Buses are a common mode of transportation used by both public agencies and private transport companies. Over 25 million children in the United States take a bus to school. Buses, when operated by a reliable, capable driver, are safe for the most part. However, many bus accidents occur, causing severe injuries and fatalities.
A bus's size and weight means that a head-on collision can crush a smaller vehicle and shatter a human body. Since many buses don't have seatbelts, the likelihood of severe injuries occurring in a crash increases.
According to the US Department of Transportation, bus accidents cause an estimated 11,000 to 15,000 injuries and 300 fatalities yearly. In 2016, a bus was involved in 1.3% of fatal road accidents, and 397 injury crashes in Pennsylvania.
If you or a loved one got injured in a bus accident, you have the right to receive compensation. Severe injuries from a bus accident mean medical bills and loss of income due to time spent off work.
You can hire a bus accident attorney in Lancaster, PA, to help you file a claim and get the compensation you deserve.
This guide takes a peek at the causes of bus accidents and why hiring a qualified attorney is your best bet to legal redemption.
Let's get started.
Common Causes of Bus Accidents
Fatigue
Several bus drivers spend long periods plying the road, especially charter drivers that go on long trips.
Fatigued drivers can have their concentration impaired, increasing the risk of a rollover accident or collision.
Drunk or Distracted Driving
Driving under the influence of alcohol is a common reason for bus crashes. Making calls or texting behind the wheel is another root cause of accidents involving buses.
Inexperienced or Untrained Drivers
Bus handling requires training. As such, inexperienced or untrained drivers can put themselves, passengers, and other road users at risk of accidents.
Poor Bus Maintenance
Buses require regular maintenance to work efficiently and safely. Their sheer weight means their brakes are subjected to tremendous pressure and must undergo regular checks. However, multiple operators overlook maintenance issues to save costs.
Road or Weather Conditions
Poorly maintained roads or potholes can blow tires out, leading to bus accidents. Buses can also slide when approaching curbs in snowy weather.
Major Injuries Associated With Bus Accidents
The common types of injuries that can arise from a bus accident include:
- Fractures and sprains
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Head and neck injuries
- Nerve damage
- Whiplash
- Back injury
- Spinal cord damage
- Internal organ damage
- Lacerations
- Scarring
- Amputation
- Wrongful death
Reasons Why You Must Hire a Bus Accident Attorney
In bus crashes, multiple parties might be partly or fully responsible for your injuries. If the accident was due to maintenance issues or an engineering defect, the bus driver or company might be held liable.
Bus accidents can be traumatic, and you want all the help you can get. Insurance companies will try to pay you as little as possible.
Therefore, you need to hire a bus accident Lancaster, PA, attorney to aid you negotiate a fair settlement.
What Will a Bus Accident Attorney Do For You?
Your bus accident attorney will cover everything related to your case, allowing you to focus on your recovery.
The responsibilities of bus accident attorneys include:
Investigating the Accident
Your attorney will visit the accident site to look for clues that will solidify your claim. They'll also gather evidence and speak to witnesses to get a clear picture of what happened.
Determine Liability
The defendants in a bus accident litigation may include the driver, the bus company, bus manufacturer, or the state if the accident involves a public transport carrier.
It's an attorney's responsibility to determine what party is at fault and seek compensation accordingly.
Handling Paperwork
Filing a bus accident claim involves a lot of paperwork, most of which you’ll be in no frame of mind doing if you are recovering from your injuries.
Negotiating a Fair Settlement
Negotiating a fitting settlement takes considerable skill, as bus companies have solid legal teams that'll do all they can to deliver the least possible settlement. Your attorney will also represent you in a trial if both parties cannot reach an agreement.
What Can You Recover in a Bus Accident?
Your bus accident lawyer will do all they can to recover compensation for financial claims on the following:
- Present and future medical expenses
- Loss of earning capacity
- Lost wages
- Therapy
- Property damage or loss
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Vocational rehabilitation
- Workers’ compensation
- Lifecare expenses
- Wrongful death
Hire Top Bus Accident Attorneys at Georgelis Law Today
If you or your loved ones are hurt in a bus accident, consider hiring the top-tier Lancaster, PA, bus accident attorneys from Georgelis Law Firm to help you receive fair compensation.
We’ll help you navigate difficulties associated with filing a claim might present using our extensive knowledge and experience of the legal technicalities.
Our legal team has handled hundreds of bus accident cases, championing the rights of victims and granting them access to a fitting settlement.
Take advantage of our vast experience. Call us today!
FAQs
What Timeline Do I Have to File a Bus Accident Claim in Lancaster, PA?
If you or a loved one were bus crash victims, you have two years from the crash date to file a claim.
What Party Shoulders Responsibility in Bus Accident Cases?
Bus accident claims are complex as numerous parties can shoulder liability (i.e., the driver, bus manufacturer, or bus company). Thus, you'd need a lawyer reputable in bus accident cases to litigate on your behalf and sift out the responsible parties.
