Who is Liable for a New Mexico Municipal Truck Crash?
Liability in a New Mexico Municipal Truck Crash Causing Serious Personal Injuries
Municipal trucks like garbage trucks, utility trucks, construction trucks, plows/salters, and other large trucks are even heavier than most commercial trucks. These trucks usually have heavy payloads and have additional weight to them to help perform their specialized function. For instance, garbage trucks are massive and extraordinarily heavy with their compactor and reinforced steel walls meant to help crush garbage. Construction trucks could weigh tons in just the bucket, arm, or other equipment—notwithstanding the actual vehicle components. Because of all of this weight, these vehicles are extremely dangerous.
When victims are injured in a New Mexico municipal truck crash the injuries are likely to be catastrophic. This is because the heavy weight generates more momentum and force which in turn can pulverize vehicles and a human body. The results can be absolutely catastrophic and cause significant pain and suffering, lost wages, lost earnings, high medical bills, and other serious damages. Victims should of New Mexico municipal truck crashes need to call the experienced trucking lawyers at the NM Truck Accident Attorneys by dialing (505) 883-5000 to learn what their rights to compensation may be in these types of trucking crashes.
Who is at Fault for a New Mexico Municipal Truck Crash?
Victims of municipal truck crashes will want to know who is liable for their injuries and who is responsible for their lost wages, medical bills, and property damage. The obvious answer is the municipality itself. Whether this is a town or city, or a county or district, anytime a municipality causes negligent injuries to another the entity will be liability. The same is true if a federal employee (like a mail carrier) or a state employee (like a highway worker) causes the injury.
This is achieved through the principle of respondeat superior. This means that the entity will be liable for the actions of the employee committed within the scope of employment. This is because the servant (the employee) is doing the bidding of the master (employer) and helping to advance, make a profit, and otherwise benefit the business. Thus, a municipality is liable for the negligence of its employees.
But this does not meant that the employee cannot be liable. Indeed, an employee of the municipality that causes the serious trucking wreck can also be directly liable for the crash. This can be achieved by and through the driver’s CDL license when the driver intentionally causes a crash. In rare instances, it can also be achieved when the crash is caused in a grossly negligent manner.
Victims Injured by a New Mexico Municipal Truck Crash Should Call Caruso Law
There are really no positive aspects of any trucking crash. But with a municipal trucking wreck, it is almost guaranteed that the municipality has insurance for its vehicles and employees. This means that victims can recover for their pain and suffering, lost wages, medical bills, property damage, and other expenses. This also means that a municipality may be more willing to cover the costs of these bills and provide this compensation in a settlement.
But someone has to get that settlement for you. And these types of trucking crashes are very complicated, as are all trucking cases. This requires an experienced and knowledge trucking accident lawyer to represent you and your family. Those attorneys are at the NM Truck Accident Attorneys, and they have fought some of the largest trucking companies in the country including FedEx, UPS, J.B. Hunt, and many others.
If you or a loved one have been injured by a municipal truck in New Mexico, call us for a FREE consultation by dialing (505) 883-5000. You can also contact us on our website through the easy to use and convenient Contact box located by clicking here.
