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Albuquerque Catastrophic Injury Lawyers
When a catastrophic injury occurs in Albuquerque, it can alter a person’s life in ways that are often both sudden and severe. These injuries are not only physically traumatic but also emotionally and financially overwhelming. Catastrophic injuries often arise from incidents like car, truck, and motorcycle crashes, as well as workplace accidents, falls, and cases of medical malpractice.
Buchanan Law Firm, LLC is dedicated to supporting victims of these life-altering events by providing skilled representation to help them seek full compensation and move forward.
Understanding Catastrophic Injuries
Catastrophic injuries are defined as those that cause lasting or permanent physical or cognitive impairments, such as spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, severe burns, amputations, and internal organ damage. These injuries typically require extensive medical care and may limit an individual’s ability to return to work, perform daily tasks, or engage in hobbies they once enjoyed. The financial burden of these injuries often includes immediate medical costs as well as long-term expenses related to rehabilitation, adaptive living arrangements, and continued therapy.
Causes of Catastrophic Injuries in Albuquerque
In Albuquerque, catastrophic injuries frequently result from high-impact or dangerous situations, including:
- Motor Vehicle Crashes: Car, truck, and motorcycle crashes are among the most common causes of catastrophic injuries. High-speed crashes and those involving large commercial vehicles can lead to severe trauma, particularly for motorcyclists who have limited protection.
- Workplace Accidents: Industries like construction, oil, and manufacturing are known for their heightened risk of serious injuries due to heavy machinery, dangerous equipment, or hazardous environments. Workers can suffer life-changing injuries when employers or third parties fail to uphold safety standards.
- Medical Malpractice: Mistakes made by healthcare providers during diagnosis, surgery, or treatment can lead to devastating injuries that may require lifelong care. Misdiagnosis, surgical errors, and medication mistakes are among the most common types of medical negligence.
- Slip and Fall Accidents: While falls might not always seem dangerous, a significant slip and fall can result in serious head trauma, spinal injuries, or fractures, especially for older individuals or those with pre-existing health conditions.
Statistics on Catastrophic Injuries in Albuquerque
Albuquerque experiences a high volume of serious crashes each year, reflecting the potential risk for catastrophic injuries in the area. According to the New Mexico Department of Transportation, crashes involving large vehicles and high speeds are particularly prevalent on major highways like I-40 and I-25. With thousands of traffic injuries reported annually, many involve severe trauma, which underscores the need for comprehensive legal support for those affected. Additionally, Albuquerque’s growing construction and industrial sectors add to the frequency of workplace accidents.
Pursuing Compensation for Catastrophic Injuries
Due to the extensive nature of these injuries, compensation for catastrophic injury claims can be higher than for other types of injuries. This compensation is meant to cover the full spectrum of medical expenses, rehabilitation, lost wages, and pain and suffering. At Buchanan Law Firm, LLC, we prioritize accurately assessing both immediate and future needs, working with medical and financial experts to determine the true cost of your injury. This careful calculation can help ensure that our clients receive the resources they need for long-term care.
Types of Compensation Available
Victims of catastrophic injuries in Albuquerque may be eligible to seek compensation for:
- Medical Expenses: This includes immediate hospital bills, ongoing treatment, surgery, medication, therapy, and any future medical needs related to the injury.
- Lost Income and Reduced Earning Potential: Severe injuries often prevent victims from returning to work, either temporarily or permanently. Compensation may account for lost wages and any future loss of income.
- Pain and Suffering: Victims of catastrophic injuries often endure not only physical pain but also emotional distress and psychological trauma. These non-economic damages may be significant in catastrophic cases.
- Adaptive Modifications: For those with permanent injuries, home modifications, adaptive equipment, and personal care services can become essential parts of daily life, and compensation may cover these costs.
Why Choose Buchanan Law Firm, LLC?
Buchanan Law Firm, LLC has a strong commitment to delivering effective representation for catastrophic injury victims in Albuquerque. We recognize the unique challenges these cases present and focus on providing compassionate support as well as strategic legal counsel. Our Albuquerque-based team is deeply familiar with local courts and has a proven record of success in handling complex injury claims, including those involving severe, life-changing injuries. By working with us, clients can feel confident that they have an experienced advocate ready to fight for the compensation they deserve.
What Should I Do after a Crash or Other Incident That Causes a Catastrophic Injury?
First and foremost, seek immediate medical attention and follow up with all recommended treatments. Documenting your injuries and obtaining medical records is crucial for building a strong legal case. Gather evidence from the scene, such as photos, witness statements, and crash details, if possible. Contact an experienced catastrophic injury lawyer to discuss your options and ensure your rights are protected from the beginning.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Catastrophic Injury Claims in New Mexico?
In New Mexico, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is typically three years from the date of the incident. However, this timeline can vary based on factors such as the specific circumstances of the injury or the age of the victim. Consulting a lawyer as soon as possible is recommended to ensure you don’t miss this critical deadline.
Can I Still Seek Compensation if My Catastrophic Injury Occurred at Work?
Yes, even if your injury was workplace-related, you may have options beyond workers’ compensation. If a third party, such as a contractor or equipment manufacturer, contributed to the injury, you may be able to file a separate personal injury claim. Buchanan Law Firm, LLC can assess your situation to determine the best course of action.
How Does Buchanan Law Firm, LLC Handle Catastrophic Injury Cases?
Our team takes a comprehensive approach to catastrophic injury cases, conducting in-depth investigations and consulting with medical and financial experts to build a strong claim. We negotiate aggressively with insurance companies and prepare each case as if it may go to trial, ensuring we are ready to fight for maximum compensation.
What if the At-Fault Party Does Not Have Enough Insurance to Cover My Expenses?
If the responsible party’s insurance is insufficient, we will explore additional sources of compensation. Depending on the circumstances, this may include underinsured motorist coverage, other policies, or third-party claims. Our priority is to help you secure the financial support you need.
Contact the Albuquerque Catastrophic Injury Lawyers at Buchanan Law Firm, LLC for Dedicated Representation
If you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury due to a crash, medical malpractice, or another serious incident, Buchanan Law Firm, LLC is here to help. The Albuquerque catastrophic injury lawyers understand the physical, emotional, and financial impact of these injuries, and we are dedicated to helping you pursue the compensation necessary to support your recovery. Call us at 505-900-3559 or complete our online form to schedule a free consultation. Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, we serve clients in Santa Fe and the surrounding areas.
We Prepare Each Case for Trial
We prep every case as if it will be going to trial. There is no better way to make sure you get the compensation that you deserve than to be ready to fight for you and exhaust all legal remedies. Some firms shy away from trial, we embrace it.
This is a Team Effort
We recognize that every legal matter is different. We’ll listen carefully to learn the details of your situation, as well as your goals. We’ll keep you involved and informed at all times, making certain you know where you stand, what your options are, and your likelihood of success.
We Will Be Straight With You
Whether it is about the value of your case, or how good or bad the evidence is, we will tell it to you straight. We want to help you make the best decisions about your case by giving you the information you need.
We have recovered tens of millions of dollars for our clients.
Hospital negligence resulted in catastrophic injury. This was a case involving a patient who entered the hospital for routine observation but left the hospital with catastrophic and permanent injuries due to neglect and improper treatment. This case involved extensive expert testimony on all aspects of the client’s care, both by hospital administration, hospital employees, and contractors who were involved in her treatment.
Semi-truck negligence caused wrongful death. This case involved a semi-truck driver who was intoxicated on illegal substances and killed our client. The key to this case was both aggressive discovery work, and understanding the trucking laws that regulate truck drivers and motor carriers, so we could prove how reckless it was to put the driver on the road that day.
Semi-truck negligence caused catastrophic injury. This case involved a semi-truck driver who lost control of his vehicle in a high-traffic area, causing devastating injuries to our client. We were able to reconstruct every step of the events leading up to the crash that day to piece together why this happened, using sophisticated experts in reconstruction engineering.
Semi-truck and corporate negligence caused wrongful death. Our client died as a result of the defendant’s negligence in parking a commercial vehicle. The key to this case was understanding trucking regulations and local ordinances at play to show how the situation should have been handled safely.
Semi-truck causing wrongful death. This sad case involved the tragic death of our clients when a semi-driver was high on illegal substances. The key to this case was working closely with law enforcement and our reconstruction expert to identify all of the assets we could recover for these clients so that they could be as fully compensated as possible.