If you or a loved one suffered injuries in an accident with a bus, whether as the driver or occupant of a car, you may receive compensation for your injuries and property damage. Call your Washington DC bus accident lawyer, Ben Crump Law, PLLC today and find out how we could help you with your case. Reach us at 800-959-1444.
Bus Accident Statistics
In 2017, there were almost 5,000 fatal accidents involving buses and trucks, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Most bus accidents between 2007 and 2017 involved transit buses or school buses.
For a free legal consultation with a bus accidents lawyer serving Washington DC, call 800-921-7227
Responsibility in Bus Accidents
Buses are large and heavy vehicles that can cause a great deal of damage to cars, motorcycles, and persons in an accident. If you have been in a bus accident that was not your fault, and have serious injuries as well as property damage, you might wonder whom to hold responsible for your damages.
There can be many different causes of bus accidents, which can make establishing responsibility and negligence challenging. In some cases, the driver may be responsible for an accident. This can include a driver who was:
- Driving distractedly
- Driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol
- Driving fatigued
- Speeding
- Driving too fast for road and/or weather conditions
The driver is not always responsible. Sometimes, a bus company is cutting corners and putting profit before the safety of its drivers and other road users. In these instances, a bus company may be negligent and responsible for your losses. Some examples of company negligence can include:
- Hiring unqualified drivers
- Hiring drivers without checking their background
- Failing to service vehicles at regular intervals
- Failing to repair any defects in a timely manner
- Failing to observe hours-of-service regulations
- Rushing drivers with unrealistic schedules
Occasionally, when an accident occurred due to a defective part, a bus manufacturer or part manufacturer can also be responsible for an accident. In some cases, a reckless third-party driver may cause an accident by forcing a bus off the road or into another lane, for example.
Responsibility and negligence may also be shared by multiple parties. Proving negligence in a bus accident can require extensive research and may entail scouring driving logbooks, company records, accident reports, and traffic camera footage, among other evidence. Proving negligence may also require the testimony of expert witnesses.
A Washington DC bus accident lawyer can help you with collecting the evidence required.
Washington DC Bus Accident Lawyer Near Me 800-921-7227
Compensation You Could Recover After a Bus Accident
Bus accidents can be serious and cause life-threatening injuries as well as fatalities. Depending on your injuries and the circumstances of your accident, you could potentially recover the following types of compensation:
Medical Expenses
This can include all past, present, and future medical expenses in connection with the accident. It can also include hospitalization, rehabilitative treatments, such as physical therapy, and any medication you need to take for your injuries. You could also receive reimbursement for any medical devices such as a wheelchair or prosthetics.
Loss of Wages
If you are unable to work due to your injuries, you could receive compensation for the loss of income, including any future loss of income and future earning capacity.
Pain and Suffering
You may receive awards for pain and suffering you had to endure as a result of the accident. This can include physical as well as emotional anguish.
Property Damage
If your car was damaged or totaled in the accident, you may receive compensation to repair or replace your vehicle as well as for any other property that was destroyed in the accident, for example, clothes, shoes, or a phone.
Home Help
If you are unable to carry out normal household tasks after suffering injuries in an accident, or you need medical care in your home, you could receive compensation for the services of a home help or a health aide.
These are just some examples of compensation you could receive, and there may be others that you could obtain, depending on the details of your accident and the severity of your injuries.
You will need to act in a timely manner if you wish to file a personal injury lawsuit and recover compensation for your losses. According to the Code of the District of Columbia 12.301, you have three years from the date of your injury to bring forward a personal injury lawsuit.
Do consider that time can pass quickly. You may have trouble getting hold of eyewitnesses and other evidence if you leave years between your accident and any legal action. You can consider a Washington DC bus accident lawyer for help with your case.
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Contact Us Now for Help
It can be daunting to stand up to a bus company and potentially an entire team of lawyers; however, you do not have to do this on your own. We understand the legal contexts of bus accident cases and can handle your case, whether this means negotiating an out-of-court settlement with insurances or taking your case to court.
Bus accident cases can be tricky and typically involve a lot of preparation and paperwork. Having a bus accident lawyer by your side can help you through the entire process of filing a lawsuit while you focus on your health and recovery. We are here for you.
If a case goes to court, we can represent you professionally and fight for your rights and your compensation in the strongest way.
You do not have to worry about any upfront costs as we do not collect payment until you receive a settlement. Let us advise you today about your best course of action with your accident claim. Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC now for your free, no-obligation case review by dialing 800-959-1444.
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