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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At Fault Driver Uninsured? Don't Give Up On Your Claim Without Speaking to an Attorney!

Former Insurance Company Attorney Mark Caruso Gives Honest Answers to Your Questions.

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



At Caruso Law Offices, we deal with people who have been hurt in car accidents every day. Having auto insurance in place is a legal requirement in New Mexico, and our clients are shocked to discover that there are many people who get behind the wheel without this necessary coverage in place. When an accident occurs, they are at a loss to understand exactly what happens to their right to be compensated in a fair manner for their injuries and expenses. 

New Mexico is a Tort State

New Mexico operates under the tort system for car insurance purposes. The driver who is found legally at fault is responsible for paying for the damages he or she caused. People who have been injured have the right to sue to recover damages. Drivers are required to buy a minimum level of liability coverage, which pays for the injuries and damages they cause in an accident. The minimum requirements are as follows:

·  $25,000 in bodily injury coverage for a single accident victim

·  $50,000 in bodily injury coverage for all injuries caused in the same accident, regardless of the number of victims

·  $10,000 in property damage coverage

If You are Injured in a Car Accident

Caruso Law Offices, (505) 883-5000

In a situation where a car accident occurs and the other driver is at fault, you would be looking to him or her to compensate you for your injuries and damages. The first thing you would need to do is make sure that your health is looked after by getting appropriate emergency medical treatment, as well as any follow-up care recommended by the doctor. You will still need to continue paying off your car, since you are responsible for this expense even if your vehicle is in the shop. In the normal course of events, the at-fault driver's insurance company would pay your claim for damages. You may be asked to get more than one estimate before starting the work on your car, but you also have the option of having your own insurer pay for the damage, less your deductible. This could get you on the road more quickly than waiting to get estimates or have the damage inspected.

 

Getting Compensation for Your Injuries from an Uninsured Driver

The Insurance Research Council estimates that one in seven drivers is uninsured (2011). If you have been injured in an accident where the at-fault driver does not have insurance, the first place you should look to seek compensation for your injuries and damages is whether you have coverage under your own insurance policy through uninsured driver coverage. If you have this type of insurance, your own insurer will pay your claim for damages.

If you don't have any insurance coverage in place and the at-fault driver does not have insurance, you still have the right to sue and get a judgment against him or her. Don't assume that it is not worth your while to make a claim against someone who does not have auto insurance coverage before speaking with an attorney about your situation. 

The last thing you want to do is assume that the person responsible for causing your injuries has no assets that can be recovered to pay for your damages simply because his or her auto insurance coverage may have lapsed at the time of the accident. Being involved in a motor vehicle accident is a high-stress situation and you need someone on your side to can provide advice about the best way to continue. 

Your attorney can look at the facts of the accident, as well as the damages you have incurred and provide you with an expert opinion about your case. You can get the facts you need about preserving your right to sue by acting within the time limits set out by law as well. The worst thing you can do in a situation where you have been injured in an accident with an uninsured driver is to do nothing. Get the facts from an expert who is on your side, and that means speaking with a licensed attorney as soon as possible, even if you don't know the full extent of your injuries after the accident.

Call Mark Caruso, personal injury and wrongful death attorney, at Caruso Law Offices for a free consultation at (505) 883-5000 or visit www.carusolaw.com


By:  Julie Bradgate

Neck Pain and Back Pain After NM Car or Truck Accident? Answers by Former Insurance Company Attorney.

I have neck pain and back pain after my New Mexico car accident... Who will pay for my injuries?
By:  Mark Caruso, Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Attorney (Albuquerque, NM)

 

Will the insurance company for person who caused accident pay for my exam and treatment by a doctor or chiropractor?

 

Will the ambulance, hospital or doctor agree to directly bill the insurance company for person who caused accident?

 

These are some of the most common questions we are asked at Caruso Law Offices by people who were just involved in a auto, car,  truck, motorcycle, bicycle or pedestrian accident or collision. They may have been taken away by an ambulance to the emergency room and sent home with medications.  They may have begun treatment with an orthopedic doctor, their primary care doctor or a  chiropractor.

 

But it is usually the same question....

 

Who will pay for my injuries?

 

 

If you have health insurance, you have less problems.  Most New Mexico health insurance companies such as Lovelace, Presbyterian and Blue Cross Blue Shield will immediately pay the ambulance and emergency room bills.  You may still have a deductible or co-pay.

However, many insurance companies now have a provision in the health insurance policy stating that they do not pay for injuries resulting from auto and truck accidents caused by another.

Where can you get the care that you need to treat your neck and back injuries from the car accident?

 

I personally believe that hands on exercise and therapy are the best ways to treat any soft tissue injury to your back or neck such as whiplash or back strains.

 

This type of treatment can be by chiropractors, physical therapists and medical massage therapists. Most of these health care providers will agree to directly bill the insurance company for the person who caused the accident.  Most will also accept a letter of protection and lien by a personal injury attorney.

 

 

You need to be very careful about who you chose to treat your injuries. 

 

Chiropractors, physical therapists and medical massage therapists have good and bad reputations among the insurance company for the person who caused the collision.  Chiropractors must follow the Croft Guidelines which limit the duration of treatment and number of total treatments.  If they fail to do so, your claim could be severely jeopardized.  Physical therapists and medical massage therapists need to be working with a doctor of some type to justify their bills to the insurance company.

Personal injury attorney Mark Caruso can help you select a credible chiropractor, physical therapist and medical massage therapist.

 

 Because Caruso Law Offices only handles personal injury and wrongful death cases we know the reputations of local doctors and health care providers. 

 

We listen to our clients, but we also listen to the comments of the insurance adjusters we fight daily. We know which health care providers to avoid, and we know which have the best reputations. 

 

Getting the health care provider paid

 

Once you make your selection on which health provider you want to treat your injuries, we can offer the medical doctor, chiropractor, physical therapist or medical massage therapist a letter or protection or medical lien on your claim.  That means the health care provider knows that we will submit their bills and records for payment from the insurance company for the person who caused the accident.  It also means that they know that they will get paid at the end of your case. 

 

Caruso Law Offices has worked with several hundred of New Mexico's health care providers over the past 27 years that Mark Caruso has had his personal injury and wrongful death law firm in Albuquerque.  We have an excellent reputation among health care providers because we get them paid from the insurance company for the person who caused the accident or collision. We can help you with your referral and letter of protection. 

 

Call personal injury attorney Mark Caruso at 505-883-5000 to get more information about how to treat your neck pain and back pain and other spinal injuries after your New Mexico car or truck accident.  You can also visit our website at www.carusolaw.com  Please read our client testimonials and reviews.

 

We have received the 2013 Client Distinction Award from Martindale Hubbell and are rated a 9.6/10.0 by AVVO lawyer ratings.  We also have an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

 

Mark Caruso will give you a FREE consultation at one of our Albuquerque offices--Northeast Heights or Westside--or at your home, work or other location during the day or in the evenings or weekends.  We handle cases statewide throughout New Mexico and in the pueblos and reservations throughout our state. 

 

Mark Caruso will also explain our 29% discounted attorney fee for all personal injury and wrongful death claims resulting from auto, car, truck, motorcycle, bus, bicycle or pedestrian accidents and collisions. Why would you ever want to pay the higher 33 1/3% attorney fee that most personal injury and wrongful death attorneys charge.

 

Call us today at (505) 883-5000  

 

 

 

Discounted Attorney Fee, NM Car, Truck and Motorcycle Accidents and Collisions

Discounted 29% attorney fee  for personal injury and wrongful death cases that settle prior to a lawsuit, including auto, car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle and pedestrian accidents and collisions

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

 

Discounted 29% attorney fee for personal injury and wrongful death cases that settle prior to a lawsuit is offered by Caruso Law Offices.  This includes personal injury and wrongful death cases resulting from auto, car, truck, motorcycle, bus, bicycle and pedestrian accidents and collisions.

This  29% discounted attorney fee  is unprecedented in New Mexico, and Mark Caruso was the first Albuquerque Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Attorney to give such a discount to his clients. Most every other  personal injury  and  wrongful death  attorney still charges the full 33 1/3% attorney fee.



This discounted attorney fee applies to all  personal injury  and  wrongful death  cases handled by Mark  Caruso including accidents, collisions, crashes and wrecks involving a  car,  truck,  semi-truck, 18 wheeler, tractor trailer, commercial vehicle,  motorcycle,  bicycle, bus,  pedestrian  and to all types of injuries and wrongful death including head trauma,  brain injury,  spinal cord injury,  broken bones, soft tissue injury, psychological injury including PTSD.

**The FORMULA  for the discounted attorney fee for all personal injury and wrongful death cases  is simple.

At the conclusion of the pre-litigation settlement of your personal injury or wrongful death claim only 29% is deducted for attorney fees, not 33 1/3%.

 

The math is simple, but the additional pocket money for the client can be enormous!

**The RATIONALE for the discounted attorney fee for all personal injury and wrongful death cases  is simple.

Caruso Law Offices  spends less money on expensive advertising than those other personal injury and wrongful death attorneys charging the   33 1/3% fee.

 

Caruso Law Offices  doesn't spend tens of thousands of dollars per month on television, radio, billboard and bus advertising. Because of the reduced advertising overhead, Mark Caruso can discount the attorney fee and put more money in the client's pocket. You don't really benefit from their advertising.

In fact, some jury polls indicate that juries don't like personal injury and wrongful death lawyers who advertise on television, radio, billboards and sides of buses. There is some evidence that they will award you less money because of who you have representing you in the courtroom.

Mark Caruso cites the NM Lawyers' Rules of Professional Responsibility which requires personal injury and wrongful death attorney to charge only a reasonable attorney fee based on the amount and kind of work performed. If the amount of work is less, why shouldn't the fees to the attorney be less. All personal injury and wrongful death attorneys should be following  Caruso Law Offices  example of the discounted fee. Fortunately, some attorneys have now begun copying Caruso's discounted fees.

**The  RESULT of the discounted attorney fee for all personal injury and wrongful death cases is simple.

A discounted attorney fee means more money in the client's pocket and less money in the attorney's pocket at the end of the case.

 

At the settlement of your case you are happier with our firm because you see more money going into your pocket with the  29% discounted attorney fee.

Mark Caruso continues to handle the property damage settlements and rental car for free.

A discounted fee does not mean discounted service!

 

Mark Caruso  has been practicing law since 1982--that's 31 years. An honors graduate of Pepperdine University School of Law, Mark is licensed in both California and New Mexico. He has been successfully handling personal injury and wrongful death cases for 31 years.

As a former insurance company attorney,  Mark Caruso  knows the ins-and-outs of the insurance claims business to get his personal injury and wrongful death clients the most money possible. He now uses that experience to help his clients against the same insurance companies. The lawyers and staff at  Caruso Law Offices  have been expertly trained by one of the most experienced and best personal injury and wrongful death attorneys in New Mexico.

There is no sacrafice in quality legal representation just because of the discounted attorney fee.

 

A discounted fee just means more money in your pocket when you settle your case.

Caruso Law Offices  gets new client referrals from prior clients, other non-personal injury attorneys, out of state attorneys, doctors, body shops and even insurance agents. These make up the majority of Mark Caruso's clients.

Some clients are attracted to the  discounted 29%  attorney fee.  Others are attracted to his experience as a former insurance company attorney who now works for the victims against these same insurance companies. Still others look at the high client ratings and testimonials as evidence of good work for their clients.

The attorney does less work in getting your case settled before a lawsuit is even filed,  and you should get a discounted fee since no lawsuit was required.

The discount applies to all  car accidents,  truck accidents,  motorcycle accidents, bus accidents, bicycle accidents  and  pedestrian accidents.  It applies to all personal injury claims and all wrongful death claims.

The people benefiting from this discounted fee are the clients of Caruso Law Offices. Call 505-883-5000 for a free consultation with Mark Caruso and find out why his  personal injury  and  wrongful death  law firm is so highly rated by clients and other attorneys. You can also see our website at www.carusolaw.com

Mark Caruso  is available NOW to discuss your  personal injury  or  wrongful death  case. Call him today at 505-883-5000
 

Call  Mark Caruso  for a FREE CONSULTATION to discuss your case by telephone or in person.
Once you personally talk to  Mark Caruso  you will understand why you need his history of experience and  skills in your personal injury and wrongful death claim.

Your consultation is FREE, so you have absolutely nothing to lose--and everything to GAIN!

Michael Morgan, Intern for Caruso Law Offices Passes 2013 Texas Bar!

Caruso Law Offices announces that Michael Morgan, the  personal injury  and  wrongful death  law firm's  spring/summer 2013 legal intern has passed the 2013 Texas Bar Exam!

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

 

Michael Morgan is a JD/MBA candidate at Baylor University School of Law and the Hankamer School of Business.  He received his Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Alabama.  He was a finalist in Baylor School of Law's Dawson Moot Court Competition.  Mr. Morgan studied abroad in Madrid, Spain and is fluent in Spanish.

 

 

 

Michael Morgan is actively involved in assisting Caruso Law Office attorneys with personal injury and wrongful death cases including those involving auto accidents,  truck accidents and motorcycle accidents.

 

 In addition he has been a valuable asset to the firm with their Spanish speaking clients. He has also been extremely involved in several wrongful death claims handled by Mark Caruso.

 

Passage of the 2013 Texas Bar Exam permits Mr. Morgan to soon return to Texas to practice law and complete his Baylor MBA.  Mr. Morgan intends to ultimately have his own law practice where he can focus in the area of personal injury and wrongful death. 

 

After seeing first hand how a plaintiff's personal injury and wrongful death law firm operates, he is excited to help his own clients with their own  car accident,  truck accident and motorcycle accident claims.

 

Caruso Law Offices is based in Albuquerque, NM and strictly handles personal injury and wrongful death cliams involving vehicular accidents.  Mark Caruso, an attorney with 31 years experience and a former insurance company attorney, has two offices in Albuquerque and represents clients statewide in New Mexico and in the pueblos and reservations of NM.   Additional information about Caruso Law Offices can be found at  www.carusolaw.com  or from Mark Caruso directly at mark@carusolaw.com  or at  (505) 883-5000

 

Current clients and others wanting to congratulate Mr. Morgan can contact him directly at Caruso Law Office at    (505) 883-5000. 

 

 


 

Attorney Fees for Albuquerque Car Accident

Don't Pay the Higher 33 1/3% Contingency Attorney Fee in your Albuquerque Car Accident, Truck Accident or Motorcycle Accident

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

You have probably seen all the personal injury attorneys advertising on television, billboards and the sides of buses offering to represent you in your Albuquerque  personal injury or  wrongful death claim on a percentage fee basis.  This is called a contingency fee.

A contingency fee means that you pay the personal injury attorney no hourly fee, but instead pay a "percentage fee" at the conclusion of the claim.  If the lawyer recovers no money on the claim, the attorney gets no attorney fee.

The New Mexico Rules of Professional Conduct for Attorneys set the ethical rules for  New Mexico attorneys to follow when charging personal injury clients a contingency fee for their  car accident,  truck accident  or  motorcycle accident. The Rules require the contingent fee to be reasonable and that the contingent fee agreement be in writing and signed by the client and attorney.

Most every auto accident and personal injury  attorneys in Albuquerque, NM  charges a contingency fee of  33 1/3% for all personal injury or wrongful death cases that are settled prior to a lawsuit being filed. This seems a little steep, especially because so little work is done by the personal injury attorney before the lawsuit is filed. Most of the initial proof of liability against the at fault driver and gathering of medical records and bills for treatment of personal injuries are done by a paralegal or legal assistant supervised by the attorney.

The personal injury attorney becomes much more involved in the preparation of the settlement demand to the insurance company adjuster,  the negotiation of settlement and the conclusion of the claim with the client.

It's only if the insurance adjuster won't settle with the attorney and client that a lawsuit may be required.  The majority of our cases at Caruso Law Offices do in fact settle without a lawsuit.    If a lawsuit is filed because the case could not be settled, then the attorney has much more involvement and expenses in the claim.

Beginning in 2009  Mark Caruso  and  Caruso Law Offices  pioneered a new approach to contingent  attorneys fees in Albuquerque, NM. 

Caruso began discounting the attorney fee to 29% contingency fee in cases that settled before the filing of a lawsuit. Caruso believed that to be in compliance with the "reasonable fee" requirement of the Rules and knowing that less work was required to settle a case if no lawsuit was yet filed, that a discounted fee was warranted.

We currently discount the contingency fee to only 29% if a case is settled before a lawsuit is filed.

The result is that more money goes into our  client's pocket in every case that we settle before a lawsuit! We also believe  it also means quicker settlements for clients. As an example, using a settlement of a $50,000 case, the attorney fee would be $14,500 rather than $16,666.  That's $2,100 more into the client's pocket rather than the attorney's pocket.

The response from clients to the discounted contingency fee has been amazing. 

Caruso Law Offices  receives most of its personal injury client referrals from word of mouth, and little advertising is really needed. Today, most of our clients with  car accident claims,  truck accident claims  and  motorcycle claims  are by word of mouth and referrals.

Lawyers insisting on the 33 1/3% fee try to argue that a discounted 29% fee means a lesser qualified attorney or law firm.   Not so with Caruso Law Offices!

Mark Caruso, the senior attorney at Caruso Law Offices, has 31 years experience and is a former insurance company attorney who now helps injured victims.   He is also licensed in both New Mexico and California, and he is a member of the New Mexico Trial Lawyers Association, the American Association of Justice and the prestigious Million Dollar Advocates Forum.  Caruso has been awarded Martindale-Hubbell's Client Distinction Award, AVVO Lawyer Ratings Superb 9.6/10.0 rating and Better Business Bureau's A+ rating.

Because Caruso Law Offices does not do television, radio, billboard or bus advertising, its law firm advertising overhead is much lower.  It doen't need to justify the higher 33 1/3% fee to pay for this expensive advertising. More importantly, the discounted fee of 29% helps who it supposed to help--clients of Caruso Law Offices.  It puts more money in the client's pocket, and less money in the attorney's pocket.

Helping the clients should be the number one priority of every attorney, and it is the priority at Caruso Law Offices.

Caruso Law Offices isn't spending lots of money on advertising and can afford to pass the savings to his clients.  Advertising is an expensive overhead.  Freeway billboards can cost $8,000 a month, and some attorney television budgets are $20,000 monthly.  This attorney advertising does not mean that the particular attorney is a better attorney, only that he is spending more on advertising and probably charging the higher 33 1/3% fee rather than the discounted 29% fee.

Mark Caruso would like to personally meet with you to confidentially discuss your car accident, truck accident or motorcycle accident. The consultation will be FREE and without any obligation whatsoever. We will discuss the facts of the accident, medical care you have received and future medical care that you may require.  We will discuss what to expect from the claims process and the "personality" of the automobile insurance company your claim is against.  We promise to answer all of your questions and give you honest and truthful answers.

 You can call Mark Caruso at 505-883-5000 or toll free at 800-657-9292.  We have two locations in Albuquerque-our Northeast Heights office and our  Westside office. Mark Caruso can also meet you at your home, work or hospital and on weekends and after hours.

We represent personal injury clients with vehicular accidents throughout the state of New Mexico and in the pueblos and reservations of our state.

You can also visit our web site at   www.carusolaw.com  or contact Mark Caruso at mark@carusolaw.com   We look forward to hearing from you.

Repair of Car After Albuquerque Car Accident

I Need My Car Repaired After an Albuquerque Car Accident!

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

You have been in a  car accident,  truck accident  or  motorcycle accident  in Albuquerque, and it wasn't your fault. How are you going to get your car damages repaired?

New Mexico law gives you rights against the person at fault and their insurance company.

But delays in the claims process may mean that you are driving around with a damaged car for weeks after the wreck.  What can be done to speed up this process so you can get your vehicle fixed.

Because  Caruso Law Offices  only handles  personal injury  and  wrongful death  cases, we run into this problem almost every day.  Here is my advice as a  personal injury  and  wrongful death  attorney with 31 years experience. I would be happy to give you more advice during a  free consultation.  Just call me at 505-883-5000 or email me at mark@carusolaw.com






 First, you need to understand that most of the time the officer will not give you the name of the insurance company and policy number for the at fault driver at the scene of the collision. The officer will give you a police report number and tell you that the report will be available in 7 to 10 days.  This creates the first problem of delay.

 

 

Without knowing the name of the insurance company or policy number you don't know who to contact.

If you have collision/comprehensive on your vehicle with your own insurance company, you should immediately begin the vehicle damage  claim  by reporting the accident to your own insurance company.  The phone number to the claims office and your policy number should be on your proof of insurance card you carry in your car.

Let your insurance company know that you want them to begin the property repair process.  Let them know that you do not want to wait for the at fault person's insurance. Do not let your insurance company intimidate you into waiting to deal with the at fault person's insurance.

For instance you might be told that you will need to pay a deductible if you go thru your insurance company but no deductible if you go thru the at fault person's insurance.  This is true.  But as we explain below, the timing should work out that you don't need to pay the deductible.  And even if you do pay it, you will get it back almost immediately after the at fault person's insurance gets copies of the repair bills.

You might also be told that your rates will go up.  This is a lie. New Mexico law prohibits your own insurance company from raising rates or, cancelling you  so long as the accident report states that the accident was not your fault.

 The "property damage adjuster" will take a short statement of what happened in the accident and instruct you on how to proceed on getting estimates.

Some insurance companies require you to get 2 or 3 estimates, while others will want you to make an appointment with them to physically inspect your vehicle.  Regardless of the amounts of the estimates, your insurance company will be required to pay for all the repairs to your vehicle less the deductible.

Now here is where it gets interesting.  While you are getting your vehicle repaired, probably 7 to 10 days has passed and the accident report is now available.  You need to get a copy of the accident report.

The accident report will state the name and contact information of the driver and owner of the at fault vehicle and the name and policy number for the at fault driver's insurance.  You need to immediately telephone the insurance company.  They will take your statement and ask you to fax them a copy of the accident report.  Bec extremely careful what you say to the adjuster because it can be used against you later.

You need to let the property damage adjuster for this insurance company know that your vehicle is currently being repaired, where it is being repaired and the amount of the anticipated repairs.  You will need to also fax this adjuster a copy of your estimates or appraisals you received from your own insurance company.

In most instances the at fault driver's insurance company will directly pay the auto body shop the full cost of all repairs, and you will have no deductible. 

You were able to get the process started using your own insurance company, and finished the repair to your vehicle using the at fault driver's insurance.

Unfortunately, if you don't have collision/comprehensive insurance you will need to wait until you get the accident report before you have any idea who to contact about the repairs to your vehicle.

If you need any assistance on your property damage claim or personal injuries resulting from the collision, please contact  Caruso Law Offices  at (505) 883-5000. We only handle personal injury and wrongful death claims.  That's all we do.  This lets us focus our entire law firm on just one type of law--Personal Injury and Wrongful Death.

Attorney  Mark Caruso  is a former insurance company attorney who now represents individuals who have been injured  car accidents,  truck accidents,  motorcycle accidents,  bicycle accidents, bus accidents or as pedestrians.

Mark Caruso has been an attorney for 31 years.  We have  2 offices in Albuquerque to serve you...Northeast Heights (Montgomery and Carlisle) and Westside (Coors and I-40). We also represent clients statewide and in the pueblos and reservations of our state. 

Call us at (505) 883-5000 for a  free consultation  with Mark Caruso or another attorney at our  personal injury  and  wrongful death law firm.  The consultation is confidential and without obligation.  We can meet with you at either office or at your home, work or hospital.  We can also meet you after hours and on Saturdays.

We look forward to hearing from you.

 mark@carusolaw.com

New Mexico Christian Lawyers, Personal Injury and Wrongful Death

 

New Mexico Christian  Lawyers:

Personal Injury, Wrongful Death and  Vehicular Accidents 

Primarily focusing on car accidents, truck accidents, semi-truck accidents, 18 wheeler accidents, tractor trailer accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, bus accidents and pedestrian accidents.

Mark J. Caruso
Caruso Law Offices, PC

Northeast Heights Office:

4302 Carlisle NE
Albuquerque, NM  87107
(505) 883-5000

Westside Office:
2929 Coors NW, Suite 310-E
Albuquerque, NM  87120
(505) 369-1361


mark@carusolaw.com
www.carusolaw.com
www.AlbuquerqueAccidentAttorney.blogspot.com

Law firm only handles  personal injury,  wrongful death, vehicular accidents, malpractice

Licensed attorney since 1982 in CA and 1987 in NM

Pepperdine University School of Law

Attends Legacy Church, Albuquerque



 

Albuquerque Christian Lawyers, Personal Injury and Wrongful Death

Albuquerque  Christian  Lawyers:

Personal Injury and Wrongful Death, Vehicular Accidents 

Mark J. Caruso

Caruso Law Offices, PC

4302 Carlisle NE, Albuquerque, NM  87107
505-883-5000
mark@carusolaw.com
www.carusolaw.com
www.AlbuquerqueAccidentAttorney.blogspot.com
licensed since 1982 in CA and 1987 in NM

Albuquerque Christian Attorneys, Personal Injury and Wrongful Death

Albuquerque  Christian  Attorneys:

Personal Injury and Wrongful Death, Vehicular Accidents 

Mark J. Caruso

Caruso Law Offices, PC

4302 Carlisle NE, Albuquerque, NM  87107
505-883-5000
mark@carusolaw.com
www.carusolaw.com
www.AlbuquerqueAccidentAttorney.blogspot.com
licensed since 1982 in CA and 1987 in NM

Albuquerque, NM Wrongful Death Lawyers

WRONGFUL  DEATH  CLAIMS UNDER NEW MEXICO LAW

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

When you lose a loved one due to an accident caused by the careless actions of another, you want and need answers quickly. The New Mexico wrongful death attorneys at Caruso Law Offices can help you find out why the accident happened and help your family gain closure. 

 

The challenge of facing life without your loved one combined with funeral costs, loss of wages and support, and medical bills can be too much to handle alone. While no amount of compensation could ever make up for your loss, it’s our goal to help alleviate some of the financial responsibilities related to your loved one’s death, so that you can grieve with your family.
 

We can help you find out the real reason why your loved one’s death happened, and we can work with you to hold those who caused the death responsible.
 

How a N.M. Wrongful Death Lawyer Can Help

 

A wrongful death claim can help provide your family with the financial support needed to cover expenses associated with your loved one’s death. It may be difficult to receive compensation without an experienced New Mexico wrongful death lawyer who can help prove the party responsible for your loved one’s accident. Investigating the fault of all possible individuals and their various levels of insurance coverage can be complex.
 

Mark Caruso and his staff at Caruso Law Offices have been assisting families like yours in overcoming personal tragedies for more than 31 years. It’s our passion to help take care of your family’s needs during this difficult time.  You’re not alone—call us today at (505) 883-5000 or visit our web site at www.carusolaw.com
 

WHAT IS A WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM?

 

Wrongful death claims are different than other personal injury cases. If you’re filing a wrongful death claim on behalf of your loved one, you’re not only facing outstanding medical bills and treatment costs; you’re dealing with grief, funeral preparations, and the difficulty of facing life without your family member.
 

In its simplest terms, a wrongful death claim is seeking compensation or money damages from the at fault people and their various insurance companies to pay for the loss of your loved one. Often there are several different layers of insurance that must be looked into before settlement can be made with any one particular insurance company.
 

 Mark Caruso and his staff at Caruso Law Offices will approach the legal process with compassion and understanding to get your family the legal support it needs. For more than 31 years, our legal team has helped the victims of tragedy receive the compensation necessary to rebuild their lives.
 

Who Can File a Claim?

 

Although many family members may be considered beneficiaries—or recipients—of wrongful death damages, only one family representative, who has been appointed by the District Court, can file the claim. We begin our involvement in the claim by talking to all family members who have any interest in becoming the lead person to handle the claim. Once a family decision is made on who this person will be, we file the appropriate court documents in the  court to name this person as  the representative (also known as the Administrator or Executor) of the estate.After the court appointment, we file a wrongful death claim against the at fault person.
 

Some of the family members who have traditionally been appointed by the Court to act on behalf of your loved one include a spouse, a child, an heir or heiress, a chosen beneficiary or a parent.
 

One of your duties as a representative of the estate is to hire a law firm to represent the estate. If you’re unsure if you’re eligible to file for wrongful death damages, a Mark Caruso can answer your questions and explain your family’s options.
 

Types of Damages in NM Wrongful Death Claims

 

In New Mexico, depending on the details surrounding your family member’s death, you may be able to recover damages for:
 

• funeral expenses,
• pain and suffering following the trauma causing the death,
• medical expenses resulting from the trauma leading to death,
• lost wages and future lost wages,
• lost benefits and future lost benefits,
• loss of support,
• loss of inheritance,
• loss of your loved one’s medical bills,
• mental anguish suffered by surviving family members.

•                                                                                                                                                          Mark Caruso and his staff of attorneys, paralegals, legal assistants, investigators and experts will use every resource possible to recover the full amount of compensation you need.

•  

We promise to leave no stone unturned in investigating every asset available to your family.

 

Mark Caruso can meet with you at either of his Albuquerque offices--Northeast Heights or Westside.  Consultations with Mark Caruso are FREE and without obligation.  He can meet you at your home, work, hospital on weekends and after-hours.  We represent wrongful death clients statewide New Mexico and in the Indian Pueblos and Navajo Reservation. Contact us at (505) 883-5000

 

 

New Mexico Car Accidents Prompt Parents to Regret Lack of Oversight

New Mexico Car Accidents Caused by Minors

 

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

 

The Albuquerque Personal Injury Lawyers at Caruso Law Offices understand that what's more, some two-thirds said they wished they had spent more time practicing with their teen about what to do, and how to react, in a high-risk situation.

The fact is, motor vehicle crashes are the No. 1 cause of death for teenagers in this country. These incidents claim more lives than drugs, alcohol, sporting injuries, gun violence and other dangers.

Yet, 40 percent of parents don't know this, so it's unsurprising that few take the time to really drive home to their teens the important of the safety knowledge with which they should be armed before getting behind the wheel.

Researchers with Allstate Foundation have teamed up with the National Safety Council to launch a program called Drive It Home, aimed specifically at parents of newly-licensed or soon-to-be licensed drivers. The idea is to not only educate parents about the potential dangers new drivers face, but also to provide tools for how to educate, establish guidelines and enforce rules.

The program uses a combination of graphic images and videos to drive home the message.

Researchers say that parents are the top source of information for teen drivers. They can lead by example and also by setting up clear expectations and consequences for failure to meet those expectations. Still, many parents are reluctant to take on this role. They perhaps have some poor behind-the-wheel habits themselves or don't feel qualified to teach road safety. They leave it up to the driving instructors.

But even with graduated driver's license programs, which are now in place in most states throughout the country, driving instructors are only going to have a limited amount of time with each pupil. It's up to you to ensure your teen is getting enough practice and that he knows what to do when encountering things like ice or aggressive drivers. He also needs to truly understand the potentially devastating and deadly consequences for things like speeding and driving while intoxicated.

It's a parent's job - or both parents' job - to underscore those points.

Some of the additional findings discovered by the Allstate Foundation's research include:

• Many parents simply don't understand how dangerous it is for their teenager behind the wheel. Inexperience is the top cause of crashes involving teenagers. And yet, three-fourths of parents think that the leading cause is unnecessary risk taking. That may lead parents to assume that because their child isn't a risk taker, he doesn't need additional guidance. But that's not he case.


• Although 90 percent of parents say it's critical for teenagers to learn how to drive at night and with other passengers, one-third of parents concede they haven't gone over these skills thoroughly with their child. In the end, this does a new driver a great disservice.


• About a third of parents of new drivers don't set any rules at all with regard to the teen's access or use of a vehicle. In fact, many aren't requiring their child to get permission before taking the vehicle somewhere. This leads to a perception that driving is a right, rather than a privilege. This kind of thinking can lead to more careless behavior.

The NSC recommends making it a priority to ride at least a half an hour each week in the vehicle with your teen driving.
Some things you can work on specifically with your teen include:

• Carefully watching the road ahead and learning to recognize certain hazards and how to react to them;


• Being mindful to control speed, turning, stopping and following distance;


• Becoming more skilled in judging the gap between vehicles in traffic;


• Managing high risk situation, such as driving at night and with passengers.

If you are injured in an auto accident in New Mexico, call Caruso Law Offices for a free and confidential appointment -- (505) 883-5000-- or visit our web site at wwwcarusolaw.com.
Statewide Representation.

New Mexico Wrongful Death Lawyer

New Mexico Wrongful Death Lawyer Mark Caruso Has Proven Results to Get You The Money You Deserve From The Wrongful Death of Your Family Member

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

31 Years Experience in NM Wrongful Death Claims.  Statewide Representation

Call Mark Caruso Today at 505-883-5000 for a Free Consultation

First, let me give you my condolences on the death of your family member.  If the death of your family member was caused by the wrongful act of another person, you may have a wrongful death claim that should be handled by a New Mexico Wrongful Death Lawyer.

A NM wrongful death lawsuit is filed against a person or people who have caused the death of another person. The wrongful death may have been premeditated or resulted from careless, irresponsible or negligent behavior. The New Mexico wrongful death lawsuit is filed on behalf of any surviving dependents or family members and, if successful, provides them with some compensation for the death. The process begins with the Court appointing a personal representative for the estate of the deceased individual.  Usually this is a relative. The personal representative appointed by the Court is in charge of the entire case and makes all the important decisions as to the direction of the case.

Wrongful death can result from a large number of circumstances in which somebody has died needlessly due to another’s carelessness. Wrongful death can include the following:

• A fatality resulting from any sort of vehicle collision
• Dying during an operation that was botched or after the wrong diagnosis had been made
• Fatalities caused by wrong prescriptions or an overdose of a drug used in treatment
• Being killed through the use of a defective product

Purposes of Wrongful Death Claims, and Why You May Need a New Mexico Wrongful Death Lawyer

New Mexico wrongful death claims are not designed so that surviving family members can benefit financially off of somebody else’s death. They have two primary purposes.

1. They provide assistance to a spouse, children or elderly parents who were financially dependent on the person that died. The payment, if granted, is given to the surviving relatives in a carefully prescribed manner. An economist expert is hired by the attorney to review the tax returns and other income documentation to help determine the real loss to the family.  Wrongful death laws do change a little from state to state, so that here in New Mexico, the statutes are somewhat different from what they are in California, Nevada or Texas.
2. Wrongful death laws act as a social deterrent. They serve as a warning, not just to the third party involved in the death, but to anybody else in the community who may act in the same manner.

Who is Entitled to a New Mexico Wrongful Death Claim?

The lawsuit is brought before a Court and a juty will ultimately decide, on the basis of the evidence presented by the family and the economist expert hired by the attorney,  whether a lawsuit will be successful. The jury will also make a decision about how much should be paid out to the estate of the deceased individual. This will be based on who the likely heirs will be and what their needs are, now and into the future.

Usually, it is the surviving spouse and the dependent children who are the first in line to benefit from a wrongful death claim. There may be other people who benefit in the absence of either spouse or children. These could be the parents, especially if they were dependent or living at home with the deceased. If there is nobody that appears to fit any of the above descriptions, then the judge may decide to make a payment to anybody else who is next of kin or according to normal rules about intestate inheritance.

Wrongful death law is relatively new in the United States. In the past if somebody died as a result of an unexpected, yet needless death, then the possibility of making a claim for damages also ceased. This was changed over time because states decided that dependents of people who had died were suffering financial hardship as a result of the death.

New Mexico Wrongful Death Lawyer Mark Caruso  has had 30 years experience handling wrongful death claims.

If you have had a close relative die recently in what you feel was a New Mexico wrongful death, then contact the Caruso Law Offices in Albuquerque, New Mexico at 505-883-5000. After a discussion of the circumstances surrounding the death, our firm will be able to give you a detailed opinion about the possibility of bringing a wrongful death lawsuit against the person or people who may be considered responsible. We do not charge anything for a consultation and you will not have to pay any legal fees unless we win a claim on your behalf. At our firm, we have 30 years experience and have successfully won many wrongful death claims for our clients over the years.

Caruso Law Offices provides legal service for anybody in Albuquerque, New Mexico area that has had a close relative die due to somebody else’s actions and may want to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit. If you have had a member of your family die needlessly due to somebody else’s negligence or irresponsible action, then contact us. We will work tirelessly on your behalf to make sure that justice is received.

Please see our website at www.carusolaw.com or contact New Mexico Wrongful Death Lawyer Mark Caruso directly at 505-883-5000.

 

Driver Distractions in New Mexico Car Accidents

Did a driver distraction cause your car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle or pedestrian accident or collision? Why are driver distractions so dangerous to Albuquerque, New Mexico drivers?

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

When a driver is involved in an accident, one of the first questions raised often investigates the true cause of the accident. If driver distraction played a key role in the accident, it is very important for an injury victim to investigate the incident and determine which type of driver distraction caused the auto accident.

Being involved in a car crash is never an ideal situation that a person would like to be in. Unfortunately, many people will be involved in at least one motor vehicle collision over their entire lifetime. If you were injured in a crash, it is very important for you to evaluate the situation and determine what may have caused this serious collision. Whether the accident was a side-impact crash (T-Bone collision), a head-on accident, or a rear-end collision, determining whether a distracted driver was the cause of the accident can be the source to financial recovery.

What is driver distraction and why is this action considered to be so dangerous? All throughout the country, distracted driving causes many auto accidents and claims many lives each year. In fact, according to statistics provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation, over 3,000 people were fatally injured in accidents caused by distracted driving. There are three different categories that each individual type of distraction falls under, including manual, visual and cognitive distractions. These categories are not mutually exclusive in the sense that some interferences with driving may fall under one, two or all three categories. The three categories are defined as follows:

Manual Distractions: These involve taking your hands off of the wheel. A person can engage in a multitude of actions that can constitute manual distractions, including texting, eating, grooming, changing the radio station, smoking, using a navigation system, and more. Even taking the hands off of the wheel for a split second can have catastrophic consequences should the vehicle travel over a speed bump, pothole, or another type of road block. When a person takes his or her hands off of the wheel, the driver, passengers, and others on the road are immediately at risk to be involved in an accident. If a driver is unable to maintain control of his or her vehicle due to having one or no hands on the wheel, an accident may be inevitable.

Visual Distractions: These disruptions in driving can be extremely dangerous because they involve taking your eyes off of the wheel. Whether you are reading a text message or looking in a mirror, this action is very dangerous. The U.S. DOT estimates that taking the eyes off of the wheel for 4.6 seconds at 55 mph is the equivalent of driving an entire football field with a blindfold on. Other forms of visual distraction can include watching a video, looking at passengers, or even looking at a nearby traffic collision while continuing motion.

Cognitive Distractions: This is one that involves taking your mind away from what you are currently doing. When a driver falls asleep at the wheel, day dreams, or even drives while intoxicated, he or she is engaging in a cognitive distraction. Texting or talking on the phone can constitute a cognitive disturbance during driving because a person must devote attention to the message being sent.
The U.S. DOT predicts that a person is 23 times more likely to be involved in a collision if they are driving while texting. Although 35 states have prohibited the use of text messaging while driving, many people are still doing so and causing serious collisions as a result. Because texting and driving is considered to be a manual, visual and cognitive distraction, it is one of the most dangerous and lethal types of driving impairments in the country.

If you or someone you love has been involved in any type of accident, it is very important to talk to an attorney to determine if some form of driver distraction has led to the accident. The government works hard on promoting safe driving techniques, and has even declared April as National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

While many accidents are unavoidable, those that are caused due to driver distractions can be avoided by following the rules of the road and refraining from engaging in any type of visual, manual or cognitive distraction. For more information about auto accidents, distracted driving, and filing a claim for an accident you have been involved in, contact Caruso Law Offices at 505-883-5000

Albuquerque, New Mexico personal injury attorney Mark Caruso is a former insurance company attorney who now represents the victims in car accidents against insurance companies.  With 31 years of experience and the commitment to help you get the most money possible, you will recover every penny that the law says that you deserve.  Ask about our 29% discounted contingency fee for cases that settle without a lawsuit.