School buses are used by many children in New York daily. Like other public transportation types, school bus drivers have a legal duty to uphold the safety of their passengers to and from school. However, school bus accidents do happen.
If you or a loved one were injured in a school bus accident in New York, Morelli Law Firm may be able to help you. We represent families whose children were injured as passengers in school bus accidents, as well as drivers injured in crashes where a school bus was at fault.
A New York school bus accident lawyer from our Morelli Law Firm may be able to file an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit on your behalf and manage all deadlines, communications, and legal work in your case.
Give Morelli Law Firm a call at (212) 751-9800 for a free case evaluation from a member of our team. We may be able to offer you representation on a contingency-fee-basis with no up-front payments required.
School Bus Accidents Can Be Tragic
For many decades, school busses have been considered a safe way to travel for kids, but many school buses are not even equipped with seatbelts. Because of this and other factors, a bus ride can pose a danger to our kids.
School busses can also cause significant injuries to other drivers or pedestrians if they cause a collision. Some of the injuries possible in a school bus accident may include:
- Whiplash
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Tendon or ligament damage
- Organ damage
- Cuts and bruises
- Burns
- Spinal cord injuries
If you were hurt in a school bus accident, make sure to see a doctor as soon as possible to have your injuries treated. A doctor’s visit can also create a link in your medical record between your accident and your injuries that a NY personal injury lawyer could possibly use as evidence in your case.
Causes and Liability of School Bus Accidents
School bus drivers are expected to be cautious at all times and not engage in anything that could let their guard down, such as texting while driving. Just like other vehicle collisions, school bus accidents may be avoided if the cause is driver negligence.
Some of the ways that negligence can cause a school bus accident may include:
- A violation of traffic law
- Lack of driver training
- Poor vehicle maintenance
- Overloading
- Long driving hours
If another party’s negligence caused your accident, they may be liable for your damages. Due to the principle of vicarious liability, if a bus driver’s negligence caused the accident while they were working, the liable party may become their employer.
Morelli Law Firm can investigate your accident and identify the liable party when we represent you.
How a New York School Bus Accident Lawyer Can Help You
Dealing with the consequences of a school bus accident can be challenging for whoever is involved as well as their families. When you work with a New York school bus accident lawyer from Morelli Law Firm on your case, you can focus on your recovery while we manage all aspects of your case. Our services may include:
- Answering your questions and providing legal advice
- Communicating with all parties on behalf
- Filing an insurance claim and/or lawsuit
- Gathering evidence such as police reports, medical records, photos, videos, and witness testimony
- Gathering evidence of the value of your damages
- Negotiating for a settlement with the responsible party’s insurance company
- Taking your case to trial
To learn more about our services in a free consultation on your case with a member of our team, call Morelli Law Firm today at (212) 751-9800.
Deadlines in a School Bus Accident Case
Per New York General Municipal (GMU) §50-E, lawsuits against government agencies in New York may require you to file a notice of claim within 90 days of the accident. This is a much shorter deadline than the general three-year statute of limitations on personal injury lawsuits against non-government agencies mandated by New York Civil Practice Law & Rules (CVP) §214.
If the school bus in your accident was operated by a city, county, or state agency, you may have to act within 90 days of the accident in order to retail your right to sue. For information on what specific deadlines pertain to your case, call Morelli Law Firm today.
Potentially Recoverable Damages in a School Bus Accident Case
There are a number of factors that can impact the compensation that an accident victim may be eligible for in a personal injury case. These factors may include:
- How serious the injuries are
- Personal factors, like age and job
- Involvement in the accident
In general, the potentially recoverable damages in a bus accident case may include:
- Medical bills, both current and future
- Medications and rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
Morelli Law Firm can collect evidence of your damages and their value when we represent you. This may include medical bills and car repair invoices, as well as testimony from economic and medical experts on your estimated future accident-related expenses.
Seek Assistance from Morelli Law Firm Today
If you or a loved one were involved in a school bus accident in New York, call Morelli Law Firm today at (212) 751-9800. A member of our team is standing by to discuss your accident, your injuries, and your legal options in a free, no-obligation consultation on your case.
If you qualify, a New York school bus accident lawyer from our firm may be able to represent you on a contingency-fee-basis. In this arrangement, you do not pay us attorney fees unless and until you recover compensation via a settlement offer or court award.
