How to Handle Your North Central Regional Transit District Claim

Last updated on: March 1, 2021

CALL (800) 863-5312 TODAY TO SPEAK WITH A NEW MEXICO ZINDA LAW GROUP ATTORNEY

Have you been the victim of an accident with a North Central Regional Transit District bus in New Mexico? We may be able to help get you the compensation you deserve.

Zinda Law Group attorneys have the experience necessary to help you with your bus accident lawsuit. Call one of our knowledgeable attorneys today to discuss your case. We can help you through every step of your bus accident lawsuit and help get you the compensation you deserve. Call (800) 863-5312 for a free consultation with one of our personal injury attorneys.

LARGE TRUCK AND BUS CRASH FACTS

Large trucks and bus accidents may be more dangerous than typical passenger vehicles, as they are much larger and can easily cause catastrophic injury, or even death. Unfortunately, accidents with large trucks and buses are not uncommon. Below are some statistics on large truck and bus crashes, both nationwide and in New Mexico:

Nationwide

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has set forth data relating to large truck and bus crashes in 2018. Below are nationwide statistics for large truck and bus accidents in the United States in 2018:

  • There were 5,096 large trucks and buses involved in fatal crashes
  • There were 234 buses involving in fatal crashes
  • There were 121,000 total injury crashes involving large trucks or buses
  • Intercity buses accounted for approximately 15% of fatal crashes involving a bus
  • School buses accounted for approximately 85% of fatal crashes involving a bus.

As seen with these numbers, bus accidents do happen. There are numerous public transportation systems all across the United States that may cause a motor vehicle accident, causing injury or even death. If you have been involved in a bus accident, it is important to contact a personal injury attorney in your state to begin your lawsuit.

New Mexico

New Mexico’s North Central Regional Transit District operates in many different areas, such as:

  • Taos
  • Rio Arriba
  • Santa Fe
  • Los Alamos
  • Northern Pueblos

Further, this RTD system has 449 bus stops, employs 76 individuals, and has a fleet of 75 buses. With this expansive public transportation system, there are bound to be accidents.

According to the New Mexico Department of Transportation, there were 390 fatalities resulting from motor vehicle accidents in 2020. This number is down from 2019, which saw 425 motor vehicle-related fatalities. Of those 2020 fatalities, 10 were the result of an accident involving semi-trucks or buses.

If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident involving a public bus, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in New Mexico today. Zinda Law Group may help investigate your case, determine who is at fault, and may discuss what your case may be worth. We have helped many motor vehicle accident victims get compensation for their injuries and property damage.

BUS ACCIDENT CAUSES

There are many different ways a bus accident may occur. Depending on the cause of your bus accident, you may be entitled to compensation. To receive compensation, however, you must be able to show fault on the part of the bus driver, company, manufacturer, or other individual. Below are some common causes of bus accidents:

Bus Company Negligence

In some situations, the bus company may be liable for any injuries resulting from a bus accident. To recover from the bus company, you must be able to show that they acted negligently in some way. Examples of potential negligence could be that the bus company failed to properly train its employees, turned a blind eye to federal regulations, or failed to keep their fleet properly maintained. If it can be shown that this negligence resulted in an accident, the bus company may be liable for your injuries or property damage.

Bus Driver Negligence

While there are many different laws that are in place to regulate bus drivers, some drivers will often disregard said laws. For instance, a bus driver may work longer hours than legally allowed, may speed, or may text while driving. Further, these drivers may be improperly trained, or may just be bad drivers. If you were involved in a bus accident with New Mexico RTD and you believe the bus driver was acting negligently or recklessly, it is important to contact an experienced personal injury attorney today to discuss your case.

Blind Spots

Although buses have special mirrors to help eliminate blind spots, sometimes the driver may fail to properly adjust or use the provided mirrors. If a bus driver fails to properly use their mirrors while merging or turning, they may be liable for any accidents and resulting injuries or property damage.

Inclement Weather

Poor weather conditions can easily cause a motor vehicle accident. Rain or ice can cause roads to be slippery, making the roads dangerous, especially if the bus driver is distracted. Inclement weather, combined with the bus’s size and weight, may cause a wreck with another vehicle.

If you have been involved in a bus accident, Zinda Law Group personal injury attorneys may be able to help. Our experienced attorneys are here to help investigate your case, determine who is at fault, and start your claim against North Central Regional Transit District in New Mexico. The first step in starting your claim is determining who was negligent and who is liable for the accident. Next, you must be able to show injury.

TYPES OF BUS ACCIDENT INJURIES

Due to their large size, accidents involving New Mexico’s North Central Regional Transit District buses may cause severe injury, or even death. Below are some common types of injuries involving accidents with motor vehicles:

Head Injuries

Traumatic brain injuries can be very serious, resulting in long-term problems with brain function. Brain injuries can cause immediate pain and far-reaching complications, so it is important to seek immediate medical attention if you believe you have suffered from a head injury.

Back Injuries

One of the more common types of back injury sustained in a car accident is a herniated disc. These may occur due to the sudden jolting, banging, and bumping associated with motor vehicle accidents.

Internal Injuries

Internal injuries, such as internal bleeding, are extremely dangerous and require immediate medical care, or they can become life-threatening.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a bus accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries or property damage. Suing North Central Regional Transit District may seem daunting, but our experienced attorneys may be able to help. After we have determined whose negligence caused the accident, ascertained all of your injuries and property damage, we may be able to help file your personal injury claim on time.

STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS

The “statute of limitations” is the legal time limit you have to file a lawsuit. This time limit is extremely important, as you may be barred from receiving any kind of compensation if you fail to file your claim on time. It is important to know that every state has different statutes of limitation. Further, the statute of limitations will vary from case to case, depending on the type of lawsuit you are bringing.

However, when your lawsuit involves a government entity or an employee of a government entity, you must follow other guidelines. Within the New Mexico Tort Claims Act, you must provide notice to the government agency within 90 days of your accident, and then you have two years to file a claim. A Zinda Law Group attorney may help explain to you the New Mexico Tort Claims Act and any requirements therein.

SPEAK WITH ONE OF OUR ATTORNEYS REGARDING YOUR BUS ACCIDENT CLAIM

The New Mexico North Central Regional Transit District is a bus transportation system operating in numerous areas, such as Taos, Rio Arriba, Santa Fe, and more. This system operates in over 10,079 square miles. It is not surprising, therefore, that accidents with these buses may happen. If you have been injured by a bus accident, Zinda Law Group attorneys may be able to help. We may investigate your case, determine who is at fault, negotiate on your behalf, and fight for you in court if a settlement cannot be made. We give each one of our clients the individualized attention they need.

If you or someone you love has been the victim of an accident involving the New Mexico North Central Regional Transit District, contact one of our personal injury attorneys today. Our New Mexico lawyers have the experience and resources necessary to get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries or property damage. Contact us today at (800) 863-5312 to schedule your free consultation. Further, you will not pay us a thing unless we win your case. That is our No Win, No Fee Guarantee.

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