Bus accidents are caused by a plethora of reasons, and the official cause of the bus accident determines how victims proceed with a legal claim. If the legal claim is against a public official or authority, the statute of limitations could be reduced, and the victims must act quickly to get started. By reviewing the steps for filing an injury claim after a bus accident, claimants learn where to get started.
Identify the Liable Party
The identity of the liable party may not be so cut and dry with a bus accident, and the victims must get all the information about the accident. In many cases, the bus driver causes the accident due to traffic infractions such as speeding, distracted driving, or DUI.
If the bus is managed by a public authority, faulty auto repairs or parts can cause accidents if the authority doesn’t maintain the buses properly. By contacting an attorney at Perenich Law, victims can establish the identity of the accountable party and start a legal claim.
Get Medical Attention and Generate Medical Records
After a bus accident, public authorities that manage the buses contact emergency medical services for all victims involved in the accident. If the bus is privately owned and isn’t a part of public transportation services, an ambulance is called to the scene of the accident. All victims who were involved in the accident should never discuss their injuries with any representative for the bus authority or a privately owned transportation service. The victims must discuss their injuries with their attorney only.
Was Your Automobile Damaged?
If a bus collides with another vehicle, the vehicle owner may be entitled to compensation if the bus driver caused the accident. In a bus accident claim, the victim needs at least three auto repair estimates to submit with the claim. The court reviews the estimates and provides the median cost if the claimant wins their case.
Did You Lose Wages Because of Your Injuries?
Bus accident victims who lost wages because of their injuries need a financial statement from their employer that shows how much they lost during their recovery. Lost wages are included in economic damages, and if the claimant wins their case, the court may order the defendant to provide compensation for the lost wages.
Do You Quality for Non-Economic Damages?
Non-economic damages are awarded to bus accident victims that sustain serious injuries such as the loss of a limb, loss of organ function, or if they develop a permanent disability. If the victim dies as a result of their injuries, their family can file a wrongful death lawsuit to collect compensation for their financial losses.
In some cases, the family could get non-economic damages for the loss of companionship, pain and suffering, mental anguish, or the loss of financial support. The severity of the accident injuries defines whether or not the person is eligible for non-economic awards.
Bus accidents can lead to serious and life-changing injuries. When starting a claim, the first task is to find out who is responsible for the accident and the victim’s losses. If the bus is managed by a public transportation authority, the authority faces a legal claim, and the victims should avoid talking to the defendant without their attorney. By reviewing the steps for filing a claim, claimants can get started and avoid common mistakes.