Getting hurt upends life in an instant. We help people in Albuquerque and across New Mexico put the pieces back together and assert their rights with confidence.
At Callender Bowlin, Albuquerque personal injury lawyer Mark Callender and attorney Josh Bowlin guide clients through every step with clear next actions. We start with a free consultation and we do not charge attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation.
“Josh and Mark and the rest of the Callender Bowlin team are second to none. They are the best storm damage and hurricane attorneys in Houston.” – Chris
Hurt in Albuquerque?
Clarity on day one reduces stress and protects claims. We immediately triage your situation and outline the fastest path to stability.
Quick Case Triage (60-Second Read). Were you injured? Was someone else careless or at fault? Did the incident occur in New Mexico within the last three years? If you can say “yes” to these, you likely have a viable claim. If you are unsure, we confirm the issues and explain your options in plain language.
Day-One To-Dos (Protect Your Claim). Get medical care and follow the treatment plan. Photograph the scene, vehicles, hazards, and visible injuries. Collect witness names, preserve receipts, and do not give a recorded statement to any insurer until you speak with us. These steps preserve evidence and reduce the risk of lowball offers.
What We Do Immediately. We secure police reports, surveillance, and medical records. We notify insurers to route all contact through us, set up medical billing protections when possible, and calculate early losses like wages and transportation. These actions keep your case organized and keep pressure on the insurer to evaluate fairly.
Meet Your Albuquerque Advocates
People in crisis deserve attorneys who combine compassion with tenacity. New Mexico personal injury lawyer Mark Callender and New Mexico injury attorney Josh Bowlin bring both.
We focus on clear communication and predictable check-ins. We explain the “why” behind each step so you always know what is happening and what comes next.
Why choose Callender Bowlin for your injury case? We keep caseloads manageable so we can be responsive. We meet clients where they are, by phone, in person at 609 Gold Ave. SW, Suite 1D, Albuquerque, NM 87102, or virtually, so help is never out of reach.
What experience do these attorneys bring? Albuquerque accident lawyer Mark Callender and Albuquerque injury lawyer Josh Bowlin have handled claims ranging from everyday collisions to complex catastrophic losses. We prepare every matter as if it could be tried so negotiations are grounded in evidence and risk.
How we approach personal injury with compassion and tenacity. We listen first, then act fast. We pair meticulous investigation with practical solutions like rental-car guidance, provider referrals, and property-damage help, because practical relief builds momentum for the legal case.
Do You Have a Valid Personal Injury Case in Albuquerque?
Clear rules make early decisions easier. New Mexico law sets straightforward guardrails that determine whether a claim can proceed.
What basic criteria must your case meet? Someone must have owed you a duty of care, breached that duty through negligence, and caused injuries and losses. Medical documentation and consistent treatment help connect the dots.
Does location or timing matter? Most New Mexico personal injury claims must be filed within three years of the incident. There are shorter notice rules for government entities and different rules for minors, so early legal advice avoids missed deadlines.
What if I was partly at fault? New Mexico uses pure comparative fault. Even if you share responsibility, your recovery is reduced only by your percentage of fault. For example, a $100,000 verdict with 20% fault still allows an $80,000 recovery. This rule makes evidence preservation crucial because better proof can reduce your assigned percentage.
Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle
Different cases require different proof and strategy. We accept both common and complex matters and match the approach to the facts.
We handle car crashes, truck collisions, motorcycle wrecks, pedestrian and bicycle injuries, rideshare incidents, slip-and-fall and trip-and-fall events, dog bites, nursing-home neglect, wrongful death, and medical malpractice. Each category has recurring defense themes we anticipate and counter.
We evaluate pipeline or oilfield accidents, product-defect injuries, negligent-security assaults, toxic exposure, and traumatic brain injuries from unusual mechanisms. These matters often demand expert reconstruction, corporate document analysis, and early preservation letters.
We assess liability clarity, available insurance or assets, injury severity, and the cost/benefit of specialized experts. We are candid about strengths and weaknesses because informed decisions lead to better outcomes.
The New Mexico Legal Rules You Should Know
Simple legal guardrails help you avoid hidden traps. We highlight three rules that shape most cases.
Statute of Limitations: 3 Years in Most PI Cases. Most personal injury lawsuits in New Mexico must be filed within three years of the injury date. Claims involving government entities can trigger shorter notices, and deadlines for minors or wrongful death can vary. The safest choice is to contact us quickly so we can calendar every date.
Pure Comparative Fault in New Mexico. New Mexico reduces recovery by a plaintiff’s percentage of fault but never bars recovery solely due to partial blame. Evidence like scene photos, black-box data, incident reports, and medical timelines helps narrow your share of fault and increase net recovery.
Several Liability and Multiple Defendants. In many New Mexico cases, each defendant is responsible only for its share of fault. Identifying every responsible party early: drivers, contractors, property owners, or product manufacturers, prevents gaps in coverage and protects full recovery.
The Albuquerque Claim Process
A predictable roadmap reduces stress. We explain each stage with short timelines and decision points.
Intake & Investigation. We gather your story, identify insurers, and send preservation notices. We secure police reports, 911 audio when available, scene and vehicle photos, and witness statements. Early investigation prevents evidence from disappearing.
Medical Care & Damage Analysis. We coordinate with treating providers and obtain records and bills. We calculate wage loss, future care, diminished earning capacity, and out-of-pocket expenses. Strong damages packages convert medical facts into clear dollar impacts.
Demand & Negotiation. We prepare a detailed demand summarizing liability, injuries, treatment, prognosis, and losses. We time demands to match medical milestones, because negotiating too early can understate future needs.
Filing Suit & Litigation. If negotiations stall, we file suit and push through written discovery, depositions, and mediation. We keep you informed about tradeoffs between settlement certainty and trial risk.
Typical Timelines in NM. Straightforward cases often resolve within several months after treatment stabilizes. Litigated matters can extend 12–24 months due to discovery schedules and court calendars. We maintain momentum with regular follow-ups and targeted motions.
Insurance Company Playbook (and How We Beat It)
Knowing the playbook blunts its power. We prepare you for the most common tactics so nothing catches you off guard.
Recorded-Statement Traps & Lowball Offers. Insurers ask for recorded statements to lock in answers before you understand the full medical picture. We direct all communications through us and provide precise written updates that avoid misinterpretation.
Comparative Fault Pushbacks. Adjusters often argue you were distracted, speeding, or not watching your step. We counter with time-stamped photos, video, biomechanical analysis where needed, and medical causation opinions that tie injuries to the event.
Delay and “Gaps in Treatment.” Carriers scrutinize treatment delays to suggest injuries are unrelated. We help schedule appointments and document unavoidable gaps so the record stays coherent and fair.
Albuquerque Local Insights & Accident Patterns
Local context informs liability and damages. We know where problems tend to occur and why.
Which highways and roads see the most injury crashes? Corridors like I-40, I-25, Central Ave, Coors Blvd, and Paseo del Norte frequently appear in collision reports due to volume, speed changes, and merging patterns. Neighborhood streets near schools and retail centers also produce heavy pedestrian and bicycle traffic.
How do Albuquerque traffic and weather contribute to accidents? Afternoon glare, monsoon-season showers, and winter black ice create visibility and traction challenges. Construction zones and lane shifts add confusion that can increase comparative-fault disputes unless the scene is documented quickly.
What do local accident statistics show? Traffic density around commute windows and event nights correlates with increased incidents. We use local patterns to seek additional cameras, identify witnesses, and anticipate insurer arguments about speed, intoxication, or lighting.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When should I contact an attorney after my accident?
Contact us as soon as you can. Early guidance preserves evidence, prevents statement traps, and protects deadlines.
How is my case value calculated?
Medical bills, future care, wage loss, reduced earning capacity, and pain and suffering drive value. Liability clarity and comparative fault also affect offers and verdicts.
How much will hiring a lawyer cost me?
We work on a contingency fee, and you pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation. We explain costs and fee percentages up front so there are no surprises.
Could my compensation be reduced?
Yes, New Mexico’s pure comparative fault reduces recovery by your share of blame. Evidence that clarifies the true sequence of events minimizes reductions.
What if the at-fault party has no insurance?
We examine UM/UIM coverage, med-pay benefits, and potential third-party liability. Layering policies can bridge gaps and maximize recovery.
Do I always need to go to court?
Many claims settle without a lawsuit, and many lawsuits settle before trial. We recommend litigation when it is the best path to a fair result.
How long will my case take in Albuquerque?
Treatment duration, dispute complexity, and court calendars set the pace. We keep momentum with proactive communication and targeted deadlines.
Speak With an Albuquerque Personal Injury Lawyer Now
Fast contact opens the door to relief. We offer 24/7 free case reviews by phone. Contact Callender Bowlin at (505) 302-2995, through a short online form, or in person at our downtown office.
Bring a photo ID, insurance cards, the crash or incident report number, photos or videos, medical records and bills to date, pay stubs for wage loss, and any claim letters. If you do not have some of these yet, that is okay. We can help collect them.