Albuquerque Uninsured/Underinsured Accident Attorneys

In New Mexico, all motorists are obligated to carry a minimum of $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident for bodily injuries and $10,000 for property damage. A frustrating reality is that many drivers in New Mexico violate the law by not carrying any automobile insurance coverage. Additionally, many insurance companies claim they do not provide coverage for reckless driving, such as drunk driving or racing. Even when drivers carry the minimum liability coverage, these minimums often fall short of providing full coverage for your personal injuries, especially with rising medical costs and severe injuries.

The purpose of Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage is to put the car accident victim in the same position they would have been in had the at-fault driver had liability coverage equal to the coverage of the accident victim.

Learn more about how we can help by contacting us online or calling (505) 806-1780 today. Our Albuquerque uninsured motorist accident lawyers are committed to protecting your best interests!

The Uninsured Scenario

The classic uninsured scenario occurs when an at-fault driver never purchased auto insurance. It also may arise through a hit-and-run crash when the at-fault driver cannot be identified. Sometimes insurance companies claim their auto policy does not cover punitive damages like drunk driving, which leaves the at-fault drunk driver uninsured for the damages he or she caused. If you purchased Uninsured Motorist Coverage, your insurance company steps into the shoes of the at-fault driver to cover your damages, including compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

What Are the Minimum Liability Insurance Requirements for New Mexico Drivers?

In order to lawfully operate a vehicle in New Mexico, you must have the following liability coverage:

• $25,000 to cover bodily injury/death per person
• $50,000 to cover bodily injury/death for two or more people
• $10,000 to cover property damage per accident

Drivers found to be without the proper insurance coverage may have their vehicle’s registration suspended until the proper coverage is implemented. Drivers are expected to return registration documents and their vehicle’s license plate within ten days of receiving notice. Failure to do so may result in additional fines and penalties.

The Underinsured Scenario

In underinsured cases, the at-fault driver has insufficient liability insurance to cover the victim’s damages. For example, let’s say your claim is worth $300,000 but the at-fault driver only carried the state-required $25,000 per person bodily injury limit. In this scenario, the at-fault driver is underinsured to you by $275,000 ($300,000 total damages minus $25,000 coverage). If you purchased $300,000 in underinsured coverage, your insurance company would need to fairly evaluate your claim and pay you the $275,000 underinsured amount.

What Happens When an At-Fault Driver Does Not Have Minimum Liability Insurances?

Under ideal circumstances, the insurance company for the at-fault driver would provide compensation for what occurred. However, not all drivers are responsible and carry the proper insurance coverage. When a driver lacks coverage, you should file a claim with your own auto insurer if you carry underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage. Martinez, Hart, Sanchez & Romero is ready to help investigate all available insurance coverage available to you.

Do You Need an Attorney to Help With Your Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage Claim in Albuquerque?

In Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage claims, your insurance company essentially steps into the shoes of the at-fault driver and defends against your damages. Having a legal team on your side to make sure your insurance company fairly and reasonably evaluates your injuries is critical. Our team at Martinez, Hart, Sanchez & Romero has a wealth of expertise to investigate ALL available insurance coverages to maximize your recovery. We commence every case by investigating whether or not an uninsured/underinsured scenario applies by reviewing your entire insurance policy and all paperwork from the insurance company. We then evaluate whether you should make a claim for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and, if so, we help you prepare the best claim for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

At Martinez, Hart, Sanchez & Romero, we diligently support our clients to ensure they receive fair compensation. If you suffered a crash, you need a team on your side. Please contact us today at (505) 806-1780 for more information or to schedule a consultation with our legal team.