Traveling by bus is a great way to get around Las Cruces to see the different sights and sounds of this beautiful city. However, riding the bus can suddenly become very dangerous if it crashes, especially since there are no belts for passengers on many buses.
Because passengers do not have seat belts or any protections when an accident occurs, they may acquire severe injuries. When that happens, they will want a personal injury attorney who knows how to guide them through the legal process. If you have been involved in a bus accident and need a personal injury lawyer in Las Cruces, call Zinda Law Group to speak with an experienced New Mexico bus accident lawyer.
Who Are the Victims of Bus Accidents in Las Cruces, NM
The numbers suggest that bus accidents are responsible for numerous bus passenger deaths, but not all of the victims of bus accidents are their passengers. Some of them are people who were outside the bus, in other cars or on bikes, just trying to share the road. The most common bus accident victims include:
- Bus passengers
- Other motorists
- Bicyclists
- Pedestrians
- Property owners
Indeed, bus accidents have a greater tendency than simple car accidents to cause intense damage to a multitude of other vehicles, property, and people. Were you injured recently by a bus accident? Perhaps you are someone whose family was recently impacted by an auto collision in or near Las Cruces. If so, Zinda Law Group can help you recover compensation for your losses.
For a free legal consultation with a bus accidents lawyer serving Las Cruces, call 800-863-5312
Pure Comparative Negligence Law in New Mexico
In the state of New Mexico, the Pure Comparative Negligence Law is enforced. This means that if two parties are involved in an accident, both can be found at fault and assigned a percentage of negligence.
For instance, if a driver was hit by another car but was speeding at the time of the collision, the victim may be assigned 20% of the blame and the other driver 80%. The victim’s damages would be reduced by 20%.
This law can be challenging, but it also ensures that individuals are responsible for their actions. Luckily, in New Mexico, victims will be able to claim damages as long as they hold less than 100% of the fault for the accident. In theory, if you have a claim worth $100,000 and are 90% at fault, you’d be entitled to the last $10,000.
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Liability in a Bus Accident
In the unfortunate case of a bus accident in New Mexico, liability can be complicated. Several factors need to be considered, such as the cause of the accident, the bus driver’s conduct, the passengers’ behavior, and the condition of the vehicle.
Under New Mexico law, the bus company may be liable for the accident if it failed to provide proper maintenance or safety measures for its fleet. The bus driver can also be held liable if they were under the influence of drugs or alcohol, driving recklessly, or failing to obey traffic rules.
Passengers can also contribute to liability if they distracted the driver, caused a disturbance that resulted in the accident, or if they did not follow safety protocols like wearing seat belts.
Victims of a bus accident can pursue legal action against the parties responsible for the accident to seek compensation for their damages, such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
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What Can You Expect for Compensation?
Under New Mexico law, for a personal injury lawsuit, you can obtain economic, non-economic, and potentially punitive damages. In a circumstance where the bus accident victim passes away due to their injury, a loved one can file a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the victim. The same types of accident settlements are available whether you are pursuing a personal injury claim or a wrongful death lawsuit.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are compensation for financial losses such as:
- Medical bills and expenses (past and future),
- Loss of earnings
- Loss of use of property
- Property repair costs
- Loss of future employment
To ensure you get fair compensation for your economic damages, retain any and all documents that prove your financial losses in the form of medical expenses, property damages, repair costs, and missed work. This will greatly assist your Las Cruces bus accident lawyer.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are compensation for non-monetary losses such as:
- Inconvenience
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Loss of companionship
- Pain and suffering
Non-economic damages are more difficult to quantify than monetary damages. However, your attorney will help determine the value of your non-monetary losses after a public transportation bus crash.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages punish the at-fault party. Your case must meet a very high standard to obtain punitive damages. A court may award punitive damages in addition to economic damages in a situation where the responsible party was reckless or acted intentionally.
In New Mexico, there are no damage caps for personal injury cases arising out of bus accidents. You’ll want to consult a Las Cruces bus accident attorney near you to determine whether you should pursue punitive damages.
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What Are the Statutes of Limitations?
In New Mexico, you have two years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible party. The statute of limitations is tolled if a victim of the accident is a minor. In that scenario, the two-year limitation does not start until the victim turns eighteen.
If you have any more accident claim questions, don’t wait to contact our team for a free initial consultation.
Contact a Bus Accident Lawyer in Las Cruces Now
If you were involved in a bus accident, you should focus on your health, rehabilitation, and getting back to where you were prior to the commercial vehicle accident. Your Las Cruces bus accident lawyer will take care of all the legal aspects of your situation.
At Zinda Law Group, our personal injury law firm is as near as a phone call. We’ve helped clients gain millions of dollars in settlements after motor vehicle accidents, and we’re here to help you, too.
Were you in a bus accident in Las Cruces, NM? Contact Zinda Law Group for a free consultation. Our lawyers have the experience and knowledge to pursue maximum compensation for your bus accident injury.
Call or text 800-863-5312 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
