Can I Still Sue if I Was Partially at Fault for My Injuries in New Mexico?

What should you do if you partially cause an accident? 

As mentioned above, it is extremely common for drivers to get into accidents. High-traffic areas such as highways and intersections are especially prone to crashes. Whether you are in a minor fender bender or a more serious accident, you should be prepared to handle any situation: 

• Report the accident to the police as soon as you can. An investigation officer will appear on the scene and collect information from you and the other driver or drivers involved.
• Keep your own personal record of the accident. Get the names and contact information of the other drivers involved as well as the names and contact information of any witnesses to the accident. Try to take pictures if possible.
• Seek medical attention as needed and keep a record of your medical bills and the time you have to take off of work as a result of the accident.
• Submit an online request for a copy of the accident report, which should be available a few days after the accident. Keep a copy of the report with other documents related to the accident.
• Hire a car accident lawyer. This is important not only so that you can focus on recovering from your injuries and getting your life back on track, but it also helps alleviate the risk of you doing or saying something that damages the strength of your case.

ways you could be partially at fault

You might be able to get an idea of your portion of the fault by reviewing these different causes of car accidents. Keep in mind that even if you are mostly at fault for an accident, you could still recover for your percentage of the damages.

It can be helpful to have a car accident attorney if you are involved in any of the following types of accidents, regardless of whether you believe that you or the other driver was more at fault. However, it could be especially beneficial for you to hire a lawyer near you if you participated in one of these behaviors.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving covers a broad category of actions. It includes anything that takes the driver’s attention away from driving. You probably associate texting and talking on the phone as forms of distracted driving, but it can also include eating and drinking, scanning through radio stations, and talking to passengers in the vehicle.

Speeding

The faster you are driving, the slower your reaction time will be by comparison. In addition to the proportional increase to the time it takes you to react, you also increase the distance it will take for your car to stop. Speed also increases the seriousness of injuries when you are in a crash since the vehicle has more momentum. 

Drunk Driving

In the United States, about 28 people die every day from drunk driving. If you drink and drive, you subject you and the other drivers on the road to impaired judgment, slower reaction time, and poor coordination. The national blood alcohol concentration (BAC) standard is .08%, which the average person with an empty stomach can reach after three to four drinks in one hour.

Reckless Driving

Reckless driving, sometimes called careless driving or dangerous driving, is another umbrella term that covers a wide range of actions. If you tried to race other vehicles, passed vehicles over a double yellow center line, or passed a stopped school bus, you probably engaged in reckless driving. The consequences of reckless driving vary with the specific charges, but it is possible to get jail time for some serious offenses.

Running a Red Light

It is common knowledge that it is illegal to run a red light in a car. Every driver should know that traffic cameras often take pictures of intersections and can spot your license plate if you participate in such a maneuver. It can be disastrous if a vehicle with a green light from another road begins its crossing as another vehicle ignores its red light.

Driving at Night

The nighttime significantly reduces visibility while driving. Not only do you have to rely on your car’s headlights, but you are also battling the blinding lights of oncoming vehicles and the lights in your mirrors from cars behind you. Driving at night can be disorienting, and you may need to be extra cautious to avoid accidents.