If you suffered an injury in a bus accident caused by another driver's negligence, you may be entitled to financial compensation with a personal injury claim. If you suffered the loss of a loved one in a bus accident caused by another party's negligence, you may also be eligible for compensation.
Speak with a bus accident attorney immediately to discuss the specifics of your case and determine future steps for an optimal outcome.
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Table of Contents
- Factors Influencing the Type of Compensation You Can Get for a Bus Accident
- How Long Do I Have to File a Bus Accident Claim?
- Common Causes of Bus Accidents
- Types of Bus Accidents People Seek Compensation For With an Attorney
- What To Do if You Are Involved in a Bus Accident
- Benefits of Retaining an Attorney After a Bus Accident to Get Compensation
- Questions to Ask a Bus Accident Lawyer at Your Consultation
How Much Compensation Can I Get for a Bus Accident?
How much compensation you may get in a bus accident claim depends on accident liability (who is at fault) and the damages you've suffered. Your lawyer will evaluate the factors influencing the value of your claim or lawsuit.
Factors Influencing the Type of Compensation You Can Get for a Bus Accident
There are several considerations your attorney and the at-fault driver's insurer will factor in when negotiating fair compensation for your bus accident. Because every accident differs, not all victims' compensation eligibility needs are the same. However, here are the common damage areas your attorney, insurance companies, and the court will assess:
Severity of Injuries
The extent and severity of the injuries you suffered in a negligent bus accident claim play a primary role in the settlement size you will receive. Common types of injuries considered for compensation include:
- Whiplash
- Broken bones and fractures
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Internal injuries
- Amputations
- Scars and disfigurations
- Lacerations
- Burns
Psychological trauma, such as emotional distress, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and any other mental health issues arising from the bus accident, will also be evaluated by your attorney and the insurance company when determining fair compensation.
Medical Expenses and Future Care Needs
Your medical expenses are another factor concerning how much compensation you can get in a bus accident. These can include costs such as:
- Emergency care services
- Hospital stays
- Surgeries
- Doctors visits
- Specialist appointments (chiropractic, acupuncture, etc.)
- Rehabilitation services (physical therapy, massage, cosmetic surgery)
- Prescription medication costs
- Medical devices
- In-home modifications (accessible bathrooms, chair lifts, wheelchair ramps, etc.)
Sometimes, a situation justifies a claim of future medical expenses where medical treatment exceeds the timeline of a personal injury claim. For example, a bus accident victim may need kidney dialysis for years after a resolved insurance claim.
Your lawyer will help calculate those damages and negotiate them into your settlement. Bus accident victims should not have to pay a single dime out-of-pocket, especially when the accident wasn’t their fault. Schedule a free consultation with an attorney to evaluate your case.
Property Damages
Property damages compensate for vehicle damage and the damage or destruction of personal property, such as smartphones, clothing, and car seats, in a bus accident.
Professional Damages
Bus accident victims may be eligible to recover compensation for professional damages incurred from the accident. Common professional damages sought after include:
- Lost wages or salary
- Lost bonuses
- Lost benefits
- Looked over promotions due to missed time caused by accident
Another serious factor to consider in a bus accident claim is diminished earning capacity, also called future lost earnings. Diminished earning capacity refers to the amount of money a permanent injury or chronic disability prohibits you from earning from your current or previous job due to the accident.
Damages for Pain and Emotional Distress
Non-economic damages are intangible losses suffered in an accident that your attorney will help determine a monetary value for when negotiating compensation, such as:
- Physical or chronic pain
- Anxiety, depression, and PTSD
- Loss of companionship or consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of ability to engage in hobbies or activities you once loved
- Emotional turmoil
Unlike economic damages that come with a receipt, non-economic damages can be more challenging to ascribe monetary value or prove. An experienced lawyer will advise you on best practices for documenting these damages for maximum compensation.
Wrongful Death
Suffering the loss of a loved one due to a negligent accident is grounds for a wrongful death lawsuit or insurance claim. A bus accident attorney may seek justice for the loss of your loved one and financial recovery for losses, including:
- Your deceased loved one's pain and suffering
- You and your family's pain and suffering
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of financial support, including future earnings
- Loss of companionship (for a spouse or domestic partner)
- Loss of guidance and support (for a child)
Any economic or non-economic damages resulting from the wrongful death of your loved one will be determined and calculated as damages in your bus accident compensation.
How Long Do I Have to File a Bus Accident Claim?
Personal injury claim laws vary from state to state. Contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible after a bus accident to ensure you meet the statute of limitations. A lawyer will assert your legal rights are protected and fight for your right to receive financial compensation.
Common Causes of Bus Accidents
Bus accidents occur for many of the same reasons other motor vehicle accidents occur. Some of the more common causes include:
- Speeding
- Distracted or impaired-driving
- Intoxicated driving
- Driver fatigue
- Inclement weather
- Blind spots
Bus company negligence is also a serious problem that causes bus accidents. Some examples of company negligence are failing to properly inspect and service buses, negligent hiring practices, improper driver training, and hours of service regulation violations.
Types of Bus Accidents People Seek Compensation For With an Attorney
Millions of Americans depend on buses to get to and from their destinations, and thousands are injured in bus accidents annually. Types of bus accidents people seek compensation for include:
- School Bus Accident: School Bus Fleet data from a recent year reports 12,500 school-bus-related crashes, including 104 fatal accidents. School bus accidents can cause injury to bus drivers, passenger vehicle drivers and their passengers, bus passengers, and pedestrians.
- Public Transit Bus Accident: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reports that in one recent year, there were 119,000 injuries associated with large truck and bus accidents, and 5,904 accidents involving fatalities.
- Shuttle Bus Accident: Places like hotels, colleges, and airports use shuttle buses to transport guests or students.
- Freight Bus Accident: A freight bus transports cargo from one place to another. Sometimes, freight buses exceed maximum limits, making it difficult for the driver to control the vehicle.
Private, commercial, and charter bus companies may also be liable for bus accidents. These types of buses are primarily used for parties and tours. An attorney will investigate the driver and company while determining liability.
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What To Do if You Are Involved in a Bus Accident
After being involved in a bus accident, there are many things to consider, including health, money, and peace of mind. Here are your critical next steps:
See a Doctor Immediately
Seek medical treatment immediately following an accident, regardless of whether or not you believe you suffered an injury. Some common injuries associated with bus accidents, like whiplash, may have delayed symptoms of hours and even days.
Having a medical professional properly assess, diagnose, and document any injury will ensure you don’t overlook medical issues or injuries and help your personal injury claim.
Consult With a Bus Accident Lawyer
After being seen by a medical professional, your next call should be with an experienced bus accident lawyer. They will compassionately guide you through the legal process, advising you while protecting your legal rights.
Document Your Recovery
Keep a post-accident journal documenting every area of life affected by the bus accident. Make sure to account for anything that can help your bus accident attorney prove damages, including:
- Your recollection of the accident
- Trips to and from the doctor and specialist appointments
- Important dates
- Pain scale
- Loss of any ability to complete everyday tasks
- Emotional condition
- Injury progress
Making note of all expenses associated with your recovery, especially any out-of-pocket expenses with correlating receipts, makes it easier for your attorney to calculate these damages.
Benefits of Retaining an Attorney After a Bus Accident to Get Compensation
Trying to navigate a complicated legal system and protect yourself against insurers pressuring you to settle too soon or for too little money on top of recovering is overwhelming and unnecessary. Your primary concern is to rest, heal, and recover. Securing legal representation comes with many benefits to your case.
Education and Experience
Attorneys must complete at least seven years of higher education, meaning they know the law inside and out. Additionally, they maintain continued education when provisions to existing laws or new laws form. Their experience conducting themselves within the legal system may prove invaluable to your bus accident claim.
Access to Resources and Expert Witnesses
Bus accident lawyers have a valuable network of resources, including expert witnesses, investigators, forensics, and health professionals. These resources help establish liability with the at-fault party's insurance company and the courts if your case requires trial proceedings.
Handling Legal Paperwork and Deadlines
The legal process of handling a claim involves complicated procedure guidelines, numerous forms, and strict deadlines. Making a mistake on a form or missing a deadline can jeopardize your claim, making having an attorney with the knowledge and experience of the process instrumental in ensuring no hiccups, such as delay or denial of the claim.
Thorough Investigation
After retaining an attorney, they will begin a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances of your claim. Their investigation involves:
- Gathering critical evidence like photo and video footage
- Reviewing police reports and witness statements
- Interviewing additional eyewitnesses
Consulting with accident reconstruction experts to reconstruct your accident scene is another part of an attorney’s thorough investigation. Recreating the accident helps pinpoint circumstances that allow them to prove negligence and establish liability.
Negotiation Skills and Higher Settlements
Negotiations are imperative to getting compensation for a bus accident. Typically, the at-fault party's insurer will send a lowball offer first because they want to settle for as little money as possible.
Unsuspecting accident victims may unknowingly settle too soon and for considerably less than they're entitled to. Your attorney has extensive experience negotiating with insurers and opposing counsel to maximize compensation.
Trial Experience and Representation
While most bus accident claims are settled outside the court, some proceed to trial. Having an experienced bus accident lawyer represent your interests in court is more lucrative than attempting to represent yourself.
Also, self-representation can be confusing, intimidating, and overwhelming for people unfamiliar with legal practices and proceedings.
Expedited Claims Process
Lawyers know how to navigate the legal system efficiently to expedite your claim when applicable. Expediting your claim can be particularly helpful for accident victims struggling with surmounting medical bills and lost earnings due to their injuries.
Peace of Mind
Hiring a bus accident attorney should provide you with peace of mind. Knowing that you have an educated and skilled law professional handling the logistics of your claim so that you can heal may be instrumental in your recovery. You don't have to deal with the added stress of arbitration and possible litigation if you make one misstep in your case.
No Upfront Fees
Bus accident attorneys primarily work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they don't require any upfront money or ongoing costs and only get paid if you do. A contingency fee arrangement usually takes a disclosed percentage from the final settlement. This arrangement allows anyone to access legal representation, regardless of their financial situation.
Questions to Ask a Bus Accident Lawyer at Your Consultation
When you consult an attorney about your accident claim, be prepared with a list of questions. Some questions you should ask include:
- Why do you think I have a good case?
- What are the weaknesses in my case?
- How many cases like mine have you handled?
- How many cases like mine have you represented in a trial?
- How often will you update me about my case?
- How much is my bus accident claim worth?
- How long will it take to settle my claim?
- Do you believe the insurance company will settle my case?
- If the case goes to trial, will the compensation fee change?
While most bus accident attorneys work on contingency, it's still a good idea to ask how much they charge. Have them clarify there are no upfront or out-of-pocket expenses.
Schedule your free consultation with a personal injury attorney to discuss what type of compensation you can get for your bus accident today.
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Gabriel Levin - Owner/Founder
Gabriel Levin is a highly experienced and award-winning attorney with over 10 years of practice in Pennsylvania. Known for his tenacity, he has represented clients in a wide range of civil matters and tried hundreds of cases. He prepares each case as if it will go to trial, ensuring meticulous attention to detail.
Unlike many firms that delegate tasks, Attorney Levin personally handles every aspect of each case and maintains open communication with his clients throughout. He has secured millions in compensation, making him a smart choice for those seeking legal representation.
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