Lynchburg Bus Accident Lawyers Fighting For You!
Bus accidents can be just as serious, or even more serious, than other types of car accidents. Virginia buses carry more passengers and are significantly larger and heavier than passenger vehicles. An accident involving a bus can cause multiple injuries that are catastrophic or fatal. Lynchburg residents depend on buses daily to get around town, and they trust those buses will be safe.
Whether it is your child’s school bus or public transit, we hand over our security to the bus driver when we get on a bus. When bus drivers drive while distracted or the bus is poorly maintained, a preventable accident can cause devastating injuries or loss. If you or your loved one has been seriously injured in a Lynchburg bus accident, you may be entitled to compensation through a personal injury lawsuit or insurance claim.
Why are Bus Accidents So Dangerous?
There are several reasons why bus accidents are more dangerous than many other types of motor vehicle accidents. Buses are more difficult to maneuver, and bus drivers have less room to avoid getting in an accident. They need to have quick reaction times and pay careful attention to their surroundings. Additionally, many victims of bus accidents are elderly individuals or children on school buses who are not wearing a seatbelt and may be unable to protect themselves. Finally, because there are more people on a bus, there is a potential that multiple people will suffer severe injuries.
Causes of Bus Accidents in Lynchburg
Like any other driver who operates a motor vehicle, bus drivers can unintentionally run through traffic signs, drive while intoxicated, or speed, causing an accident. The attorneys at Straw Law Firm have helped victims of bus accidents recover the compensation they deserve. In many cases, driver negligence and inexperience are causes of bus accidents. Bus drivers should be familiar with their buses or Lynchburg city streets. Driving a bus requires experience and a special skill set. Bus drivers who are distracted, eating, fatigued, intoxicated, or simply not paying attention can collide with another vehicle or stationary object and cause a devastating accident.
Injuries Commonly Suffered in Bus Accident Cases
Victims of bus accidents suffer a wide range of injuries. Some of the most severe and long-lasting injuries include spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), neck injuries, and back injuries. Passengers can sustain broken bones, lacerations, and contusions when thrown from their seats in a bus accident. They may hit their head on another seat, window, or object, causing mild to severe head injuries.
Even seemingly mild head injuries, such as concussions, can cause long-lasting symptoms that impede a person’s ability to work and engage in day-to-day activities. If you were someone you love has suffered a traumatic brain injury or any other type of serious injury because of a bus accident, it is important that you reach out to an attorney as soon as possible. The attorneys at Straw Law Firm will work with you and financial and medical experts to determine the full amount of expenses you will incur because of your injuries.
Determining Liability in Bus Accident Cases
Whether you file a claim for compensation through the at-fault driver’s insurance company or the row personal injury lawsuit, you will need to prove liability. In other words, you will need to prove that the at-fault driver’s negligence caused the accident that resulted in your injuries. When it comes to bus accident cases, multiple parties could be liable for your injuries, including the following:
- The bus driver
- The bus driver’s employer
- The bus manufacturer
- Any company responsible for repairing the bus
- The municipality, public transport authority, or other government agency responsible for maintaining or operating the bus
- Any other party whose gross negligence caused your injuries
Determining who is liable for your injuries can be challenging. Working with an attorney can help you protect witness statements, evidence, and other records that can help you prove who caused the accident. An attorney can also help you develop an effective legal strategy based on the facts of your case and the party or parties who are at fault.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit?
Under Virginia law, the statute of limitations for auto accident claims is only two years. The two-year time frame will go by faster than you think. Additionally, if you plan on bringing a claim against a municipality, such as the city of Lynchburg, that owns and operates the bus in which you were injured, the time frame may be significantly shorter. Reaching out to an attorney as quickly as possible can help you avoid missing the time limit in which to file your claim.
What Damages are Available in My Case?
Bus accident victims can pursue economic and non-economic damages. If you are wondering how much your case is worth, the best thing you can do is discuss your case with an attorney. An attorney can provide you with a rough estimate of the value of your case. If you pursue a claim, your attorney can work with experts to determine all of your future medical expenses. Doing so is especially important if you have been severely injured and can no longer work. Plaintiffs can pursue economic damages for their medical expenses, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, property damage, and other tangible expenses.
Plaintiffs can also pursue non-economic damages for the pain and suffering they have endured due to their injuries. Suppose your loved one has died due to injuries caused by a bus accident. In that case, you may be able to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit to recover your loved one’s medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, lost earning capacity, and compensation for pain and suffering.
Schedule a Free, No-Obligation Case Evaluation
If you have been seriously injured because of a negligent bus driver or another third-party driver, you need a skilled attorney on your side. You may be entitled to compensation for your economic and non-economic damages, including your medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. The sooner we reach out to an attorney, the better. You only have a limited amount of time to file your claim. Contact the Lynchburg personal injury attorneys at Straw Law Firm today to schedule your free case evaluation and learn more about how our experienced attorneys can advocate for you.
