The considerable size of buses makes them especially dangerous when accidents happen. It’s no surprise that people involved in bus accidents can be critically injured. Traumatic injuries, broken bones, burns, and even spinal cord damage can happen to passengers, motorists, or even pedestrians near the accident scene.
While being treated for your injuries, you may wonder what to do about your medical costs and who can be held responsible. The laws surrounding bus accident cases are very complex, and numerous parties can be at odds over who will be liable.
A Union City bus accident lawyer can explain the legal options available to you after a bus crash in New Jersey and help you pursue compensation. Morelli Law has recovered substantial damages for countless injury victims and may be able to help you, too.
Who Will Pay for Your Injuries After a Bus Accident?
There are many elements that determine liability in an accident. The circumstances of the crash and the ownership or operational management of the bus are two of the biggest factors.
If your accident involved a bus that belongs to a public entity, your ability to collect certain damages becomes more complicated. Municipal buses, school buses, or other government-owned mass transit vehicles are immune to some kinds of liability in New Jersey.
There is also a smaller time window for filing a claim when these entities are involved. A personal injury attorney with experience in bus accident cases will be able to explain the limitations and look for other options. The most commonly cited liable parties in bus accident cases include:
Bus Driver
If a driver engages in reckless behavior, they can hold some of the liability for the crash. In many cases, accidents involving buses take place because the driver is speeding, fatigued, under the influence, or driving distracted. If there is evidence of these negligent actions, the bus driver can be held liable.
Transit or Bus Company
If companies don’t provide sufficient training or fail to hire qualified individuals, they can also be held liable. Often, lack of training or lack of proper bus maintenance can undermine the safe operations of a transit company. Failure to replace worn tires or malfunctioning electrical equipment can lead to crashes and fires.
These actions can be considered negligent and the company will likely have to pay part or all of your damages depending on the circumstances.
Municipal Entities
The regulations surrounding municipal and public transit agencies are different. The time frame for filing your intent to pursue legal action is short and the deadline must be observed or you may forfeit your right to collect. There are also limited circumstances that allow victims to collect for pain and suffering. A Union City bus accident lawyer can explain your legal options.
Vehicle and Part Manufacturers
In certain instances, a faulty part can be to blame. Tires can blow out, brake failures can happen, or steering mechanisms could malfunction. Manufacturers, retailers and designers could be potentially involved in the payment for your claim.
Other Motorists
Drivers of other vehicles in the crash can be liable. This can become slightly more complicated because if you were a bus passenger, you won’t necessarily have the information of the motorists involved.
Recovering damages in these situations can be a lengthy process and leave you without the financial resources you need for some time. It’s critical to seek legal advice from a Union City bus accident law firm to help expedite the recovery of your damages.
The complexity increases in a multiple-vehicle crash. An attorney will complete a thorough investigation to analyze the evidence and determine the potential sources of liability. This can aid in the maximization of your financial recovery. Instead of relying on one insurance provider or entity to pay your claim, there may be other sources available.
Should You Accept a Settlement Offer?
It’s usually not the optimal solution to take a settlement offer from the insurance adjusters without first consulting a bus accident attorney. Typically, the first offer will be far lower than the full amount that they can provide, and you will leave yourself unable to collect any further compensation.
This can have serious financial consequences and result in a burden of heavy debt that nobody needs after suffering injuries. When you accept a settlement offer, you need to be certain that it’s more than sufficient to cover the entirety of your damages. Acceptance of a settlement bars you from pursuing any further action even if you underestimated the severity of your injuries.
A bus accident attorney in Union City can fully evaluate the damages and potential future expenses you are likely to incur due to your injuries. Our legal team can compare the results of other cases similar to yours and arrive at a realistic number and let you know if the offer you were made is acceptable or if you could have a better alternative.
Union City Bus Accident Lawyer Near Me 877-751-9800
What if an Insurance Adjuster Contacts Me?
You aren’t required to provide a recorded statement. This is the most important thing you should know. Recorded statements and anything else you say can be used against you to devalue your claim and negate your ability to collect the full value of any compensation that is due to you.
You can speak to them, keeping the details and small talk to a minimum. Tell them you can’t talk just now and get their contact information. Then give that information to your lawyer’s office and have them deal with it.
Insurance companies do not have your best interests in mind. This isn’t because they are horrible people; it’s because they have to run a business. The adjustor you are speaking to is under pressure to pay out the smallest amount possible in order to protect the profitability of the company. Let your Union City bus accident attorney talk to them and negotiate on your behalf.
Learn More About How We Can Help You With a Free Case Evaluation
Many people involved in bus accidents in New Jersey simply accept the settlement offer from the insurance company because they believe that is their only option. Accident victims sometimes believe that a lawyer is too expensive or just isn’t necessary.
This can leave you with an insufficient amount of money to fulfill the costs you may be facing, and leave the insurance companies with money that should have been yours. Our lawyers work on a contingency basis, so there is no out-of-pocket cost to you to pursue compensation with our help.
The attorneys at Morelli Law have in-depth knowledge of the red tape and regulations connected with bus accident lawsuits in New Jersey. We are dedicated to helping people maneuver through these obstacles to get justice, and we are ready to help you. Contact us today for a free consultation.