Several factors may determine what might happen if a bus crashes. After a bus accident, the first thing you should do is seek immediate medical care for your injuries if you have any. Another key thing you should do if you are involved in an accident with a bus is to determine the type of bus involved. The legal actions you pursue will depend on whether the bus was commercial, privately owned, or part of a municipal fleet, like a city bus.
The at-fault party might also vary depending on the cause of the accident. If you or someone you love was injured in a bus accident, contact a personal injury law firm right away. A lawyer in your area may help you determine your next steps toward financial compensation.
Not All Bus Accident Cases Have the Same Statutory Deadlines
Time is a critical factor in a bus crash. Under personal injury law, victims may pursue financial compensation after being injured in an accident caused by another party. Plaintiffs have a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit, as they must comply with the statute of limitations pertaining to their case. However, depending on the details of a plaintiff’s case, this statutory deadline may differ. For example:
- According to the New York Civil Practice Law & Rules (CVP) §214, the personal injury statute of limitations generally entitles you to three years from the date of the accident to file your lawsuit. This deadline may apply to people who suffered an injury in a bus accident.
- If someone you love was fatally injured in a bus crash, the statute of limitations changes. According to New York Estates, Powers, & Trusts Law (EPT) §5-4.1, you are generally entitled to two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault party.
- If the accident involved a city bus, the New York General Municipal Law (GMU) §50-E requires you to file a notice of claim within 90 days for lawsuits against a municipality or government.
If you are unsure of how much time you have left to file a lawsuit, a lawyer in your area may help you.
You Might Be Able to Collect Damages
If you file a personal injury insurance claim or lawsuit after a bus accident, you might be entitled to tangible and intangible damages. Tangible, or economic, damages include expenses and losses for which you have a receipt or bill. Typically, these are the easiest damages to calculate and include things like medical care, income loss, property damage, and property destruction.
Intangible, or noneconomic, damages can be more complicated to calculate. A lawyer can help you assign a value to these expenses and losses. They include things like pain and suffering, mental and emotional distress, and compensation for permanent scars, disabilities, or disfigurement.
Your lawyer may account for each item of your damages when valuing your personal injury claim or lawsuit. Whatever total they reach may be used as a compensation goal during the negotiations or trial stage of your case.
Your Lawyer Can Negotiate on Your Behalf
Settlement negotiations can be lengthy and complex. Your lawyer may start by assigning a financial value to your case and use that number as the basis of the settlement talks. Your lawyer may also keep you aware of each offer you receive and its pros and cons.
Your lawyer can also help prevent you from inadvertently accepting an offer that is too speedy because it might lead you to settle your case before its full financial impact is known. They may advise you from accepting an offer that is too small or will not fully cover the expenses and losses of the accident.
Because a settlement is final, your lawyer will work hard to ensure you are not left with any out-of-pocket expenses for the bus accident. While you, not your lawyer, will make the final decision to accept or reject a settlement, your lawyer may advise you on whether an offer is fair to your situation.
Our Team Is on Your Side
If you or someone you love was injured in a bus accident, you might have grounds to file a personal injury insurance claim or lawsuit. Our client intake team can help you understand what happens if a bus crashes and how you might be able to receive financial compensation for your damages. Contact a personal injury team member at Morelli Law Firm by calling (212) 751-9800 today.