Company Vehicle Accident Lawyers in New Mexico
1308 Reviews
CALL (800) 863-5312 TODAY TO SPEAK WITH A NEW MEXICO COMPANY VEHICLE ACCIDENT LAWYER
Accidents involving company vehicles are quite common; this is unfortunate because any kind of car accident can cause a lot of pain and confusion. Accidents involving company vehicles further complicate matters by adding additional parties and insurance companies to the mix, making it particularly difficult to navigate the insurance claims process on your own. Additionally, you may be struggling with covering out-of-pocket costs and figuring out how to get your everyday life back in order. If you were involved in a company vehicle accident in New Mexico, it’s time to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer.
An experienced company vehicle accident lawyer will be able to help you navigate the legal process to help you receive the maximum compensation you are entitled to. So, if you or a loved one have been hurt in a company vehicle accident in New Mexico, call Zinda Law Group at (800) 863-5312 today for a 100% free consultation with one of our New Mexico company vehicle lawyers.
WHAT SHOULD I DO AFTER A COMPANY VEHICLE ACCIDENT IN NEW MEXICO?
What you do after a company vehicle collision is nearly the same as what you do after any other kind of car accident, with a few additional steps. Like other accidents, what you do immediately after a car accident impacts the amount you will receive for your claim. To recover the highest amount allowable in your case, follow these steps immediately after the accident:
Seek Medical Attention
Immediately after the accident, assess your injuries. Once you assess yourself, check on the passengers in your vehicle, if any. If anyone is severely injured, call emergency medical services right away.
If you are not treated on the scene, see a doctor as soon as possible. Even if you believe you are uninjured or that your injuries are minor, you could have latent injuries that you are unaware of at the time of the accident that can cause complications as time passes. After your visit, request documentation of your injuries and treatment from your doctor; these records will help determine the value of your claim.
Call the Police
Once injuries have been addressed, alert law enforcement officers. The police will arrive on the scene to investigate the accident. They will file an accident report after their assessment; be sure to get a copy of the police report as this will help determine fault.
Assess the Damage and Document the Scene
After checking for injuries and calling the police, assess the damage to your car. If your car is still operational and its current position is hazardous to other drivers on the road, move your car to the side of the road. Take pictures of the damage to your car.
Next, take pictures of the other party’s vehicle. Be sure to include photos of any company logos, if any, on the vehicle. Take pictures of the location of the accident, including the road conditions and any intersections nearby.
Anyone who has witnessed the accent will have valuable information that can help determine who is at fault for the accident. Take witness statements at the scene if possible, or have the witness give a statement to the police. Get the witness’s contact information as well in case you need to get a statement or more information from them later.
Exchange Information
Get the contact and insurance information of anyone involved in the accident while you are at the scene. Without this information, it will be harder to track down other involved parties after the accident and make recovery for a claim more difficult. Be sure to get the name of the company that employs the other driver, and if possible, the company’s insurance information, as this will be important for your claim.
Contact a Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer
After notifying your insurance company, contact a commercial vehicle accident lawyer near you in New Mexico. An experienced company vehicle accident lawyer will be able to advise you of your rights and guide you on how to proceed through the insurance claims process.
WHAT IS A COMPANY VEHICLE?
A company vehicle is a car, van, truck, or bus that is owned and operated by a company; a company vehicle is driven by employees or agents of the company. These vehicles can be used to carry out an employee’s responsibilities, haul goods, transport passengers, move work tools and materials, or provide employee transportation.
Examples of company vehicles include:
- Construction vehicles
- Corporate car or fleet vehicle
- Garbage truck
- Ice cream truck
- Utility company truck
- Delivery vans or mail carriers (FedEx, USPS)
- Passenger bus, car, or van
- Limousine
- Hearse
- Big rig, semi-truck, or 18-wheeler
- School bus
- Car carrier truck
- Taxicab or rideshare vehicle (Uber, Lyft)
- Moving trucks or vans
WHAT MAKES A COMPANY VEHICLE ACCIDENT DIFFERENT FROM OTHER CAR ACCIDENTS?
Company or commercial vehicle accidents differ from accidents between private individuals operating their own cars in a few important ways. First, company vehicle accidents usually involve a larger commercial vehicle, such as a semi-truck, colliding with an average-sized consumer car. This results in more severe injuries and vehicle damage than an accident between two consumer cars.
Receiving compensation for a claim stemming from a commercial vehicle accident tends to be more difficult. This is usually because the company that owns the vehicle will often fight hard to ensure they will not have to compensate you for your claim. Usually, there are multiple parties and insurance companies involved, and their lawyers will work hard to shift the blame to avoid paying damages.
The company’s own insurance company may not cover the costs associated with the accident, making the company responsible for paying out-of-pocket for your damages. Concerned about their bottom line, the company will fight hard to ensure that it will not have to pay you. It can be intimidating to take on these companies alone, but an experienced company vehicle accident lawyer has faced these kinds of challenges before and will be able to help you receive the maximum compensation you are entitled to, whether it is through an insurance payout or a settlement with the company itself.
COMMON CAUSES OF COMPANY VEHICLE ACCIDENTS
There are numerous causes for company vehicle accidents in New Mexico. These causes are the result of both human error and road conditions. Common causes of commercial vehicle crashes throughout the state of New Mexico include:
- Aggressive driving
- Speeding
- Unsafe lane changes
- Improperly loaded cargo
- Distracted driving
- Drowsy driving
- Mechanical failure
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Reckless driving
- Poorly maintained vehicles
- Failure to obey traffic signals or signs
- Driver error caused by improper training
- Vehicle defects
- Road hazards
Regardless of the cause of the accident, you should contact a company vehicle accident lawyer as soon as possible if you believe that another driver’s negligence contributed to the crash. The sooner you hire a skillful attorney to help you, the sooner they can begin their investigation to determine liability and recover compensation.
WHO CAN YOU SUE?
What makes company vehicle accidents so difficult is the possibility of multiple defendants. For example, you will likely be able to sue the driver of the vehicle personally and you may also be eligible to file a claim against their insurance company, for aside from the driver of the vehicle, the company that owns and operates the vehicle can be liable as well. You may sue the company, and if they are found to be at fault for the accident, you may be able to recover compensation from them.
WHAT YOU CAN RECOVER
The costs of an accident are far-reaching, and there are certain costs you may be able to recover through compensatory damages. Compensatory damages are divided into economic and non-economic damages; economic damages are the out-of-pocket costs associated with your injuries, while non-economic damages cover emotional and physical pain and suffering. A personal injury attorney can help you file a claim, allowing you to pursue compensation for:
Medical Bills
You may be able to recover the cost of medical bills you have paid out of pocket since the accident, such as for doctor’s visits, physical therapy and rehabilitation, and medication. You may also be able to recover the costs of any future appointments, medication, or treatments necessary for your recovery. A near you in New Mexico will know how to present all of the documentation you gather in the best possible light, ensuring that you have a better chance at recovering all of the damages caused by the accident that you may incur in the future as well as all those you have already suffered since the accident happened.
Lost Wages
If you are out of work due to your injury, you may recover what you would have earned from the time of the accident until you can return to work as a part of your economic damages.
Diminished Earning Capacity
In addition to lost wages, you may be able to recover loss of earning capacity. Your injuries from the accident may prevent you from going back to your job or working at another job for similar compensation. As a result, you may be able to recover the difference between what you were earning before the accident and what you are earning now.
Additional Costs
There are smaller out-of-pocket costs that add up over time that may stem from your injuries. These costs include things like alternative transportation, groceries, rent, mortgage payments, and other bills. There is also the out-of-pocket cost for fixing or replacing your vehicle; you may be able to recover these costs as part of your settlement.
Mental Anguish
Your non-economic damages include pain and suffering that result from the accident. There are emotional and mental tolls that an accident takes on a person and/or their family. You may be able to recover for this mental anguish itself, and the cost of mental health treatment that may stem from the accident.
Pain and Suffering
Your injuries may result in long-term or permanent impairment. Aside from the resulting change in circumstances, your injuries may cause you to suffer physical pain in your day-to-day life. With help from an experienced lawyer who has handled cases involving accidents with drivers of company vehicles, you may be able to receive compensation for your pain as a part of your non-economic damages.
CALL ZINDA LAW GROUP’S COMPANY VEHICLE ACCIDENT LAWYERS
If you or a loved one have been involved in a company vehicle accident, you will want an expert attorney by your side to help you navigate the difficult insurance claims process to ensure you are protected and compensated. Our expert company vehicle accident lawyers at Zinda Law Group have the resources and experience necessary to help you receive the maximum compensation you are entitled to.
Our New Mexico injury attorneys will fight tirelessly to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. If we do not win your case, you will not pay any fees; this is our No Win, No Fee Guarantee. So, if you or a loved one have been hurt in a company vehicle accident, call Zinda Law Group today at (800) 863-5312 for a free consultation with one of our New Mexico injury lawyers.
Meetings with attorneys are available by appointment only.