New Mexico ranks second in the nation for wildfires in terms of acres burned. In 2022, wildfires destroyed over 859,900 acres of land across the Land of Enchantment. While many wildfires can happen spontaneously, most are caused by humans.
If you’ve been injured, lost property, or experienced the wrongful death of a family member because of a wildfire in New Mexico, it’s important to explore your legal rights. You may have the ability to seek compensation from your insurance company or, in cases of arson or negligence, through a personal injury lawsuit.
The experienced New Mexico wildfire attorneys at Singleton Schreiber are here to help you explore your options and fight for the maximum recovery you deserve.
Singleton Schreiber is a trusted name in wildfire injury litigation. Our nationally acclaimed trial attorneys have successfully recovered over $2.5 Billion in fire litigation cases over the past decade.
We’ve represented over 26,000 wildfire victims across the nation. Now, you can discover how our fearless advocates can help you put your life back together after a wildfire, too. Contact one of our New Mexico law offices - conveniently located in Albuquerque, Clovis, Hobbs, Las Vegas, Los Lunas, Mora, or Ruidoso - to schedule a free consultation now.
What Causes Most Wildfires in New Mexico?
While thousands of acres of New Mexico are ravaged by wildfires yearly, the total number of wildfires spread across the state is relatively low. In 2022, 748 wildfires burned throughout the state. In contrast, 12,571 wildfires burned in nearby Texas.
So, the wildfires that are ablaze in New Mexico - including the McBride Fire and Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon Fire - tend to be catastrophic.
Three things set the stage for wildfires: dry vegetation, heat, and a lack of rainfall. New Mexico is the fourth driest state in the nation and, as part of the American Southwest, regularly has some of the country’s hottest weather. This sets the stage for wildfires to run rampant.
All that’s needed is a spark. Unfortunately, about 85 percent of wildfires in the United States are caused by humans, intentionally or by acts of negligence.
Some of the most commonly cited causes include:
- Unattended campfires
- Burning debris and leaves
- Downed power lines
- Fireworks
- Smoking
- Improper disposal of cigarettes
- Power equipment malfunctions and defects
- Faulty electrical wiring
- Lightning
- Arson
Given New Mexico’s dry state, wildfires can spread rapidly and cause a lot of damage quickly. When a wildfire is the result of negligence, victims may have recourse through a lawsuit for damaged property, physical injuries, and deaths of family members.
New Mexico Wildfires Cause Millions of Dollars in Damage Every Year
Wildfires don’t discriminate as they tear through forests, towns, and cities across the state of New Mexico. They’re known for causing considerable damage to the land, infrastructure, businesses, and personal property.
Property damage includes:
- Structural damage to personal dwellings and commercial property resulting from fire exposure
- Smoke damage
- Water damage and floods resulting from firefighting efforts
- Loss of livestock and pets
- Damaged crops
- Utility damage
- Vehicle damage
Every year, people are injured in New Mexico wildfires, too. Injuries can be caused by direct exposure to the flames, smoke inhalation, or falling objects that are weakened or destroyed by the fires.
Some of the most commonly reported wildfire injuries include:
- Burn injuries
- Amputation injuries
- Crush injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Chest injuries
- Respiratory injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Bruising and contusions
- Vision and hearing loss
- Infections
- Cuts and lacerations
- Wrongful death
As a victim of a wildfire, you’ll have the right to seek compensation. The damages that can be awarded and from whom will depend on your specific losses.
If you’re a homeowner or operate a business in New Mexico, you will usually have the ability to seek benefits from your commercial or homeowner’s insurance provider. You may also have the opportunity to seek compensation from a third party if you can prove that they set the fire intentionally or caused the wildfire through an act of negligence.
What Compensation Can I Recover After a Wildfire in New Mexico?
Benefits can be paid to offset costs of property damage, including new construction, building repairs, utility repairs, and the replacement of vehicles and personal property.
When you suffer physical injuries or the death of a family member in a New Mexico wildfire, you may have the right to seek compensation for:
- Current and future medical expenses, such as hospitalization, corrective and/or plastic surgery, medication, and medical devices
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Temporary and/or permanent disability
- Reduced earning capacity
- Funeral expenses
- Costs paid out-of-pocket
- Temporary housing expenses, including hotel stays
- Reduced quality of life
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Inconvenience
New Mexico also gives wildfire injury victims the opportunity to seek punitive damages in a limited number of situations. If your wildfire lawsuit goes to trial, a jury can award punitive damages if it determines that the wildfire was set intentionally or the result of the defendant’s gross negligence.
You don’t have to worry about what compensation you can get, how much you can recover, or from whom. Focus on your recovery and leave the details of your personal injury claim to our wildfire attorneys in New Mexico.
Why Wildfire Victims in New Mexico Trust Singleton Schreiber
Even though you may have the right to seek compensation after a wildfire in New Mexico, taking on an insurance company or a defense attorney won’t be easy. Hiring an experienced New Mexico personal injury lawyer can help you force more meaningful results.
There’s a reason why over 20,000 wildfire injury victims across the nation have trusted Singleton Schreiber. We’re award-winning trial attorneys with decades of collective experience recognized by Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers in America, and the National Law Journal for excellence in civil litigation.
We offer compassionate, trustworthy legal representation and help our clients consistently achieve top results.
Count on us to handle all aspects of your civil wildfire injury claim, including:
- A prompt and thorough investigation into the matter
- Careful analysis of medical records, forensic reports, police reports, video footage, eyewitness statements, photographs of damaged property and physical injuries, and other evidence
- Consultations with fire experts, forensics specialists, medical professionals, rehabilitation specialists, and other expert witnesses
- A thorough evaluation of your specific situation to identify all potential options for recovering compensation
- Aggressive representation during all hearings, negotiations, and court appearances
Our New Mexico wildfire lawyers will build a compelling claim that forces the defense to offer you a settlement that genuinely represents what your case is worth. If the defense doesn’t take responsibility for your losses, our top-rated New Mexico litigators will be ready to bring your case to trial.
You have a limited time to seek compensation for your wildfire injuries. Call our New Mexico law office to put our local lawyers and national resources in your corner, too. Your initial case evaluation is free.
