If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a bus accident in Jersey City, you could be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. A lawyer from our firm who handles bus accident cases in Jersey City, NJ, can investigate your case, determine liability, and seek compensation in an injury claim or lawsuit.
You should not have to bear the financial burden of a bus accident that was not your fault. Our team can hold the responsible party or parties legally accountable. We handle all aspects of your case while you focus on your recovery and your family.
We Have Won Millions of Dollars for Our Injury Clients
We are proud advocates of injury victims, and we fight to get the compensation they need to move forward in their lives. Here are just some of our results for those negligently injured or killed in bus accidents:
- $3.5 million for a woman run over by a New York City Transit Authority bus
- More than $2.2 million for seven bus passengers traveling from New York through South Carolina
- $12 million to the estate of an 85-year-old man struck by an MTA bus who later died from his injuries
If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, our attorneys are prepared to take your case to trial.
Causes of Bus Accidents in Jersey City We Can Help You Sue for
Bus accidents fall under motor vehicle accidents. The victims of such accidents can involve schoolchildren, tourists, sports teams, airport travelers, or everyday public transport users.
There are various causes of bus accidents. These causes include:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Aggressive driving
- Drunken driving
- Mechanical causes
- Bus driver fatigue
Bus drivers can make dangerous errors behind the wheel that result in an accident. For example, when the driver fails to adhere to the traffic rules or when the driver refuses to give the right of way, an accident in such a setting is inevitable. Speeding can fall under reckless or negligent driving, which means that not only is the driver over the speed limit, but his behavior is dangerous to other drivers and pedestrians on the road.
Drunk Driving
Driving under the influence of alcohol also puts the lives of the bus driver and passengers at risk. Driving while intoxicated tampers with the driver’s sound judgment and can lead to unnecessary mistakes that eventually result in a crash.
Distracted Driving
Also, inattentive driving can be a cause of bus accidents. For example, the driver can lose concentration when they start using their cellphone while driving. In 2018, the New Jersey Department of Transportation reported a total of 1015 crashes related to cell phone usage.
Poor Maintenance
In other cases, the condition of the bus may lead to a crash. Unroadworthy vehicles often experience mechanical failures that may pose a risk to the passengers and the driver. Further, when the bus company fails to service the vehicle before use, the bus can experience mechanical difficulties that will, in turn, result in a crash.
A Jersey City bus accident lawyer will advise you to seek legal counsel if you are a victim of a bus accident. If you or a family member has sustained injuries or perished in a bus accident, contact our legal team at Morelli Law Firm. Call us today at (212) 751-9800 to have your case reviewed at no charge.
We Can Help You Determine Fault in a Bus Accident
In bus accidents, it is uncommon for passengers or pedestrians to carry any fault or responsibility for the accident. The mentioned parties are usually the victims. That said, our Jersey City bus accident lawyer will first determine how the accident occurred before pursuing a personal injury claim. We will need to identify the proper defendants, as they are a vital component when it comes to the issuance of compensation and damages for the injuries sustained.
Below are some parties that may bear the blame, or even a portion of the blame, in bus accident cases:
- Bus driver
- Bus manufacturer
- Bus owner
- Other drivers or pedestrians involved in the crash
- School district that manages the bus route
There May Be Multiple Parties Responsible for a Bus Accident
In bus accident cases, it is uncommon to have just one liable party. In most situations, all the parties, as mentioned above, can share responsibility depending on their degree of involvement. An attorney from our firm can help you identify the proper defendants for your case and their degree of responsibility. Victims can mistakenly sue only the bus driver without including other actors who may be equally responsible.
When filing the personal injury claim, our attorney will engage all the responsible parties to ensure that they all bear responsibility for your injuries. Including all the parties involved in the suit should happen in the first stages of filing.
If you sustained injuries in a bus accident, you may want the help of a personal injury lawyer to handle your case. A lawyer can help you through the process of identifying the proper defendants. Our legal team at Morelli Law Firm has experience in various fields of law involving accident cases.
When You Should Pursue a Bus Crash Claim
Bus accidents are catastrophic, and victims can perish. Also, victims can sustain severe injuries from such an accident, such as:
- Internal bleeding
- Whiplash
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Severe skin burns
- Lacerations
- Sprained and torn ligaments
- Spinal cord injuries
Such injuries can take a huge financial toll on you, and for that reason, you must act quickly to pursue the compensation you need.
The Statute of Limitations
You only have a limited amount of time from the moment the accident occurred to file a lawsuit. Waiting too long can make it impossible for you to protect your rights. New Jersey Statutes NJ Rev Stat §2A:14-2 gives a limited period of two years to commence a personal injury claim. The two-year period may seem long, but in a real sense, it flies by very quickly, especially when you are recuperating.
A personal injury attorney can help you commence a personal injury claim while you recuperate to avoid running out of time. You can file for a bus accident compensation award that will cover not only your current medical expenses but also other monthly expenses and lost wages.
Compensation can also include future medical bills and any reduced earnings. If you cannot return to work, we can request compensation for that eventuality as well. It also covers non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering.
Call a Jersey City Bus Accident Attorney Today
Bus accidents often have numerous fatalities because there are several victims, which means the case can be very complex. You can choose to pursue the claim alone, but a Jersey City bus accident lawyer can help you through the process. Since there are many victims involved, you do not want your case to get lost in the crowd.
If you or a family member sustained injuries in a bus accident, contact Morelli Law Firm today. We have a team of personal injury lawyers ready to help people like you.