With businesses booming across New Mexico, there is a huge need for commercial vehicles and the many benefits they bring to society. Commercial vehicles are any type of vehicle that is used for business purposes. Companies who own commercial vehicles know that they must insure these vehicles with commercial vehicle insurance policies that will protect them. With so many commercial vehicles on our roadways, there are always accidents involving these vehicles, some very serious as they can be quite large and haul many things. Some common types of commercial vehicles include:
- Passenger cars, vans, and buses
- Box trucks
- Flatbed trucks
- Delivery vans
- Hearses
- Ice cream trucks
- Tow trucks
- Garbage trucks
The list goes on and on!
After You Have Been Injured
If you have been injured in a commercial vehicle accident, there are many steps to take. It is important for you to collect as much information as possible in your case to help you if you decide to seek compensation for your injuries in the future. You should seek medical attention and call the police for a police report immediately following the accident. You could also take photographs of the accident scene and speak to witnesses to ask them what they saw happen. If you have been injured in an accident involving a commercial truck, here are some things to remember:
- You should speak with an attorney as soon as possible because you want to preserve as much evidence as possible. This means that there will usually be an immediate investigation.
- The driver’s employment history, driving record, tickets, criminal records, experience, and many more aspects should be looked at closely, as these could be vital in your case.
- You want to ensure that you receive any information that might have been stored on the vehicle’s “black box” to show how fast the driver was going at the time of the accident, and any information that you may be able to find concerning the vehicle’s recent maintenance. These are records that companies are supposed to keep.
Is the Driver or the Company Liable?
In commercial vehicle accidents, one of the biggest questions you might ask is: Is the driver responsible for your injuries, or the company? This is a helpful question to ask when you are attempting to determine liability, one of the biggest aspects in any injury case. Under a theory known as “respondeat superior,” an employer could be liable for the actions of its employees if they were working within the scope of employment at the time of the accident. However, for a company to own liability over its employee, the driver must have been an actual employee and not an independent contractor.
Speaking to an Attorney About Your Case
There are many complexities associated with accidents involving drivers and companies, and as you can see, many parties could be liable for the accident. After you have been injured by any type of commercial vehicle, you should seek the help of an experienced attorney to help you every step of the way. You may be entitled to damages under the law, for things like medical treatment, lost wages, and more. Find out more today.