The consequences of bus accidents are often very severe since these vehicles are so large and heavy and carry many passengers. Data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) shows that 234 buses were involved in fatal accidents in 2017, and on average, school buses account for 40% of all fatal bus accidents, transit buses account for 35%, and intercity buses account for 12%.
Bus accidents can also be complicated since they involve third parties such as the bus company, in addition to the drivers and passengers. If you or your loved ones suffered injury, property damage, or death in a bus accident in Columbus, Ohio, the legal team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC may be able to help you recover the financial compensation you deserve for your suffering.
A Columbus bus accident lawyer could help you by managing your insurance claim or pursuing a civil lawsuit on your behalf. Call the team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC at (800) 921-7227 for a free consultation on your legal options after a bus accident. We operate on contingency, which means we will never charge you any fees unless we can help you receive payment for your losses.
Common Causes of Bus Accidents
Bus accidents are not rare, and they are often very serious due to the massive size and weight of buses and the number of passengers on these vehicles. There are many types of buses that operate in Columbus, Ohio, including school buses, intercity buses, interstate buses, transit buses, shuttle buses, tour buses, charter buses, and private buses, such as those belonging to churches, camps, or businesses.
Since buses are so large, they are difficult to maneuver, have large blind spots, and present a danger on the road if they are handled improperly or other drivers around them do not give them the room they need. There can be many reasons for a bus accident to occur, but common causes of bus accidents include:
- Driver negligence, such as aggressive driving, distracted driving, or failure to obey traffic laws.
- Inadequate bus driver training.
- Buses not being able to maneuver properly due to lack of space, especially in urban areas.
- Bus driver fatigue.
- Dangerous road conditions or improperly maintained roads.
- Improper bus maintenance.
- Defective bus equipment, such as mirror placement or safety equipment.
- Bus stability issues caused by uneven weight distribution or overloaded buses.
Besides a crash with another vehicle or another type of crash, a bus accident can also refer to any accident a bus passenger suffers when on the bus or entering or exiting the bus. If you suffered an injury or your loved one died in a bus accident in Columbus, Ohio that was someone else’s fault, you may be legally entitled to receive compensation for your losses.
For a free legal consultation with a bus accidents lawyer serving Columbus, call 800-921-7227
Damages You Could Recover After a Bus Accident
When you suffer harm because of someone else’s actions, you have a legal right to pursue compensation for your losses. Depending on your circumstances, the types of financial compensation, or damages, that you may be able to recover after a bus accident that was not your fault include:
- Economic damages that reimburse your out-of-pocket expenses, such as medical expenses, funeral expenses, lost income, lost earning capacity, and property damage costs.
- Non-economic damages that compensate you for other losses, such as pain and suffering, mental anguish, embarrassment, loss of enjoyment of life, scarring or disfigurement, and loss of consortium.
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How to Seek Compensation for a Bus Accident
An insurance claim or a civil lawsuit are your two main options for seeking compensation after you are in a bus accident, like any other type of accident. However, a bus accident can be complicated because it may involve the bus company, bus line manager, bus manufacturer, bus mechanic, or other third parties as well as the bus driver, other drivers, and bus passengers.
A Columbus bus accident lawyer can help you after an accident by identifying responsible parties, filing insurance claims for you, and negotiating with insurance providers on your behalf so you know you are getting the best settlement you can receive instead of a minimal offer from an insurance company trying to protect their own bottom line.
An attorney can also help you recover compensation by pursuing a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. If an insurance payment is not available or does not cover all your losses, you could be able to receive more compensation for your suffering or your loved one’s death through a civil lawsuit.
At Ben Crump Law, PLLC, we can investigate the circumstances of a bus accident, identify and inform you of your best options for recovering compensation, and do all the work to get you the settlement that you deserve for your injuries and other losses. Call today for your free consultation.
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The Statute of Limitations Can Affect Your Case
While insurance claims need to be filed immediately after an accident, civil lawsuits are subject to statutes of limitations, which are state laws that give you a deadline for when you can file a lawsuit after an offense or wrongful event occurs. Ohio Revised Code (ORC) §2305.10 and ORC §2125.02 give you a two-year time limit for pursuing a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit.
If you miss this deadline, you could lose your right to recover compensation, so it is best to act as quickly as possible after you are in an accident. You can contact the team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC for help.
Our team can help by investigating the accident and gathering evidence of who was at fault for it, such as photos, witness statements, video footage, maintenance records, bus company records, and other information. We will identify all the damages you may be able to recover for your losses and pursue compensation on your behalf. Our Columbus bus accident lawyer can negotiate with insurance providers or pursue a lawsuit to obtain you the compensation you deserve.
Call our team at (800) 921-7227 to get started with a free consultation.
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