Whether transporting children to school, commuters to work, or travelers to another city, buses safely carry thousands of passengers in the U.S. every day. However, bus accidents do occur, occasionally leading to injuries and deaths. Those of you who have been injured in bus accidents may be entitled to compensation, but you should seek assistance from attorneys with experience in personal injury matters.
The potential seriousness of bus accidents was shown by three recent crashes. In one, a Greyhound bus that was on its way from Cincinnati to Detroit swerved off the road and overturned in southwestern Ohio, injuring more than 30 people. The same day as the Greyhound accident, a school bus collided with a police cruiser and two other vehicles in Chicago, slightly injuring eight students. Only the day before, another school bus collided with an automobile in a suburb north of Washington, D.C. Although the students escaped physical harm in this accident, five others were injured.
Bus accidents can result from many causes, including fatigue-induced driver error and mechanical failure related to faulty maintenance. Environmental factors can also factor in such crashes, especially when considering that buses often travel at night or in bad weather conditions. When they occur, bus accidents can possibly cause not only more casualties than other traffic mishaps but more serious injuries due to the fact that these vehicles lack some of the occupant protection features found in automobiles. Such injuries as fractures and damage to internal organs can be costly to treat and may require care over a long period of time, and they can also lead to permanent disabilities. Attorneys can help accident victims seek damage awards needed to cover these expenses and to make up for the loss of income related to the injuries, and also to compensate for the associated pain and suffering.
A personal injury case stemming from a bus accident may not be easily resolved. Exactly who is responsible for the mishap and thus liable for damages may depend upon a number of factors, some of which may be primary and others contributory. The owner and the operator of the bus may be different companies, and school or public-type buses may be operated by government entities. There may also be third parties who were involved in a particular accident, including other vehicles. Attorneys will work to sort out these issues before any litigation can move forward, and can help you make sense of who may be responsible from a legal standpoint.
If you have been hurt in an accident, you should seek medical attention and have the doctor record any known injuries. You should also refrain from speaking to anyone other than law enforcement personnel. Attorneys who concentrate in personal injury matters should be among the first to be notified by the victims of bus accidents. After the mishap, the insurance company representing the bus firm may attempt to settle for an amount that may or may not cover all the expenses you incur from the accident. The other party may also use various legal techniques to delay any litigation or block or reduce damages. Attorneys understand the law and will strive to do what is necessary to protect your rights throughout the legal process.
Attorneys can be good advocates for victims of bus accidents, and a free consultation with an auto accident lawyer affiliated with Attorney Group can help you decide on your best course of action. Contacting an attorney does not mean you have to pursue legal action; it can simply help you better understand the legal proceedings after an accidents occurs. And Attorney Group will provide this consultation at no cost to you. So if you or someone you know has dealt with the unfortunate incident of being involved in a bus accident, contact Attorney Group today for your free consultation.
