Las Cruces Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyers
When two passenger cars collide on the road, the drivers and passengers may escape with minor injuries. However, that story changes drastically when commercial vehicles like Amazon, UPS, and FedEx are involved. Due to the sheer size and velocity difference between passenger cars and load-bearing trucks, an accident with these large vehicles is much more likely to inflict serious injury and property damage.
Seeking legal recourse for your accident in New Mexico can quickly become complicated. Let our Las Cruces commercial vehicle accident lawyers at Flores Mendez Law help you today.
What Are the Common Causes of Commercial Vehicle Accidents?
The factors that cause accidents between passenger vehicles also affect commercial vehicle drivers, though sometimes to a much greater extent and with far greater consequences. For instance, commercial vehicle drivers often need to drive long hours—long enough that federal regulations limit the number of hours that truckers can drive without a break. Unfortunately, not all drivers obey this rule, and the resulting driver fatigue can impair reaction times and debilitate decision-making abilities.
The long distances also prompt truck drivers to use their GPS and other communication devices, but adjusting these electronics while driving can lead to distracted vehicle operation and resulting accidents.
Sometimes, accidents occur due to circumstances outside the driver’s control. If the truck company fails to maintain the vehicle properly, perhaps by failing to replace worn tires or brakes, they can cause hazards on the road.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Commercial Vehicle Accident?
If you want to file a personal injury lawsuit to recover accident-related costs, you certainly can—but figuring out who to hold liable can pose more difficulty than you might expect. Attorneys will often look first at the commercial vehicle driver to see if they engaged in reckless speeding, operated their vehicle under the influence, or behaved negligently. If they find reason to believe that the driver’s negligence directly caused your accident, they will hold the driver liable for your injuries.
However, the companies that employ truck drivers in New Mexico may fail to provide adequate training, pressure their drivers to meet unlawful deadlines, or fall behind on vehicle maintenance. In these instances, a seasoned personal injury lawyer will hold the trucking company liable.
How Can You Protect Your Rights After a Commercial Vehicle Accident?
When you suffer an injury because of a truck driver’s negligent behavior, you should hire a seasoned lawyer to help protect your interests. You can also take several more steps on your own to increase your chances of a successful lawsuit.
Keep detailed records of all medical treatments, doctor visits, prescriptions, and therapy sessions related to your collision injuries, as they will help prove the extent of the damage. If possible, maintain a journal documenting how the accident has affected your daily activities, your ability to work, your capacity to perform household chores, and your willingness to engage in hobbies you enjoyed.
Refrain from discussing the accident on social media, as opposing insurance companies or legal counsel can use anything you post against you.
What Are the Potential Damages in a Commercial Vehicle Accident Case?
The damages you can seek to recover during a truck accident personal injury lawsuit can cover both economic and non-economic costs. Your economic costs, which have set dollar amounts, may include current and future medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and more. Non-economic damages do not have a set dollar amount assigned to them, but a lawyer and experts can help valuate these costs and file your claim accordingly. These damages include but are not limited to pain and suffering, lost enjoyment of life, and loss of companionship.
In cases where the at-fault driver acted particularly recklessly or egregiously, the court could be aware of extra punitive damages to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior in the future.
How Are Accidents Involving Amazon, FedEx, and UPS Different?
Truck accidents often involve multiple parties. The legal scenario can become more complicated when the truck belongs to delivery companies like Amazon, FedEx, and UPS. These companies typically engage in accident-conducive practices, such as operating large fleets of vehicles at one time, placing significant pressure on drivers to meet tight delivery schedules, and relying on independent contractors rather than direct employees to operate their vehicles. Moreover, these companies have large legal teams and insurance companies that know how to minimize their clients’ liability in an accident. If you need to take on one of these corporations in court, you could find it difficult to claim the compensation you deserve without the aid of an experienced Las Cruces commercial vehicle accident lawyer at Flores Mendez Law.
Protect Your Rights With the Las Cruces Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyers at Flores Mendez Law Today
The Las Cruces commercial vehicle accident lawyers at Flores Mendez Law will help you gather all the necessary evidence to build your case, advocate for your rights, and take the legal pressure off you so you can focus on healing. We know the intricacies of commercial vehicle laws and the tactics that insurance companies often use to minimize payouts. Call us at 915-308-9999 or complete our online form to arrange a free consultation. We are located in El Paso, Texas and Las Cruces, New Mexico, and we serve clients in the surrounding areas.