The average city bus weights between 25,000 and 40,000 pounds, which may explain why nearly 7,000 people are injured in bus accidents every year, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).
Bus accidents can do far more than put your life in danger. If you or a loved one were injured in an accident with a bus, you may find yourself facing significant medical expenses just to restore your previous quality of life. Thankfully, you may also be entitled to compensation for your losses.
A Boston bus accident lawyer with Ben Crump Law, PLLC can help you file a lawsuit and fight for the compensation you deserve. Call us today at (800) 921-7227 for a free consultation.
Assessing Liability in a Boston Bus Accident
Bus drivers are responsible not only for their own lives but for the lives of their passengers when they get behind the wheel. Even so, they can still make mistakes. You may find yourself in a bus accident for a number of reasons, including:
- Distracted driving
- Improper turning or signaling
- Equipment malfunction
- Operator error
- Drowsy driving
- Collision with other motor vehicles
Pedestrians may also find themselves in danger if a bus driver is not paying attention to the road or if part of the bus fails to function as it should.
That said, Massachusetts is a no-fault state. Should you get into an accident with another driver, the Board of Appeal on Motor Vehicle Liability Policies and Bonds must determine that the other party is responsible for more than 50% percent of the accident for their insurance provider to compensate you for your losses. This means that if you happen to get into a car accident with a bus, you may face significant costs that your insurance company will not, at first glance, have the offending driver pay.
A Boston bus accident lawyer can pursue compensation on your behalf and file a lawsuit claiming that the bus driver involved in the accident and/or their parent company are liable for your medical costs and other losses. To do this, you will need to file your lawsuit within the Massachusetts statute of limitations. According to Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 260, Section 2A, you have three years from the date of the accident. Otherwise, you will not be able to receive compensation, regardless of whether you can prove the other party is liable.
For a free legal consultation with a bus accidents lawyer serving Boston, call (800) 921-7227
How a Boston Bus Accident Lawyer Can Help
When you file a lawsuit for a bus accident, you will likely find yourself competing with a bus driver’s parent company. A Boston bus lawyer can help you navigate around the red tape involved in these types of cases by collecting evidence to back up your compensation claims.
To start off your case, we can gather evidence from your bus accident to help determine liability and fight for compensation. This may include:
- Police reports
- Any filed insurance claims
- Video recordings, audio recordings, or photos of the accident
- Copies of medical bills
- Medical records indicating future medical treatments, if needed
Once we have the necessary evidence, we can determine what types of compensation you may be entitled to. Examples include:
- Medical expenses
- Cost of future procedures needed to restore your previous quality of life
- Physical therapy
- Psychological counseling
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning potential if you are unable to return to work
- Physical or emotional anguish
- Wrongful death and funeral costs
Settlement Negotiations
A bus driver who works for a large parent company may offer you a settlement before you have time to calculate what avenues of compensation are available to you. This settlement may cover your medical and property damage expenses, but you may still want to review the settlement with a Boston bus accident lawyer before accepting it. Initial settlement offers are notoriously low and may not provide adequate compensation for your non-economic losses, such as pain and suffering.
A Boston bus accident lawyer can assess the validity of an offered settlement and help determine if it will cover your losses. If you believe you are being undersold and wish to take your case to court, your lawyer can represent you at trial. Call our team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC to learn more.
No Upfront or Out-of-Pocket Costs
Recovering from a bus accident can be expensive in many ways. Most victims do not have the resources to pay legal fees while they are recovering from their injuries, especially if they are unable to return to work.
Ben Crump Law, PLLC understands this and wants to make the legal process as simple as possible. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you can benefit from our services without paying any upfront or out-of-pocket costs. You will only be charged if you receive a settlement from the liable party. Even then, your legal fee will be deducted from your settlement—allowing you to preserve your resources for your recovery.
Boston Bus Accident Lawyer Near Me (800) 921-7227
Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC Today
Bus accidents can cause trauma, serious injury, and even the death of a loved one. The Boston bus accident lawyers with Ben Crump Law, PLLC can help build your case and fight for the compensation you deserve, so you can focus on your recovery. To schedule a free consultation, call us today at (800) 921-7227.
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