If you are hurt in an accident, there are five reasons why you need a bus accident lawyer, with the most important reason being that it could determine if you can file a claim and recover fair compensation.
After a bus accident, what you do could impact your overall future, including your ability to get the medical care you need. There are several big reasons to hire a Charlottesville personal injury lawyer.
1. You Need to Know All Parties at Fault
Victims of a bus accident often struggle to determine who is at fault for their accident. This is often the case because more than one party could be responsible. Though evidence at the scene could help, a thorough investigation by a Charlottesville bus accident lawyer could be critical in determining who is at fault. Potential parties that may be responsible include:
- Public transportation management
- The city, if the bus is a city-owned vehicle
- A private bus company
- The bus driver
- The maintenance and repair technicians
- The manufacturer of the bus or parts for the bus
- Another driver on the road
Even if you believe you know who is at fault in your accident, you may be surprised at what can happen when you file a claim. It is not uncommon for insurance companies to demonstrate they are not at fault and are responsible, leading to financial losses for you. Your attorney will address all parties involved, which is an important reason why you need a bus accident lawyer.
For a legal consultation with a personal injury lawyer, call (434) 817-3100
2. You May Not Have Access to All of the Evidence There Is
One of the most challenging aspects of a bus accident is having access to all of the information you need to know what happened and who is at fault. The bus driver or the company behind them may not openly share what they know. That puts you and your case at risk, which is a reason why you need a bus accident lawyer. Some of the less accessible evidence you may need includes:
- Medical records that may show the driver was intoxicated
- Work logs that show a long period of operating the bus without a break
- Lack of maintenance records or inspection reports
- Access to dash camera footage that may indicate what occurred
- Third-party witness information was not shared with the police
In these cases, it becomes critical for you to have an ally who can understand the details, including what evidence should be available to help build your case. Your lawyer will use the law to secure that evidence and ensure it is made available to you when determining fault and financial responsibility in your accident. Your lawyer will also work to protect that evidence from destruction.
3. You May Be Partly At Fault
In some situations, you could be partially to blame for the accident, such as if you were a pedestrian who stepped out into the roadway outside of a crosswalk or you were a driver who did not fully stop at a light. In these situations, it is absolutely essential that you have a bus accident lawyer by your side.
Virginia follows a contributory negligence rule, which means that the defense will argue that if you are found to be even slightly at fault for the accident, even just 1%, you cannot recover damages in the accident. If you are not at fault, but the insurance company tries to blame you for the accident, that can lead to questioning and denial of claims. Because there is so much on the line, you should have an attorney working by your side.
Your lawyer will work to find any available evidence that demonstrates you were not at fault. Even if the police believe you have some level of fault, your lawyer will try to show that it is inaccurate. The key here is to hire an attorney as soon as possible to get the legal guidance you need in navigating these challenging situations. Read our FAQs to learn more.
4. Reason Why You Need a Bus Accident Lawyer: Public Ownership Could Be a Concern
In some situations, a bus company may be owned by the city or the state. In these situations, it can be hard to hold the government accountable for the injuries you have suffered because of various immunity laws. Your attorney will help you in several ways:
- Determine who is responsible and liable for accidents in a publicly owned bus
- Ensure you know the city, county, and state laws for reporting injuries caused by the government, which may require immediate action
- Determine what the statute of limitations is in your case, which can be different in public cases
- Explore all federal compliance and regulatory factors that play a role in the accident
- Support you in determining what evidence you need to demonstrate fault
Depending on the location of the accident, the type of accident, and who was behind the wheel, these cases can become very complex. As a result, it is best to seek the guidance of a lawyer immediately after an accident.
This minimizes the risk that you could be limited in your ability to recover damages. Review our verdicts and settlements to learn about our success stories.
5. Your Injuries May Be Substantial
Many victims of bus accidents suffer serious injuries. These injuries can impact your health and well-being now and well into the future. You may have the right to seek compensation for any losses you have, if you can prove them. Some of the most common losses in a bus case include;
- Medical bills from the accident
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Loss of earning capacity
- Loss of quality of life
Your lawyer will value your claim based on the evidence available and then pursue a comprehensive financial recovery. Their experience can make an incredible difference in the outcome of your case, especially in proving non-economic damages such as pain and suffering claims.
In addition, your attorney will understand when and if punitive damages may apply in your case, and can help pursue that additional, potential avenue for financial recovery.
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Schedule a Consultation with a Legal Team You Can Trust
With so many reasons why you need a bus accident lawyer, you simply should not put off getting this legal guidance. At MartinWren, P.C., we help our clients recover truly fair and just compensation for all of their losses. Call us today to schedule a free consultation with a Charlottesville bus accident lawyer.
Call (434) 817-3100 or complete a Case Evaluation form
