Bus accidents are unique because of how many people can suffer injuries at the same time. In addition, passengers and occupants in other vehicles may need to seek compensation if the driver causes a collision. These accidents can also be highly complex because it is not always clear who is liable for the injuries.
If you were hurt in an accident involving a Mount Vernon bus, you do not need to seek damages on your own. A lawyer with Morelli Law Firm may be able to help you establish liability, build a case, and negotiate a fair settlement for your injuries. We can review your case for free.
Recoverable Damages Based on Your Mount Vernon Bus Crash Injuries
There are many types of damages you may be able to recover after a bus accident in Mount Vernon. The value and type of damages depend on the details of your case. This includes the severity of your injuries and the extent of your financial losses.
Some common examples of recoverable damages include:
- Treatment for injuries
- Follow-up medical care
- Ambulance rides
- Surgical procedures
- Walkers, wheelchairs, and other assistive devices
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
If your loved one passed away after being in an accident that a Mount Vernon bus caused, you may be able to recover additional damages in a wrongful death case, as well. While New York State law limits who can file this type of action, the surviving family members may be able to recover:
- Burial and funeral costs
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of support
- Lost household income and benefits
- Hospital bills
- Other accident-related damages
At Morelli Law Firm, our team handles wrongful death lawsuits for families in and around Mount Vernon, N.Y. We can help you:
- Identify the personal representative who can file your claim
- Investigate the accident
- Pursue the damages your family needs to cover the expenses incurred because of your loved one’s death
Our team can assess your options today during a free case review.
How Morelli Law Firm Can Help You with Your Case
When we represent you, we can handle your case from beginning to end. This allows you to focus your time on where it is best spent—healing from your injuries. You can count on our bus accident team to help you gather evidence, including:
- Police reports
- Eyewitness statements
- Accident reconstructions
- Physical evidence
- Survey of the accident scene
- Video of the accident, if available
- Evidence from the bus company, such as data from the bus computer and driver’s employment records
We will take steps to calculate your damages, including:
- Talking to your doctors
- Evaluating bills and receipts
- Working with experts
- Valuing the cost of your pain and suffering
We can determine what ultimately caused the bus crash, how much your claim may be worth, and who is liable. This evidence may allow us to negotiate with the responsible party’s insurance company for a settlement offer. If they are not willing to make a fair offer, we can take your case to trial.
We generally have up to three years to file a lawsuit in an injury case under CPLR § 214. However, there may be significantly less time when the liable party is a government agency, such as a school district, municipality, or regional bus system.
Mount Vernon Bus Accident Lawyer Near Me 877-751-9800
How New York’s Negligence Law Could Impact Your Case
New York is a pure comparative negligence state under CPLR § 1411. This means that even if you are partially responsible for an accident, you can still recover damages. This does, however, affect how much you can recover. If the court determines you are 25 percent responsible for an accident, you can only receive 75 percent of the total damages awarded.
Sometimes lawyers use comparative negligence as a defense tactic to place a greater degree of blame on the claimant. They may accuse you of being more responsible than you were for the crash to reduce or eliminate their client’s liability. We can help defend your right to compensation when we represent you.
What causes Mount Vernon Bus Accidents?
Many circumstances could lead to a serious bus accident. Some of the top causes include:
Drowsy Driving
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), commercial bus drivers are among those most likely to drive while drowsy. These drivers often work in the early morning or late into the night on long shifts. Sleep deprivation and driving are a dangerous combination. Drowsiness makes it hard to focus, making it difficult to react quickly if you need to avoid an accident. Drowsiness can also impact a driver’s ability to make good decisions.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving includes activities like using a navigation system, talking to passengers, being distracted by unruly passengers, eating and drinking when behind the wheel, changing the radio, or using a cell phone.
Though texting and driving is illegal in New York and most bus companies forbid drivers from partaking in other distracting activities, too many drivers still take the risk.
Distractions can also be mental. A driver with a lot on their mind may not drive with the same careful attention they normally would, and mistakes can happen.
Speeding
Unfortunately, because they must meet tight schedules impacted by traffic and weather, many bus drivers may feel compelled to speed. Speeding can make it hard for the driver to react quickly enough to avoid an accident, especially because a bus requires more time to slow down or stop.
Poor Maintenance
Poor maintenance can also be a contributing factor to accidents. If the bus did not receive maintenance regularly or if the mechanic who performed the maintenance did not perform the job adequately, an accident can occur. The liability in these accidents could fall on the garage, the bus operator, or other parties.
These are just a few of the possible causes of bus accidents. Your accident could have been caused by:
- Negligence on the driver’s behalf
- A problem at a repair shop
- The manufacturer of a defective part
- Another driver or another party
In many of these cases, the bus company is likely also legally responsible. When a bus driver causes a crash, their employer is usually vicariously liable because of the doctrine of respondeat superior.
The team from Morelli Law Firm may be able to investigate your bus crash case to determine who is liable for your injuries. We can then help you build a case against the liable party and pursue damages on your behalf.
Speak with Our Team Serving Mount Vernon Today
For a free, no-risk review of your case, call Morelli Law Firm at (212) 751-9800 today. We want to discuss your Mount Vernon bus accident with you and determine how we may be able to help. We represent clients based on a contingency basis.