Albuquerque Fender Benders: When to Contact a Car Accident Lawyer
April 2, 2026
What is a Fender Bender?
A fender bender is a car crash that happens at low speeds and that usually causes visible but minor damage to a car’s body. However, fender benders can cause serious injuries and lead to expensive vehicle repairs.
In most cases, fender benders happen in heavy, slow-moving traffic, in parking lots or parking garages, or on icy roads. Anyone who has been in a fender bender will know that the sound of two cars colliding, even at low speeds makes a loud crunch sound. That is the sound of bumpers impacting each other and cracking.
In this article, we’ll explore when to report a fender bender, how much you may have to spend if you get into a fender bender, the types of injuries fender benders can cause, and when to call a car accident lawyer after a fender bender in New Mexico.
In The Article
Are Fender Benders a Big Deal?
Fender benders can be a big deal. Even if a fender bender doesn’t cause a serious injury, they can affect the frame of your vehicle. Additionally, if you are in a fender bender, and you don’t think you have an injury, you may experience delayed pain in the days after your accident.
Should You Report a Fender Bender in New Mexico?
Yes! In many cases, fender benders go unreported, because people don’t necessarily think they’re a big deal at the time of the accident. However, it’s important to report accidents, even if you don’t think any damage or injury was caused.
After a fender bender, be sure to take pictures of the damage to the vehicles involved and the area surrounding the accident. Additionally, exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver or drivers involved.
There are times when it is mandatory to report a fender bender. According to NM Stat § 66-7-207 (2018), any accident resulting in over $500 in damages or bodily injury should be reported within five days. If you’re unsure your accident meets any of the criteria in this statute, you should file a New Mexico accident report, just to be safe.
Filing an accident report for a fender bender can help you protect your rights. Documentation like an accident report in New Mexico can help prove negligence in a personal injury claim.
How Much Does a Fender Bender Usually Cost?
Repair to a vehicle after a fender bender can range in price from a few hundred dollars to over $2,000, depending on the location of the damage, the extent of the damage, and the time it will cost to fix it.
In many cases, the cost of the damage incurred during a fender bender is highly dependent on your mechanic’s labor costs, as it is sometimes rare to need additional parts after a minor car accident.
Is it Worth Fixing a Fender Bender?
If you were in a minor fender bender, at bare minimum, you should get your vehicle inspected by a professional mechanic. While you may be comfortable driving with some cosmetic damage to the body of your vehicle, there could be hidden damage to the frame, which could lead to weakening of the structure of your vehicle over the course of its lifetime.
Find a mechanic you can trust, so you know for sure whether or not you need to get the damage to your vehicle fixed.
Do Fender Benders Cause Injuries?
Yes! Fender benders can cause injuries. Even low-speed car crashes can cause the body to jolt, which can lead to painful consequences. Some common injuries seen after fender benders include:
- Strains
- Sprains
- Neck pain
- Whiplash
- Herniated or bulging neck and back discs
- Cuts
- Scrapes
- Bruising
Even if you don’t think you were injured after a fender bender, seeking medical attention can help you build your personal injury case. Delayed pain and injury can cause severe issues, if they are untreated.
When to Call an Albuquerque Car Accident Lawyer After a Fender Bender
If you were in a fender bender, contacting an Albuquerque car accident lawyer can help you protect your rights and get the recovery you deserve. Make sure you document the scene with photos and videos, collect contact and insurance information from other drivers involved, and file a car accident report as soon as possible. Seek medical attention and contact a car accident attorney to help you with the next steps. The experienced car accident lawyers at Ron Bell Injury Lawyers work hard to help you get the compensation you deserve after a car accident. Even if you think you’re okay and your car doesn’t need repairs, fender benders can be costly. Let Ron Bell help. 898-BELL.