No one ever expects to be in a car accident. Not only are you suddenly faced with serious and potentially life-changing injuries, but also the cost of treatment for those injuries and time away from work.
It is reasonable to be concerned about your next steps and how to receive the compensation you deserve.
If someone else’s negligent action caused your accident, you should not be held responsible for the damages you have sustained.
Many accident victims fail to seek professional legal counsel from an Albuquerque car accident lawyer for fear of high attorney fees.
At Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro P.C. we are paid on contingency, meaning that if you do not recover damages, neither do we.
Keep reading to learn more about car accident attorney fees and how we can help. If you have questions, or would like to speak with an injury attorney, please contact us right away.
New Mexico Car Accident Statistics
On average, more than one person dies daily on New Mexico roadways. According to the New Mexico Department of Transportation, there were 40,769 traffic crashes reported on public roads in New Mexico in 2021.
These crashes involved 99,470 people, with 17,971 people injured and 483 people killed. New Mexico crash fatality rates were higher than the national average for the last five years leading up to 2021. Here are some other meaningful statistics:
- July had the most fatalities (51) and June had the least (26);
- Alcohol was involved in 106 of the fatalities;
- Driver inattention was a factor in 18 percent of all crashes;
- There were 57 accident victims under the age of 21; and
- On an average day, a motor vehicle crash occurred every 13 minutes in New Mexico.
Regarding roads in New Mexico, 34% are rated as being in poor condition.
According to New Mexico’s Heath Indicator Data & Statistics, the motor vehicle traffic-related death rate of 10.0/per 100,000 in New Mexico in 2020 was 28% higher than the national rate of 15.1/per 100,000.
Distracted driving, speeding, fatigue, and drunk driving are important causes of motor vehicle traffic crash-related injury deaths.
What Does an Albuquerque Car Accident Lawyer Do?
A car accident lawyer plays a vital role in fighting for the compensation you deserve and protecting your rights.
The period following your car accident can be incredibly stressful, painful, and confusing. You may be getting a lot of advice from well-meaning people, but a car accident lawyer can explain how the law applies to your claim and what legal options are available to seek justice and a fair settlement.
They can relieve some of the pressure you are feeling by pursuing a legal claim on your behalf while you take the time and space you need to heal.
An Albuquerque car accident lawyer can conduct an independent investigation into your accident to understand how it occurred and who was at fault so that you know who to bring your claim against.
Depending on the circumstances of what happened, your injuries may not always be the fault of the driver who hit you, and it is important that you are filing your claim against the correct person.
Knowing the value of your claim is one of the keys to receiving fair compensation. If you are unsure what amount constitutes fair, you are more likely to be taken advantage of by the insurance company.
When calculating the value of your claim, a car accident lawyer will consider the past, current, and future impact on your physical, mental, emotional, and financial wellness.
How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost?
All attorneys can be compensated however they see fit within certain legal and ethical limits. Having been in an accident was certainly enough of a surprise. Your car accident lawyer fees should not be a surprise.
According to pop culture, and classic stereotypes, attorneys cost large sums of money and are difficult to work with.
That is certainly not correct in most cases. Personal injury attorneys are not paid unless they recover money for their clients. It is important to be clear on the auto accident lawyer fees before entering into an official working relationship.
What is a Contingency Fee?
Auto accident lawyer fees can differ for each attorney, but personal injury lawyers most commonly work on contingency. This means that the amount they are paid for their work is “contingent” on their ability to recover damages.
If they do not recover compensation on your behalf, you are not out any amount for legal fees. A contingency fee is usually an agreed-upon percentage of the funds recovered.
At Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro P.C. we work on contingency for car accident cases, and we also offer a free initial consultation where we learn more about your claim and start to assess the strength of your case based on the facts. We will always fight to achieve maximum compensation on behalf of our clients.
Other Types of Attorney Fee Structures
Some attorneys bill by the hour, which is less common for personal injury cases but not unheard of.
Others may choose to bill a flat or fixed rate. This fee structure is usually reserved for services like drafting wills, business agreements, or other legal documents. Always discuss fees before signing an agreement for legal representation.
What Other Legal Fees Should I Be Aware Of?
Car accident lawyer fees are not the only costs of pursuing legal action. If you choose to take your case to trial, you may incur some of the following expenses that your Albuquerque car accident lawyer does not control:
- Expert testimony fees,
- Court document filing fees,
- Fees associated with acquiring medical records,
- Investigative research costs, and
- Administrative expenses.
These are fees that are not part of providing professional legal representation, but that does not mean you must have the funds available.
At Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro P.C., we will advance the cost of these fees, so you can focus on healing and keep your case moving forward.
Contact a New Mexico Car Accident Lawyer Today
At Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro P.C., we know that the last thing you want to have to deal with in the wake of a serious car accident is trying to gather the funds to pay a lawyer, and luckily, you do not have to.
Our team has decades of combined legal experience and negotiating skills that we will put to work for you. Contact us today to schedule your free, no-obligation case consultation.
James Tawney
James Tawney is a native of the Southwest dedicated to serving his community. He was born and raised in Arizona, where he attended Northern Arizona University and graduated summa cum laude.
Rate this Post
Loading...