Motor vehicle accidents involving public transportation, school buses, and other types of bus accidents can be particularly complex. There are multiple parties liable for your injuries.
Get help finding out who is responsible for your losses by contacting a reputable Fayetteville bus accident lawyer at John Foy & Associates. Schedule a free consultation today and find out more about what you can expect from the bus accident claims process in Fayetteville.
Grounds For a Bus Accident Claim In Fayetteville
It is common for bus accident survivors in Fayetteville to wonder whether they have the opportunity to get justice through an insurance or civil claim. It is difficult to say whether you have the right to pursue legal action for your damages without having reviewed the circumstances of your case.
You can contact a bus accident attorney at our firm to determine whether you meet the needed criteria. Generally, to have grounds for a bus accident claim, your attorney will need to show:
- You have suffered considerable damages or injuries that have or are expected to have a substantial impact on your life
- Someone else is responsible for causing your injuries or subsequent damages
Typically, bus accident claims are negligence based. Your lawyer will be tasked with showing the defendant owed you a duty of care and somehow breached that duty of care. This breach needed to result in significant damages for the lawsuit to be successful.
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Common Parties Found Liable For Bus Accidents in Fayetteville
The individual or entity responsible for causing your Fayetteville bus accident will be compelled to cover your damages in their entirety. However, your bus accident lawyer in Fayetteville will need to evaluate the way your bus accident occurred to establish liability. Here are some of the more common causes of bus accidents and their respective potential liable parties:
- Negligent bus operation – When bus operators engage in any type of unsafe driving, whether that be distracted driving, impaired driving, drowsy driving, or aggressive driving, they can be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. However, the bus company employing the bus driver may also be held accountable, as they are responsible for the actions of their employees.
- Other irresponsible motorists – Negligent driving is not an issue among bus operators alone. Other irresponsible motorists could also be at fault for your bus accident injuries, particularly if they were engaging in any type of unsafe driving as described above or other traffic violations, including failure to stop, failure to yield, speeding, and reckless driving.
- Government agencies and municipalities – Government agencies and municipalities and other third-party are responsible for ensuring the roadways are safe for motorists and hazard-free and could be held accountable when hazardous roads cause bus accidents. Failure to replace defective traffic lights, install street lights, or make road repairs could be considered negligence.
- Bus companies and parts manufacturers – Ultimately, the bus company is responsible for their vehicle. When they fail to make necessary repairs, employ unskilled bus operators, or are otherwise negligent, they can be held accountable when bus passengers and other parties are injured.
Damages You Could Recover in Your Fayetteville Bus Accident Claim
You have the right to be repaid for every way you have been affected by your bus accident injuries in Fayetteville. Whether you are filing a lawsuit, bringing your case to an insurance company, or pursuing multiple options, there are specific types of damages you have the right to recover. These can be broken down into categories known as:
- Economic damages
- Non-economic damages
- Punitive damages
Economic Damages
Economic damages consist of your financially-based losses. You have the right to be compensated for every out-of-pocket expense, accounts that went to collections, damage to your credit report and score, and other financial losses.
Some examples of economic damages you could recover in your bus accident claim include:
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity
- Hikes and insurance costs
- Household expenses
- Childcare fees
- Property damages
- Vehicle repair costs
- Medical expenses
- Healthcare equipment
Non-Economic Damages
You also have the right to be compensated for non-economic damages. These account for how your entire life may have been affected by the bus accident itself and your actual injuries.
Examples of non-economic damages you could recover in your Fayetteville bus accident case include:
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Inconvenience
- Disfigurement
- Skin scarring
- Reputational damage
- Embarrassment
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages could be awarded in your Fayetteville bus accident claim, but only if the courts find it appropriate to punish the defendant. Punitive damages are not a loss you are entitled to. Many people are quick to assume they have a right to pewter the damages.
However, the damages you have a right to recover or known as compensatory damages. Punitive damages are designed strictly to punish the defendant beyond your compensatory damages. In doing so, the court system sends a message to the public that the defendant’s conduct, and similar conduct in the future, will not be taken lightly.
These are just a few of the more common types of damages you may have the right to recover as part of your accident claim. You can find out more about how much your case is worth when you contact our team to discuss your damages in further detail.
Reach Out to a Bus Accident Attorney in Fayetteville for Help Today
You may be anxious to get started on your bus accident claims. The sooner you get a dedicated Fayetteville bus accident attorney at John Foy & Associates on your side, the sooner you can recover the compensation damages you are entitled to.
Our firm is proud to offer no-cost, risk-free consultations to bus accident victims across Fayetteville and surrounding cities. Take advantage of this opportunity when you call our office or fill out our quick contact form.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form