Car accidents might happen every day, but that does not make getting into one any less frightening or confusing. Becoming the victim of a crash in New Mexico could leave you with many questions and concerns – including whether you will have to pay for your medical bills and other damages yourself.
Albuquerque, New Mexico car accident lawyers can provide peace of mind and honest answers to your questions in the overwhelming aftermath of a car accident. However, not every attorney will be the right fit. It’s important to know how to find the best one in Albuquerque for you before making your decision. Choose the right attorney for your case by doing your research, narrowing down your options and searching for a few essential traits.
Look Local
Do not get swept up in advertising, commercials or billboards from large national law firms. You need a car accident attorney who is local to the Albuquerque area to truly understand the needs and nuances of your case. Your attorney should have first-hand experience navigating local and state car accident laws.
Local experience will be important during your case because your lawyer will have connections and relationships with the insurance companies, representatives, courtrooms and court staff that are involved. A local law firm will also make it easier for you to meet with your attorney and attend meetings or hearings together.
List Your Options
Begin your search by asking around for referrals. Ask your friends and family members if they have options for car accident lawyers. If not, take your search online. You can use a resource such as the State Bar of New Mexico to search for licensed attorneys in Bernalillo County. You can also conduct a Google search for “best car accident attorney in Albuquerque.” Write down a list of a few options to research further.
Six Traits to Look for in Your Albuquerque Car Accident Lawyer
When you start researching car accident lawyers in Albuquerque, there should be certain traits that you search for to identify the perfect lawyer for you. Not all attorneys are created equal. Find one that fulfills your wish list to increase the odds of winning your car accident case. The following qualities can prove that a lawyer has what it takes to provide high-quality legal representation.
Experience
An Albuquerque car accident lawyer with experience will know what your car accident case needs to succeed. He or she can use years of experience to accurately assess the value of your claim, quickly collect evidence, efficiently handle the claims process and pursue the best possible results on your behalf. Experience can give you more confidence in the abilities of your attorney to handle anything that comes his or her way, including complications such as multiple defendants or comparative negligence defenses.
Do not look only for general legal experience. Search for a lawyer with experience handling car accident claims specifically. Every practice area comes with unique laws, rules and requirements. Car accident law is very different from product liability or premises liability law, for example. Find an attorney with real-world experience in handling motor vehicle accidents – ideally, your unique type of accident. If you were in an accident with a big rig, for instance, find a lawyer that handles commercial motor vehicle wrecks.
Time
Stay away from large mill-type firms that accept every case and take on as many as possible at once, passing them off to paralegals and assistants. These law firms may not have the time to dedicate personal care or attention to your car accident case. They may let your claim slip through the cracks, leading to avoidable delays in payout or a smaller award than your injuries are truly worth. Instead, search for a lawyer who is committed to providing personal attention to each client. Look for a firm that treats clients with one-on-one care, 24/7 communication and tailored legal strategies.
Reputation
The ideal Albuquerque, NM personal injury attorney to take your car accident case would be one with a long history of satisfied clients. While one or two negative reviews online might not mean the lawyer is unfit, the majority of reviews and client testimonials for the lawyer you choose should be positive. Most car accident lawyers make reviews available on their websites, or you can conduct a separate search through a third-party site to see if you can find any information about the law firm.
Capabilities
Although most car accident claims settle without going to trial, you may need to pursue compensation through the full court process for fair results. If so, your lawyer will need the ability to represent you during an injury trial. If the lawyer you retain cannot go to trial, you may have to switch attorneys partway through your case. Search for a law firm with trial experience and ample legal resources to avoid this issue.
Results
The lawyer representing you should have a track record of succeeding with other car accident cases and clients in your area. Search for past case results on the lawyer’s website or ask him or her directly about success stories. Although this will not guarantee the lawyer will win you an award, it can show that he or she has what it takes to achieve positive results for clients.
Personality
Finally, search for a personality you get along with when hiring a car accident attorney. Schedule free consultations with a few top choices and meet with each lawyer in person, if possible. You should get along with your lawyer and be able to trust him or her with your case. Your attorney should show commitment, compassion and a genuine desire to help when discussing your car accident case.
Check for Contingency Fees
It’s important to understand how a personal injury lawyer charges before becoming that lawyer’s client. You don’t want to encounter unexpected charges and fees at the conclusion of your car accident case. Typically, the best fee structure for a car accident lawyer in Albuquerque to use is known as “contingency fees.”
A car accident lawyer who operates on a contingency fee basis doesn’t charge any fees upfront. The client will only pay if the case results in financial compensation. If a settlement or jury verdict is collected on behalf of the client, the fees will be charged as a percentage of the amount won. The amount of the fee will depend on the case’s complexity.
With this payment arrangement, you will never have to pay for your lawyer out of your own pocket. You will either pay out of your award or not pay at all. This protects you from assuming any financial risks associated with pursuing your car accident case. Look for a lawyer who cares about your financial recovery as much as you do, with transparent and reasonable fees.
Make a List of Questions
Once you’ve narrowed your list of potential attorneys down and are ready to meet with your top choice(s) in person, curate a list of questions to ask so that you can make the most out of the initial consultation. Asking the right questions can make your free case evaluation more productive.
Here is a list of potential questions:
- How much experience do you have handling car accident claims in Albuquerque?
- What is your case success rate?
- Have you handled any cases like mine?
- How long do you think my case will take to resolve?
- How much is my case worth?
- How do you charge for your services?
- Will I have to pay a retainer or anything upfront?
- Who will be handling my case?
- Are you capable of going to trial with my case, if necessary?
- What documents and evidence should I collect for my case?
The lawyer you speak with should be open to answering all of your questions in detail. Refusing to answer or giving you vague answers are red flags, as is making you feel rushed or like an inconvenience. The best lawyer for you will take the time to listen to your car accident story, offer caring advice and guidance, and educate you about your rights and legal options.
Signs That a Lawyer Is Not the Right Fit
Throughout your search, you may encounter signs that a car accident lawyer is not the right choice for your case. Learning how to recognize these warning signs can save you time and trouble.
General red flags include:
- Poor communication. If an attorney does not return your call or message in a reasonable timeframe, this may be a sign that the attorney is too busy at the moment to take your case. This is also true if you have only been able to get in touch with office staff or paralegals and never the actual lawyer.
- Lack of transparency. An experienced and honest car accident attorney will be able to give you direct answers to your questions and let you know right away if he or she is a good fit for your case. Avoid attorneys that are reluctant to talk about legal fees, case strategies or how the law firm plans on achieving your goals.
- Guaranteeing a win. No car accident attorney, no matter how good, can guarantee positive case results. If a lawyer has promised he or she can win your case or guaranteed a certain dollar amount, this is a red flag and points to dishonesty.
- Pressure to hire the law firm. A lawyer should not discourage you from getting a second opinion or making your own decisions. You should never feel pressured or threatened into hiring the attorney. A free consultation should be offered with no obligation to hire the law firm.
Any kind of disorganized, rude or unprofessional behavior should have you looking elsewhere for car accident case representation in Albuquerque. Your attorney should treat you like a person and a priority – not just another case number.
Contact The Fine Law Firm for a Car Accident Attorney in Albuquerque Who Gets Real Results
The Fine Law Firm was established in 1975. Our automobile accident team has more than 100 years of combined legal experience. Over the past 50 years, we’ve helped thousands of clients get their lives back after damaging car accidents.
Our attorneys have an outstanding reputation in Albuquerque and a long track record of success. We can provide you with an unmatched level of representation in the State of New Mexico. Schedule your free consultation today to speak to an attorney.