When you’re driving down the road alongside a commercial vehicle in Deming, New Mexico, you never expect to get into an accident. Unfortunately, commercial vehicle accidents happen all too often and they usually leave victims with serious injuries that require long recovery times.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a commercial vehicle accident, a Deming truck accident attorney can help. New Mexico attorney James Shaw stands up against big trucking companies, vows to put his clients first, and does what it takes to get justice for victims of commercial truck accidents.
Types of Commercial VehiclesCommercial vehicles are everywhere. Although people typically think of 18 wheelers when they hear the term “commercial vehicle”, commercial vehicles come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
Some common types of commercial vehicles you may encounter on the road include:
If you were hit by any of these types of vehicles or another vehicle that you think may qualify as a commercial vehicle, talk to a Deming commercial vehicle accident lawyer about your options.
Who is Potentially Liable for a Commercial Truck Accident?One of the reasons for hiring an attorney after a commercial vehicle accident is because they are more complicated than wrecks between passenger vehicles. The primary reason they’re more complicated is the fact that different parties may be held responsible depending on the circumstances of your accident, not just the truck driver.
Some common parties that could be found responsible for damages in your case include:
Truck driver
Many times, the truck driver is responsible for the accident. When a truck driver drives distracted, drives under the influence, or breaks a traffic law such as speeding, they can be held liable because of their negligence.
Fatigue is also a common cause of accidents. Truckers drive long hours day after day, and sometimes this exhaustive schedule leads to fatigue. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has rules in place to prevent tiredness behind the wheel, but it’s not foolproof. Studies have shown that tired drivers are just as dangerous as drivers under the influence.
Trucking company
Trucking companies can be held liable when the truck driver causes the accident under the theory of “respondeat superior.” If drivers are working under the scope of their employment, the trucking company may be liable.
Additionally, if the trucking company has negligent policies like forcing their employees to drive more than is allowed by the FMCSA, they can be found at fault. A lawyer can explain this further.
Parts manufacturer
When a failing part causes an accident, the parts manufacturer may be liable. If a new tire, for example, explodes on the road and leads to an accident, the parts manufacturer can be held responsible for a faulty part. Talk to a Deming truck accident attorney if a faulty part played a role in your wreck.
The most recent mechanic
Trucks require routine maintenance to ensure they travel safely on the road. If a mechanic does a negligent job that causes an accident, he can be held responsible for the accident.
After an 18 wheeler accident, you’ll want someone on your side. Having the right Deming New Mexico commercial vehicle accident attorney can make all the difference in the success of your case. Trucking companies will have a team of Deming commercial vehicle accident lawyers who are there to redirect blame and pay you as little as possible.
If you want the best shot at getting proper compensation, New Mexico attorney James Shaw will fight for you. He has decades of experience helping victims get just compensation after an 18 wheeler accident. Call today toll free at 1-800-555-0101 for a free consultation.