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I Injured My Spine After Being Rear-Ended in New Mexico… What Now?

A spinal cord injury can be incredibly life-changing, and it can leave you with a wide array of different ailments that can permanently hamper your sense of well-being. Spinal cord injuries can result in: 

 

  • Lost of limb movement one or all of your limbs plus torso
  • Speech problems
  • Loss of bladder and bowel control
  • Depression
  • Respiratory issues
  • Muscle weakness
  • Extreme pain in the head
  • Migraines
  • Numbness in the torso
  • Loss of hand-eye coordination
  • Trouble balancing

 

Even a spine injury that may seem innocuous at first can result in a major issue down the road when it’s aggravated by sudden movement. 

 

If you’ve experienced a spinal cord injury after being rear-ended by someone here in New Mexico, you cannot afford to not seek compensation. 

 

New Mexico’s auto laws

 

Unlike a lot of states, New Mexico is not a “no-fault state.” In a “no-fault” state, most people involved in New Mexico car accidents are covered by legally required car insurance. In the Land of Enchantment, however, fault has to be determined in all car accidents. 

 

In general, there are two main types of cases when it comes to determining fault in a car accident: 

 

  • Clear liability
  • Contested liability

 

Clear liability is when the cause of the car accident is obvious, and the fault is put on one of the drivers based on that evidence. 

 

Contested liability is when the cause of the car accident is not obvious, and fault has to be contested in court. An example would be two drivers merging into the same lane and hitting each other. In this situation, determining who is at fault could be debated.

 

The good news for people who get rear-ended is that that a rear-ender is considered “clear liability” 99% of the time. 

 

Getting compensation

 

Before you consider getting compensation, it’s important to get yourself thoroughly medically assessed so you know the exact nature of your injuries. This will allow you to gauge what you need to be compensated for while providing you with the evidence needed to prove it in court. 

 

If you just have a minor injury, it may make sense to work out a compensation agreement with your insurance company. Conversely, if you have a life-altering spinal cord injury, a New Mexico attorney who is experienced both with auto accidents and spinal cord injuries is your best weapon in seeking justice. 

 

Victims of a rear-ender-related spinal cord injury can get compensation for medical and treatment expenses, lost wages, punitive damages like pain and suffering, and more depending on your situation. 

 

These are all things your attorney can guide you through. 

 

Do you need compensation for a rear-ender spinal cord injury in Albuquerque?

 

Don’t play around with your spine, contact The Law Office of Brian K Branch right away to get fair compensation for your injuries. 

 

715 Marquette Ave. NW

Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102

Tel: 505.764.9710

Toll Free: 888.972.1212

Fax: 505.764.9722