If you suffered a whiplash injury while riding a bus as a passenger, you can claim whiplash on a bus. Bus passengers who were hurt in a bus accident may be able to pursue the responsible party for their damages, whether that be the bus company, another driver, or another liable party.
A personal injury lawyer may be able to help you file an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit for whiplash and other bus-accident injuries.
Understanding Whiplash
As the Mayo Clinic explains, whiplash is a type of neck injury that may result in:
- Neck pain
- Difficulty moving your neck
- Headaches
- Feeling tired or exhausted
- Tenderness or tingling in your arms
If you suspect your accident has caused whiplash, see a doctor as soon as possible. This injury may require treatment to heal. Seeing a doctor soon after the accident can also help you prove that your injuries came from the bus accident and not some other cause.
While some cases of whiplash resolve over time, other patients have long-term or even chronic symptoms from this condition.
Damages in a Bus Accident Case
You may be able to recover compensation for your accident-related damages in a personal injury insurance claim or lawsuit. Depending on the details of your accident and the severity of your injuries, the potentially recoverable damages in this type of case may include:
- Medical expenses: for short-term and/or long-term care to manage your injuries.
- Other expenses: if you had to hire people to help you with things you used to do yourself, like mowing the lawn or taking care of your children.
- Lost income: if your injuries prevented you from working and earning a living.
- Lost employment: if you were fired or otherwise compelled to leave your job because of your injuries.
- Pain and suffering: if your injuries caused you to experience physical or mental pain and suffering.
When suing for compensation, you typically have to collect evidence of the value of your damages, even for intangible damages like pain and suffering. A lawyer may be able to help you with this task.
Getting Help from a Lawyer
Do not worry if the thought of handling a lawsuit alone sounds daunting. It is normal to feel that way, and there is help available. You may be able to hire an attorney to manage your case for you. A lawyer’s services may include:
Helping You Understand Your Accident
As the accident victim, you have a unique perspective on how your accident happened. However, the liable party’s insurance company is not likely to pay damages based on your word alone. Your lawyer can investigate your crash and seek out all possible evidence to back up your story.
Fighting for Compensation
Once your lawyer has filed your insurance claim and/or lawsuit, they can negotiate for a settlement with the responsible party’s insurance company. In cases where the insurance company will not give you what you ask for, a lawyer can take your case to trial. A lawyer can represent you at all meetings with the insurance company and communicate with them on your behalf.
Making Things Easier for You
A lawyer’s main job is to help you pursue compensation, but they can also provide regular updates about your case and answer your legal questions. This can demystify the legal process so that you do not have to wonder and worry about it quite so much.
The Deadline to Sue in New York
It is important to keep in mind that, per New York Civil Practice Law & Rules (CVP) §214, a general three-year statute of limitations pertains to personal injury lawsuits in New York. Some circumstances could alter this deadline. If the responsible party in your accident is a government agency, for example, you may have just 90 days to file a Notice of Claim, per New York General Municipal (GMU) §50-E.
Missing the legal deadlines in your case could mean that you lose your right to sue.
Call Morelli Law Firm Today
If you were injured in a bus accident, Morelli Law Firm may be able to help you. We represent clients in New York City, on Long Island, and in New York State up to Albany.
For a free case review with a member of our team, call Morelli Law Firm today at (212) 751-9800. If we believe that you can claim whiplash after your bus accident, we may be able to provide you with representation on a contingency-fee-basis with no up-front payments required.