Jones Injury Attorneys | November 14, 2025 | Personal Injury
If you’ve been seriously injured in an accident, one of your first questions might be, “How much will it cost to hire a personal injury lawyer?” In Albuquerque, the answer depends on the type of attorney and the fee structure they use.
Fortunately, most personal injury lawyers in Albuquerque operate on a contingency fee basis. This arrangement makes legal help accessible regardless of your financial situation.
Let’s explore how legal fees work and what you should expect when hiring a lawyer in New Mexico.
Most Personal Injury Lawyers Use a Contingency Fee
The most common way personal injury attorneys charge clients is through a contingency fee agreement. This means that the lawyer only gets paid if they win your case, either through a settlement or a court verdict. You don’t pay anything up front, and there are no hourly fees. Instead, the attorney receives a percentage of the money they recover on your behalf.
This fee model benefits injury victims by allowing them to focus on healing instead of worrying about legal bills. It also aligns your lawyer’s interests with your own—if they don’t win, they don’t get paid.
What Factors Can Influence How Much a Lawyer Makes?
The total amount a lawyer earns can vary depending on the specifics of your case.
Several factors may affect the ultimate fee, including:
- Case complexity: More complicated cases, involving multiple parties, expert witnesses, or extensive litigation, may require more time and resources.
- Time and effort involved: If a case settles quickly, legal fees may be lower. If the case goes to trial, costs rise due to increased preparation.
- Risk: Attorneys take on the risk of not being paid at all under contingency agreements. Riskier or less certain cases may justify a higher percentage.
- Results achieved: Some lawyers may charge different percentages based on whether a case settles early or proceeds to trial.
It’s always a good idea to discuss the specifics of a fee agreement in writing during your initial consultation.
Other Payment Structures You Might Encounter
If you need help with a legal issue outside personal injury—such as estate planning, criminal defense, or family law—you may encounter other fee structures:
- Hourly rate: The lawyer bills you for each hour worked on your case. Rates vary based on experience, specialty, and location.
- Flat fee: You pay a predetermined amount for a specific service (common in document preparation or uncontested matters).
- Retainer plus hourly: Some lawyers require a retainer (an upfront deposit) and bill hourly against that amount.
These structures are less common for personal injury claims, but it’s important to understand how they work if you’re hiring a lawyer for another type of legal issue.
How to Know What a Lawyer Will Charge
Before signing a fee agreement, always ask the attorney for clear, written information about:
- The type of fee arrangement
- Any upfront costs you might be responsible for
- What happens if the case settles early or goes to trial
- Whether case expenses (e.g., filing fees, expert witness costs) are deducted before or after the lawyer’s share
Transparency at the beginning of the attorney-client relationship helps ensure that there are no surprises later.
Contact Our Albuquerque Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Albuquerque, NM, don’t let worries about cost stop you from getting the legal help you deserve. At Jones Injury Attorneys, we offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, so there’s no cost to get started and no fee unless we win your case.
Call today to schedule your free consultation with an experienced Albuquerque personal injury lawyer. We have decades of combined experience helping victims of car accidents, medical malpractice, and other types of personal injury cases.
Visit Our Law Offices in Albuquerque, NM
Jones Injury Attorneys – Downtown
1011 Lomas Blvd NW #106
Albuquerque, NM 87102
(505) 248-1400
Available: Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM
Jones Injury Attorneys – Arroyo del Oso Office
8205 Spain Rd NE #111-B
Albuquerque, NM 87109
(505) 634-7796
Available: Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM