Trusted Bus Accidents Lawyer Serving Shelby, Alabama
Serious bus accidents typically end in fatalities, but even those who survive must undergo rehabilitation for several months or the rest of their lives. You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, missed wages, and other losses.
The reliable Shelby bus accident lawyer at Petro Accident and Injury Attorneys has handled numerous motor vehicle accident cases for years. We know how to establish the bus company’s fault and obtain maximum compensation for victims.
You most likely have several more issues. Allow our firm to determine how we might be of assistance. When you call us now, we can help you understand all of your legal choices.
Why Do You Need a Bus Accidents Lawyer in Alabama?
Buses are subject to several regulations, depending on the conditions and the purpose. For instance, legislation regarding school bus accidents may differ from that of long-distance commuter buses. To ensure that you are functioning within the correct legal parameters, you should discuss your case with our Alabama bus accident lawyer.
Our diligent personal injury attorney can assess whether your claim has merit. Below are the reasons why you must retain our service.
We Can Determine Liability
Under Alabama law, operators of passenger vehicles are accountable for passenger injuries caused by their carelessness. In this scenario, the injured passenger may be eligible to claim compensation for their injuries. Similarly, drivers engaged in a collision with a bus, truck, or another passenger vehicle in Alabama may be eligible to claim compensation if the other driver is entirely at fault.
To find liability in an Alabama bus accident, our skilled bus accident lawyer must prove that the other driver owed you a duty of care to act responsibly, that they violated that duty of care, and that you were physically injured.
We Can Gather Documentation and Proof
Our Shelby bus accident lawyer will gather evidence to show liability and value your claim. The following evidence can be used to support your claim:
- Photographs and video of the accident
- Police reports and statements from witnesses
- The opinions of economics, healthcare, and accident reconstruction specialists
- Medical documents and bills
- Any additional substantiated proof that proves fault or quantifies your losses
We Can Estimate the Worth of Your Claim
When analyzing your claim, we consider the total worth of the losses you incurred due to the bus accident. Economic losses, such as bills, invoices, missed revenue, and other substantiated monetary expenditures, may be simply counted to establish a solid value.
Your attorney will employ proven calculating methodologies and expert testimony for non-economic damages, including pain and suffering, diminished quality of life, and mental and emotional stress. Our knowledgeable bus accident lawyer ensures you obtain the highest possible payment for your losses. We will try to include all potential damages in your claim.
We Can Engage in Negotiations
Once we have identified who was to blame for the event and the monetary worth of your claim, we will contact the at-fault party’s insurance carrier and file a claim on your behalf. In many instances, the insurance company will attempt to lessen its losses by transferring blame to you or another person.
Insurance firms are incentivized to compensate injured victims as little as possible. We know their tactics and will defend your right to receive adequate compensation for your losses.
We Can Represent You in Court
Even though most automobile injury cases are settled outside of court, some insurance companies refuse to negotiate a reasonable payment. If we cannot compromise with the insurance company, we will file the necessary paperwork to present your case to a judge or jury.
Due to our years of expertise litigating Alabama personal injury lawsuits, we are confident in our abilities to defend you effectively in court.
Are Bus Accidents More Deadly Than Car Collisions?
According to research by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), you are approximately ten times more likely to be injured in a car collision than in a bus accident. Despite sometimes lacking seat belts, buses are typically safer than cars due to the following:
- The training of bus drivers is professional
- Bus drivers are examined
- Bus drivers go more slowly and predictably than other motorists
- Buses are subject to stricter regulations than other vehicles
- Buses are bigger and heavier than the majority of other cars
Although being a bus passenger is usually relatively safe, injuries and even fatalities can (and do) occur. The most frequent major bus accident injuries include:
- Head injuries
- Lower extremity injuries
- Bruises and strains
- Abrasions and contusions
- Lacerations
What Are the Common Causes of Bus Accidents?
Identifying the precise reason for a bus accident can be a challenging task. Even in clear examples of a driver’s fault, additional contributing elements may exist. Even though driver mistake is one of the most prevalent causes of bus accidents, other potential reasons include, but are not limited to:
Driver Exhaustion
There are severe limitations on the number of consecutive hours commercial drivers can work in a given week. Some drivers falsify logs to conceal driving-time infractions, and those who work excessive hours are far more likely to nod off while driving.
Failure to Maintain
Bus companies are responsible for ensuring that their vehicles are safe for transporting large numbers of passengers. If a corporation fails to maintain its buses properly and these faults cause traffic accidents, the company might be held accountable.
Damaged Parts
Unpredictable failure of a bus’s mechanical components might lead to an accident. If bus brakes, tires, or any other piece was built defectively, the manufacturer might be liable for damages.
Highway Conditions
Some incidents may be attributed to adverse weather conditions, but bus drivers must still operate their vehicles properly under these situations. Government agencies may also be accountable when a bus accident is caused by a particularly hazardous highway or a problem that could have been eliminated.
Other Automobiles
Other drivers can cause several bus collisions. The participation of many vehicles makes it more important to retain legal counsel.
In addition, liability can be far more complex in bus accidents than in most car accidents. Depending on various variables, a bus driver, bus company, maintenance company, parts manufacturer, and government agency might all be identified as possible defendants.
What Are the Common Types of Bus Accidents?
Public Bus Crashes
Since public buses are frequently overcrowded, many passengers may be wounded in the event of an accident. Many public bus accidents also involve bikers and pedestrians. Technical failures, such as faulty brakes or steering, are common causes of accidents. Although governments are typically responsible for the upkeep and safety of public buses, it is difficult to file a claim for personal injury against them.
Commercial Bus Collisions
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration standards for commercial buses are identical to those for tractor-trailers (FMCSA). There are tight regulations regarding bus drivers’ duration on the road and safety and maintenance criteria that must be met. If a bus business or driver disobeys these laws and regulations, they may be held accountable for any injuries or losses they cause via negligence.
School Bus Crashes
School buses remain the safest way to carry children to and from school. Still, some accidents cannot be avoided. A child might be injured when exiting the bus, or a car could miss the bus’s flashing red lights and harm a child. Due to the absence of seatbelts on school buses, children can be injured during a collision. If tossed about, children in the bus may get shattered bones, head, neck, spinal injuries, or traumatic brain damage.
What Are the Crucial Things to Do After a Bus Accident?
As a bus passenger, you have little influence over the events that lead to an accident. However, you have control over your actions following the accident. Here are essential steps you may take to maximize your chances of receiving the compensation you deserve:
Obtain Medical Care
After a bus accident, it is best to seek medical attention immediately. Many symptoms do not manifest until hours or even days after a severe injury. In addition, evidence that you saw a doctor promptly after your injury prevents insurance companies and defense counsel from contending that you weren’t truly hurt or neglected to limit your damages.
Notify the Police
The police will investigate and prepare a report that may later be used to support your insurance claim or litigation. Take the initiative and dial 911 immediately.
Collect Evidence
If it is safe and you can do so without further injury, collect as much evidence as possible at the accident scene. This includes images of the accident scene and your injuries, contact information, insurance information from all involved parties, and witness contact information.
Avoid Posting Anything on Social Media About the Accident
When commencing a case, defense attorneys can examine your social media accounts to determine whether any posts may be used against you.
Contact Our Bus Accidents Lawyer Immediately
Our skilled Shelby bus accident lawyer can help you avoid missing the statute of limitations. In addition, other passengers will submit their claims, and you don’t want to be the last person in line when the defendant’s funds are exhausted.
Ready to take action to obtain the damages you deserve after a bus accident in Alabama? Call us immediately to speak with our professional personal injury attorney.
How Much Compensation Will You Receive Following a Bus Crash?
If you were injured in a bus accident because of another party’s negligence, you might be able to obtain compensation. The amount relies on who caused the accident and the losses you sustained.
Damages may include medical expenses, lost earnings, and other losses. If you decide to engage with our qualified Shelby bus accident lawyer on your case, we can aid you in identifying and quantifying your losses. We can also help you gather proof of the liable party’s fault and manage your insurance claim or personal injury case.
The costs associated with a vehicle accident can quickly accumulate. Depending on the specifics of your accident and your injuries, you may be entitled to collect the following damages in a bus accident case:
Medical Costs
Medical costs include examinations, treatments, or doctor’s visits related to your injury. A personal injury claim may include your past, present, and future medical expenditures.
Damage to Property
If you were driving your vehicle when involved in a collision with a bus, your vehicle was likely damaged. You may be entitled to reimbursement for car repair or replacement. If you were aboard a bus during an accident, you might be entitled to compensation for any damaged or lost personal property.
Income Loss
You might be eligible for compensation if you lost work hours while healing from injury. Your claim may also include this loss if the injury led you to transfer occupations or accept a lower-paying job.
Pain and Suffering
A bus accident can cause both physical and psychological suffering. Pain and suffering may constitute recoverable damages in some instances.
These are only some of the sorts of losses you may be able to collect compensation for. Depending on the details of your case, you may obtain compensation for various additional losses. When representing you, our skilled personal injury attorney can assist you in assessing your damages and collect proof of their value.
How to Establish Liability in a Bus Accident in Alabama?
To claim damages following a bus accident, you must establish that another party was at blame. How liability is determined relies on the circumstances of the accident. The majority of bus crashes fall into one of four categories:
Accidents With Buses Caused by Other Motorists
To claim damages if you were injured in a bus accident caused by another driver, you must establish that the other driver was negligent. To accomplish this, you must set the following:
Duty
You must demonstrate that the driver had a duty of care toward you. Every motorist in Alabama is responsible for reasonable care to everyone else on the road.
Breach
You must establish that the driver breached their duty. In other words, you must demonstrate that the other motorist did not use reasonable care. For instance, the driver was texting while driving or following too closely behind the bus.
Causation
You must demonstrate that you were injured due to the driver’s negligence. In other words, you would not have been wounded if not for the driver’s negligence.
You can submit an insurance claim with the other driver’s insurance company or initiate a personal injury lawsuit against the other motorist.
Accidents Involving Buses and Their Drivers
To claim damages for injuries sustained in a bus accident caused by a bus driver, you must prove that the driver was negligent. It is simpler to demonstrate that a bus driver was negligent than to establish that a vehicle driver was negligent. Since bus drivers in Alabama are considered “common carriers,” they are held to a high degree of care.
Bus drivers must use “extraordinary care” to prevent injuring people on the road, whereas other motorists are required to exert “reasonable care.” A passenger who has been wounded may make an insurance claim with the bus driver’s insurance company or a personal injury lawsuit against the bus company. Under the law of respondeat superior, bus companies are usually accountable for the activities of their personnel.
Accidents Involving Bus Passengers
Typically, buses in Alabama may accommodate between 40 and 80 passengers. In rare cases, these individuals may cause an accident involving the bus. For instance, two passengers may engage in a brawl that spreads to the front of the bus and hinders the driver’s ability to operate the vehicle. Similarly, you may be injured on a bus by another passenger. A person may leave their items carelessly in the aisle, causing you to tumble.
If a passenger is responsible for your injuries, you can claim for negligence. You may be able to sue the bus driver as well. Bus drivers are common carriers, so they must take extra precautions to prevent passenger injury. Some courts have concluded that this includes making reasonable efforts to safeguard passengers against assaults by fellow passengers, provided that the bus driver knew or should have known of the possible assault.
Accidents Involving Defective Products
If a defect causes a bus accident, the maker of the defective product is accountable. This type of litigation is known as product liability litigation. Product liability cases in Alabama are founded on either negligence or strict liability. In a negligence-based product liability lawsuit, the plaintiff must demonstrate:
- The defendant owes a duty of care to the plaintiff
- The defendant violated the duty of care
- The defendant’s breach caused the plaintiff’s injuries
In a strict liability through Alabama extended manufacturer’s liability doctrine (AEMLD), the plaintiff must establish the following:
- The item was sold in an “unreasonably dangerous” state
- The unreasonable danger was there when the product left the defendant’s control
- The dangerous condition caused the plaintiff’s injuries
What Are Some Alabama Laws That Can Affect Your Case?
If your bus accident happened in Alabama, the applicable laws would apply regardless of where you reside. Working with our competent Shelby bus accident lawyer can ensure you know the relevant state laws in your accident case.
Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits in Alabama is two years. If you do not submit your lawsuit by this date, your case will be dismissed. Although this may seem lengthy, it takes time to develop a compelling case. Your matter may be settled faster if you contact our personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
Contributory Negligence
Alabama has stringent contributory negligence laws. You are not entitled to compensation if you are partially responsible for the accident. Even if you can demonstrate fault, you may be prohibited from collecting compensation. Insurance companies are aware of contributory negligence and will attempt to establish it to avoid paying for your damages.
Call Our Alabama Bus Accidents Lawyer Today!
If you were injured in a bus accident, you are likely on unfamiliar ground. The same fundamental rules apply: you must establish liability, provide evidence, and document your injuries. However, many variables contribute to this kind of accident.
For instance, if the bus business that struck you was a component of a local or municipal government agency, you may be subject to a separate statute of limitations. Immunity rules can further complicate these types of lawsuits. Moreover, there is far more money at risk in bus accidents.
Generally, bus companies have expensive insurance coverage with significantly greater limits, which may enable you to receive full compensation for your losses. To claim ample compensation, however, you must present substantial proof. You will also have to contend with the bus company’s insurance company.
Insurance companies are not recognized for their generosity toward accident victims, and the same holds for individuals injured in bus accidents. Multiple people may be involved in these collisions, including individuals on the bus, passengers in the other vehicle, the other vehicle’s driver, and public property. To keep its expenses as low as possible, the insurance company will make every effort to reduce the value of each claim.
Our dedicated Shelby bus accident lawyer can assist you in avoiding these pitfalls and pursuing the compensation to which you are entitled. You may focus on your recovery with the confidence that a professional is managing your claim.
We Represent Bus Accident Victims in Alabama
Suppose you or a loved one have been wounded in a bus accident in Shelby or the surrounding area. In that case, you need the assistance and understanding of our knowledgeable personal injury attorney. The legal staff at Petro Accident and Injury Attorneys knows about handling cases of all sizes in Alabama.
If we decide to collaborate on your case, our skilled Shelby bus accident lawyer will offer you individualized service from the initial consultation until you get your compensation. Contact our bus accident attorney at Petro Accident and Injury Attorneys as soon as possible to understand your legal options thoroughly.
