Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyers in New Mexico

Who may be liable after a commercial vehicle accident?

Depending on the specific circumstances of the case, a variety of parties may be potentially liable for a commercial accident, including:

Driver

As in most automobile accident cases, an injured victim will often be able to pursue a claim against the driver who caused the accident. Commercial drivers are often under significant stress to meet tight deadlines, and this urgency often leads to accidents. Common examples of negligence by commercial vehicle drivers include:

• Speeding
• Reckless driving such as weaving in and out of traffic
• Distracted driving
• Following other vehicles too closely
• Driving while under the influence of substances, including prescription drugs
• Fatigued driving, especially if the driver fails to follow regulations limiting the number of hours the driver is allowed to drive per day

However, in many cases, the negligent driver alone may not be able to fully compensate the victim for the injuries and damages suffered in the accident. Further compensation may be sought from another party, such as the employer of that driver.

Employer

In commercial vehicle accident cases, your attorney may also be able to help you pursue compensation from the other driver’s employer. As the driver’s employer or the company that owns the vehicle involved in the accident, the company may be liable for its driver negligently causing an accident or failing to properly maintain or inspect their vehicles before allowing them to be used. The company may also be liable if it has negligent policies, such as:

• Urging drivers to speed or drive fatigued to meet strict deadlines
• Requiring or pressuring drivers to drive more than is allowed under federal regulations
• Not complying with applicable regulations from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
• Hiring unsafe drivers with histories of traffic accidents or traffic violations

Mechanic or Repairman

In some cases, a mechanic hired to service or repair the commercial vehicle may be liable for an accident if the mechanic performed a negligent job in carrying out any necessary repairs or routine maintenance. If this negligence results in an accident, the injured victim may be able to pursue a claim against the negligent mechanic.

Manufacturers or Distributors

Finally, if the accident was caused by any defective parts or a vehicle defect, you may be able to pursue a claim against the manufacturer that created the defective product as well as any retailer or distributor involved in the marketing or sale of the product or vehicle. For example, if the accident was caused by defective brakes on a semi-truck or delivery van, then the vehicle’s manufacturer may be liable for any damages suffered in the accident, in addition to any distributor or retailer who may have helped market or sell the defective brakes used in the commercial vehicle involved in the accident.

If you have been injured in an accident involving a commercial vehicle, an experienced New Mexico  personal injury lawyer can help you understand your legal options as well as where your potential compensation could come from. He or she can also help you determine who may be liable for your injuries and how much compensation for damages caused by the accident you may be able to recover.

How much is my case worth?

The amount of compensation you may be entitled to for any injuries and damages you suffered in a commercial vehicle accident will depend on the unique facts and circumstances of your case. However, our attorneys can help you seek maximum compensation, including for both economic and non-economic damages, as well as punitive damages in some cases.

Economic Damages

You may be entitled to economic damages to compensate you for the expenses and costs you have suffered as a result of the accident, such as:

• Any medical bills incurred in diagnosing or treating your injuries
• Any future medical treatment that may be required
• Physical therapy
• Necessary modifications to your home to accommodate for injuries suffered in your accident
• At-home nursing care or therapy
• Temporary or permanent physical disabilities, such as amputated or paralyzed limbs
• Property damage, such as the cost to repair or replace your damaged vehicle
• Any lost income you have missed due to any work you missed while seeking treatment or recovering from your injuries
• Loss of earning capacity, such as if you are unable to continue earning the same level of income as a result of disabilities caused by the accident

Non-economic Damages

Unlike economic damages, non-economic damages may be more difficult to calculate, as they generally include intangible items that may not be quantifiable into a dollar amount as easily as a medical bill can. Non-economic damages you may be entitled to after your accident include compensation for:

• Pain and suffering caused by your injuries
• Emotional anguish

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages may not be available in every case. However, these damages may be awarded in some accident cases if the behavior that caused the wreck was substantially egregious enough to warrant punishing the negligent driver or the driver’s employer. Further, punitive damages may also be awarded in some instances to serve as a warning to others, with the hopes of deterring such behavior in the future.

How the attorneys at zinda law group can help you

Being able to successfully obtain the maximum compensation you may be entitled to usually depends upon choosing the right personal injury attorney to handle your case. First, it is important to remember that experience is crucial in choosing the right attorney, especially when it comes to commercial vehicle accident cases, given the unique nature of these accidents compared to other automobile accidents. By hiring an experienced New Mexico commercial from Zinda Law Group, you will benefit from their years of experience helping other accident victims; you can rest assured knowing your attorney is skilled in negotiating with insurance companies and company lawyers to obtain compensation for your damages.

Conducting a Thorough Investigation

Our experienced attorneys will begin by conducting a thorough commercial vehicle accident investigation to gather evidence to determine the cause of your accident and who may be liable for your injuries and damages. Your attorney may gather the following kinds of evidence, which are important to proving your case, such as:

• Any recorders, dash-cam footage, fleet-monitoring systems, or similar tools that are used in many commercial vehicles and may help indicate whether the driver was negligent
• Witness statements from anyone who saw the accident
• Cellphone records which may indicate whether the driver was using his or her cellphone at the time of the crash
• Maintenance records for the vehicle
• The driver’s traffic record, to determine whether the driver has a history of traffic citations or accidents
• Any accident reports
• Pictures or videos of the scene of the accident

Negotiations

The insurance company representing the other driver or their employer will generally have a team of skilled lawyers whose sole purpose is to make sure the insurer pays as little compensation as possible to settle any accident claims. Fortunately, the experienced New Mexico commercial vehicle accident lawyers from Zinda Law Group can help level this playing field as they use their years of experience negotiating with insurance companies to help you obtain a reasonable settlement from the insurance company.

Contact a commercial vehicle accident lawyer near you today

Commercial vehicle accidents can often be devastating, especially if they involve large semi-trucks or similar vehicles that cause substantial damage due to their size and weight. Further, seeking compensation from the companies that own these vehicles or employ their drivers can be difficult, especially since most will be supported by an insurance company with a team of lawyers. Fortunately, the skilled team at Zinda Law Group can help you seek the compensation you may be entitled to, allowing you to focus on your recovery while your attorney handles your case.

If you or a loved one have been injured in a commercial vehicle accident in New Mexico, call Zinda Law Group as soon as possible to schedule your free consultation with one of our experienced commercial vehicle accident lawyers. We are prepared to discuss your legal options and which next steps would be most beneficial for you.

Call (800) 863-5312 today for a free consultation with a skilled personal injury attorney from Zinda Law Group. You will not pay anything unless we win your case. That’s our No Win, No Fee Guarantee.

Meetings with attorneys are available by appointment only.