After a crash in Gallup, the days that follow decide a lot. Keeler & Keeler has helped injured drivers and passengers across McKinley County and the Four Corners for more than twenty years. We handle the insurance companies, protect the evidence, and fight for what your injuries are actually worth. The consultation is free and confidential, and there is no fee unless we win.
What to do after a car accident in Gallup
- Get medical care first, even if you feel alright. Some serious injuries do not show symptoms for hours or days, and a gap in treatment is the first thing an insurer uses against you.
- Call the police and make sure a report is created. Note which agency responds.
- Photograph everything: vehicles, the scene, road conditions, license plates, and your injuries.
- Get names and numbers of the other driver and any witnesses.
- Do not admit fault and do not give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer before talking to a lawyer.
- Call us so evidence is preserved before it disappears.
How to get your crash report in McKinley County
Which agency holds your report depends on where the crash happened. In and around Gallup it may be the Gallup Police Department; on county roads, the McKinley County Sheriff; on highways such as Interstate 40 and US 491, the New Mexico State Police; and on Navajo Nation land, the Navajo Police. Knowing the responding agency is the first step to getting the report that usually forms the backbone of a claim. We request and review it for you.
Should I talk to the insurance adjuster?
Be careful. The other driver’s adjuster is trained to reduce or deny your claim, and an early recorded statement can be used to twist your words. You are generally not required to give the other side a statement. Report the crash to your own insurer, then let us handle the rest.
Uninsured and underinsured drivers
Many drivers in this region carry little or no insurance. If the person who hit you cannot cover your losses, your own uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage may become the most important source of recovery. We review every policy in your household so nothing is left on the table.
Hit and run, DWI, and Highway 491 crashes
Hit-and-run and drunk-driving crashes are common here and carry extra layers, from criminal cases to uninsured-motorist claims. US 491 and I-40 also bring heavy and commercial traffic. If a semi or commercial truck was involved, the claim is different and higher-value; see our work on truck accidents.
Was your crash on the Navajo Nation?
If the collision happened on or near tribal land, which court can hear your case is not automatic and getting it wrong can end the claim. We handle these regularly. Tell us the exact location so the case is filed in the right forum from day one.
What is my car accident claim worth?
It depends on your injuries, your medical costs, lost income, and how the crash happened. New Mexico uses pure comparative negligence, so you can recover even if you were partly at fault. Learn more on our New Mexico personal injury page, or call for a straight answer about your situation.
The law behind these cases
- NMSA 1978, Section 37-1-8Three years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit in New Mexico.
- NMSA 1978, Section 66-5-215The state minimum auto policy is $25,000 per person, $50,000 per crash, and $10,000 property damage, which is why your own uninsured and underinsured coverage matters.
- Scott v. Rizzo, 1981-NMSC-021New Mexico uses pure comparative negligence. Being partly at fault reduces a recovery; it does not bar it.
Each citation links to the statute, regulation, or reported opinion. How they apply depends on the facts of your case.
Where we handle car accident cases
Keeler & Keeler is based in Gallup, New Mexico, and represents injured people across McKinley County, San Juan County, Cibola County, the Interstate 40 corridor, and the Navajo Nation. If you are looking for a car accident lawyer in Gallup, car accident lawyer in Grants, car accident lawyer in Farmington, car accident lawyer in Albuquerque, car accident lawyer for the Navajo Nation, the consultation is free and can start with a phone call to (505) 722-5608.
