If you were injured due to someone else’s negligence in New Mexico, you have the right to pursue compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Personal injury claims can be complex, and insurance companies routinely fight to minimize what they pay. Zinda Law Group’s New Mexico personal injury attorneys handle every stage of your claim. Call today for a free case evaluation — you pay nothing unless we win.
Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle in New Mexico
Zinda Law Group represents injury victims throughout New Mexico across a wide range of accident types. If another party’s negligence caused your injury, contact us for a free consultation.
Car Accidents
Car accidents are one of the most common sources of serious injury in New Mexico. Our attorneys handle crashes involving distracted driving, drunk driving, speeding, rear-end collisions, head-on crashes, and pedestrian knockdowns. Visit our New Mexico car accident lawyer page for detailed information.
Truck Accidents
Crashes involving commercial trucks, 18-wheelers, and delivery vehicles often cause catastrophic injuries due to the size and weight of the vehicles involved. These claims may involve the truck driver, the trucking company, and the cargo loader. Visit our New Mexico truck accident lawyer page for more information.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcyclists have no structural protection in a crash and are highly vulnerable to serious injury. Our attorneys handle motorcycle accident claims throughout New Mexico, including crashes caused by driver inattention, unsafe lane changes, and road hazard defects.
Wrongful Death
When a person dies because of another party’s negligence, surviving family members may bring a wrongful death claim under NMSA 1978, Section 41-2-1. Recoverable damages include medical and funeral expenses, lost financial support, and loss of companionship.
Premises Liability and Slip and Fall
Property owners in New Mexico have a duty to maintain reasonably safe conditions for visitors. When a hazardous floor, broken staircase, inadequate lighting, or unsafe condition causes a fall, the property owner may be liable. New Mexico courts recognize different duties owed to invitees, licensees, and trespassers. Our attorneys evaluate the specific circumstances of your visit to establish the applicable duty.
Accidental Shooting
Accidental shootings can occur through negligent firearm storage, improper handling, or inadequate security at a property. When a gun owner fails to secure their weapon and someone is injured as a result, a negligence claim may arise. Property owners who invite others onto their premises may also bear liability when inadequate security contributes to a shooting.
ATV Accidents
New Mexico’s diverse terrain makes it a popular state for off-road and ATV recreation on public lands managed by agencies including the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service. ATV crashes can involve operator negligence, equipment defects, or dangerous trail conditions maintained by a property owner or public agency. ATV accident claims may run against private individuals, rental companies, or government entities.
Brain Injury
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are among the most serious and costly consequences of any accident. A TBI can result from a car crash, a fall, a workplace accident, or any forceful blow to the head. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognizes TBIs ranging from concussions to severe injuries causing permanent cognitive or physical impairment.
Long-term costs associated with TBIs — rehabilitation, in-home care, cognitive therapy, and lost earning capacity — must be fully documented and quantified as part of any damages claim. Our attorneys work with medical experts and life care planners to capture the complete financial impact of a brain injury.
Burn Injury
Severe burns can result from car crashes, fires, chemical exposure, scalding liquids, electrical accidents, and gas explosions. Third- and fourth-degree burns require extensive medical treatment, skin grafts, and long-term rehabilitation. Burn injury claims may arise under premises liability, product liability, or general negligence depending on the cause. Compensation can cover medical expenses, future care costs, scarring and disfigurement, and the significant pain and suffering these injuries involve.
Daycare Injury
New Mexico childcare facilities are licensed and regulated by the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD). When a child is injured at a daycare facility due to inadequate supervision, unsafe equipment, or negligent staff, the facility and its operators may be liable. Claims can cover the child’s medical treatment, pain and suffering, and long-term effects of the injury.
Drowning and Near-Drowning Accidents
Drowning accidents most frequently occur at private pools, public pools, lakes, rivers, and irrigation canals. Property owners who maintain bodies of water or swimming facilities have a duty to secure the area and warn of hazards. A near-drowning event can cause severe brain injury from oxygen deprivation even when the victim survives. New Mexico has significant waterway activity along the Rio Grande and at lakes including Elephant Butte and Cochiti.
Gas Explosions
New Mexico’s oil and gas industry, combined with aging utility infrastructure, creates risk of gas explosions and fires in residential, commercial, and industrial settings. Gas explosion claims can involve utility companies, pipeline operators, appliance manufacturers, and property owners. Zinda Law Group has recovered over $2.6 million for one gas explosion victim in New Mexico, as reflected in our case results.
Hunting Accidents
New Mexico is one of the country’s top hunting states, with seasons managed by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. Hunting accidents involving negligent discharge of a firearm, unsafe tree stand conditions, or failure to identify a target before shooting can give rise to a personal injury claim. Injured hunters and bystanders may recover compensation from the negligent party.
Ski Accidents
New Mexico is home to major ski resorts including Taos Ski Valley, Ski Santa Fe, Angel Fire Resort, Red River Ski Area, and Sandia Peak. New Mexico’s Ski Safety Act (NMSA 1978, Sections 24-15-1 through 24-15-14) defines the respective responsibilities of ski area operators and skiers. Operators must maintain equipment, mark hazards, and operate lifts safely. When an operator’s negligence causes injury, a personal injury claim may be available despite the inherent risks that skiers assume.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can result in partial or complete paralysis, requiring lifetime medical care, home modifications, and personal assistance. These injuries frequently arise from car crashes, falls, diving accidents, and workplace incidents. The financial impact of a spinal cord injury can reach several million dollars over a lifetime. Our attorneys build comprehensive damages claims that account for future medical costs, lost earning capacity, and the permanent impact on a victim’s quality of life.
Zantac (Ranitidine) Product Liability
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recalled all ranitidine products, including Zantac, in April 2020 following findings that the drug could generate NDMA, a probable human carcinogen, at levels above acceptable limits. Individuals who took ranitidine products and developed cancers including bladder, colorectal, esophageal, kidney, liver, or stomach cancer may have a product liability claim against the manufacturer.
The federal multidistrict litigation (MDL) for Zantac claims was centralized in the Southern District of Florida. Individual state court cases continue to proceed. Applicable deadlines vary by state and specific circumstances. Anyone with a potential Zantac claim should contact an attorney promptly to evaluate their options before any statute of limitations expires.
Zipline and Adventure Tourism Accidents
Zipline operators, adventure parks, and outdoor recreation businesses in New Mexico owe a duty of care to participants. This includes properly maintaining equipment, training staff, and warning guests of known hazards. When a harness failure, platform defect, or operator error causes injury, a negligence or product liability claim may be available. Liability waivers signed at adventure parks are not always enforceable, particularly when the operator was grossly negligent.
What to Do After a Personal Injury in New Mexico
The steps you take after an accident directly affect your ability to document your injuries and recover full compensation. While each case differs, the following steps apply across most personal injury situations.
Seek Medical Attention
In a case where you sustain serious or catastrophic injuries, you will likely receive emergency medical treatment, whether at your workplace, a motor vehicle accident scene, or some other location where you are hurt. In other cases, you may not receive immediate treatment; however, you should still see a doctor as soon as you can, so they can assess and treat your injuries.
After leaving the hospital or doctor’s office, seek treatment for any pain or symptoms you notice in the days following the accident. You shouldn’t ignore any new symptoms or signs of injury. This is because some injuries may not be immediately apparent.
Report the Incident
After an accident, you should report it to the appropriate authority. For example, with a car or truck accident, you should call local law enforcement and file an accident report. Likewise, you should notify your supervisor if you are injured at work.
An official incident report can strengthen your claim as it will contain important information about what took place.
Document Your Damage
You may have been badly hurt or too flustered to take photos of the damage at the accident scene. However, as soon as possible, be sure to take photos of the damage you sustained.
This could include photos of your injuries, damage to your vehicle, and other losses that a personal injury can cause.
Keep Track of Your Expenses
Keep all receipts, bills, and paperwork related to your accident. To recover the full compensation you may be owed, we must document how the injury has affected you financially.
Relevant documents could include:
- Medical bills
- Physical therapy bills
- Chiropractor bills
- Official documentation of missed work to your injuries
- Receipts for the repair or replacement of items damaged during the incident
Contact a New Mexico Attorney
If you have suffered harm due to another party’s negligence and plan on seeking compensation, you must file a claim or lawsuit against the person who caused your injuries. An experienced personal injury attorney can walk you through the necessary steps.
This may include:
- Ensuring you receive necessary medical treatments
- Investigating the incident
- Interviewing eyewitnesses
- Ordering official accident reports
- Negotiating with insurers
- Reaching a fair settlement agreement
- Filing a lawsuit (if your case doesn’t settle)
- Fighting for you in court (if your case goes to trial)
Our personal injury attorneys understand that an injury can leave victims with questions about their case and their next steps. We want to be here to explain your rights, address your concerns, provide updates on your case, and help you recover the compensation your case warrants.
You May Be Entitled to Compensation for Both Economic and Non-Economic Damages
Some injuries are minor and can be remedied with aspirin and ice packs. On the other hand, many injuries are serious and require expensive medical treatment. The costs associated with hospital stays, prescriptions, rehabilitation, and lost wages can add up quickly. In addition, non-economic losses such as pain and suffering can be just as devastating.
If your injuries were caused by the negligence of another individual or company, you may be entitled to a settlement or court award for your damages.
For instance, if someone ran a red light and crashed into your car, you may have sustained whiplash, broken bones, or even a traumatic brain injury. You could seek compensation for the actual costs you incurred as well as the non-monetary losses you suffered due to the injury’s impact on your life.
Whether you suffered a catastrophic injury or something minor, our law firm is here to help. Our New Mexico attorneys can gather the facts of your case and provide you with a free consultation. This consultation is the first step in protecting your rights so you can recover as much as possible.
Why Hire Our Law Firm?
Pursuing a personal injury claim on your own can be difficult, especially when facing insurance companies with teams of adjusters and defense attorneys. Fortunately, the New Mexico attorneys at our personal injury firm are ready to advocate for you. Our team has experience in protecting the rights of injury victims and helping them pursue the compensation they are entitled to.
In addition to years and years of experience, our team of New Mexico personal injury lawyers offers the following:
- Exemplary client service: From your initial consultation to the resolution of your case, our attorneys are here to help you navigate the injury claim process. We are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
- Extensive resources: Our personal injury law firm has the resources to build a solid case. We can handle all aspects of your claim, conduct thorough interviews, hire expert witnesses, and use the latest technology. All this is done to put you and your claim in the best position possible.
- Experienced trial lawyers: Our New Mexico attorneys have years of experience litigating personal injury cases from beginning to end. Because we treat every case as if it is going to trial, we give your case the attention it deserves.
The Personal Injury Claims Process
After a serious accident, the path to compensation may seem unclear. Our attorneys handle each stage of the process on your behalf.
Contacting an Attorney
The first step toward filing a personal injury claim against a person or company following an accident is to contact an attorney.
Because personal injury cases often involve complex legal issues, such as New Mexico’s pure comparative negligence rule (NMSA 1978, Section 41-3A-1) and vicarious liability, consulting an attorney before making any decisions is strongly advisable.
When you contact us, a lawyer may speak with you in person or over the phone to collect important information regarding your case.
The Investigation
The next phase in the personal injury claim filing process is an investigation. During this phase, your attorney may build the strength and credibility of your case by conducting a thorough investigation into the matter. This may include interviewing witnesses, reviewing company documents, and tracking down other relevant evidence.
The investigation may also involve accounting for your damages, such as medical bills, lost wages, and property damage.
The Negotiation, Litigation, and Case Settlement or Verdict
You, your attorney, and the at-fault party or the at-fault party’s insurance company may discuss your compensation demands. During this process, your attorney will negotiate for a fair settlement.
If the insurance company refuses to pay an adequate amount, you and your attorney may choose to litigate your claim in court. If necessary, your lawyer may initiate the formal process of filing a personal injury lawsuit. If your case doesn’t settle during this stage, your attorney will represent your best interest by presenting your case before a judge and jury.
Time Limit for Filing a Personal Injury Claim in New Mexico
Under NMSA 1978, Section 37-1-8, most personal injury claims in New Mexico must be filed within three years of the date of injury. Different deadlines may apply when a government entity is involved — claims against state or local government must first go through a notice-of-claim process under the New Mexico Tort Claims Act (NMSA 1978, Sections 41-4-1 through 41-4-29) with much shorter notice windows.
Missing the filing deadline typically results in losing the right to seek compensation entirely. Contact an attorney as soon as possible after your injury to protect your options.
How Much Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Cost?
When you’ve suffered a personal injury in New Mexico, the last thing you want to worry about is the cost of hiring a lawyer. However, at Zinda Law Group, we understand that financial concerns can add to the stress you’re already experiencing. That’s why we work on a contingency-fee basis for personal injury cases.
What does this mean for you? For one thing, you don’t have to worry about paying any upfront fees or hourly rates. Everyone deserves access to justice, regardless of their financial situation. With a contingency-fee arrangement, our payment is contingent upon the successful outcome of your case. We only get paid if we secure a favorable settlement or verdict for you.
By offering our services on contingency, we can level the playing field and allow you to seek fair compensation without the burden of upfront costs. Our priority is to help you recover physically, emotionally, and financially from your injury, and we will do everything in our power to fight for your rights.
During your free consultation with our New Mexico personal injury lawyers, we will discuss the details of your case and the potential value of your claim. However, there is no obligation to move forward with us at that point unless you want to.
Our Personal Injury Lawyers Serve All of New Mexico
Our New Mexico personal injury attorneys serve clients statewide, including:
- Albuquerque
- Santa Fe
- Las Cruces
- Roswell
- Farmington
- Rio Rancho
Contact Us Today!
If you are interested in pursuing legal action, or if you are interested in learning more about your rights following an injury, contact the experienced New Mexico personal injury attorneys at Zinda Law Group. Our lawyers are ready to assist you and can provide the compassionate client care and aggressive representation you need.
While you focus on recovering from your injuries, our team will work tirelessly to protect your rights. If you have questions regarding your potential injury claim, we have answers. Call or complete the online form today to receive a free case evaluation with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys.
