Monday, August 18, 2014

Hit and Run Accidents Increasing in Albuquerque and New Mexico

Albuquerque, NM Hit and Run Accident Attorney Blog  505-883-5000

Hit and run accidents have been steadily increasing in Albuquerque and New Mexico. There are probably two causes for this increase--tougher DWI laws and failure to purchase liability insurance coverage.

Mark Caruso, Personal Injury Attorney
Tougher DWI laws have resulted severe consequences for the drunk driver with very high attorneys fees and court costs as well as the installation of expensive breathalizers. In most instances it will cost about $4,000 to $5,000 if you are charged with a DWI.

As a result, drunk drivers who cause car crashes will often leave the scene of the crash to avoid being convicted of the DWI.  The cost of a citation for a Hit and Run is so much less expensive than a charge of DWI.


Also, as the economy is affecting NM poor, one of the first expenses that have been eliminated from the budget is the automobile liability insurance.  To them  it is more important to put a home over your head and pay for groceries than it is to pay for automobile insurance.  Unfortunately they continue to operate their vehicle on NM roadways without the state's mandatory insurance coverage.

As a result, uninsured drivers who cause car crashes will often leave the scene of the crash to avoid paying for the property damage and personal injuries caused by their negligence.


Our personal injury law firm has clearly seen increased Hit and Run cases.  Our research has shown that it is an economic decision made by the person who caused the crash to avoid responsibility for their actions.  Unfortunately,  their negligence and intentional act of leaving the scene of the crash causes harm to others.

If the hit and run driver is later caught by Albuquerque's Hit and Run Division, the driver's insurance will pay the damages caused by their insured. The individual who was injured  by the hit and run driver may also be able to collect punitive damages as  additional punishment money.  However, the net cost to the hit and run driver may only be a citation and higher insurance rates.  The hit and run driver escapes the financial and criminal cost of the DWI.

This is not true for the uninsured driver who has no insurance to pay for the damages he/she caused. Instead the individual who was injured by the hit and run driver must bring a claim against his/her own uninsured motorist coverage.  The uninsured motorist coverage will pay for the property damages and personal injuries to the innocent driver.

The insurance company which pays will then seek direct compensation from the uninsured driver.  This means that the uninsured driver must not only pay the citation for the hit and run but also pay for all the damages out of his/her own pocket because they didn't have liability insurance.

Because we represent victims of hit and run accidents on a daily basis we are uniquely qualified to handle these types of cases.  Mark Caruso is a former insurance company attorney with 32 years of experience, and his staff has been specifically trained to handle all types of personal injury cases.  Our firm only handles personal injury claims.

If you would like more information please contact Mark Caruso directly at 505-883-5000 or visit our website at http://www.carusolaw.com   We will give you an in person appointment with an attorney at no obligation.

Blog by Mark Caruso,  Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Attorney (Albuquerque, NM)

Sunday, May 25, 2014

New Mexico Dust Storms Are Recipe for Disaster for New Mexico Drivers

NM Dust Storm Accident Attorney

This week several families suffered the extreme loss of the life of their loved ones in a horrific vehicle crash on Interstate 10 near Silver City. Others suffered personal injuries and were rushed to nearby emergency rooms. Our prayers are with all of these families.

Drivers were safely driving their vehicles when a sudden dust storm blinded all drivers and caused the crash of tractor trailers and personal vehicles. This area is notorious for sudden dust storms causing zero visibility. Caruso Law Offices currently represents victims of dust storms in this same area. They slowed their vehicle when the dust became too obstructive to see where they were going, and they wer slammed in the rear by a semi-truck going 55 mph. Fortunately, they survived the rear-end crash but suffered major injuries.


What can be done to stop these dust storms? Nothing can be done to stop the dust storm. They are a natural phenomena. More rain in the area would help reduce the threat.

What should you do when confronted with the sudden dust storm? Slow down! Drive defensively. Turn your bright lights on. Turn your flashers on, and slowly pull over to the shoulder making sure that you are well off the road. Don't stop your vehicle on the roadway, as this is against the law even in a dust storm. I also recommend turning on the interior lights to make you as visible as possible. Don't stop your car too close to the vehicle in front of you.

The storm will be over as quickly as it started. Don't get on the road right away. Stay on the shoulder until you can see if there are any accidents in front of you. Be extremely careful as you re-enter the roadway.


Should you be involved in an accident, stay in your vehicle until the storm is over. There is the possibility of a chain reaction with other vehicles behind you, and you are safer in your vehicle than in the road during the dust storm.

If you are involved in a collision caused by a vehicle on the side or behind you, it is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible. We need to immediately gather facts and evidence to determine the person or persons at fault and make sure that you have no liability for the collision. We can send an investigator to the scene and discuss the collision with the investigating authorities. It is important to gather all of the facts and statements as quickly as possible.


Because we have handled so many collisions and crashes caused by dust storms in New Mexico we have a unique way of handling these types of cases. And that is why we have been so successful for our clients, getting the full value for the repair or totaling of their damaged vehicle, a rental vehicle and full compensation for their injuries--medical bills, pain and suffering, lost earnings and permanent injury.

I used to be a former insurance company attorney, so I know the ins-and-outs of the insurance claims business. I used to represent the insurance companies, but now I exclusively represent the victims of the negligence caused by another. We use our experience to represent our clients to get them the highest compensation possible.


Please see our client reviews at our main website www.carusolaw.com There is no better way to pick an attorney than to see actual testimonials. And if you would like to see the actual written testimonials, just call and ask to see them at our office. We pride ourselves on good endorsements from our clients. That's why we have been so highly rated by the Better Business Bureau A+, AVVO and other independent rating organizations.

We offer a free consultation with our attorneys at one of our two offices in Albuquerque--the Northeast Heights or the Westside. We also will travel to meet you at any location in New Mexico, including your home, place of work, hospital or nearby coffee shop. Please call us at (505) 883-5000 to speak with me or one of the attorneys in our office. We look forward to hearing from you.

Blog by Mark Caruso, Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Attorney  (Albuquerque, NM)

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Mark Caruso Named Top 100 Trial Lawyers in New Mexico by the National Trial Lawyers Association

Albuquerque Best Personal Injury Attorneys

Albuquerque personal injury and wrongful death attorney Mark   Caruso has been named to Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the National  Trial Lawyers Association.  The selection was made from all plaintiff and defense lawyers in the State of New Mexico.


Mark Caruso, Attorney
The National Trial Lawyers Association is a professional organization of America's top trial lawyers.  Membership into the organization is by invitation only and is extended to to those attorneys who exemplify superior qualifications, trial results and leadership in their respective state.  Mark Caruso was determined by the NTLA to be an exceptional trial lawyer in the practice area of Civil Plaintiff Litigation.


Caruso Law Offices was founded in 1982 in Los Angeles and in 1987 in Albuquerque.  Mark Caruso is licensed and authorized to practice in all state and federal courts in both New Mexico and California. After graduating Pepperdine University School of Law Mark Caruso primarily represented insurance companies, but since 1987 his practice has been exclusively limited to representing injured clients against insurance companies and large self-insured corporations.
Mark Caruso named Top 100 Trial Lawyers by The National Trial Lawyers Association


Mark Caruso offers a free and confidential appointment to personally discuss your personal injury or wrongful death claim.  Call Mark at 505-883-5000.  We have two offices in Albuquerque to serve our clients--the North East Heights Main Office (Montgomery & Carlisle) or the West Side Office (Interstate 40 and Coors NW).  You can find out more about Caruso Law Offices at www.carusolaw.com or www.AlbuquerqueAccidentAttorney.blogspot.com

By Mark Caruso, Albuquerque, NM Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Attorney

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Importance Of An Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer In Albuquerque

How to pick the best personal injury attorney for your Albuquerque, NM

Albuquerque's Best Personal Injury Attorney


Being involved in a vehicle accident can be a frightening and devastating experience. Those injured in an accident often find themselves feeling unsure of what to do and how to get the medical help they need as well as the financial compensation they deserve. Hiring a personal injury attorney in Albuquerque is the best move a personal injury victim can make.

What Will a Personal Injury Lawyer Do?

Personal injury lawyers help clients understand the details of the law and fight to get them the money they deserve to allow them to get back on their feet after an accident. No matter what type of accident occurred (including  auto accidents, truck accidents, bicycle accidents, drunk driving accidents and motorcycle accidents), an Albuquerque personal injury lawyer can help.

An attorney will help clients file paperwork and gather all necessary information associated with the case. Additionally, an attorney will handle all communication with other insurance companies and any other involved parties. This helps to save the client time while reducing the client’s stress. If needed, an attorney will consult with medical professionals to get their expert opinions and have them testify at trial to prove the extent of your injuries to the jury.

An attorney can help the injured person get immediate medical care by providing the doctor and other health care professionals a letter of protection and physician lien.  This permits the health care professional to treat the injured person with no insurance, no up front money,deductibles or co-pays.  The health care professional is paid by the attorney at the end of the case from some of the proceeds from the settlement.

What Should Clients Look for in an Attorney?

When looking for a personal injury lawyer in Albuquerque, an injured person should look for someone with expertise and experience. Finding out how many years of experience an attorney has as well as how many clients he or she has represented will help a potential client in deciding whether or not to hire the attorney. Additional questions should include which types of cases an attorney has handled as well as what the outcome has been for each of those cases. Hiring an attorney with the necessary experience will help clients be confident that they will receive a fair settlement in their case.

Mark Caruso is one of the top rated personal injury attorneys in New Mexico.  He has received the following awards and certifications:
***10 out of 10 by AVVO lawyer rating service
***A+ Rating by Better Business Bureau (BBB) of NM,
***Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers
***Top 100 Lawyers by the American Society of Legal Advocates
***Life Member, Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Top Trial Lawyers in America
***2013 Martindale Hubbell Client Distinction Award
***Lead Counsel Rated Trial Attorney
***2013 AVVO Clients' Choice Award in Personal Injury
***Top Merchant on Merchant Circle
***Member, American Association of Justice
***Member, NM Trial Lawyers Association

It is important to find an attorney who will discount the attorney fee to 29% rather than charge the normal 33 1/3% attorney fee.  This puts more money in the injured person's pocket where it belongs rather than the attorney's pocket.  Mark Caruso offers the 29% discounted attorney fee.

Mark Caruso is a former insurance company attorney.  He knows the "ins-and-outs" of the insurance claims process to get you the highest settlement possible for your car accident claim.


Make sure that you carefully read the testimonials of former clients.  These testimonials are the best source to find the top rated and best attorneys in Albuquerque.  Mark Caruso consistently receives excellent testimonials.  All client testimonials are available at www.carusolaw.com or www.AlbuquerqueAccidentAttorney.blogspot.com

By hiring an experienced and highly rated Albuquerque personal injury attorney, those injured in accidents can leave the legal concerns to the attorney while focusing their energy on healing, both physically and emotionally. Attorneys will see that their clients are treated fairly and are awarded  the appropriate compensation in their case. Free Consultations are available at either of our two Albuquerque locations. Call Mark Caruso at Caruso Law Offices, PC at 505-883-5000 for a free consultation regarding your personal injury case.

Blog by Mark Caruso, Albuquerque, NM Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Attorney


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