Stiver LawStiver Law2026-05-19T03:13:25Zhttps://www.stiverlaw.com/feed/atom/WordPress/wp-content/uploads/sites/1501959/2021/02/cropped-fav-icon-32x32.pngOn Behalf of Stiver Law<![CDATA[Think twice before accepting an insurance settlement in New Mexico]]>https://www.stiverlaw.com/?p=471142026-05-19T03:13:25Z2026-05-19T03:13:25ZAn insurance settlement offer may arrive before you fully understand your injuries or your rights. Signing too soon could cost you far more than you realize.
Why insurers offer settlements quickly
Insurance companies often send initial offers within days of an accident, and speed works in their favor. UnderNew Mexico's Unfair Claims Practices Act, insurers must handle claims fairly and promptly, though the same law prohibits them from misrepresenting facts to push a low payout. If an insurer knowingly does so, you may have a bad faith claim which could entitle you to actual damages, court costs and attorney fees.
What signing a release actually means
A settlement almost always requires you to sign a release. That document ends your right to seek more compensation. You should understand what you give up before you sign. A release typically closes your claim for:
Future medical costs: Treatment you need months or years from now.
Worsening injuries: Conditions that develop or worsen after the accident.
Lost income: Wages you may lose if recovery takes longer than expected.
Non-economic harm: Pain, disability and reduced quality of life.
New Mexico law gives you three years to file a personal injury claim. You do not have to rush.
Damages the first offer may not cover
Initial offers are often based on early medical records. Your full picture may not be clear yet. Some costs are easy to overlook:
Ongoing therapy: Physical or occupational treatment that continues for months.
Specialist care: Follow-up visits not reflected in early bills.
Property losses: Damage that appears after the initial estimate.
Insurers may not account for these items voluntarily. Calculating your total damages before responding to any offer can protect your position.
You may talk to an attorney before you decide
A serious accident can affect your finances, health and daily life for years. Speaking with a personal injury attorney before you respond to any offer may help you understand what your claim is worth. An attorney can review your motor vehicle accident case and explain how New Mexico's fault rules apply to your situation.]]>On Behalf of Stiver Law<![CDATA[What to do after a car accident in New Mexico]]>https://www.stiverlaw.com/?p=471052026-02-16T01:24:20Z2026-02-16T01:24:20ZA car accident can disrupt your health, finances and daily routine in seconds. The steps you take immediately after the crash can shape your physical recovery and protect your legal rights.
Prioritize safety and medical care
Check yourself and your passengers for injuries. Call 911 if anyone is hurt or if the vehicles create a hazard.New Mexico law requires you to provide your name, address and vehicle registration number to others involved. You must also show your driver’s license if requested and provide reasonable assistance to injured people underNMSA § 66-7-203.Seek medical care as soon as possible even if you feel fine. Some injuries may not show symptoms right away. A prompt evaluation creates a record that could support your claim.
Report the crash and gather evidence
Report any accident that involves injury, death or more than $500 in property damage. Call law enforcement to the scene and request a copy of the police report. Before anyone moves the vehicles, document critical details:
Vehicle damage: Take clear photos of all cars involved.
Road conditions: Capture traffic signs, signals and skid marks.
Driver information: Collect names, phone numbers, insurance and plate numbers.
Witness contacts: Ask for names and contact details.
This evidence may become important if fault is disputed. New Mexico follows a fault-based system, which means the driver who caused the crash may be responsible for damages.
Notify your insurance company carefully
Notify your insurance carrier within a reasonable time after the collision. Provide accurate and factual information about the date, location and circumstances of the crash.Avoid admitting fault at the scene or during early conversations with adjusters. Insurance companies can use your statements to shift liability or reduce compensation. Decline to give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer until you understand your rights.
Consider speaking with an attorney
A serious crash can leave you with medical bills, lost income and ongoing treatment needs. An injury claim can address economic losses and non-economic harm such as pain and loss of enjoyment of life.An attorney who handlesmotor vehicle accidents can review the facts of your case and explain how New Mexico’s fault rules may apply. Legal guidance may help you avoid mistakes that could weaken your position with insurers.]]>On Behalf of Stiver Law<![CDATA[How injury claims protect your whole family]]>https://www.stiverlaw.com/?p=471042025-11-20T19:53:29Z2025-11-20T19:53:29ZIf you get hurt in a serious car accident, you certainly feel the pain. However, there can be plenty of other people affected by a crash.
For instance, your kids feel the disruption to everyday life.. Your spouse picks up extra chores. A parent cancels shifts to drive you to appointments. Bills land fast. Tempers run short. This situation can test your whole household. A legal claim against a negligent party can support your healing and also steady the people who love you here in New Mexico.
Economic relief for real‑world bills
New Mexico law allows you to claim economic damages that you can count and prove with records. This money covers the costs that typically hit first and hardest. These costs often include:
Medical bills, rehab and medications
Lost wages and reduced earning ability
Medical travel and parking
Home help, childcare and meal services
Vehicle repair or replacement
These dollars help you heal and they help your family stay afloat. Your spouse or children may rely on that money to pay rent, cover household bills and handle childcare if you can’t.
Non‑economic damages for suffering
Money cannot erase pain, but it can honor the harm and the emotional toll of a serious accident. Legal claims can allow you to recover compensation to acknowledge pain and suffering, emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life. The law also recognizes loss of consortium, which protects the bond between spouses and close family members.These damages help you access counseling, family therapy and time off to rest. They also help your spouse and kids adjust to new routines, find respite care, and rebuild family life after the shock of a crash.
Punitive damages in extreme cases
Courts sometimes award punitive damages to punish and deter extreme misconduct, like drunk driving or street racing. Judges and juries use these awards only when evidence shows willful or reckless behavior.Punitive damages can add a layer of support and accountability on top of economic and non-economic damages. Awarding these to victims and families sends a message, which can bring a sense of closure to your whole family.No amount of compensation erases the pain of a serious car crash, but a legal claim can make it easier for you and your loved ones to recover and heal together.]]>On Behalf of Stiver Law<![CDATA[Car accident care: Medical support protects health and rights]]>https://www.stiverlaw.com/?p=471032025-08-28T08:44:10Z2025-08-28T08:44:10ZThe shock, confusion and stress caused by a car accident may leave you feeling unsure of what to do next. Amid the uncertainty, it can be easy to overlook your health. One of the most important steps is also one many delay: getting medical help. But prompt medical care is more important than you think. Understanding why medical care matters after a crash can help you take the right steps for both your health and your legal rights.
Why medical support matters after a car accident
Not all injuries show up immediately after a crash. Conditions such as whiplash, concussions or internal injuries may take hours or even days to appear. By seeing a doctor promptly, you give yourself the best chance to catch these problems early and prevent them from getting worse. Timely treatment not only supports a safer recovery but also creates an official medical record. Those records clearly link your injuries to the accident, making it easier to prove your case if questions arise later.
Protecting your rights in New Mexico
Insurance companies often check for gaps in treatment when reviewing claims. If you wait to see a doctor, they may argue your injuries were minor or unrelated. Getting medical help soon after a crash protects you from these claims.Strong records also matter under New Mexico law. The state follows comparative negligence rules, which means your claim may depend on solid evidence. Medical records are some of the strongest proof you can have.Here are a few types of medical records that may help your case:
Emergency room or urgent care visit summaries
Notes from doctors and other providers
Imaging results such as X-rays, CT scans or MRIs
Records from physical therapy or rehab sessions
Prescription records for accident-related medicine
These records show the scope of your injuries and how you treated them. Together, they protect your health and your legal rights.
How medical care and legal guidance work together
Getting medical support after a car accident is about more than managing the pain of an injury. It is about safeguarding your right to a complete recovery, both physically and financially.After getting medical attention, it is also wise to consult a personal injury lawyer. An attorney can guide you through your legal options and handle communication with the insurance company on your behalf. They also work to secure compensation for medical bills, lost income and long-term recovery. Having a lawyer on your side allows you to focus on healing while knowing your rights are being protected.
]]>On Behalf of Stiver Law<![CDATA[What happens if a worker is at fault for their on-the-job injury?]]>https://www.stiverlaw.com/?p=471022025-05-24T16:35:49Z2025-05-24T16:35:49ZFault usually doesn't matter after a work injury
The workers’ compensation program in New Mexico provides widespread protection for workers in a variety of different scenarios. Workers’ compensation benefits operate under a no-fault system. Fault does not influence eligibility for coverage or the amount of benefits that people receive.
Employees have no obligation to show that their employers caused their injuries through negligence or regulatory violations. They can receive benefits regardless of who was at fault. They also do not have to worry about losing their benefits or becoming ineligible because their employers can prove that they were to blame for the incident that caused their injuries.
There are a few exceptions to the no-fault rule, but they are relatively unusual. In cases where employers can show that workers were under the influence of drugs or alcohol and that intoxication caused work injuries, they could potentially justify fighting a claim.
Employers could also potentially dispute a worker's eligibility in scenarios where there is evidence that they injured themselves on purpose. When people hurt themselves due to mistakes, timing errors or similar issues, they can still qualify for workers’ compensation benefits.
Applying for workers’ compensation benefits can be a challenging process. Workers with questions about their rights may need help seeking coverage for their medical expenses and lost wages.]]>On Behalf of Stiver Law<![CDATA[Should drivers accept insurance settlement offers after crashes?]]>https://www.stiverlaw.com/?p=470982025-02-22T20:41:38Z2025-02-22T20:41:38ZInitial settlement offers are often low
A settlement may not be enough to help an injured person cover their medical bills, replace their lost wages and repair their vehicle. Insurance professionals understand that people are often desperate for financial support if they cannot work after a car crash. They also recognize that some people hire lawyers and intend to negotiate to secure as much compensation as they can.
Therefore, initial settlement offers tend to be somewhat low. Regardless of whether a driver carries a robust policy or the minimum coverage required by law, the settlement amount may be lower than the maximum amount of compensation available. There needs to be room for compromise during the negotiation process.
Making an offer below the total estimated cost of the crash and the policy limits is standard practice. The goal of the insurance professional is typically to reduce what the company pays and therefore protect its profit margins.
If people accept a first settlement offer, the company usually has no ongoing liability regardless of how many additional expenses may arise. Those pursuing car insurance compensation after a crash often need support when they estimate their expenses. They may also require assistance as they review and negotiate settlement offers.
Recognizing that a settlement may not fully cover car crash expenses can help people temper their enthusiasm and respond appropriately to an offer. Those with the right expectations and assistance can potentially optimize their financial recovery after a collision.]]>On Behalf of Stiver Law<![CDATA[Who chooses the doctor in a workers’ compensation case?]]>https://www.stiverlaw.com/?p=470962024-12-18T17:33:45Z2024-12-03T19:47:35ZEither party can make that decision
Both employers and injured workers can sometimes select the doctor treating an injured worker. The employer can choose and can communicate the selection of a physician in writing to the worker.
If the company fails to do so or provides written permission to the employee, then the worker can choose the doctor overseeing their treatment. Either the employer or the worker can request a change of physician when treatment has lasted for 60 days.
The ability to select the physician providing care or to request a change of physician can make a major difference for workers in need of treatment because of a work-related health challenge. In scenarios where there are disputes about what doctor should provide the treatment or the status of the claim because of a doctor's determinations, workers may need help getting the benefits they need.
Seeking support throughout the workers' compensation claims process can allow an employee to focus on healing instead of on bureaucratic red tape. An injured worker always has the option of partnering with a lawyer throughout the claims process or when issues arise to ensure they have the assistance they require to obtain appropriate benefits. Those with help can learn about their rights and rely on having support throughout the process.]]>On Behalf of Stiver Law<![CDATA[What should you do after a car crash in New Mexico?]]>https://www.stiverlaw.com/?p=470952024-09-01T22:39:09Z2024-09-01T22:39:08ZGather evidence
Getting evidence from the crash site is important, but only if it’s safe for you to do so. Ideally, you should get photos of the crash scene and vehicles involved. This may help to prove what happened. You should also try to get the other driver’s information. It can be helpful to have contact information for anyone who saw the crash as well.
Seek medical care
Seeking medical care is always important after a crash. Some people may need to receive medical care at the scene. Yet, even if you don’t need medics to come to the scene, you should still take the time to seek a medical evaluation after the wreck.
The symptoms of some injuries might take time to show up. Unfortunately, delays in treatment, possibly because no symptoms are immediately apparent, can allow many conditions to worsen.
Another important consideration is that medical records can be valuable if you opt to seek compensation or need to pursue an insurance claim. These records can tie the injuries to the wreck. Without clear medical records to this effect, those responsible for your harm can potentially argue that you sustained harm under alternative circumstances.
Obtain legal assistance
Once the immediate concerns are addressed, consider contacting a legal professional, especially if the accident caused significant damage and/or injuries. A lawyer can help you navigate the complexities of a case like this.
The process of seeking compensation can be difficult. Seeking legal assistance will allow you to focus on healing while your representative pursues justice on your behalf.]]>On Behalf of Stiver Law<![CDATA[What insurance protects workers hurt in on-the-job car crashes?]]>https://www.stiverlaw.com/?p=470942024-05-30T14:14:49Z2024-05-30T14:14:49Zserious source of injury risk and workplace fatalities. It only takes a moment of distraction or an encounter with the wrong person to leave someone with serious injuries. A crash that occurs while someone is technically at work could render someone incapable of continuing their employment until they heal. In some cases, they may require long-term treatment and may have persistent symptoms that linger for years. Those symptoms may affect their functional abilities and their earning potential.
How can workers cover the costs generated by collisions while they are on the clock?
Workers' compensation may be of use
Those expecting to use their basic health insurance after a car crash often receive a surprising reaction from the medical facility or insurance company. Specifically, they learn that health insurance does not apply if there could be available liability insurance to pay their medical bills instead.
In a car crash scenario, motor vehicle coverage usually pays for medical expenses instead of health insurance. When someone gets hurt on the job, workers' compensation coverage might pay for medical care. Although people may feel confused about benefit eligibility if a car crash occurs while they are on the clock, they typically have the option of pursuing workers' compensation coverage.
Any injury that occurs while working is potentially eligible for workers' compensation coverage, even if the incident occurred off-site. Employees can receive full medical benefits for their necessary treatment and also disability benefits if they require leave because of their injuries.
Sometimes, people supplement that coverage by also holding the driver at fault for the crash accountable. However, even if the employee was the one technically at fault for a crash, workers' compensation could still help them afford treatment and reduce the impact of their lost wages.
Those who are familiar with their rights under workers' compensation rules may have an easier time than the average person seeking the support they require following a collision. Connecting injuries to an incident at work can potentially pave the way to benefits for injured employees.]]>On Behalf of Stiver Law<![CDATA[3 major injuries people may overlook after a car wreck]]>https://www.stiverlaw.com/?p=470922024-02-24T23:23:59Z2024-02-24T23:23:59ZSoft tissue injuries
Soft tissue injuries, like whiplash, can range from minor inconveniences to debilitating medical conditions. More extreme cases can leave people unable to work and can cause chronic pain. Often, people do not notice soft tissue injuries right after a crash. Instead, they may only develop symptoms after they have gone home and slept. People often wake up the day after a crash with tight muscles or throbbing headaches related to soft tissue injuries.
Traumatic brain injuries
People sometimes hit their heads on the steering wheel or on the window next to them during a collision. Blunt force trauma to the head can cause bleeding and bruising inside the skull. So can aggressive motions, such as when a vehicle rolls over during a crash. Brain injuries do not always produce immediate symptoms. Instead, it takes time for the pressure on the brain to cause headaches, motor function challenges or sensory issues.
Internal bleeding
The very systems in place for someone's protection can sometimes cause injuries. The safety restraints in vehicles can dig into someone's abdomen during a crash and may cause internal bleeding. People may not notice internal injuries initially after a crash. Instead, it could take days before they lose enough blood to have noticeable symptoms or develop bruising and swelling related to those injuries.
Given how easy it is to overlook potentially life-altering medical issues, it is often wise for those involved in crashes to see a doctor as soon as possible after the collision occurs. Medical professionals can evaluate someone for otherwise invisible injuries and can recommend necessary treatment for the best medical outcome. Ultimately, being aware that people can have hard-to-notice injuries after a car crash may help someone better handle the aftermath of a recent car wreck.
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