Hobbs Car Accident Attorney
Thousands of people every year are injured or killed in car accidents in the United States. When you’re in a car accident that isn’t your fault, the first thing to do after taking care of yourself is to hire a car accident attorney from Stout & Stout Lawyers. Without representation, it can be extremely difficult to get the compensation you need to make yourself whole again after an accident.
At Stout & Stout Lawyers we know what it takes to win and we won’t let insurance companies try to take away the compensation you deserve. Without an experienced Hobbs personal injury lawyer on your side, it can be extremely difficult to fight back against the insurance company and their legal team to get what you deserve.
Managing your case takes a lot of knowledge and experience and no one should have to go through the process alone. Our car accident lawyers are dedicated to being there for our clients throughout the entire process from filing your lawsuit to going to trial. Call our Hobbs car accident attorneys today for a free consultation.
Hobbs Car Accident Lawyers With Proven Experience and Results
Mark & Drew Stout have over 70 years of combined experience representing seriously injured Hobbs car accident victims in Lea County and throughout New Mexico.
Their case results include a fatal car accident settlement in New Mexico worth over $2,000,000 where the negligent driver fell asleep at the wheel and ran over and crushed a sedan.
Stout & Stout Lawyers have also helped a head-on collision victim receive over $2,000,000 in car injury compensation for severe lower extremity injuries, multiple compound fractures, and severe lacerations.
If you’re looking for Hobbs auto-accident lawyers with proven experience helping car crash victims recover multi-million dollar injury settlements, contact Stout & Stout lawyers today for a free consultation.
Common Causes of Hobbs Car Accidents
Car accidents in Hobbs happen for a variety of reasons, and understanding the common causes behind collisions that lead to personal injury claims can give injured parties an idea of whether they may have a case or not. Common causes include:
Distracted Driving
While cell phone use and texting get most of the attention, distracted driving often goes much further. Adjusting the radio, eating breakfast during a morning commute, using a dashboard GPS, or simply being lost in thought all create moments of inattention. In a split second, a momentary lapse becomes a life-changing crash, especially on fast-moving or heavily trafficked roads.
Aggressive and Impatient Behavior
Road rage, tailgating, illegal passing, and rolling through stop signs are all too common for drivers in a hurry or frustrated with traffic delays. This type of aggressive driving significantly raises the risk of T-bone collisions at intersections or rear-end accidents at red lights.
Impaired Driving: Substances and Fatigue
Drinking and driving remains a frequent problem across all areas of the country, especially on weekends and holidays. However, impairment can also come from prescription drugs, fatigue, and over-the-counter substances. Driving while impaired in any way can lead to serious accidents.
Poor Roadway Design and Hazardous Conditions
Many accidents trace back to factors other than negligent drivers, such as but to the area’s weather, outdated traffic signals, potholes, unclear lane markings, or lack of proper pedestrian crossings. Poor weather conditions can also reduce visibility and traction, leading to multi-car pile ups or vehicles running off the road.
Inexperienced or Unfamiliar Drivers
It’s not uncommon for drivers from out of state or young, inexperienced motorists to struggle to navigate local streets, unfamiliar detours, or work zones. Mistakes like turning the wrong way, hesitating at confusing intersections, or missing yield signs can all contribute to accidents that might have been preventable with better preparation or signage.
Vehicle and Equipment Failures
Neglected brake systems, worn-out tires, out-of-service headlights, or even manufacturing defects can lead to disaster, especially at night or when driving at high speeds. Both commuters and commercial drivers often overlook regular maintenance, raising the probability of an unexpected mechanical failure at exactly the wrong moment.
If you’ve been injured in a local crash, working with an experienced attorney who can determine the cause of the accident and who is at fault is crucial for your recovery and fair compensation.
Types of Car Accident Damages You May Recover
3 types of damages may be recovered in a Hobbs car accident case. Our attorneys will work to gather evidence and facts for your case to recover damages in the following categories.
Economic Damages – Economic damages are those financial damages you incur as a result of your injuries in the car accident. This includes expenses related to medical treatment, bills for travel, legal expenses, lost wages for past and future, household expenses, property damage, and lost potential to earn. Proof of these damages will come in the form of receipts for expenses, bills, and check stubs.
Non Economic Damages – Non economic damages refer to the non financial cost of the accident. Things like pain and suffering are also eligible for compensation as well as mental anguish and suffering and the loss of relationships. These damages can be more difficult to prove but can be granted based on victim and expert testimony.
Punitive Damages – Punitive damages are different from other forms of compensation. Punitive damages are awarded to the victim by the court in order to punish the at fault party as a way to deter future behavior. In cases where the at fault party is deemed reckless or extremely negligent, the courts have the ability to award punitive damages to the victim in an amount in accordance with state law.
How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Hobbs, NM?
In Hobbs, New Mexico, you generally have three years from the date of your car accident to file a personal injury claim.
Actions must be brought… for an injury to the person or reputation of any person, within three years
Missing this deadline almost always means you lose your right to seek compensation. But there are exceptions that can either extend or shorten this time frame. Here are some of the most important circumstances to know:
Discovery Rule
If you didn’t know right away that you were injured or that someone’s negligence caused your injury, the statute of limitations shouldn’t start to run until you discover or reasonably should have discovered your injury and its cause.
In actions for relief, on the ground of fraud or mistake, and in actions for injuries to, or conversion of property, the cause of action shall not be deemed to have accrued until the fraud, mistake, injury or conversion complained of, shall have been discovered by the party aggrieved.
Minors (Under 18) and Those With a Disability
For injured accident victims who are under the age of 18, the clock also pauses. A minor can file a claim one year after turning 18. A disabled person can file a claim within one year of the disability being removed.
The times limited for the bringing of actions by the preceding provisions of this chapter shall, in favor of minors and incapacitated persons, be extended so that they shall have one year from and after the termination of such incapacity within which to commence said actions.
Claims Involving Government Entities
When your injury involves the negligence of a public agency, city, or state (for example, a crash caused by an unsafe intersection or government worker), you must provide written notice of your claim within just 90 days of the injury. The claim must then be filed within two years.
- Actions against a governmental entity or a public employee for torts shall be forever barred, unless such action is commenced within two years after the date of occurrence resulting in loss, injury or death,
Missing this deadline will likely mean your case cannot proceed.
Fraudulent Concealment or Absent From The State
If the negligent party actively hides or conceals their role in causing your injury, the countdown to file may be paused. The deadline is also paused if the defendant is out of the state.
If, at any time after the incurring of an indebtedness or liability or the accrual of a cause of action against him or the entry of judgment against him in this state, a debtor shall have been or shall be absent from or out of the state or concealed within the state, the time during which he may have been or may be out of or absent from the state or may have concealed or may conceal himself within the state shall not be included in computing any of the periods of limitation above provided.
It resumes only when you discover or reasonably should have discovered the deception or fraud involved or when the defendant returns to the state.
Because these exceptions can be complex and easy to miss, it’s always a good idea to reach out to a lawyer as soon as possible.
Common Car Accident Injuries in Hobbs, New Mexico
Can accidents can cause injuries ranging from mild to catastrophic. This can include minor injuries like cuts, bruises, and lacerations, to broken bones, and burns. More severe injuries like spinal cord injuries, paralysis, internal damage, traumatic brain injuries, limb loss, and even death may occur.
It’s important to get fair and just compensation for these injuries, especially when they are severe or create permanent disability. While we know that no amount of money can reverse a catastrophic injury or replace a loved one, it can provide the necessary resources to cover medical expenses and reduce the impact of lost wages in New Mexico. That’s why you need the best Hobbs auto accident attorneys at Stout & Stout Lawyers on your side.
Compared to standard car crashes, truck accidents often involve much more serious damage due to the size and weight of commercial vehicles. Victims may face long-term medical treatment, permanent disability, and devastating emotional and financial consequences. Trucking companies and their insurers typically have powerful legal teams ready to minimize payouts or deny claims altogether. A truck accident lawyer in Hobbs can thoroughly investigate the crash, determine liability—including whether the truck driver, trucking company, or another party is at fault—and build a strong case on your behalf.
Call to Speak to Our Hobbs Car Accident Attorney Today
After a serious injury, you don’t have to face the road to recovery alone. A car accident attorney can help fight for the compensation you deserve, allowing you to focus on your recovery. Let the attorneys at Stout & Stout Lawyers put our experience on your case today. Contact us and our Hobbs car accident lawyers today for a free and confidential case evaluation.