Crashes with buses can have tragic consequences for car occupants, bus passengers, and other road users. Unique risks of buses include:
- Longer starting and stopping distances
- More likely to roll over in a serious accident
- Many passengers can potentially suffer injuries in a single bus accident
- Boarding or exiting a bus without care can cause accidents
- The weight and size of buses can cause catastrophic injuries and property damage
- Buses require frequent maintenance and servicing to be roadworthy
If you got hurt in a bus accident, whether as a passenger, a car occupant, pedestrian, or another road user, you could potentially recover compensation. At Ben Crump Law, PLLC, an Oklahoma City bus accident lawyer can advise you on your legal options. Call us now for a free consultation at (800) 921-7227.
Bus Accidents
Figures from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) show that there were 4,889 deadly crashes with trucks and buses in 2017. Many people involved suffered tragic injuries requiring costly medical treatments. Some accident victims will suffer from temporary or permanent disabilities, leaving them unable to work. Getting hurt in a serious accident involving a bus can leave you in pain as well as suffering from unprecedented financial hardship.
Injuries in bus accidents can include fractures, cuts and lacerations, internal injuries, loss of limbs, and many others. Victims may also suffer from considerable mental health repercussions after a catastrophic accident. These injuries can be debilitating.
If this has happened to you, you should consider hiring a lawyer and find out whether you could hold the negligent party to account for your injuries, financial losses, and suffering.
Who Is Responsible for My Bus Accident Damages
It can be tricky to establish liability in a bus accident case. In some cases, the driver can be responsible for a crash. This can occur if they were:
- Driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol
- Driving distractedly
- Speeding
- Making improper turns
- Following too closely
- Driving generally carelessly or recklessly
However, there can be several parties that could potentially be liable for your damages. A bus company, for example, is responsible for hiring qualified and background checked drivers. They should also inspect and repair buses on a regular basis.
Other responsible parties in your bus accident can be the manufacturer of a bus, a third-party vendor, and even the local government if your crash happened due to a roadway in disrepair. Other road users can also be responsible for your bus crash, for example, when they cut off a bus, causing it to crash.
It can be extremely challenging to establish fault and negligence in a bus accident, especially if the accident involves several vehicles. Your lawyer will be able to fully investigate your case and can help you determine who could be held liable for your accident and damages.
Actions You Can Take After a Bus Accident
After a bus accident, you may have to deal with shock, trauma, and pain. However, in the days following the accident, you can take some actions that could help to protect your legal rights, such as:
- Request an accident report from the police officer
- Make notes of the accident events in a journal as soon as you can
- Obtain the contact details of any relevant parties
- Seek medical advice in the days immediately after an accident
- Contact a law firm
For a free legal consultation with a bus accidents lawyer serving Oklahoma City, call 800-921-7227
We Can Work for You
If you have suffered injuries and property damage in a bus accident, one of your priorities will be to identify any negligent parties and recover the compensation you are entitled to. If another party caused your injuries, it should pay for your damages. Your lawyer can help you assess your damages and fight for a fair settlement on your behalf.
Some compensation you could recover can potentially include economic damages, such as:
- Medical expenses and future medical costs
- Medical devices such as crutches or a wheelchair
- A home health aid
- Medications
- Rehabilitative treatments
- Property damage
- Mental health counseling
If you have suffered serious and potentially life-changing injuries, you may qualify for a range of non-economic damages in addition to economic damages, which can include:
- Loss of life quality
- Disability
- Physical pain
- Mental anguish and trauma
Ben Crump Law, PLLC can fight for your rights to justice and compensation. We can build your case comprehensively by gathering the necessary evidence, consulting witnesses, and hiring witnesses for your claim. Call us today for help.
Bus accident claims can be challenging to prove and litigate. They can involve a great deal of research and preparation. In some instances, a bus accident lawyer has to go through several companies’ records and books in order to establish negligence and fault.
In addition, a lawyer can help you file your personal injury lawsuit in time. In Oklahoma, you have two years to bring this type of lawsuit, according to 2014 Oklahoma Statutes §12-95.
Settlement Negotiations
Your Oklahoma City bus accident lawyer can negotiate with the insurance of the at-fault party in order to try to secure a fair settlement that takes into account all your present as well as your future damages.
Legal Representation
While personal injury cases can be resolved out of court, in some cases, a trial is necessary to fight for what you deserve. If your bus accident case goes to court, we will represent you with your best interests in mind.
Oklahoma City Bus Accident Lawyer Near Me 800-921-7227
Call Us Now
We work on a no-win-no-fee basis, and there are no upfront attorney’s fees to pay if you work with us. Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC today for your free consultation to determine if your case qualifies at (800) 921-7227.
Call or text 800-921-7227 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
