Drunk Driving Accident Attorney In Las Cruces
Legal Help After A Preventable Crash
When a drunk driver causes a crash, everything can change in a single moment. You might be dealing with painful injuries, a wrecked vehicle, missed time from work, and calls from insurance companies that seem more focused on saving money than helping you recover. It is normal to feel overwhelmed and unsure where to turn.
At Law Offices of Ruben Ortiz, we help people who have been hurt in drunk driving crashes in this part of New Mexico pursue compensation for what they have lost. Our focus is on protecting your future and your rights while you work on healing. You do not have to sort through the legal and insurance issues on your own.
We offer free consultations for injury cases, and for personal injury matters we handle attorney fees on a no-fee basis unless we win. Our goal is to make it as easy as we can for you to get answers and understand your options after a serious collision.
Call (575) 216-5414 today to set up a consultation, or contact us online to learn more.
Why Injured Drivers Choose Our Firm
Choosing a lawyer after a serious crash is a personal decision, and trust matters. Attorney Ruben Ortiz has been practicing law since 1998 and is licensed in both Texas and New Mexico. This gives our firm a strong foundation when helping people whose lives have been disrupted by impaired drivers in this region.
Our law office is built around a simple idea. Every client deserves careful attention, honest guidance, and a strategy that fits their specific situation. We listen closely to how the crash happened, what injuries you have, how your work and family life have been affected, and what worries you most about the future. We use that information to tailor our approach, instead of treating your claim like just another file.
Cost is one of the biggest concerns people have when they think about calling a drunk driving accident lawyer in Las Cruces. For personal injury cases, we provide free consultations and handle attorney fees on a contingency basis, which means no fees unless we win. We also use a reduced contingency fee structure, which is designed to keep more of any recovery in your hands.
We know that thorough preparation can make a real difference. Our team works to review the facts, obtain records and reports, and prepare your case carefully. The goal is to place you in a strong position for discussions with insurance companies or, when needed, for litigation.
What To Do After A Drunk Driving Crash
Right after a crash with a suspected drunk driver, it can be hard to think clearly. You might be in pain, feeling angry, and trying to figure out what to do first. Taking certain steps, when you can do so safely, can help protect both your health and your potential injury claim.
Your health comes first. Emergency responders may arrive and recommend that you go to the hospital. Even if your pain seems minor at the scene, it is important to be examined by a medical professional as soon as you can. Some injuries, such as concussions or internal injuries, may not show full symptoms right away but can still be serious.
It is also important to involve law enforcement. Police officers can document the scene, speak with drivers and witnesses, and in many cases conduct field sobriety or breath tests when impairment is suspected. These reports and test results often become key pieces of evidence in a later civil claim for damages.
If you are able, gathering your own information can be useful. Take photographs of the vehicles, any visible injuries, roadway conditions, and nearby signs or signals. Try to obtain contact information for witnesses who saw the collision or what the other driver was doing before the impact. This kind of information can help fill in gaps in later investigations.
Insurance companies sometimes contact injured people quickly. It may be tempting to give a detailed recorded statement or accept an early offer when bills are coming due. However, your words can be used to limit your claim, and early offers may not account for future medical care or lost income. Speaking with an attorney before you sign anything or provide a recorded statement can help you avoid missteps.
Some helpful steps to consider after a drunk driving crash include:
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible, and follow through with recommended care.
- Call law enforcement so an official report can be made and potential impairment can be investigated.
- Collect photos and contact information, if you can do so safely at the scene.
- Keep copies of medical records, bills, and any letters from insurance companies.
- Reach out to our firm for a free consultation so we can discuss how to protect your rights.
Every situation is different, and not everyone can complete all of these steps. When you contact us, we talk with you about what has already happened and what can still be done to support your claim moving forward.
How We Handle Drunk Driving Claims
Crashes caused by drunk drivers involve both criminal law and civil law. In New Mexico, prosecutors may bring criminal charges such as driving under the influence, which focus on punishing the impaired driver. Your injury claim is a separate civil matter, which focuses on obtaining compensation for the harm you have suffered.
We work to help you understand how these two tracks relate to each other. A criminal conviction is not required in order to pursue a civil claim, but evidence from the criminal case, such as blood alcohol test results or officer observations, can support your position. Our role is to focus on the civil side and use available evidence to show how the other driver’s impairment contributed to your injuries.
When you hire a drunk driving accident attorney Las Cruces, you should expect careful review of the facts. In our firm, that typically means obtaining and studying the police report, any citations issued, and any available crash diagrams or photographs. We also look at medical records to understand your diagnosis, treatment, and how your injuries may affect you in the future.
Witness statements can be especially important in impaired driving cases. People who saw the other driver weaving, speeding, or ignoring signals before the crash can provide powerful descriptions of negligent behavior. We work to identify and evaluate this kind of information when it is available.
Damages are another key part of your claim. We look at many different categories of loss, such as medical bills, time you have missed from work, and any reduced ability to earn income in the future. Pain, suffering, and the impact on your day to day life are also important factors under New Mexico law.
Throughout the process, we focus on communication. We explain options in plain language, answer questions, and keep you informed about developments in your case. Our goal is to give you the information you need to make decisions, while we handle the legal side and negotiations with insurers as your advocate.
Injuries & Losses In Drunk Driving Crashes
Collisions involving impaired drivers can lead to a wide range of injuries. Some clients come to us with fractures, torn ligaments, or serious soft tissue injuries that limit movement and cause lasting pain. Others face head injuries, such as concussions or more severe traumatic brain injuries, which can affect memory, mood, and concentration. In the most severe cases, damage to the spine or nerves can change how a person lives and works.
Even injuries that might appear minor at first can grow into larger problems over time. Neck and back pain may require physical therapy, injections, or surgery. Serious bruising or lacerations can lead to complications or scarring. When your job is physically demanding, any limitation can threaten your ability to keep working as you did before the crash.
Financial losses add another layer of stress. Medical bills can arrive from several providers, such as hospitals, clinics, imaging centers, and therapists. If you miss work, paychecks shrink or stop, which makes it hard to cover rent, utilities, and other everyday expenses. When a vehicle is totaled, you may also have to find a way to replace transportation so you can get to medical appointments and back to work.
Under New Mexico law, injured people may seek several types of compensation, depending on the facts of the case. These can include the cost of past and expected future medical treatment, lost wages, and loss of earning capacity when injuries affect long-term work. Non-economic damages can address pain, emotional distress, and how the injury has changed your quality of life.
Our firm focuses on defending clients’ futures and rights. In practical terms, that means we look beyond the bills you have today. We work to understand how your injuries could affect your abilities months or years from now, and we consider that when discussing possible resolution of your claim.
Serving Drunk-Driving Victims In Las Cruces
Impaired driving is a serious problem in New Mexico, and families here feel the impact. Crashes can occur on busy routes such as Interstate 10, the roadways leading toward the Organ Mountains, or the highways between this city and El Paso. When alcohol or drugs are involved, a single poor choice can put many people at risk.
We serve people who have been hurt by drunk drivers in and around Las Cruces. Some clients were struck while driving home from work or school. Others were hit while traveling along the interstate or visiting friends and family in the area. No matter where the crash happened, you should not have to carry the financial burden of someone else’s impaired driving.
Because attorney Ruben Ortiz is licensed in both Texas and New Mexico, our firm is positioned to handle crashes that touch both sides of the state line. For example, your medical care might take place in one state while the collision itself occurred in another, or the drunk driver might live across the border. Our cross-border licensure allows us to address these complications within our practice.
We understand how stressful it can be to deal with courts and insurance adjusters when you are already hurt. Our team works to guide you through the civil process in New Mexico and keep you updated as your case progresses. When you contact us, we take time during your free consultation to learn what happened, answer your questions, and explain how we may be able to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a lawyer if the driver was clearly drunk?
Even when impairment seems obvious, a lawyer can help protect your civil claim. Insurance companies may still dispute the extent of your injuries or the value of your losses. We work to gather evidence, calculate damages, and handle negotiations so you are not left facing insurers alone.
How much does it cost to hire your firm?
For personal injury cases, we offer a free consultation and handle attorney fees on a contingency basis. That means you do not pay attorney fees unless we win your case. We also use a reduced contingency fee structure, which is designed to keep more of any recovery with you.
Will the criminal DUI case affect my injury claim?
The criminal case and your civil claim are separate, but they can influence each other. Evidence from the criminal matter, such as test results or officer testimony, may support your civil case. We explain how these pieces fit together and focus our work on pursuing compensation for your injuries and losses.
What information should I bring to our first meeting?
It helps to bring any crash reports, medical records, medical bills, insurance letters, and photographs you already have. If you do not have everything yet, that is fine. During your free consultation, we can review what you have and discuss what additional information may be useful.
Is my injury serious enough to call your office?
If a drunk driver caused a crash and you were hurt, it is usually worth talking with a lawyer. Some injuries seem small at first but worsen over time. We offer free consultations so you can tell us what happened, ask questions, and learn whether a claim may make sense for you.
Talk To Our Injury Team Today
Being injured by a drunk driver is painful and frustrating, and it is often financially painful as well. You should not have to face medical bills, lost income, and future uncertainty on your own when someone else chose to drive while impaired. Legal guidance can help you understand your options and pursue compensation for what you have lost.
At Law Offices of Ruben Ortiz, we offer free consultations for injury cases and handle attorney fees on a no-fee basis unless we win. Our team is committed to careful preparation and personal attention, and our goal is to protect your future while you focus on recovery. When you are ready to talk about your situation, we are here to listen.
Call (575) 216-5414 to speak with our team about your drunk driving crash.