Not only do the laws vary from one state to another, but they also vary from one year to another. If you got injured in an accident in New Mexico, then the courts of New Mexico have jurisdiction to rule on any lawsuits arising from the accident, and they determine the procedures that each party must follow and how much money the plaintiff can get if he or she prevails in the lawsuit. None of the new laws going into effect at the beginning of 2026 change the rules about personal injury lawsuits; they also do not pertain to traffic laws, so they might not prevent accidents caused by drunk or distracted driving, for example. They do, however, relate to matters of health that might affect the expenses you might incur if you suffer an injury, and one of the new laws improves emergency response to improve the chances of survival after certain types of accidents. If you have suffered accidental injuries in the year that has just begun, contact a Santa Fe personal injury lawyer.
SB 353 Search and Rescue Act Amendments
Senate Bill 353 adds amendments to the Search and Rescue Act. It establishes protocols for state and local authorities to follow in the event of search and rescue operations. The goal is to increase the survival rate of people endangered by emergencies that warrant search and rescue operations. The amendments do not affect the legal rights of people injured in these emergencies.
New Laws Affecting Healthcare Costs
New Mexico is also enacting two new laws related to healthcare costs in 2026. The first is SB 120, which eliminates cost-sharing for behavioral health services. In 2026, insurers must include payment for behavioral health services in the costs of premiums; the covered services include outpatient counseling appointments, inpatient treatment, and medications. Behavioral health services include mental health counseling and substance abuse treatment. HB 174 affects insurance reimbursement for community-based pharmacies, but it does not change the amounts that patients pay.
As for your personal injury case, if you get injured because of someone else’s negligence, you have the right to sue the negligent party, regardless of whether you have health insurance and how much of your accident-related medical expenses your insurance covers. When you request compensation for your accident-related medical expenses, you can include the amount that your insurance paid for, as well as the amounts that you paid or that you still owe. You cannot include insurance write-offs in your requested amount, since no one paid them. After you receive a settlement or judgment that includes the portions that your insurance paid, you must reimburse the insurance company for its portion; you do not get to pocket the money that your insurance paid.
Contact Slate Stern About Personal Injury Lawsuits
Slate Stern is a personal injury lawyer who represents plaintiffs injured in accidents in New Mexico. Contact Slate Stern in Santa Fe, New Mexico, or call (505)814-1517 to discuss your case.
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