company and the at-fault driver.
• Represent your case in court.

FAQs

What Types of Evidence Can Be Used in an UM/UIM Claim?

The evidence that can be used in a UM/UIM claim can include anything that proves who was at fault in an accident, such as police reports, dashcam or security camera footage, and witness statements. Berenson & Associates, PC, can offer certified accident reconstruction services that can identify who caused an accident. Evidence that proves what damages you suffered, such as medical records, receipts for vehicle repairs, or pay stubs, can all be used in a UM/UIM claim.

Do You Have to Go to Court for a UM/UIM Claim?

No, in most UM/UIM claims, you do not have to go to court. Often, your uninsured motorist attorney can negotiate a settlement with the at-fault driver and your insurance provider. However, litigation allows you to seek compensation if a settlement cannot be reached during negotiations. An attorney can represent your case and secure full compensation for your losses.

What Happens If an Uninsured Driver Gets Hit by an Insured Driver in New Mexico?

If an insured driver hits an uninsured driver, the insured driver’s insurance coverage can be used to pay for damages the uninsured driver faces. Since New Mexico is an at-fault state, the at-fault driver’s insurance is used to pay for a victim’s damages, which protects uninsured motorists after an accident.

How Soon Should You Contact an Uninsured Motorist Lawyer?

You should contact a lawyer as soon as possible after a crash, especially if you learn that the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured. By hiring a lawyer early in the investigation, they can collect evidence to enhance your claim. They can also gather documents to prove the damages you have suffered.

Speak With a Las Cruces Uninsured Motorist Attorney Today

If you are involved in an accident where the at-fault driver is an uninsured or underinsured motorist, it can leave you worried about whether you can get the compensation you deserve. Contact Berenson & Associates, PC, to learn how our experienced attorneys can navigate complex insurance challenges to bring you compensation.