Hit & Run Lawyer in Hobbs, NM

Legal Obligations After Car Accidents in New Mexico

According to New Mexico law, drivers have certain obligations they must fulfill after an accident. These laws include the following:

• Stopping Your Vehicle Immediately – N.M. Stat. § 66-7-201 states that any driver involved in an accident resulting in injury or death must stop their car and remain at the scene.
• Duty to Give Information & Render Aid – N.M. Stat. § 66-7-203 states that drivers in accidents causing injury or death must provide their name, address, and registration number of their vehicle and their driver’s license. Additionally, drivers must provide reasonable assistance to injured individuals, which might include carrying them.
• Provide Immediate Notice of the Accident – N.M. Stat. § 66-7-206 requires anyone involved in a car accident that causes injury or death to notify the police “by the quickest means of communication.”
• Submit a Written Report – If police do not respond to the scene to write a police report, N.M. Stat. § 66-7-207 requires you to submit a written report of the accident within five days. If the police arrive at the scene and write a police report, they must submit their report 24 hours after the accident.

Hit & Run Penalties in New Mexico

Drivers who commit hit-and-run accidents could face harsh penalties. Perpetrators could be charged with a fourth-degree felony for fleeing the scene of an accident and failing to fulfill the legal requirements mentioned above.

If an individual knowingly fails to stop after an accident, their charges upgrade to a third-degree felony. Drivers who fail to stop after an accident that doesn’t cause injury or death only face misdemeanor charges.

What to Do After a Hit & Run Accident

The moments after a car accident are crucial for your claim’s success, especially in the case of a hit-and-run. Here’s what you should do if you’re involved in a hit-and-run accident: 

• Stay at the Scene – Don’t attempt to chase after the fleeing driver. You don’t know what the other driver is capable of, and you could risk putting yourself in unnecessary danger. Further, leaving the scene of an accident is illegal, and you could face criminal charges.
• Call 911 – You might have suffered severe injuries that require immediate medical attention. Remain at the scene until help arrives. When the police arrive at the scene, they will investigate the accident and submit a written report that can be used as evidence in your case.
• Gather Information – To ensure you have the best chance of recovering from the at-fault party, you must provide the investigating officers with as much information as possible. Knowing the at-fault car’s make/model, color, license plate number, or what the driver looks like could help authorities find who’s liable.
• Talk to Witnesses – Depending on where the accident occurred, several witnesses could provide valuable information. They might be able to confirm the car’s make/model or other characteristics that could identify the at-fault party.
• Contact an Attorney – No matter how you choose to pursue compensation, a hit-and-run lawyer can help you gather evidence, identify the at-fault parties, and file a successful claim with the insurance company.

How to Recover Compensation After a Hit & Run

In a typical car accident, you would pursue compensation from the at-fault driver. However, if the liable party flees and authorities can’t find them, you must pursue compensation another way. Luckily, two types of insurance coverage could help you obtain the funds needed to cover your expenses.

These types of insurance include the following:

• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: Hit-and-run accidents are treated like accidents involving uninsured drivers. In this case, you would file a claim with your own insurance company to cover your damages.
• Collision Coverage: This insurance coverage helps you pay for car repairs regardless of who’s at fault.

Need Help After a Hit & Run Accident? Call Kemmy Law Firm

A hit-and-run accident can feel like a helpless situation. However, all is not lost; there are still ways to recover even if you can’t sue the at-fault party. When you hire Kemmy Law Firm, we’ll conduct our own investigation and collect the evidence you need to ensure your claim’s success.

Contact our family of hit-and-run car accident lawyers today at (575) 222-8549 for a free consultation.