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PERSONAL INJURY
- Overview
- Bicyle Accidents
- Boating Accidents
- Brain and Spinal Cord Injury
- Burn Injuries
- Bus Accidents
- Car Accidents
- Catastrophic Injuries
- Construction Accidents
- Dog Bites
- DUI Accidents
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Product Liability
- Slip and Fall Accidents
- Truck Accidents
- Wrongful Death
Every day, millions of Americans ride the bus. When getting on a bus, the expectation is that the bus driver will be cautious, professional, and experienced. You probably do not think twice about whether you are in good hands or whether you will reach your destination safely—but sometimes, the unexpected happens. Bus accidents can result in serious injuries. If you have been injured as a result of someone’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional conduct, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
CAUSES OF BUS ACCIDENTS
A bus accident can happen for any reason. Some common causes of bus accidents include:
- Buses that are overloaded with cargo or passengers
- Distracted drivers
- Drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Drivers that have not been background checked
- Equipment malfunction
- Inexperienced drivers who have not been properly trained
- Overworked and fatigued drivers
- Poorly maintained equipment
WHY ARE BUS ACCIDENT INJURIES SO SEVERE?
Bus accidents have the potential to result in severe injuries because passengers are not required to wear seat belts while riding. Another issue is that accidents often occur while passengers are walking to their seats, or while passengers are standing up because no seats are available. Buses are also prone to rolling over because of their design. They also do not employ air bags on impact, putting passengers at risk.
Depending on the nature and severity of the bus crash, passengers can suffer from whiplash, soft tissue injuries, lacerations, broken bones, and head trauma.
STEPS TO TAKE FOLLOWING A BUS ACCIDENT
The first thing you should do after an accident is seek medical attention. Even if you feel fine immediately after the crash, some injuries can take several days before symptoms become noticeable. When you seek medical treatment, keep any and all records and bills to document your claim. Contact an experienced Cherry Hill bus accident lawyer as soon as possible so they can begin building your case.
WHO IS LIABLE FOR MY INJURIES?
A qualified personal injury lawyer will help you determine who is responsible for your injuries. Depending on the cause of the accident, you may have a valid claim against the bus driver, the manufacturer of the bus, the owner of the bus, another driver involved in the crash, or even a government entity or school district.
If you were injured on public transportation, be aware that many states have a short statute of limitations within which injured victims must bring a claim against the government.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION ACCIDENTS
When filing a claim against a city, state, or municipality, there are very specific and complex rules to which an individual must comply. Typically, a claim notice must state whom the claim is being made against, a description of the time, place, and circumstances giving rise to the claim, and the victim’s name and address.
WHAT TYPES OF DAMAGES CAN I COLLECT?
Victims of negligence may be entitled to collect compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and physical and mental pain and suffering. In certain circumstances, victims may also be entitled to collect punitive damages. Punitive damages are a very high damage award meant to punish the responsible party, and deter others from engaging in similar behavior.
South Jersey Personal Injury Lawyers at Folkman Law Offices, P.C. Advocate for Victims of Bus Accidents
We understand how a bus accident can impact a person’s life. You may be unable to work and support your family as a result of your injury. The experienced Cherry Hill bus accident lawyers at Folkman Law Offices, P.C. strive to be highly responsive to our clients. We will keep you apprised of the status of your case at every step of the way. To learn more about how we can help, call us today at 856-354-9444 or contact us online. We provide free consultations at our offices located in Cherry Hill, New Jersey and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
