When you get behind the wheel, the last thing you expect to experience is an accident. Unfortunately, accidents are a consequence of transportation and are not always avoidable. Even when you follow traffic laws, collisions can occur. Collisions with large vehicles, such as buses, are more likely to cause severe injuries. Buses are heavier than passenger vehicles, making collisions severe. Accidents involving buses can cause fatal and chronic injuries.
When you are involved in an accident with a bus, it is important to receive immediate medical treatment. Some injuries may not demonstrate immediate symptoms, as shock can temporarily block pain. Head injuries may present mild symptoms in the aftermath of an accident but can rapidly decline if you avoid treatment.
Although most accidents are unintentional, they are typically caused by mistakes made by drivers. Since buses are larger than passenger vehicles, bus drivers may have difficulty seeing other drivers. Another complication of a bus accident is identifying liability. Liability can be hard to establish without help from a Wayne bus accident lawyer because the owner of the bus and the driver’s employer can be financially responsible for your injuries.
It is important to discuss your case with a Wayne bus accident lawyer because you can recover damages to compensate you for your injuries. Although collisions are accidental, negligent conduct by the driver can allow you to pursue damages.
Negligence occurs when:
- There is a duty to care
- The tortfeasor violates this duty
- The violation causes injuries
- The injuries result in economic losses
New York, under its statutes of limitation, requires victims of car accidents to file a personal injury lawsuit within three years of the accident, although circumstances such as the intent of the other party and the severity of the injuries may extend or reduce the amount of time a Wayne bus accident lawyer has to file a complaint.
Call Morelli Law today at (212) 751-9800 to schedule a free consultation.
Injuries
Experiencing a collision with a bus can be terrifying, especially if you sustain serious injuries. Car accidents involving buses can cause:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Whiplash and soft tissue injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Dislocated joints
- Broken ribs
- Burns
- Scarring
- Disfigurement
Accidents involving significant impact are more likely to cause blunt force trauma and injuries that require hospitalization. If your airbags deploy, you can sustain broken facial bones and head trauma. Broken glass from windows and windshields can lead to significant lacerations, blood loss, and scarring. Blunt force impact can also cause organ damage, which may require the removal of nonessential organs, such as your spleen.
Injuries can range in severity, meaning that a driver may experience minor injuries while a passenger in the vehicle may sustain catastrophic injuries. The initial shock following an accident may make it difficult to remain cognizant, which is why obtaining emergency medical treatment is essential.
Call Morelli Law today at (212) 751-9800 to schedule a free consultation.
Liability
When you experience an accident with a bus, you can pursue damages against the owner of the bus. It is important to report your accident to law enforcement. Officers will investigate the cause of the accident and complete an accident report, which can help establish that the bus driver was responsible for the collision. Photographs from the accident scene, as well as any available video footage, can document which motorist was responsible for the accident.
Liability is important because New York practices contributory negligence. If you are partially responsible for the accident, the percentage you are at fault for the collision is reduced from your judgment. Witnesses can attest to what caused the accident, which can be used by a Wayne bus accident lawyer to prove the other party was solely responsible for the accident.
If the bus driver has a history of reckless or dangerous driving, it can help establish they are solely liable for the accident.
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Insurance
All New York drivers must maintain an auto insurance policy that covers bodily injury expenses and Personal Injury Protection. New York is a no-fault insurance state, meaning that you receive benefits from your auto insurance policy following an accident regardless of who is responsible for the accident. To receive benefits from your policy, you must inform your insurance company of your accident within 30 days.
Auto insurance policies offer coverage for economic losses, such as:
- Medical and hospitalization bills
- Lost wages
- Death benefits
- Damage to your vehicle
- Reasonable attorney fees
All New York drivers must have an active auto insurance policy that offers at least:
- $10,000 in property damage coverage
- $25,000 in bodily injury coverage
- $50,000 in bodily injury coverage
- Underinsured motorist coverage
Insurance Claims
When you file a claim with your insurance company, it is important to retain documentation of your expenses. Economic losses can be excessive when you sustain severe injuries, which may require you to file a claim for underinsured motorist coverage. Accidents involving buses can be more complex because commercial and transport vehicles may have higher insurance coverage limits.
If your insurance company denies coverage, you can appeal the decision. Insurance policies can cover lost wages for up to three years if your injuries prevent you from working. To receive lost income benefits, you must supply your insurance company with paystubs and medical documentation that proves your injuries prevent you from working.
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If your economic losses exceed the amount reimbursed by your insurance company, a Wayne car accident lawyer can file a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible party. During a personal injury claim, a Wayne car accident lawyer can recover economic and non-economic damages. While economic losses are limited to the actual costs you paid because of your accident, noneconomic damages consider how your injuries impact your daily life and your future quality of life. Noneconomic damages can be awarded for things like pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and future lost earnings.
New York does not cap damages in personal injury claims, which is why working with a Wayne bus accident lawyer is important when you sustain injuries in an accident involving a bus.
Discussing your claims with a Wayne car accident lawyer ensures that you receive the compensation you are entitled to following an accident.
Call Morelli Law today at (212) 751-9800 to schedule a free consultation.