Several travelers make the conscious decision to skip out on taking their own vehicle and utilize mass transportation options instead. There was once a time when getting in a vehicle with a stranger was highly frowned upon. Now, every day across the country, passengers opt for bus transportation to help them travel from point A to point B. Buses are often a preferred method of transportation simply because it eliminates the need for automobiles to combat aggressive drivers on the roadways. Getting on a bus is essentially entrusting a stranger with the task of getting you to your destination safely and promptly. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.
Buses are often involved in accidents, which can have severe consequences for passengers. Not only are the lives of trusting individuals put in direct danger of injury, but they risk suffering immense financial loss as well. Being involved in a bus accident could start a journey of lost wages, multiple surgeries, and extensive therapies to get you back to a semi-normal state.
The legal system of the United States provides individuals injured in bus accidents the opportunity to recover some of the damages they incurred as the result of the accident. It is crucial for anyone injured in a bus accident to contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. These experienced legal representatives help clients obtain the maximum amount of compensation they are entitled to.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a bus accident that was caused by the negligent actions of another person or company, you may be entitled to compensation. Call the attorneys at Needaninjuryattorney.com today to speak a qualified member of our staff about your injuries and the accident you were involved in.
Bus Accidents Around The United States
Every year, over 50,000 bus accidents occur throughout the United States. These accidents result in 15,000 to 21,000 injuries ranging in severity from scrapes and bruises to brain and spinal cord injuries. Unfortunately, hundreds of individuals lose their lives in bus accidents each year.
Given the number of people each bus transports, this type of accident usually results in a higher number of injuries. An aggressive bus accident attorney can help victims file claims to recover compensation for damages sustained in bus accidents.
Whether you are injured on a school bus, city bus, tour bus, or a church bus, hiring an experienced attorney can greatly assist you throughout the legal process. In order to file a successful claim to recover damages, it is important to have adequate evidence in support of your claim. A reputable attorney at the law offices of Needaninjuryattorney.com will work on your behalf to take photographs or videos of the accident and all vehicles involved. Our attorneys will talk to witnesses, collect police reports, and put together solid cases to support your claim and justify demands for compensation.
The Many Causes Of Bus Accidents
There are several causes of bus accidents in the United States. Several accidents involve other vehicles or foreign objects in the roadways. Negligent bus drivers can cut off other cars, sideswipe them, crash into bridge abutments, or other highway structures and cause serious injuries or fatalities to passengers on board.
Hazardous conditions are another leading cause of bus accidents. When buses are not adequately prepared for weather conditions, passengers are at an increased risk of suffering serious or fatal injuries. Buses need to be adequately maintained and serviced to ensure they are prepared to take the roadways safely and reliably. Buses need to have all ice removed from their exteriors, and they need to have all wet floors and surfaces dried. Additionally, bus companies need to make sure the tires are designed to operate reliably for all current and potential weather conditions.
In addition to checking the operational systems of a bus, the bus driver and company must take adequate measures to ensure the safety of passengers from other passengers on board. Between October 1997 and October 2001, over 42 cases of assault or attempted assault to the bus driver were reported on Greyhound buses. Passenger actions are a growing problem that companies attempt to rectify daily. Installing surveillance cameras and ample lighting throughout the entire length of the bus can help ensure passengers remain safe. Additionally, bus companies require background checks for all drivers to make sure they are safe and reliable for transportation.
Several buses used today do not have seatbelts. Tour buses and school buses fail to maintain adequate safety belts in seats simply because there are no federal laws enforcing these measures. As a result, passengers risk being thrown out of their seats or ejected during accidents. Although there are no specific laws in any state that require bus companies to maintain personal restraint systems for passengers, numerous attorneys have successfully filed claims against bus companies due to their reluctance to install them to protect passengers.
Around the country, we are hearing more instances where children are killed while getting on and off their school buses. These accidents can occur when bus drivers are negligent in providing adequate supervision to ensure these exchanges are safe. When these accidents occur, bus companies can be held liable for injuries sustained by children.
Bus accidents can occur in the blink of an eye, resulting in life-changing injuries for multiple passengers on board. If you or someone you loved was injured in a bus accident, it is crucial for you to contact an attorney who has experience handling complex and complicated bus accident claims as soon as possible. At Needaninjuryattorney.com, our attorneys have the skills and resources required to handle these type of complex cases.
Determining Fault In A Bus Accident
In order to file a successful lawsuit regarding a bus accident, it is imperative for a claimant to prove fault. Determining which party causes the accident can greatly assist injured parties in recovering compensation.
Regardless of which type of bus you are traveling on, the bus driver and company are required to provide a duty of care to every passenger on board. The duty of care entitles all passengers to safe entrances and exits. Passengers are entitled to be safe and secure from other passengers and threats while on board.
Bus drivers are required to remain in control of their vehicles at all times. Bus drivers should be licensed, trained, and free of any criminal convictions. The duty of care also ensures all buses have properly functioning mechanical parts. Buses need to have properly functioning motors, engines, brakes, and tires. Additionally, any issues need to be accurately monitored and addressed immediately.
Although you may believe bus companies are always responsible for accidents they are involved in, it is not always the case. There are several parties who can be found at fault for a bus accident. At fault parties may include:
The driver of the bus: the bus driver can be a held liable for a bus accident if they engage in negligent activities that cause the accident. Being distracted, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or operating the bus with driver fatigue are all causes for liability. Additionally, speeding, disobeying traffic control devices, and cross lanes can result in civil liability claims.
Transit companies: Transit companies can be held liable for injuries under certain conditions. Transit companies are often held liable in instances where they fail to provide adequate maintenance to their vehicles.
Government entities: When bus accidents occur that involve city buses, the county, city, or state government can be held liable. These cases are extremely complex to handle. Not only are claimants required to meet the burden of proof, but they have several requirements that need to be met in the claims procedure. Due to the shortened statute of limitations, it is imperative for anyone involved in a bus accident with a government bus to contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
School Districts: When school buses are involved in accidents, the school district may be held accountable for injuries sustained by passengers. School districts can be held liable for injuries when they fail to implement and enforce safety measures for children. Their failure to do so directly places children and other passengers in the way of danger. Claimants who can prove that the accident could have been prevented if the safety measures were established or enforced, they can file a lawsuit to recover damages.
Drivers Of Other Vehicles Involved In The Accident: When a bus accident occurs at no fault of the bus driver, another vehicle’s driver may be held liable for damages. There are numerous cases where car drivers crash into buses, rear-end buses, cut them off, or cause bus accidents in other unpredictable ways. In instances where the driver of another vehicle causes the crash, it is imperative for an injured party to get the name, contact information, and insurance information from the driver of the other car. Whenever bus accidents occur, injured passengers may have limited access to obtaining this information from drivers at the scene. Writing down the make and model of the vehicle, and the license plate number will help track down the vehicle owner in cases where you are unable to personally talk to them. Furthermore, a personal injury attorney can contact the bus company on your behalf to obtain this information when filing a claim for compensation.
Bus And Parts Manufacturers Or Retailers: Companies are expected to ship out reliable and fully-functional parts and buses. If a bus accident occurs as the result of a faulty or defective part, the manufacturer that made the part, as well as the retailer who sold the part, can be held liable for damages. This type of claim is extremely difficult to file, which is why hiring an experienced attorney is in your best interest.
Affiliated Cruise Lines Or Tour Operators: Tour bus owners and drivers can both be held liable for bus accidents caused by negligent drivers. Quite often, individuals purchase preset tour packages, that include bus transportation for a portion of the travel. This type of contracted transportation arrangement places the affiliate tour company liable for accidents that occur.
What Kinds Of Compensation Are Recoverable?
Passengers who suffer injuries in a bus accident are able to recover compensation for several damages incurred during their accident. Some of the most commonly awarded damages include:
- Medical expenses
- Lifetime care expenses
- Vocational rehabilitation services
- Lost wages
- Workers’ compensation
- Impairment of earnings
- Mental and physical pain and suffering
As experienced bus accident attorneys, the legal team at Needaninjuryattorney.com can greatly improve your chances of recovering the maximum amount of compensation you may be entitled. The circumstances surrounding the accident generally determine damages. In accidents where multiple vehicles were involved, monetary damages are often apportioned between them.
Damages are typically calculated based on the severity of injuries sustained by the claimant. An accurate calculation will determine the amount of lost earnings an injured party would otherwise make if they were able to return to their normal line of employment. Additionally, the claimants marital status and children and all past and future medical expenses are considered in determining the amount of damages awarded. It is in your best interest to hire an attorney from Needaninjuryattorney.com to assist you in determining how much you are entitled to recover. Call us today to schedule a free consultation with a lawyer at our firm
A Bus Accident Attorney Can Help You Win Your Case
If you or a loved one have suffered injuries as a result of an accident involving a bus, you need hire an attorney from Needaninjuryattorney.com who has the knowledge and resources needed to adequately represent you in filing your claim against all responsible parties. We work on a contingency basis so we don’t ask you for any money up front when we agree to represent you in your claim. That’s why it’s imperative that you find an attorney that is experienced and fully aware of all state and federal laws, as well as government regulations, surrounding bus accidents.Call the law firm of Needaninjuryattorney.com today to discuss your claim.
Your attorney should be able to effectively and accurately determine if violated laws were the cause of our accident or if these violations exaggerated your injuries. It is crucial for your attorney to determine all of the potentially liable parties involved in order to adequately recover the compensation you are entitled to receive.
Our bus accident attorneys at Needaninjuryattorney.com help clients investigate their accidents to determine who is at fault. We work on behalf of our clients to gather evidence, take witness statements, and communicate between insurance companies and businesses. When necessary, our attorneys will hire legal experts to re-stage the accident to uncover critical details that help support your claim. If you or someone you love has been injured in a bus accident, it is extremely important that you hire an aggressive attorney to pursue your legal rights to compensation so you can focus on recovering worry-free. Call the law firm of Needaninjuryattorney.com today to set-up a free consultation with one of our skilled lawyers.