Hit by a Car in Albuquerque? You Have Rights — and I'll Fight for Them.

Being struck by a vehicle is one of the most traumatic things a person can survive. If you're dealing with serious injuries, mounting medical bills, and an insurance company that's already questioning your story, you don't have to navigate any of it alone. As an Albuquerque pedestrian accident lawyer with 25 years of experience in New Mexico courts, I handle every case personally — from the first call to the final resolution.

Albuquerque Is One of New Mexico's Most Dangerous Cities for People on Foot

New Mexico's roads are hard on pedestrians. According to the New Mexico Department of Transportation, between 450 and 575 pedestrians are struck by vehicles statewide every year — and Albuquerque accounts for a disproportionate share of those crashes. Central Avenue, Coors Boulevard, and active construction zones throughout the city are among the most hazardous corridors. These aren't random tragedies. Most involve a driver who was distracted, speeding, failing to yield at a crosswalk, or driving impaired. When that happens, the law gives you the right to hold them accountable.

Walking Doesn't Mean You're on Your Own Legally

Some pedestrian accident victims assume they have fewer rights than someone who was inside a vehicle. That's not how New Mexico law works. Whether you were in a marked crosswalk, crossing mid-block, or walking along a roadway, you have full legal standing to pursue compensation from a negligent driver. A successful pedestrian injury claim in New Mexico can recover:

 

  • Medical expenses, including emergency care, surgery, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatment
  • Lost wages and diminished earning capacity if your injuries affect your ability to work
  • Pain and suffering, including physical pain and the emotional impact of the accident
  • Costs of future care if your injuries require long-term medical attention
  • Compensation for permanent disability or disfigurement

 

The driver's insurance company will work quickly to limit what they pay you. I work just as quickly — and with far more experience in New Mexico personal injury law — to make sure you're not shortchanged.

What If the Driver Says the Accident Was Partly Your Fault?

This is one of the most common tactics insurers use after a pedestrian accident, and it stops a lot of people from pursuing the compensation they deserve. Here's what you need to know: New Mexico follows a pure comparative fault rule. That means even if you were partially at fault for the accident — crossing against a signal, stepping off a curb unexpectedly — you can still recover compensation. Your damages are reduced by your assigned percentage of fault, but they are not eliminated. If a jury finds you 30% at fault and awards $200,000, you recover $140,000. Partial fault is not a dead end. It is a negotiation point, and it's one I'm prepared to handle.

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Injuries That Deserve to Be Taken Seriously

Pedestrians have no protection when a vehicle hits them. The injuries that result are often severe, sometimes permanent, and almost always more serious than they first appear. I regularly handle claims involving:

Fractures and Orthopedic Injuries

Broken bones are among the most common outcomes in pedestrian accidents — arms, legs, hips, and pelvis fractures that require surgery, hardware, and months of rehabilitation. These injuries affect your ability to work, care for your family, and live your daily life. Their full financial impact extends well beyond the initial hospital stay.

Traumatic Brain Injuries and Spinal Cord Damage

A vehicle impact can cause a traumatic brain injury even without a direct blow to the head. TBIs range from concussions with lasting cognitive effects to severe brain damage that permanently alters a person's life. Spinal cord injuries can result in partial or complete paralysis. These are the cases where getting the valuation right — accounting for lifetime care costs, lost earning potential, and the full human toll — matters most.

Internal Injuries and Psychological Trauma

Internal bleeding and organ damage may not be visible immediately after a crash, which is one reason prompt medical evaluation is critical. Psychological trauma — including post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and depression — is also a recoverable harm under New Mexico law, though insurers routinely try to minimize or dismiss it. I don't let them.

How I Handle a Pedestrian Accident Claim

When you call me, you reach me — not a receptionist, not a case manager, not a paralegal. I personally investigate what happened, gather the evidence that establishes liability, handle all communication with the insurance companies, and build the strongest possible case for your recovery. My caseload is intentionally limited so that every client gets the attention their case requires. You focus entirely on getting better. I handle everything else.

Why New Mexico Pedestrian Accident Victims Choose Peter Romero

There are large personal injury firms in Albuquerque that will take your pedestrian accident case. What they won't do is have the same attorney investigate the scene, negotiate with the insurer, and stand beside you if the case goes to trial. I've spent 25 years practicing personal injury law in New Mexico — not building a referral network, not running a volume operation. Every client I take on gets direct access to me throughout the entire process.

 

  • Born and raised in New Mexico — I know these roads, these intersections, and these courts
  • Millions recovered for New Mexico injury victims over 25 years
  • No fees unless I win your case
  • Free case evaluation, available 24 hours a day
  • You speak directly with me — from the first call forward
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Frequently Asked Questions About Pedestrian Accident Claims in New Mexico

  • Who is liable when a pedestrian is hit by a car in New Mexico?

    In most cases, the driver who struck you bears primary liability — particularly if they were speeding, distracted, failed to yield at a crosswalk, or ran a red light. Depending on the circumstances, other parties may also share responsibility, including employers if the driver was on the job, a government entity if a dangerous road design contributed to the crash, or a property owner in certain situations. Determining the full scope of liability is one of the first things I investigate.

  • What if I was jaywalking when I was hit — can I still recover compensation?

    Yes. New Mexico's pure comparative fault rule means your ability to recover compensation is not eliminated by partial fault on your part. If you were jaywalking, a portion of fault may be assigned to you, and your total damages would be reduced by that percentage. But if the driver was also negligent — speeding, distracted, or failing to watch for pedestrians — you likely still have a valid claim worth pursuing.

  • What damages can I recover as a pedestrian accident victim?

    A pedestrian accident claim in New Mexico can include compensation for medical expenses (past and future), lost income, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and costs related to permanent disability or disfigurement. In cases involving particularly reckless conduct, punitive damages may also be available. The full value of your claim depends on the severity of your injuries and their long-term impact on your life.

  • How long do I have to file a pedestrian accident claim in New Mexico?

    New Mexico's statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally three years from the date of the accident. However, certain circumstances — such as claims involving a government vehicle or a minor victim — can shorten or extend that window. Evidence also degrades quickly after a crash: surveillance footage gets overwritten, witnesses become harder to locate, and physical evidence disappears. The sooner you contact me, the stronger your case is likely to be.

  • Do I need a lawyer if the driver's insurance company has already contacted me?

    Yes — and this is especially important to understand. When an insurer contacts you quickly after a pedestrian accident, it is often to gather information that limits your claim or to offer a fast settlement that is far below what your injuries are actually worth. You are not required to speak with the other driver's insurance company, and anything you say can be used to reduce your compensation. Let me handle that communication from the start.

You Were on Foot. That Doesn't Make This Any Less Serious.

Pedestrian accident claims carry some of the highest injury severity of any personal injury case — and some of the most aggressive insurance defense. If you've been struck by a vehicle anywhere in New Mexico, call me at 900-9000. The consultation is free, there's no obligation, and you won't pay me anything unless I win your case.