If you’ve been injured in a bus accident, making a claim against a bus company can be a complicated process. In many cases, it might not even be clear who you should sue. An experienced bus accident lawyer can help you navigate the often-confusing legal system and get the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Here’s a quick guide.
Can you sue public transportation?
Yes, you can sue for injuries caused by public transportation accidents. If the driver or another employee of a public transportation system caused the accident through their negligence, you can also sue the city, county or state governmental body that manages the public transportation system. In an accident involving a city bus, you can sue the city itself for compensation for your injuries. Suing the government is much more complicated than suing a person or a private business, and you will need to hire an experienced bus accident lawyer to ensure things are done properly.
Who is liable in a bus accident?
In most bus accident cases, the owner and operator of the bus would be liable. However, in many cases, you’ll need the assistance of a bus accident attorney to determine the proper parties to sue in your situation.
To win a bus accident lawsuit, you will need to show that the bus driver or the owner of the bus was negligent or otherwise responsible for the crash. Some examples of negligence in bus crashes might include:
- The bus company didn’t properly maintain the bus and the accident was caused by a mechanical failure.
- The bus driver was distracted and caused the crash as a result.
- The company that hired the bus driver provided inadequate training and caused the crash as a result.
What is a good settlement offer?
Because every bus crash case involves a unique set of facts that impacts the settlement value of the claim, there is no black-and-white answer for what is a “good” settlement offer. Your lawyer can advise you on the adequacy of a settlement offer, but, at a minimum, it should cover your expenses and other damages caused by the accident.
Factors that can contribute to the value of your claim include:
- The type of accident
- The party you are suing
- The allocation of fault
- The severity and type of injuries
- The amount of property damage
- The insurance policy limits involved
- The skill and reputation of your attorney
How much can you sue for pain and suffering?
In Texas, there is no limit to how much you can sue for pain and suffering.
The pain and suffering compensation you receive can be as high as a jury determines to be reasonable after reviewing all of the evidence in the case. Pain and suffering damages are often calculated based on the testimony of expert witnesses who have dealt with similar claims in the past or who understand and can communicate the impact that your injury will have throughout the rest of your life. However, in Texas there are caps to the amount you can recover from a governmental entity that is responsible for causing a bus accident.
Your pain and suffering award is often tied to the cost of your medical expenses and can increase or decrease depending on various factors, such as:
- The amount of pain your injury caused
- The amount of medical evidence you have about your injury
- The intensity and duration of medical treatments
- The length of the recovery period
- Any permanent effects of the injury
- How severe and/or disfiguring the permanent effects are
- The impact of the injury on your daily life
When should I contact a bus accident lawyer?
If you’ve been injured in a bus crash, either as a passenger or the driver of another vehicle, you should contact a bus accident lawyer as soon as possible.
Bus accident cases can be complicated, particularly when a governmental entity is involved, and the issues of who can be held liable and who you should sue can only be determined by an experienced bus accident lawyer.
After any sort of bus accident, you should never speak to an insurance adjuster without a lawyer, even if they work for your own provider. Claims adjusters are not your friends, and their job is to help their employer pay you as small of a settlement as you are willing to accept, even if it means manipulating you, tricking you, or straight-up lying. To ensure you receive adequate compensation for your injuries, you should contact a bus accident lawyer as soon as you can. Your attorney will handle the insurance companies for you and help you determine the best strategy for receiving maximum compensation.
Have questions? We protect victims like you every day.
Call 888-ATTY-911
Email ralph@atty911.com
About Attorney911
Legal Emergency Lawyers™ legal services
Attorney911 Legal Emergency Lawyers™ legal services is a Texas-based personal injury and criminal defense law firm with offices in Houston and Austin, though we are proud to serve Texans from all over the state and represent clients in federal court. We handle a wide variety of legal issues — from car accidents to worker’s compensation to DUI/DWI offenses. Our staff is bilingual, friendly, and genuinely passionate about helping our clients, whether it’s a million-dollar case or a thousand-dollar case. We also understand that cost can be a prohibitive factor in hiring a lawyer, and are willing to work with you on structuring payment in a way that is fair and feasible. We do accept credit cards for our hourly fees, and take some cases on contingency, which means you don’t pay us unless and until you get paid yourself. We know that you have a choice in your legal representation, and we believe that what makes us stand out from the competition is our real emotional investment in our clients. We see you as a person — not a paycheck. And we will fight hard for you, because we truly care.