Mass transit is a great way to get around a city or suburb, but when a bus accident occurs, there are a variety of factors that need to be considered. In the United States, there are a total of 300 bus accident deaths per year and countless other victims that become injured or even disabled.
Bus accidents are very complex in nature because there are many entities which can be at fault. These entities include:
- The driver
- The bus owner or management company
- The vehicle’s manufacturer
- Other drivers
The government may also be held responsible if the bus is a public bus. Accidents can be caused by a variety of factors that include:
- The driver driving recklessly, under the influence or in poor weather conditions.
- A product defect causing the bus driver to lose control of the vehicle.
- Bus maintenance that has been neglected and led to the accident.
- Roadways that have not been properly maintained or that have been deemed dangerous.
The moments after an accident are the most important to help you prove your case. Every accident is caused by a negligent party. Whether this party is the driver or the manufacturer of the bus, you will need to follow the appropriate steps to ensure that your rights are upheld.
Recommended Action
The following should be done when possible:
- Pictures of the accident and the roadway should be taken.
- Immediately write down what occurred when the accident happened.
- Write down any bad weather conditions, erratic driving behavior or dangerous road conditions.
- Immediately seek medical help and document your struggles following the accident.
- Contact a lawyer immediately to seek immediate legal counsel.
These actions will help your legal team prepare a case that will compensate you for:
- Pain and suffering
- Medical bills
- Disabilities and lost wages
- Lost future wages
If a death has occurred, a wrongful death case will need to take place and the circumstances for the guilty party will be far more serious. There are numerous factors that will make your case complex and unique. Oftentimes, an expert witness and various other witnesses will need to be brought in to prove that negligence has taken place.
The legal battle with larger bus companies can be impossible to defend on your own. Without the help of an experienced legal team, you will not receive the compensation that you deserve. Jeremy Rosenthal has the experience to ensure that your case is given a fair trial and that you always receive the maximum amount of compensation.