If you or someone you care about was in a bus accident, either as a passenger on the bus or in another vehicle that was hit by a bus, it’s important to contact the bus accident attorneys at our Law Firm. Our lawyers specialize in cases where people were injured in bus accidents, and we have a lot of experience dealing with big bus companies like Greyhound.
Bus accidents are not the same as regular car crashes, so it’s important to choose a law firm that knows how to handle these specific cases. The law firm should have experience dealing with companies that provide transportation services, like commercial transportation companies, municipal bus lines, and common carriers.
If you or someone you care about got hurt or passed away in a bus accident, our team of lawyers can assist you in getting the money you need to start over and make your life better. We help people who were riding on the bus, driving other vehicles, walking, or riding bicycles and got hit by a bus. You can talk to us for free to discuss your situation, and we won’t ask you to pay anything unless we win your case.
Common Causes of Bus Accidents
A lot of big bus accidents happen because the bus driver or the bus company didn’t do their job properly. Here are some examples of what can cause these accidents:
Driver Fatigue: Bus drivers often drive long distances without taking enough breaks, just like truck drivers. This can make them very tired, especially if it’s late in the day. When you drive while feeling tired, it’s a lot like driving after drinking alcohol. Your reaction time slows down and you don’t pay as much attention. This means you might miss important things on the road like an animal suddenly running in front of you or a sudden change in traffic. Tired drivers might also drift into the lanes of oncoming traffic or not stop for people walking across the road.
Distracted Driving: Even professional drivers can get distracted while driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that if you take your eyes off the road for just five seconds while driving at 55 miles per hour, it’s like driving the length of a whole football field without looking. It doesn’t matter if you’re on a busy highway or a street in the city, a moment of not paying attention can lead to a very dangerous situation.
Bus Driver Error: When the bus driver doesn’t have much experience or doesn’t get good training from the company they work for, mistakes can happen. It could be something small like getting too close to the sidewalk while picking up passengers, or it could be something really dangerous. When the driver isn’t trained well and doesn’t have much experience, it can cause big problems for everyone involved.
Aggressive Driving: Bus drivers have to follow strict schedules, but sometimes things go wrong, like traffic or issues with passengers, that can make the driver get behind schedule. When this happens, the driver may start driving in a dangerous and careless way. This doesn’t just put the bus passengers in danger, but it also creates a very risky situation for other drivers on the road.
Intoxicated Driving: Driving when you’ve been drinking alcohol or taking drugs is not only against the law, but it’s also very dangerous. It can make you make bad decisions, affect how well your muscles work, and make it hard for you to think clearly. All of these things are really important when you’re driving. Bus drivers have a big responsibility to keep their passengers safe and make sure everyone on the road is safe too. If a driver doesn’t take this responsibility seriously and drives while drunk or high, they should be held responsible for their actions.
Bus Mechanical Failure: The bus company has a duty to make sure their buses are in good condition. However, sometimes they forget to do regular maintenance. This can lead to problems like tires that don’t have enough tread, brakes that don’t work well, or the engine breaking down. These issues could be easily found if the buses were checked regularly. Sometimes, the problem might be with how the bus was made in the first place.
Why Choose Our Law Firm Attorneys as Your Bus Accident Lawyer?
When you’re picking a bus accident attorney to help you with your bus accident claim, it’s important to choose someone who knows a lot about these kinds of cases and is ready to go to court and fight for you. Not all law firms that handle personal injury cases have the right experience and knowledge to deal with accidents involving buses and other commercial vehicles. That’s why it’s important to choose carefully. Our Law Firm Attorneys is one of the few law firms that really understands bus accidents and has the experience to handle these cases well.
Our Law Firm helped people who were hurt in a really sad bus accident on I-80 near Scranton/Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, in 2014. After that, we’ve helped lots of other innocent people who were in big accidents involving commercial vehicles. We were able to settle many of these cases for millions of dollars.
Do I Need a Bus Accident Lawyer for My Case?
Sadly, if bus accident victims don’t have a lawyer to help them, they might not be ready to face the big defense efforts that bus companies start right after the accident. Bus companies will do whatever it takes and spend a lot of money to protect themselves. While you and your family are recovering from the accident, the bus company will have a team working to build their defense and maybe even get rid of important evidence. That’s why it’s really important to have a team of bus accident attorneys on your side. They will go to the crash site, keep the evidence safe, and make sure your rights are protected.
The lawyers at Our Law Firm Personal Injury Attorneys are paid in a special way called a contingent fee basis. This means that you can hire the best bus accident lawyers without worrying about the cost. They won’t ask you for a fee unless they win your case. It’s as simple as that.
You might be familiar with several well-known private bus companies across the country, such as:
- Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach
- Martz Trailways
- Mega Bus
- Coach USA
- Concord Coach Lines
- Greyhound
- Bolt Bus
- Peter Pan Bus Line
The personal injury lawyers at our Law Firm. Personal injury attorneys have the abilities and tools to stand up against big bus companies like these. If you were in an accident with any of these companies or any other bus company, give us a call.
Accidents Involving Municipal Buses
When it comes to accidents with buses from the city or public transportation companies, things can get complicated. There are special laws that apply to cases involving the government, and usually, there are limits on how much money you can get as compensation. But that doesn’t mean you don’t have a chance to make a claim. The experienced bus accident lawyer at our Law Firm. Personal injury attorneys can look at your case and give you advice on what to do next.
We can assist in finding out who is responsible for the accident and proving it. We will also look into all the different ways you can get compensation. If you want to sue a government agency, you need to send them a written notice within six months of getting hurt in the bus accident. It’s important to act fast. Once you hire us to help you, we will work quickly to make sure everything in your case is handled on time.
Who Can Be Held Responsible Following a Bus Wreck?
Similar to accidents involving trucks, bus accidents can involve multiple parties who might be responsible for your injuries.
In most cases, the bus driver is the first person to be held responsible for the accident. If the driver was careless or reckless, or if they couldn’t control the bus when the accident happened, they are usually considered the main person at fault for your bus accident.
If the bus driver was inexperienced or didn’t receive proper training, the bus company could be held responsible for the accident. The bus company must ensure that all drivers are capable of doing their job safely. This includes conducting background checks, providing appropriate training, and conducting drug tests, among other things.
In some cases, the problem might be with the bus itself. If there was a flaw or problem with the vehicle, the company that made the bus could be held accountable for the accident.
What Should I Do Following a Bus Accident?
When there are bus accident injuries, people can get hurt in different ways. Some injuries might be small, like bumps, bruises, or scratches, while others can be more serious, like broken bones, injuries inside the body, or even death. When big, heavy buses crash into smaller, lighter cars, the people in the smaller cars can suffer really terrible injuries.
If you’ve been in a bus accident or if the bus rolls over, it’s important to get medical help right away. This is to make sure that your injuries are not life-threatening. If you were injured in a bus accident, please go to a doctor or a hospital as soon as possible.
After you have received medical treatment, try to gather as much information as possible about the accident. If you can, take photos of the place where it happened. Write down important details, like the names and phone numbers of any witnesses who saw what happened. This documentation can be helpful for your case.
You might be asked to talk about the accident and your injuries. Even if your injuries seem small, it’s better to not say anything until you talk to a bus accident lawyer who knows about bus accidents. Even a simple statement like “I’m okay” can harm your chances of getting compensation for your injuries.
In the end, it’s important to talk to a lawyer about your accident. Keep in mind that the lawyers and insurance adjusters who are working for the bus company will try their best to make your claims smaller or even reject them completely. They might even offer you a settlement that is much less than what you should actually receive. By speaking to a skilled lawyer who knows about bus accidents, you can make sure you get fair compensation for things like your medical bills, the wages you lost, the pain and suffering you experienced, and even workers’ compensation if it applies to your situation. It’s best to do this as soon as possible.
What Can I Do to Protect Myself After an Accident with a Bus?
Bus accident cases are quite complex, and it’s crucial to get help from a lawyer who has successfully handled similar cases before and understands how bus companies will defend themselves. Bus companies often have abundant resources, including teams of Bus accident cases can be very complicated, and it’s important to get help from a lawyer who has experience winning cases involving buses and knows how the bus companies will try to fight back. Bus companies usually have a lot of money and can hire many lawyers and experts to fight against any lawsuit you might file, even if you’re seriously injured. It’s best to talk to a lawyer to protect your rights and not have to worry about the financial risks of representing yourself.
What Should I Do if Someone From the Bus Company Calls Me Before I Speak With a Lawyer?
It’s important not to agree to have a recorded statement with the bus company’s insurance company. Also, avoid signing any forms that the company or their insurance company sends you. Instead, get in touch right away with a skilled law firm that specializes in bus accidents, like our Law Firm. Our personal injury attorneys. Keep in mind that if you accept a settlement offer, you may lose the right to ask for more compensation later, even if your injuries get worse.
What if I Was Injured on a City Bus?
If your accident involved a government-run transit authority or public transportation, it can make your case more complex. There are different laws that apply when making claims against government entities compared to claims against private companies. However, this doesn’t mean you don’t have a chance to make a case. If the government entity or its employee showed extreme negligence that caused serious injury or loss of life, you may be able to file a lawsuit.
It’s important to know that if you want to take legal action against a government entity or employee, you need to send them a written notice within a specific time limit. For example, in Pennsylvania, you have to do this within six months of the incident. That’s why it’s really important to talk to a lawyer who can guide you on what to do and take the necessary steps on your behalf within the required time frame.
What if my child was injured on a school bus?
School bus accidents are one of the scariest types of bus accidents. Nobody wants to think about their child being in danger while going to or coming from school. Unfortunately, data from the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) shows that school buses can also be involved in accidents. On average, there have been about 26,000 school bus accidents each year over the past decade. Out of the deaths that happened in these accidents, 25% were the bus drivers and 75% were students.
If your child was in an accident on a school bus, or if you were in an accident that involved a school bus, you might have the right to file a personal injury claim. Depending on what happened in the bus accident, there could be different people or organizations that are responsible, such as the bus driver, the school district, the city, or the bus manufacturer. It’s a good idea to talk to a bus accident lawyer as soon as you can to figure out who is at fault and what you should do next. School buses should be safe for all children, so when accidents happen, it’s important to make sure the people responsible are held accountable.
What is the difference between bus accidents and motorcoach accidents?
The main difference between a bus and a motorcoach is that a motorcoach has an upper deck where passengers sit, while a bus does not. You may have seen this on buses like Greyhound, where people put their bags below and then go upstairs to sit. Motorcoaches can also cause a lot of damage if they’re in an accident because they are big. If you were in an accident involving a motorcoach, it’s important to find a lawyer who specializes in bus accidents as soon as you can. Your lawyer will carefully look at your motorcoach accident case and figure out the best way to move forward.
What is a “Common Carrier”?
Buses are called “common carriers.” This means that the drivers have a responsibility to drive safely and keep the people they transport safely. A common carrier is any person or company that gets paid to transport things or people, and anyone can use their services.
What Should I Do in the Days Following a Bus Accident?
Here are the steps you should take:
- If you were driving, make sure to get a copy of the accident report from the police and assess the value of any damage to your property with your insurance company.
- Write down all your visits to doctors and healthcare providers, and keep a journal of any symptoms or pain you feel. Also, get copies of test results, medications, treatments, and any other important medical information.
- Keep a careful list of any expenses you have to pay for yourself.
- Keep track of the days when you couldn’t go to work or take part in activities.
- Always talk to a lawyer before accepting a settlement offer from an insurance company.
What Damages Are Available in a Bus Accident Case?
When deciding how much money you should receive in a motor vehicle accident case, there are many things to consider. The amount of compensation you get for a bus accident will depend on how badly you were hurt and how much medical treatment you need. It will also depend on the insurance coverage available, whether you can work or not, and other factors. In most situations, you might get two different kinds of money called damages. One kind is for things like lost wages or medical bills (economic damages), and the other kind is for things like pain and suffering (non-economic damages).
Economic damages are meant to cover the money you had to spend because of the accident. This includes things like medical bills, money you couldn’t earn because you couldn’t work, and any future expenses you might have. It also includes funeral costs if someone passes away because of the accident. Your lawyer will work with medical experts and other professionals to figure out exactly how much money you lost because of the accident.
Non-economic damages are given to you and your family to make up for things like the pain and suffering you went through because of the accident. It also covers things like emotional distress, the loss of being close to someone, and how your life has changed because of the accident. It can be hard to put a specific amount of money on these kinds of things, but our personal injury lawyers are experienced in doing that. We believe that all the ways in which you suffered should be recognized and compensated for.
Sometimes, in very few cases, punitive damages might be given if the person you’re suing did something very wrong on purpose or without caring about the consequences. These damages are meant to punish that person and make sure they don’t do it again in the future.
Is there a statute of limitations on bus accidents?
The time limit to take legal action after an accident is different in each state. In Pennsylvania, for example, you generally have two years from the accident date to file a lawsuit for negligence, including bus accidents. However, it’s not a good idea to wait until the last minute. There are many important steps to take before filing a lawsuit, like investigating, preserving evidence, and gathering documents. These things can take time. That’s why it’s really important to contact a lawyer as soon as you can after an accident. Evidence like driver logs and information about the safety of the vehicle can get lost or destroyed if we don’t act quickly. It’s best if we start working on your case as soon as possible.
Can a personal injury law firm handle my bus accident case?
Yes, personal injury is a general term that covers different kinds of cases where someone gets hurt physically or mentally. Personal injury lawyers handle many types of cases, like accidents that happen on someone else’s property, car accidents, cases where a product causes harm, cases where someone gets bitten by a dog, and of course, cases where someone gets hurt in a bus accident. Our Personal Injury Attorneys are a law firm that specializes in personal injury cases, including bus accidents. They have helped many people who were victims of bus accidents. When you work with a lawyer from our law firm, you can trust that you’re working with one of the best bus accident lawyers in the area. Start by contacting them today.
Call Today for a FREE Bus Accident Evaluation and Consultation
If you were in a bus accident and need help, you should contact us right away to talk to our bus accident lawyers and discuss your case. You don’t have to pay anything for the consultation, and there’s no obligation to continue working with us. We only get paid if we win your case and get you the compensation you deserve. It’s really important to choose a law firm with experience in bus accident cases because they know how to win for you. We have the knowledge, experience, and qualifications to fight for your justice. Remember to choose carefully and pick the best bus accident lawyers available. Choose Our Law Firm we have personal injury attorneys and work with a bus accident attorney you can trust. You can call us or use our simple online form to get in touch.