Bus Accident Lawyers

Buses are a common site. Hundreds of thousands of commuters use buses annually to travel from place to place. Some buses offer local transit around a city and service commercial districts, while others use buses as their means to commute to and from work. Still others decide to ride on a bus as they travel out of state to see family or friends. Whatever the reason, citizens are boarding buses in large numbers every year and that is a pattern that is expected to continue in the coming years.

The majority of these citizens travel safely while aboard these buses but unfortunately, many suffer injuries every year in bus crashes. Commonly these injuries are very significant, partially because passengers do not use seat belts while riding on most buses. It might not be surprising that these bus crashes account for many injuries each year and unfortunately some may result in death. If you suffer an injury, be sure to speak with a bus crash lawyer ASAP.

Bus drivers encounter many of the same challenges as any driver, in addition to a few other unique problems. Some common causes of bus accidents involve:

• Driver distraction-- Drivers that pay more attention to their phones or various other electronic devices are much more prone to crashes. Due to the amount of passengers on buses, bus drivers also are more susceptible to passenger distractions than someone operating a car.
• Driver fatigue-- Much like a truck driver, bus drivers have a schedule to meet. This often means they work long hours without taking sufficient breaks. The loud atmosphere of a bus can also wear on a driver.
• Speeding-- To make their scheduled stops, drivers might ignore speed limits or road conditions due to inclement weather.
• Vehicle maintenance-- A poorly maintained bus can crash because of a failing part.
• Insufficient training-- Too often, drivers do not have proper training on the safest practices for operating a bus. The absence of training or poor training can cause a driver error that can result in an accident.

As with any type of collision on roadways, the injuries from a bus crash might in part depend on the speed of travel and the size of the other vehicle or vehicles in the collision.

The most prevalent injuries include:

• Fractures (broken bones) that require surgical repair
• Head and brain injuries
• Back & neck injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Scars and lacerations
• Wrongful Death

As a bus crash victim, the law might offer you several civil claims to pursue. The claims available will rely on the circumstances of a specific accident and who is at fault in the crash.

If another motorist causes a collision with a bus while you are a passenger on that bus, you may have a claim against the other motorist for your injuries. If the other motorist does not have enough insurance coverage available for all of the injuries sustained in the collision or if the other motorist has no insurance available at all, you might also have a right to bring an uninsured or underinsured case against your own insurance company or the bus company itself, if there is UM coverage available.

On the other hand, if the collision is because of a negligent bus driver and you were either a bus occupant or in another vehicle, you might have a claim against the bus driver and the bus company. This is true even if the bus owner is a municipality, like a city bus used for public transportation.

Lastly, if the crash is caused by some defect in the bus itself and not by actions of any drivers, you might have a claim against the:

• manufacturer of the bus
• seller of the bus
• owner/operator of the bus
• anybody who performed negligent maintenance while servicing the bus

Any bus driver who is hurt in a collision may also have a claim for worker's compensation for their injuries.

The possibility of so many claims makes a bus crash case complicated and complex. Typically the more vehicles involved in the accident, the more complex the case(s). This is a reason that when choosing a bus accident lawyer, you want to choose one with experience prosecuting personal injury claims.

You may be rattled and in a state of shock after being involved in a bus crash. But there are a few important things that you should do before leaving the scene.

• Call 911
• Get witness information
• Seek medical care
• Consult with a bus crash attorney

How Much Can I Recover Financially After a Bus Accident?

The amount of money you might receive after a bus crash will depend a great deal on the severity of your injuries. In general, you may recoup the costs of your:

• medical expenses
• lost wages
• pain and suffering
• loss of companionship
• lost earning capacity
• damages caused by permanent disability or disfigurement

Families who have lost a loved one in a bus crash can also collect for any treatment their loved one sustained before passing away along with compensation for funeral and burial expenses, loss of companionship, and other damages. Speak with an expert bus crash lawyer to learn all of your options.