A drunk driving accident can change your life in an instant. What starts as a routine drive through neighborhoods like Nob Hill, the North Valley, or along busy streets like Central Avenue can turn into a nightmare when a reckless driver chooses to get behind the wheel while intoxicated.
If you or a loved one has been injured by a drunk driver, you may be eligible for compensation for your medical bills and other losses. An Albuquerque drunk driving accident attorney from Gauthier & Maier Law Firm, P.C., can help you rebuild your life. Our compassionate and experienced team is committed to pursuing justice on your behalf, ensuring that those responsible are held accountable, and securing fair compensation for the hardships you’ve endured.
Don't face this battle on your own. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn how we can help.
Why Choose Gauthier & Maier for Your Albuquerque Drunk Driving Accident Claim
When you’ve been through the trauma of a drunk driving accident, you deserve a legal team that truly understands your pain and fights relentlessly for justice. Gauthier & Maier Law Firm combines unmatched dedication with years of experience to deliver the support you need during this difficult time.
- Local Knowledge: Our firm is deeply connected to Albuquerque and New Mexico, giving us a unique advantage in handling drunk driving accident claims. We know the laws, the courts, and even the areas where these accidents frequently occur. This understanding helps us deliver strategic and effective representation.
- Proven Success: With a track record of securing life-changing verdicts and settlements, our attorneys have helped countless clients rebuild their lives. From the negotiation table to the courtroom, we have the experience and tenacity to secure the best possible outcome for your case.
- Client-First Approach: At Gauthier & Maier, you are more than just a case number. We take the time to listen, keep you informed, and ensure your voice is the priority. Every decision we make is guided by your needs and goals.
- Comprehensive Legal Care: From managing aggressive insurance companies to preparing for trial, we handle every detail so you can focus on healing. No matter how complex your case, we have the resources and skills to see it through.
Put your trust in a firm that puts you first. Gauthier & Maier is here to fight for your justice and peace of mind.
Should I Accept the First Offer from the Insurance Company?
Being injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver is both traumatic and disorienting. When bills begin piling up—from hospital care and physical therapy to property damage—you might feel tempted to accept the first settlement offer from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. But before you say yes, it’s critical to understand the tactics insurers use and why consulting an experienced Albuquerque drunk driving accident lawyer is crucial.
The Insurance Company’s Playbook
Insurance companies are not on your side. They are for-profit businesses whose primary goal is to save money—even if that means undervaluing or denying your claim. Some common tactics they use include:
- Offering Lowball Settlements Quickly: Right after the accident, an insurance adjuster may approach you with a settlement that seems reasonable at first glance. However, these early offers are rarely enough to cover the full extent of your personal injury damages, especially if long-term medical care or therapy will be required.
- Minimizing or Disputing Your Injuries: Adjusters might argue that your injuries aren’t as severe as you claim. They may use gaps in medical records or suggest that preexisting conditions are to blame.
- Pressuring You to Settle Before Consulting an Attorney: Insurers know that once you hire a skilled lawyer, your chances of securing a fair settlement increase dramatically. That’s why they push hard to secure a settlement before you’ve had a chance to explore your legal options.
Level the Playing Field with a Trusted Lawyer
Facing an insurance company without legal representation puts you at a major disadvantage. When you hire an experienced lawyer, they do the heavy lifting for you. They know the tricks insurers use and won’t fall for their tactics. Here’s how an experienced drunk driving accident attorney can protect you:
- They will thoroughly analyze the true value of your claim. From medical expenses to lost wages, ongoing therapy, emotional trauma, and beyond, they help ensure nothing is overlooked.
- They handle all communications with the insurance company. This allows you to focus on your recovery without being pressured or manipulated into making decisions against your best interests.
- If insurers refuse to negotiate in good faith, your lawyer will fight back. Whether it means filing a lawsuit or taking your case to court, they are not afraid to advocate aggressively for what you deserve.
Your future is too important to trust with anyone but a skilled attorney. Don’t settle for less than the full compensation you need to move forward.
Criminal Drunk Driving Charges vs. Personal Injury Claims
If the drunk driver who caused your accident was arrested and charged with a DUI, you might feel a sense of relief knowing that justice may be served through New Mexico’s criminal justice system. However, it’s important to understand that criminal charges are separate from your personal injury claim.
- Criminal Charges: When a driver is arrested for DUI, they face criminal prosecution from the state. If convicted, they could face penalties like jail time, fines, and license suspension. While these punishments serve to hold the at-fault party accountable to society, they don’t address the specific consequences you’ve endured as the victim of their actions.
- Personal Injury Claims: A personal injury claim is a civil process that allows you, as the victim, to pursue compensation directly from the at-fault party or their insurance provider. This compensation can cover medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages tied to the accident.
Even though criminal and personal injury cases are separate, they can intersect in ways that impact your claim. For example, evidence presented during the criminal case—such as blood alcohol levels or witness testimony—could strengthen your civil lawsuit. However, even if the at-fault isn’t convicted, you may still be able to recover compensation through a civil claim.
Who May Be Held Liable in an Albuquerque Drunk Driving Accident?
When a drunk driving accident upends your life, your focus should be on healing. Meanwhile, determining liability is a critical part of your legal claim. You may immediately think of the intoxicated driver as the responsible party—and often they are—but other individuals or entities could share the blame as well.
- The Drunk Driver: Without question, the intoxicated driver's decision to get behind the wheel is the primary cause of most drunk driving accidents. Their reckless behavior puts everyone on the road at risk, making them the first party held accountable for any injuries or damages.
- Establishments That Overserved Alcohol: New Mexico’s dram shop law may hold a bar, restaurant, or other establishment partially responsible if they served alcohol to the driver when it was clear they were already intoxicated. For example, if a bartender continued serving drinks to someone who was visibly impaired and that person caused an accident, the establishment could be liable for its role in enabling the situation.
- Other Contributing Third Parties: Liability can extend beyond the driver or establishments in some cases. For instance, a vehicle manufacturer could share blame if a mechanical failure contributed to the accident. Similarly, a party who loaned their vehicle to the drunk driver knowing they were intoxicated could also be deemed responsible.
An experienced lawyer can dig deep into the details of your accident, partnering with expert witnesses like accident reconstructionists, to ensure every accountable party is brought to justice.
What Compensation is Available to Albuquerque Drunk Driving Accident Victims?
The consequences of a drunk driving accident go far beyond physical injuries—causing emotional, financial, and often lifelong repercussions. A claim filed with the help of a skilled Albuquerque drunk driving accident attorney can help you secure compensation for a variety of damages, ensuring your injuries are not compounded by financial strain.
- Medical Expenses: From emergency care at the hospital to surgeries, physical therapy, assistive devices, and long-term treatment plans, your compensation can help cover all of your accident-related medical costs.
- Lost Income: If your injuries prevent you from returning to work, either temporarily or permanently, you are entitled to recover income lost due to your inability to earn a living. This also applies to reduced earning capacity if your earning potential has been impacted in the long term.
- Pain and Suffering: The emotional toll of a drunk driving accident is immeasurable. Compensation for pain and suffering addresses the mental anguish, depression, anxiety, and overall reduced quality of life you’ve experienced as a result of the crash.
- Property Damage: Most drunk driving accidents involve significant damage to vehicles and other personal property. Your claim can include reimbursement for repairing or replacing what was lost.
- Punitive Damages: Drunk driving cases often warrant punitive damages, which go beyond compensating victims and are designed to punish the at-fault party for particularly reckless conduct. These damages aim to discourage behavior like driving under the influence in the future.
An experienced attorney can identify the full spectrum of damages you're entitled to, helping you rebuild your life with peace of mind.
How Can a Lawyer Help with My Albuquerque Drunk Driving Accident Case?
Trying to handle the legal fallout of a crash while recovering from serious injuries can feel impossible. That’s where an experienced Albuquerque drunk driving accident lawyer steps in. Gauthier & Maier Law Firm provides the guidance, advocacy, and care you need in order to focus on healing while we manage every aspect of your case.
- Investigating the Accident Thoroughly: Our legal team examines every piece of evidence—from police reports and traffic camera footage to eyewitness accounts and crash scene reconstructions. If dram shop liability applies, we’ll also investigate how and where the driver was overserved.
- Communicating and Negotiating with Insurance Companies: Insurance adjusters don’t have your best interests at heart. They may prey on your vulnerability, offering a quick but grossly insufficient settlement. At Gauthier & Maier, we take over all communications with insurers, fighting tirelessly to ensure you receive the fair compensation you deserve.
- Building a Strong Legal Case: From gathering detailed medical records to securing expert testimony, we leave no stone unturned in preparing a solid case. Whether through aggressive settlement negotiation or courtroom advocacy, we make sure your voice is heard, and your hardships are acknowledged.
- Handling the Legal Details While You Heal: The legal world can be overwhelming, with deadlines to meet, forms to file, and legal jargon to decipher. We take care of it all—filing your claim, representing you in court, and keeping you updated every step of the way, so you can focus on yourself and your loved ones.
Having an advocate who truly cares makes all the difference. At Gauthier & Maier, our goal is not only to secure justice but to lighten the emotional and financial load on your shoulders.
Contact the Trusted Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers at Gauthier & Maier Law Firm Today
A drunk driving accident can turn your life upside down, robbing you of your health, emotional well-being, and financial security. You shouldn’t have to face this uphill battle alone. At Gauthier & Maier Law Firm, Our Albuquerque personal injury lawyers stand by drunk driving accident victims in Albuquerque and are dedicated to fighting for the justice and compensation you deserve.
Our firm handles every case with compassion, perseverance, and unmatched legal knowledge. When you choose us, you can rest assured that your story will be heard and your rights will be protected.
Time is critical in personal injury cases, so don’t wait to get the help you need. Contact us today at (505) 226-0009 or through our online form for a free, no-obligation consultation with a drunk driving accident attorney in Albuquerque to discuss your case and achieve the justice you deserve.