Injuries Resulting from Bus Accidents
Commuting via bus is usually safe, but when an accident occurs and you’re injured as a result, it might be in your best interest to contact a bus accident lawyer Cheverly MD injury victims trust. Cohen & Cohen has served the Metro area for more than 20 years. We’ve helped thousands of personal injury victims win compensation for their injuries.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration estimates that in 2008 more than 24,000 people were injured or killed in bus accidents. More than half of the fatalities occurred when the bus rolled over.
When bus accidents happen, passengers can be injured in any number of ways. The injuries can be very serious or even fatal. The sheer size and weight of a bus can make it virtually impossible to stop quickly. Because passengers are often not wearing seatbelts, when the bus impacts another vehicle, obstructions, or rolls over, the resulting injuries can be catastrophic. Almost any bus accident lawyer Cheverly MD provides has seen these common bus accident injuries:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Cuts, bruises, burns
- Head injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Broken legs and arms
- Back and spinal cord fractures
In addition to physical injuries, an experienced Cheverly MD bus accident lawyer has likely seen all manner of emotional and mental injuries from bus accidents such as:
- Post traumatic stress disorder
- Mental anguish
- Severe depression
- Survivor’s guilt
Compensation
While each claim is different, a bus accident lawyer Cheverly MD residents trust may be able to help determine the specific compensation to which you may be entitled. Generally speaking, if liability and negligence can be proven, the at-fault party or parties may be held responsible for reimbursing your medical costs and other damages. In some cases, this might include emotional and mental injuries.
Be Informed
The Department of Transportation established the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on January 1, 2000. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is tasked with preventing commercial motor vehicle-related accidents that result in injuries and fatalities. Commercial motor vehicles include private charter buses, public transit buses, and tour buses.
In an effort to encourage safety and improve performance among commercial bus operators, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration developed a free mobile app called SaferBus. The app provides safety information and commercial operators’ performance records to users. It also reports if a company was charged with any serious violations within the last 12 months.
Common Causes for Bus Accidents
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration identified these common causes of bus accidents:
- Fatigued Driving. This includes being too tired to drive safely or driving while sick.
- Unsafe Driving. When a driver speeds, makes dangerous lane changes, drives while distracted, or drives in a dangerous or reckless manner.
- Alcohol or Drugs. Bus drivers who drive while under the influence of illegal drugs, alcohol, or misuses legal drugs.
- Driver Fitness. Drivers who are insufficiently trained or experienced for the job at hand. This category also includes driver who don’t hold the required licenses or are medically disqualified from driving a bus.
- Vehicle Maintenance. When a bus is not properly inspected, maintained, and repaired, equipment can fail which might lead to an accident.
A good bus accident lawyer in Cheverly MD may research what violations the bus company has in their records. If there is a pattern of recklessness or negligence on the part of the driver or the bus company, that may be beneficial information for your case against them.
Who Can be Held Liable for a Bus Crash?
Each bus accident is unique for who was involved and details about how and why the accident happened. To determine who should be named in a lawsuit, you’ll need to discuss your case in detail with a bus accident lawyer Cheverly MD accident victims have hired after similar accidents. Depending on the circumstances of the bus crash, personal injury victims may be able to sue the following parties:
- Bus company
- Bus driver
- Bus company’s maintenance and repairs contractor
- Bus parts manufacturer
- Any other third-party responsible for contributing to the bus crash
What to Know About Settlement Offers
The bus company’s insurance company may offer you a financial settlement shortly after the accident. In exchange, they very likely will have you agree in writing that you’re waiving your future rights for additional monies and that you won’t take them to court. What they won’t tell you is that the settlement amount is likely less than what they’ll pay if you hire an attorney. Before agreeing to anything, contact a bus accident lawyer Cheverly MD injury victims turn to for legal help. One of our accident attorneys at Cohen & Cohen can give you an honest evaluation of the settlement offer.
A Bus Accident Lawyer Cheverly MD is Proud to Call Their Own
Cohen & Cohen has worked on personal injury and motor vehicle accident cases for more than 20 years. Our attorneys are aware of the methods that insurance companies use to pay out as little as possible in claims. We do everything possible to make sure that our clients receive the maximum settlement possible, as quickly as possible. Not every bus accident lawyer Cheverly MD locals choose to represent them has extensive experience dealing with insurance companies.
Our legal team works with accident investigators to determine the accident cause and who is liable.
- We oversee the accident investigation to ensure as many critical details are unearthed as possible
- We deal with the insurance companies on your behalf so that you don’t have to
- We make sure claims are filed on time and before deadlines
In addition to including medical costs, at home health care, lost wages, and other expenses in a claim, we may be able to file a wrongful death claim if your loved one was fatally injured in a bus accident.
Cohen & Cohen offers no-obligation case evaluations free of charge to personal injury victims of bus accidents. Call us today if you are in need of a high quality bus accident lawyer Cheverly MD is proud to have in its community.
