CALL (800) 863-5312 TO SPEAK WITH SANTA FE PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS FOR FREE
If you have been injured due to someone else’s intentional actions or negligence, you may be able to pursue compensation for your losses. You probably have a lot of questions when it comes to your case. It’s important to weigh your options and learn what personal injury law is, the wide range of personal injury cases Zinda Law Group handles, and the benefits of hiring Santa Fe personal injury lawyers.
If you or a loved one has been injured due to the fault of another and would like to learn more about filing a claim, call Zinda Law Group at (888) 474-8098 for a 100% free case evaluation with an experienced Santa Fe personal injury lawyer.
WHAT IS PERSONAL INJURY LAW?
Personal injury law focuses on the disputes that arise when one person suffers harm as a result of another party’s negligent or intentional conduct. Under personal injury law, the party that caused the harm may be held liable for the victim’s injuries. As a result, the at-fault party or that party’s insurance company may have to pay money, also referred to as “damages,” to the injured person for costs incurred as a result of the injury.
An injury victim wishing to bring a personal injury lawsuit must be able to prove four key elements:
- The alleged at-fault party owed a duty to the victim
- The alleged at-fault party breached the duty
- This breach of duty caused the victim’s injuries, and
- The victim sustained some type of harm.
A personal injury case is usually initiated and handled by a personal injury lawyer who agrees to represent the victim in a civil court proceeding. The case may proceed to trial. At trial, the attorney needs to prove fault by a preponderance of the evidence if the victim is to be awarded compensation for the harm suffered. Alternatively, the parties may agree to a settlement. The settlement process involves back-and-forth negotiations between those personally involved in the dispute, their insurers, and attorneys representing both sides.
WHAT TO DO AFTER SUFFERING AN INJURY
Seek Medical Attention
The first and most important thing to do following an injury is to seek medical attention. Even if you think you did not suffer a serious injury, it may be helpful to get medical care, because some injuries take hours or days to manifest. Seeking prompt medical treatment may help expedite your recovery process.
Report the Accident
Next, you should report the accident. For example, if you were injured in an automobile accident, you should file an accident report with local law enforcement. Or, if you were injured while shopping at a department store, you should file an accident report with a manager or supervisor. Filing a report will create an official record of the accident, which may help strengthen your claim.
Document the Accident
Additionally, document all relevant evidence and paperwork related to the accident. This means creating and maintaining an organized file of every piece of important information regarding the accident. For instance, you should keep copies of photographs of your injuries, photographs of the area where the accident occurred, a copy of the accident report, and copies of all pertinent medical records.
Contact A Santa Fe Personal Injury Lawyer
Finally, consider discussing your case with A Santa Fe personal injury lawyer. A personal injury attorney will provide an initial consultation and offer helpful advice regarding your case. At Zinda Law Group, our Santa Fe personal injury lawyers are available 24/7 to speak with you.
OUR SANTA FE PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS SEEK MAXIMUM COMPENSATION FOR YOU
Compensation in personal injury cases comes in two forms: economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are damages that can be assigned a numerical value and are quantifiable. The primary forms of economic damages involved in most personal injury cases include:
- Medical bills
- Pharmacy bills
- Rehabilitation costs
- Lost income (present and future)
- Loss of earning capacity
On the other hand, non-economic damages refer to intangible losses that cannot be calculated on paper. Rather, non-economic damages are subjectively evaluated by the jury in a lawsuit. Types of non-economic damages in a personal injury case include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Disfigurement
- Disability
- Loss of consortium
Punitive damages are a third type of damages. They may be awarded to victims in personal injury cases where the at-fault party’s conduct was found to be especially reckless or intentional.
At Zinda Law Group, our team of personal injury lawyers takes the utmost pride in helping clients secure the compensation they deserve. Our attorneys will fight to protect your rights, making sure that you are compensated for all economic and non-economic damages.
Learn More: Santa Fe Truck Accident Lawyers
CASE RESULTS
$1,900,000
Personal Injury
$1,010,000
Motor Vehicle Collision
$1,250,000
Motor Vehicle Collision
$1,250,000
Motor Vehicle Collision
$1,310,000
Motor Vehicle Collision
$1,400,000
Motor Vehicle Collision
$6,500,000
Wrongful Death
WHAT SETS US APART
Zinda Law Group’s personal injury lawyers offer years of experience navigating personal injury cases to help protect our clients’ rights. Let us work for you while you focus on recovering from your injuries.
Top-Notch Client Service
Zinda Law Group’s personal injury lawyers ensure that every client receives personal, individualized service. From the initial consultation up to the end of the case, our attorneys are eager to help clients navigate the legal process. In fact, we have over 1,000 5-star reviews from clients.
Litigation-Focused Representation
Zinda Law Group’s attorneys are no strangers to the courtroom. We 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.
Experienced Negotiators
A critical aspect of handling a personal injury claim is being able to effectively communicate with opposing counsel, insurance companies, and third parties. Zinda Law Group’s attorneys are experienced negotiators and are comfortable dealing with insurance companies and claims adjusters on your behalf. Our team of attorneys will work to ensure that multi-million-dollar insurance providers do not take advantage of you.
No Win, No Fee Guarantee
Zinda Law Group also believes that an injury victim should never have to worry about being able to afford legal representation. That is why we offer 100% free consultations, and why you pay nothing unless we win your case. That’s our No Win, No Fee Guarantee.
Let A Zinda Law Group Personal Injury Lawyer Fight For you
Accidents happen, but no one should be left alone after an injury. If you would like to speak with an experienced Santa Fe personal injury lawyer, or to learn more about the claim filing process, call Zinda Law Group at (888) 474-8098 to receive your free case evaluation.
Common Types of Personal Injury Cases
Car Accidents
Car accidents are the most common type of personal injury cases. They often occur because a driver is distracted or under the .
Truck Accidents
Trucking is one of the most common jobs in the United States, but it is also a highly exhausting one. Truck drivers are expected to drive for extremely long hours. As a result, they may be sleep deprived. Sleep deprivation is a major factor for automobile accidents, and a vehicle as large as an 18-wheeler can cause massive damage if it crashes into other vehicles on the highway.
Bike Accidents
Bike accidents may occur because drivers do not pay attention to bicyclists on the road, or because both parties believed they had the right-of-way.
Motorcycle Accidents
are also unfortunately common. Motorcycles can be difficult for drivers to see and offer much less protection than a standard passenger vehicle.
Pedestrian Accidents
are susceptible to all sorts of hazards in the streets. Whether it be cars, bicycles, or even electronic scooters, pedestrians are not exempt from road injuries just because they may not be operating a motor vehicle.
Workplace Injuries
do not only occur in workplaces that involve physical labor. They can also occur in air-conditioned offices. Because New Mexico employers must have workers’ compensation because of the Workers’ Compensation Act, you may be unable to sue your employer if you get injured at the workplace. However, if your employer was grossly negligent, you may nevertheless be able to sue your employer.
Read More: Santa Fe Construction Accident Lawyers
Premises Liability
Generally, property owners owe a duty to people whom they invite a safe premise. If an accident occurs on their property, they may be liable for resulting injuries, depending on who was injured and whether the property owner knew or should have known about the dangerous condition.
Product Liability
Though we may not expect a product that we buy to harm us, have been known to cause severe injuries to their users. If you end up getting injured by a consumer product, you may have a claim against the company that made the product.
Dog Bite Injuries
New Mexico law implements the “one bite” rule for. This means that a dog owner may be liable for his or her dog only after the dog has had one incident of aggressively biting another individual.
Wrongful Death
Family members of a deceased accident victim may file when their loved one was killed by the negligent or intentional actions of another.
I had the best experience with the Zinda law Group! Shivangi Was the the most professional and caring attorney anyone could ask for! She did everything in a timely matter and answered all the questions I could ever think of. Her paralegal, Danielle was always there for me throughout the entire process. She worked around my schedule and was very consistent about helping me in any way she could. If I could give this team 6 stars I would!! I highly recommend to anyone looking for the best team! I had the privilege of working with Zinda Law Group recently and was thoroughly impressed with the level of service and support they provided. When we began, I had reservations about the likelihood of reaching a settlement, but the team's professionalism, intelligence, and dedication quickly put those doubts to rest. They went above and beyond to ensure that I was informed and comfortable throughout the process, and their hard work and strong advocacy ultimately led to a successful outcome. I cannot thank Zinda Law Group and their staff enough for their exceptional service and support, and I would highly recommend them to anyone in need of legal assistance. Their commitment to their clients and their willingness to fight for what's right truly sets them apart. In short, I give them a rating of five stars for their outstanding work. Zinda Law Group is amazing! My husband was in an accident and they made the process super easy and hassle free. They took care of everything, we are so appreciative for them! They exceeded our expectations. We will definitely be telling everyone we know about them. Thank you Zinda Law for everything! Zinda Law Group is an amazing firm! My case was not without its challenges, but they handled it all in stride. They kept me up to date, kept me informed every step of the way, and ensured I understood the process and all of my options. Burgess, Ryan and their extremely capable staff of Paralegals made a very challenging process as painless as possible. They were kind, compassionate, and patient, and just a real pleasure to work with. I would, and will, recommend them highly to anyone needing an attorney. My experience with Zinda Law Group was pretty awesome. I definitely would recommend their Law firm. Brendan and his team were very friendly, helpful and informative about my case and were able to win as well. I really appreciate all of their hard work and dedication, I highly recommend.Thank you all again for your help and your time.Sincerely,Pat.b I was very satisfied with the professionalism of my attorney and the paralegals, they helped me threw this accident and got me a great settlement, all while keeping me involved and informed. Zinda law group made me feel comfortable and I trusted them to fight for me. The trust was well placed! Thank Yous, I appreciate all that Yous done for me and my family!! I’ve had such a great experience with Zinda law group! They’ve handled everything relatively quickly and professionally. They really have made my life a lot easier. I recommend anyone dealing with auto accidents (or similarly) to Zinda Law group.I felt I was very important to them and that my feelings and thoughts were validated. They treated me with much care and respect, not like “just another client”. I couldn’t have asked for a better team. I truly recommend Zinda law group they truly helped me and my family during such a hard hard time. Very accommodating they work extremely hard to make sure that you are compensated from start to finish they made it happen and made a rough time a lot smoother than I could of ever imagined thank you all for everything if you are looking for a lawyer that goes above beyond look no further Michael will get you taken care of! Zinda Law did an excellent job for us from start to finish. They communicated clearly and their staff was great! My son Nic was in a car accident and had an injury to his eye. Zinda Law took care of everything start to finish and obtained the maximum amount possible from insurance for his injury. I am so glad I called Zinda law group. being hit by a drink driver was the worst experience of my life physically and emotionally. As soon as I reached out they got the ball rolling with all my medical needs. They were in contact with all of my appointments and made my recovery as smooth as possible. I would definitely without a doubt recommend them. A huge shout out to Shivangi for taking over and fighting for what my family and I deserved. My experience with Zinda Law Group has been OUTSTANDING! Big shoutout to Joe Caputo and his team!I was the passenger in a terrible car accident that left me needing medical attention. The person at faults insurance company reassured me that my medical bills would be taken care of. However, that was not the case. I started receiving multiple calls from debt collectors, and bill after bill by mail. The driver’s insurance company no longer returned my calls, and emails went unanswered. I was so stressed and over my head with how to handle the situation. It was time to call the pros! As soon as I made the call to Zinda Law Group, Joe and his team I were on it! I no longer received calls from debt collectors, so I knew action was taken immediately. I was informed every step of the way, and every call/email was answered. Had I called sooner, I would have never gone through all that stress. I was treated like a friend, not just a client.Thank you Zinda Law Group! I hired Zinda for a crazy situation involving an 18 wheeler where an object flew off a trailer and blasted through my windshield.I reached out to Zinda and spoke with Michael Cupero, my attorney at Zinda, after the accident once I realized this is affecting my day to day life in a significant way (PTSD from a "Final Destination" type of incident) and Michael was nothing short of fantastic through the entire process.The Zinda team, including Michael and Mary-Catherine Holt and several others, guided me through the entire process from initial settlement offers, filing the lawsuit, depositions, the whole 9.They listened to my concerns, provided clarity and perspective when needed, and not once did I feel that my best interest was not at the forefront of their actions and behavior through my experience as a client.Thank you Michael, Mary-Catherine and Zinda!If you want a team that will treat you with professionalism, respect, and understanding then do yourself a favor and reach out to Zinda! Extremely professional and communicative . They explained the process as we went along and made it very clear weighting pros and cons. They understood my pain and my worries but kept their expertise always on the top of things finding elements for me to win my case. I am thankful to have had Zinda Law Group to support me during those two years as it finalized and I can keep on living. My experience with Zinda law group has been wonderful from start to finish. Natasha and Emily explained everything very well and answered any questions I had, communicated well throughout the whole process , and handled the case very professionally, they worked very hard on my case I would definitely highly recommend to friends and family. I found myself in a situation where I needed legal representation. After looking over reviews in the area, I decided to contact Natasha at Zinda law group in the hopes that she could represent me . Natasha put me at ease with her responsiveness and her ability to accommodate my last minute needs. I had no idea what to expect. It felt like a wave of relief knowing that you're working with a professional that knows what she's doing, and knows how to get things done quickly and efficiently. I appreciate the time and attention that Natasha put into my case. I hope I won't be needing their services again in the future, but I would absolutely contact them again if I do. Thanks again I am very satisfied with the service and the outcome of my case.Since the first phone call, and every step of the way until the end, Zinda Law was on top of every detail pertaining to my auto accident case.The case is now closed, and looking back, they made every step of the process easy and manageable. They were very thorough in explaining the different scenarios, and extremely transparent with all the possible outcomes.Thank you to every person who aided in the success of my case, all of whom were exceptional in their tasks and working as a team. The Zinda Law Group was outstanding in helping me with my aunts case. My two Attorneys Neil and Shivangi were very compassionate, kind, eager to help, and really listen carefully and attentively to my case about my aunt. My aunt got hit by a driver while crossing the street and killed. I went after the guys insurance; although, this doesn't bring back my aunt, but allows for this not to happen to other people like this in her case. These attorneys worked very hard and efficiently to bring the justice that they saw fit. When I had a question they explained in terms I understood and not above and beyond me. I appreciate it when people can come down to my level and not intimidate and use trepidation on someone in feeling like they are the fly while they're the spider waiting for the right moment for the fly to walk into its web.Neil and Shivangi always whenever they called asked me how I was at the beginning of our conversations and is there anything I needed at the end of each call. Each call they made to me, was made very professional, personable and felt heart felt as if you were part of the family. At the end of each subject matter they always asked, "Do you have any questions for me before we go to the next thing we need to talk about?" They always wanted to make sure I understood everything before the next item we needed to talk about. These guys really are good and want to please the client anyway they can I thought; when I first started talking to them. I give them above and beyond a 5-Star rating if there was such a thing. I Highly Recommend The Zinda Law Group to Anyone who needs them. This is what I give them if I could!!💯💯💯💯💯 and👍👍👍👍👍 and⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐❗❗❗THANK YOU TO NEIL, SHIVANGI, MARA AND TO EVERYONE AT THE ZINDA LAW GROUP WHO WORKED ON MY CASE!! I APPRECIATE YOU ALL! I would like to recognize a fantastic attorney named Joe Caputo from Zinda Law Group. I was involved in an auto accident that had many complicated moving parts that were hard to navigate and understand as a victim. Joe was so gracious and spent quality time explaining what courses of action I needed to take as a victim to protect myself. Joe was also diligent in following up with me regarding my case and provided guides and checklists that were extremely helpful to keep things organized and moving. Joe was always readily available for my questions and responded promptly. Joe Caputo's excellent counsel ensured I protected myself when dealing with the opposing insurance company and ensured the best possible outcome for my case. Joe's expertise in personal injury lawsuits helped alleviate the stress and anxiety that follows the aftermath of an auto accident. Thanks again Joe! You are truly an amazing, kind person and attorney! Zinda Law was incredibly amazing. I had the pleasure of working with Michael and his incredibly hard working team after my wreck in November. They went above and beyond keeping up with my health, bills, insurance companies, all that fun stuff I had no time for. After what felt like such a short amount of time, they were able to win every last penny from the "bad guys" insurance (loved that term). I couldn't happier, and even though I went through something traumatic, it was still the best experience I could have ever asked for. Thank you Michael and everyone that helped with my case, yall are the best!! My attorney was Christina , she and her team gave me the best outcome for my case .I am giving an honesty review at first I was very upset because I kept getting moved around and I never knew who I was talking to because they switch attorneys and kept changing my paralegals.. I was going to go with another law firm but Christina helped me with my case from then on out and she worked around my schedule to talk to me which I appreciate. Also my last law firm took 30 percent, and this one took 33 percent which I wasn’t to happy so just a heads up. Overall I rate this 4 stars cause I’m just happy the case is over with and I get to go back to my life.Update: I just received another call from my attorney and they have worked to negotiate my case with the billing and have put more money in my pocket. All the money that I had spent while working on the case has came back to me. I can fully move on and say that I have gain every penny that was lose during those hard times. I’m so happy and thankful to Zinda law group!!!!!! Zinda Law Group did an excellent job with my case. The staff was super friendly and super effective as far as communicating with me throughout the entire case. I highly recommend Zinda Law Group for your next case and for any of your future cases. 5 Stars across the board thank you so much for everything! Joh Harper, Priyonka Bhikha, and the rest of the team gave my case a quick and satisfactory conclusion. The attorney, Mr. Harper did an absolutely amazing job keeping me on the same page as far as the case goes. Honestly, if anybody is hurt in a car wreck or another personal injury case, I WILL STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU SPEAK TO THEM. I was in a motor vehicle collision about two years ago. From the minute I picked up the phone to speak with a representative to the case finally settling, it was a great experience. I worked with Burgess Williams and his team (Kathy, Ryan, and Linda) throughout the process. They were all very professional and helpful when I needed them the most. Great Firm. I was in motorcycle accident- T-boned at a full stop with my daughter riding on back. Zinda's team was instantly responsive. Christina was very compassionate, organized and scheduled time before every legal event to discuss goals and overview. The process was 2 years but during that time the lawyers and staff (John and Shane were also great) were always available and understanding. The team is focused on doing what is right and by the book. I would highly recommend this firm to anyone who is suffering from a motorcycle accident. Jason Aldridge and his paralegal Mara did an absolutely amazing job on my case. They were very responsive to all emails, calls and even texts. They treated me with dignity and respect from start to finish. I never once felt like my case was at the back of the list or anything. Not only did they explain and walked me through everything, they got me the help I needed and a final outcome over what I had expected. I would highly recommend this law firm, Jason and Mara to anyone seeking legal assistance. Highly Recommended-100% Satisfied!.From the initial phone call I felt confident I chose the right firm. They explained the process and I was always in the loop, even when we were at a stand still. Very grateful I was quickly referred to them by a friend who had a similar case. Both of us are happy with the end result. Thank you! My team of lawyer were very professional and communicated extremely clearly. They kept me updated on their status and did not make me worry at all about my situation. They explained everything to me very well and put things into simple terms for my understanding. I am very satisfied with their performance. I would recommend them to anyone that's been involved in an accident and feels skeptical in engaging an attorney.When one gets into an accident, you're traumatized, confused, angry and helpless.That was me last year, getting all kinds of advice becomes your next norm, to use or not to use an attorney.I was in so much pain from my injuries but at the same time knew I had to act fast.I called Zinda Law Group for consultation, they took my case seriously and treated me with respect, they were very professional and understanding.Elizabeth, kudos to you, you're true to your word, Integrity should be your last name.Jason Aldridge my attorney went to work immediately, he assured me that all be well and I should concentrate on my healing and he will do the rest. Thank your Sir, You did just that.His team, Mara, Zuleyma and Andrew, they all become my support system, so professional and lots of respect in each and everyphone call or email. Thank you guys.I would recommend anyone to use Zinda Law Group. I honestly loved not dealing with the hospital bills while I was recuperating. It gave me peace of mind going through this process and Zinda took care of everything. They found awesome health providers for me and haven't had to worry about anything while they've been taking my case. I've been well informed, communicated with, responded to and understood by Zinda. They have been efficient and effective while working on my case and I'm so glad I choose to go with this law firm. When I was injured in a car accident in March of 2020 the insurance companies were not concerned with my well being. I called Zinda Law group & spoke with Reagan, who went over my concerns & later had Jono contact me. After reviewing my information with Jono my case was immediately put in motion. I worked mainly with Sam Thomas who truly was a blessing to me, he was very supportive & genuinely concerned with my well being, everything wasn't simply about the case it was about me being healed & getting the proper treatment that I needed. Sam was also emotionally supportive when I went through several losses in my family & is a great friend. In all everyone was extremely supportive & all worked for me which was quite a different legal experience for me from Law groups in my past. I was well supported, always informed, treated with respect & made the priority in all decisions. Zinda Law Group made sure I was compensated completely & that I didn't have financial stresses over hospital bills after all was said & done. Sam, Katrina, Mary Catherine, Reagan & Jono I just want to thank you & all of Zinda for the incredible experience & the wonderful caring people that you all are, you are truly Golden in your field. I am so glad I got in touch with Zinda! My car accident occurred just 4 days prior to moving, during the busiest week of the year at my job, and just a week before the quarantine was declared a new reality for all of us. Everyone at Zinda remained persistent, supportive, and most of all advocated for me throughout such a chaotic time. I’ll always be grateful for the care they took to make sure my health and well-being were taken care of. So super grateful to know that a split second mistake someone else made doesn’t have to dictate my life. Thanks! My experience with Zinda Law Group was better than expected. After an accident that totalled my car, I reached out and was paired with a wonderful attorney. She communicated frequently and responded to my calls and texts in a timely manner. She was friendly, knowledgeable, and answered all of my questions. I was kept in the loop during every step of the process. I would call Zinda Law if I ever need this type of support again. I had an excellent experience working with the attorneys at Zinda Law Group! They were knowledgeable, professional and patient. They walked me through every step of the long process of getting treatment after my car wreck and kept me updated with timeframes and next steps. I would absolutely recommend anyone working with them! I was referred here by a family member. Our lawyer jason and his team did and amazing job. They kept me updated in everything made sure I understood what was going on. My son was hit by a van in the hospital jason came right over. He's awesome so much down to earth straight forward. I would recommend him and his firm to everyone and I have thank you zinda but most of all thank you Jason for being there for us for being a friend Zinda Law Group was recommended to me from another satisfied client and I certainly received excellent service. The attorneys and staff are very proactive with communication and I knew every step of the way what was happening on my case. I never felt pressured with decision making and they went above & beyond to answer questions with satifactory explanations. This is a very professional group of attorneys & support staff. In addition, they were willing to meet me at a location more convenient for me. I appreciated their concern for my time. Could not speak highly enough of the firm. I was involved in my first accident and thankfully had Zinda Law Group supporting me through the scary time. Jono took care of me every step of the way. He made me feel like I was a priority through the entire process. A big thank you to Jono and the rest of the Zinda crew! ‹
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Common Injuries
Though different types of personal injuries can lead to different injuries, here are some common injuries that may occur from a personal injury accident.
What to Do After Being Injured in an Accident
1. Get Medical Attention
After an accident, you should get a medical examination. This is true even if you feel fine after the accident. Furthermore, receiving medical attention will document your injuries, which may be useful if you decide to file a lawsuit.
2. Gather Evidence and Receipts
If you can, take photographs of the scene of the accident. If there were witnesses, get their names, addresses, and phone numbers. You will also want to collect receipts of expenses that resulted from the accident. For instance, you will want to collect medical bills or repair bills.
3. Call a Lawyer
Even if you feel comfortable filing a personal injury claim on your own, you should ask an experienced lawyer for some advice. An experienced lawyer who has handled hundreds of cases like yours may be a valuable asset.
Whom Can I Sue for My Personal Injury?
In most cases, you will be able to sue the at-fault party or their employer for your injury. If the person directly responsible for your injury is your employer and you have workers’ compensation, you may only sue the employer if the employer was grossly negligent or intentionally caused your injury. Otherwise, you may be limited to filing a workers’ compensation claim.
Our Awards
AWARDED TO JOHN C. (JACK) ZINDA BY THE NATIONAL TRIAL LAWYERS ASSOCIATION (2016-2020)
AWARDED TO JOHN C. (JACK) ZINDA (2009, 2011-2012, 2014-2021), JOE CAPUTO (2019-2021), BURGESS WILLIAMS (2019-2020), & NEIL SOLOMON (2020-2021)
AWARDED TO JACK ZINDA (2016-2020), JOE CAPUTO (2016 – 2020) & BURGESS WILLIAMS (2016-2017)
LIFETIME MEMBERS JOHN C. (JACK) ZINDA & JOE CAPUTO
How to File a Personal Injury Claim
1. See if Your Insurance Company Can Cover Your Injuries
The person who injured you may not always have adequate insurance to compensate you for your injuries. In such cases, if you have insurance that covers your own injuries, you may wish to avoid the hassle of a lawsuit and simply get compensation from your insurance company.
2. Consult with Attorney
Minor injuries may not warrant acquiring a lawyer. If your accident was severe, however, you may wish to consult an attorney to help maximize your compensation.
3. Decide Whether to File a Lawsuit
Lawsuits are generally the last resort in a personal injury case. Many personal injury cases settle before a lawsuit is even filed, and they rarely go all the way to trial. If you are seeking compensation from another party, you may simply be able to file what is called a “third-party” claim against the party’s insurance carrier. If you don’t receive an adequate settlement through this process, then you may wish to file a claim in your state court.
Personal Injury Compensation
If you win a personal injury case, you may receive compensation for economic losses and non-economic losses. Economic losses are objective financial expenses. These include medical bills and lost wages. Non-economic losses are subjective and non-monetary. These include pain and suffering and disfigurement.
Dealing with Insurance Companies
1. Don’t Sign Medical Releases Provided by Another Party’s Insurance Company
When you get injured in an accident, the other party’s insurance company may contact you and ask you to sign a medical release. You should not sign any release because they will be able to access your medical records, and they may try to use the information from the records to dispute your injuries and avoid paying you any compensation.
2. Don’t Settle Your Claim Quickly
Though you may want to move on with your life after being involved in an accident, you may not want to move too quickly. Once a settlement is over, it is over for good. If you settle without fully evaluating your claim, you may be shortchanged.
3. Don’t Believe Insurance Claim Adjuster’s Value of Your Injuries
Because insurance companies need to make a profit, they will not always give you the amount of compensation you deserve. Thus, when a claims adjuster tells you how much your injuries are worth, take it with a grain of salt.
Read More: How to Calculate the Value of a Case
How Long Does a Personal Injury Claim Take?
A personal injury claim can take weeks or years. Every personal injury is unique, but there is a general timeline. Once you hire your lawyer, they may try to negotiate with the opposing party. Your lawyer may also file a claim in court. The lawsuit process will likely include discovery, which is a process where your lawyer will find and gather evidence to support your claim. The opposing party or their insurance company may make a settlement offer at any time throughout this process. If there is no settlement, your lawyer may represent you at trial. After the trial, if it was a jury trial, the jury will decide whether you are entitled to compensation, and if so, how much.
When Do I Hire a Personal Injury Attorney?
Not every personal injury case calls for a lawyer. If your injury is minor, for example, then you probably will not need to call a lawyer. Even if you have a viable claim against the other party, there may be no need to go through a costly legal process if your damages were not severe. On the other hand, if you received severe injuries, you may want to consider a lawyer to help make sure you are fairly compensated.
Before you call a lawyer, you should also ask whether your injury was caused by another individual. If you caused the injury yourself, then the strength of your claim diminishes. You should also ask how comfortable you are with the law. Though the law may sometimes seem straightforward, there are complexities that an experienced lawyer may be better suited to handle. In such cases, you should call a lawyer rather than attempting to file a lawsuit yourself.
What Is the Difference Between Personal Injury and Bodily Injury?
Bodily injury coverage and personal injury coverage differ in the individual that they cover. Personal injury coverage covers for your own personal injury or death, while bodily injury coverage covers for other people’s injury or death.
Statute of Limitations in New Mexico
If you decide to file a personal injury lawsuit, you have three years from the date of the injury to do so. It is important that you file before the three-year deadline passes because a court will not hear your case if you file past the deadline.
CONTACT A SANTA FE PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER
The experienced attorneys at Zinda Law Group may be able to help you with your personal injury claim. After an accident, you shouldn’t have to worry about affording legal representation, which is why we work on a contingency fee basis. You don’t owe us anything unless we win your case.
Call us today at (800) 863-5312 for a free consultation with one of our Santa Fe personal injury lawyers.
