Involved in a Bus Accident? What are my Options?

Buses, trains, and other means of public transportation provide people with an affordable way to travel. Unfortunately, there is an increased risk of bus accidents since more and more people are beginning to depend on public transportation. If you’ve been involved in a bus accident that resulted in a severe injury, you may be wondering what your next steps are. You may be wondering whether you need to hire an attorney. The good news is that Vero Beach bus accident law firm can help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

What Causes Bus Accidents?

Negligence is the leading cause of bus accidents. Negligence can involve driver fatigue, speeding, driver error, and more. Bus accident attorneys are familiar with the steps needed to successfully investigate these types of cases. Other causes of bus accidents include:

• Driver negligence
• Lack of maintenance
• Poor visibility
• Poor weather
• Issues with weight distribution
• Vehicle handling problems
• Defects with equipment

Depending on the state you reside in, the laws may vary regarding the amount a victim can and cannot claim.

Damages You Can Receive

If you’ve been injured in a bus accident, you may be eligible to receive damages, including both economic and non-economic damages. Your attorney can go over these damages with you to determine what you are eligible to recover.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are damages that can include current and future medical bills and lost wages. Your attorney can also include any out-of-pocket expenses you’ve paid for transportation to doctor appointments and medication expenses.

Non-Economic Damages

You can also experience non-financial losses as a result of a bus accident such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of consortium. These can all be caused by injuries you’ve suffered, loss of enjoyment of life, and more. If you no longer take part in the same activities you used to do, you could claim the loss of enjoyment of life.

Wrongful Death

Any surviving family member or spouse could claim loss of consortium if an injured individual passes away following an accident. The injured party’s family members can also claim consortium if the individual is no longer able to provide parental guidance, household services, and more as a result of their injuries.

Hiring a bus accident attorney is beneficial in these types of instances because they can help you hold the bus driver responsible for your injuries.

Hiring a Bus Accident Attorney

Bus accidents can happen even to the most experienced drivers. The only way to increase your chances of recovering the maximum compensation possible for your injuries is by hiring an experienced bus accident lawyer.

If you have a family member that passed away following a bus accident, your attorney can help you collect a settlement via a wrongful death claim. Your attorney can also help you by negotiating with the insurance company if the accident involved a privately owned bus such as a charter bus.

While these cases can be challenging to prove, your attorney will work non-stop to hold the person liable for their negligence.