Unfortunately, car accidents are quite frequently reported in New Mexico. You suffered serious injuries in a car accident, which happened because of someone’s neglect or disregard for safety. Once you get medical attention and are feeling better, you should consider talking to an Albuquerque personal injury lawyer. Here are a few basic questions you must ask on your first appointment.
- What is my claim worth? What are the merits and demerits of the case?
Most personal injury lawyers will be happy to offer a free case evaluation. You need to know what your car accident claim is worth, so that you can take a sensible decision on whether you want to continue with the case. Each car accident case is unique in terms of circumstances, and state laws vary. New Mexico follows the “pure comparative negligence” rule. This means that if you had part role in causing the accident, your share of compensation will reduce accordingly. Make sure that you discuss these aspects with your lawyer. It is wise to be as transparent with details with a personal injury lawyer as possible.
- How long will it take to settle the case?
There is no standard answer to that. The first step is to file an insurance claim with the at-fault party’s insurer. The claims adjuster will make an offer, and from there on, your personal injury lawyer can take offer. Most car accident lawsuits are settled outside of court, but sometimes, a trial may become evident. There is also the statute of limitations in New Mexico, which allows three years from the date of accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Your lawyer can give a realistic idea of the timeline.
- Who will handle my case? Will you work on a contingency basis?
Many law firms take up car accident lawsuits and assign a lawyer as per availability. However, you need to make sure that the personal injury lawyer working on your case has necessary experience and expertise. Ideally, the lawyer you met should be the one handling your case. Also, when it comes to car accident lawsuits, many lawyers in Albuquerque work on a contingency basis. This means that they get paid, only when they win a settlement for the client. This is usually a decided percentage of the settlement, typically anywhere between 25% and 40%.
Talk to a personal injury lawyer as soon as you can after the accident, so that the initial investigation is easier.
