Atlantic County Bus Accident Lawyer
Buses are an indispensable part of life in the state of New Jersey, with many commuters relying on them as their only form of transportation. With the plethora of buses on state highways and public streets, accidents caused by negligence are inevitable. Fortunately, injured parties may seek compensation from negligent individuals with the help of an Atlantic County bus accident lawyer.
Bus accidents can lead to injuries in various ways, some of which can be fatal. The devastating effects of bus accidents on victims and their families can lead to significant emotional and financial losses that are hard to overcome. The assistance of a skilled injury attorney can be crucial to injury victims obtaining appropriate compensation for their losses.
When Would Someone File a Bus Accident Claim?
Many bus accidents that result in catastrophic injuries to bus riders, drivers, other vehicle occupants, and pedestrians are wholly preventable. Negligence on the part of bus drivers or other motorists is a common cause of bus accidents. In some cases, bus malfunctions or defects may also result in these accidents.
While the reasons for a bus accident vary, some types of accidents occur more frequently than others. Some common causes of bus accidents include:
- Bus drivers who speed, drive recklessly, and commit other traffic violations
- Individuals who drive buses and other vehicles while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Failure to properly inspect and maintain buses for safety and functionality
- Fatigue or inattention of bus drivers to their surroundings
Bus accidents can have particularly devastating results, as they often involve dozens of passengers. Injured passengers may have personal injury claims against bus drivers, bus companies, other drivers, and bus manufacturers, among others. Individuals who have endured injuries due to the negligence of others may wish to consult a bus accident attorney in Atlantic County for advice.
Damages in Bus Accident Cases
Bus accidents can cause drivers and passengers to sustain substantial injuries, some of which may be permanently debilitating or even fatal. Broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries all can result from these accidents. If negligence played a role in causing the accident that led to injuries, injury victims might be able to seek damages for their losses, including the following:
- Current and future medical expenses related to their injuries
- Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering, permanent scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of quality of life
When bus accidents turn fatal, surviving family members of the deceased victims also may have claims for damages based on wrongful death. Getting legal assistance in these situations to ensure that victims and their families receive all potential damages to which they are entitled can be crucial.
What is the Statute of Limitations for Bus Accident Claims?
State law places set time limits on the ability of injury victims to seek damages through personal injury claims, whether those claims arise from bus accidents or other forms of negligence. Failing to file personal injury claims within the relevant time-frames can lead to victims being unable to seek compensation for their losses. These circumstances can leave severely injured parties and their families without any means to pay medical bills and replace wages while the injured parties recover.
Typically, injury victims have two years following an accident to file their personal injury claims in court. Some exceptions to this rule exist, but this general deadline or statute of limitations governs most bus accident cases. As a result, seeking the help of an attorney in Atlantic County as quickly as possible following a bus crash may be wise.
Call an Atlantic County Bus Accident Attorney for Advice
Determining who is responsible for causing a bus accident is not always an easy endeavor, especially when multiple parties are involved. Establishing liability, however, is the foundation of most personal injury claims that arise from bus accidents. As a result, the success of your claim may depend on the professional guidance and advice of an Atlantic County bus accident lawyer.
All too often, injury victims are unaware of their rights to compensation and the other laws that govern their claims. By getting legal advice promptly, injury victims and their families may have a better chance of getting the settlement they need during this challenging time.
