Who is at Fault in a Rental Truck Injury?

Rental trucks are everywhere, and they provide a wide range of services for individuals. In general, individuals rent trucks to help move various types of cargo from place to place. However, what happens when an accident involving a rental truck occurs? Who will be held liable for the collision? 

Here, we want to discuss liability in the aftermath of a rental truck accident in New Mexico. In some cases, the driver of the truck may be held responsible. In other cases, the rental company may actually hold the liability.

The Liability of the Rental Truck Driver

The driver on a rental truck could be held responsible for a collision if it is shown that their negligence caused the crash. For example, if the driver of a rental truck in New Mexico runs a red light and crashes into your vehicle while you are going through the intersection and have the right of way, the rental truck driver could be held liable. Their negligent decision to violate traffic laws would have directly caused the incident.

Of course, there are other ways that negligent driving behavior can lead to disastrous incidents involving a rental truck. For example, some of the most common rental truck driver negligence issues revolve around impaired driving, speeding, operating while distracted, failing to yield the right of way, and more.

In most of these situations, the rental truck driver’s insurance company will be responsible for paying compensation to injury and property damage victims. However, it is important to note that some insurance policies specifically do not cover rental truck accidents. If the at-fault driver’s insurance company does not cover these types of crashes in New Mexico, the driver would be held personally responsible for the crash victim’s injuries. In these cases, it will be necessary for a crash victim to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver.

It is important to note that some rental truck drivers do purchase additional insurance through the rental company. In these cases, this additional insurance will be responsible for paying damages.

The Liability of the Rental Company

It could be the case that the rental truck company is responsible for a crash, but only under certain circumstances. Rental truck companies are required to maintain their vehicles so they are safe to operate on the roadway. If a rental truck crash in New Mexico occurs as a result of poor maintenance, the rental truck company could be held responsible for the crash victim’s injuries.

In addition to maintaining safe trucks, rental carriers are also responsible for ensuring that they only rent their vehicles to licensed and responsible drivers. If a rental truck company in New Mexico rents a truck to an individual who is not licensed, they could be held responsible if that person causes a crash and injures others. Similarly, rental truck carriers should never rent a vehicle to a person who is visibly intoxicated. Doing so would be negligent, and the company could be held responsible in the event that person causes a crash.

You Need to Work With an Attorney for a Rental Truck Accident Claim in New Mexico

If you or somebody you care about has been injured in an accident caused by a rental truck driver in New Mexico, reach out to an attorney as soon as possible. A skilled vehicle accident attorney will use their resources to determine liability for the incident, vigorously negotiate with insurance carriers, and work to secure full compensation on your behalf.