I Was Injured In A Bus Accident. What Should I Do?

Bus Accidents are sometimes much more complicated than a ‘run-of-the-mill’ car accident case. The law varies in this area depending on the particular facts of each case, and therefore it is imperative that you speak with an attorney to determine if you have a case and what rules of law will apply in your particular jurisdiction. There are several reasons for this:

Injuries Can Be Substantial

Because bus accidents often result in substantial injuries and substantial liability for the bus company, the bus company typically is well prepared to respond to the accident scene and perform its own accident investigation to determine the cause of the crash. As the plaintiff’s attorneys, it is our view that the bus company’s investigation will often be skewed toward the interests of the bus company in order to limit its own liability. Indeed, we have found that it is very rare that the bus company will attribute the cause of the accident to their own driver’s negligence. Therefore, if you or someone you love has been seriously injured in a bus accident, you should obtain an attorney as soon as possible after the accident to aggressively conduct an independent investigation into the facts and to rapidly secure the evidence necessary to prove how the accident happened.

Different Laws May Apply

A different set of laws will apply to the regulation and operation of buses. These are not the same laws that are applicable to regular motor vehicles. For example, unlike cars, most buses are not required to have seat belts. This fact alone is quite disturbing when considering that a majority of injuries and deaths resulting from bus-related accidents result from passengers inside the bus being thrown from their seats. Nevertheless, bus operators and the companies or entities they work for (which are sometimes referred to as ‘common carriers’) are typically held to a higher standard of care than regular drivers. Therefore, what may be a reasonable action for a driver to take on the roadway may be entirely unreasonable when the driver of a children’s school bus takes that same action. Attorneys with experience handling these complicated matters will be well prepared to deal with the specific laws and statutes that apply to bus-related accidents.

Traps and Pitfalls

Bus Accident lawyers can help you navigate the pitfalls and complications that lie in wait. Most people do not realize that public transportation systems usually have limited immunity. That is; local government entities have, over the years, carved out some form of limited immunity, which usually consists of

a. Immunity from lawsuits pursuant to local government tort claims acts or statewide grants of immunity – There are limited time periods in which suits must be filed in claims against most local governments.

b. Immunity and/or damage caps may apply

c. Limited statute of limitations periods for suits against these entities

d. Strict Notice Requirements for bringing a claim against the entity – failure to comply with these requirements to the letter may result in a complete bar of the claim entirely.

Ask These Questions

Thus, if you are deciding on whether to hire a lawyer for your bus accident claim, make sure you ask and get answers to the following questions:

• How much time do you have to file your claim?
• What government or state entity is potentially involved?
• What are the statutory requirements for putting the government entity on notice?
• What damage caps may apply?
• Does the government entity enjoy any kind of limited immunity?

Ask These Questions Too

Additionally, you may want to ask yourself the following questions to ensure the lawyer is competent to handle a more complex accident case.

• How did I come upon this lawyer? Did a family member or friend in the community who has used the lawyer recommend the lawyer?
• What do online reviews say about the lawyer?
• What is the lawyer’s reputation in the community?
• What are the lawyer’s credentials?
• What are the lawyer’s case results?
• Does the lawyer have a reputation for taking cases to trial and getting large verdicts?
• Is the lawyer not afraid to take cases to trial?

Call Bob Katz Law Today!

Bob Katz Law has represented injury victims for over 35 years. His personal injury attorneys in Maryland and Virginia are well aware that you and your family are counting on us. Let us help you focus on your physical recovery by working hard to ensure that you are taken care of legally and financially. Call us 410-576-4287.

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