Bus accidents are known for causing severe and life-threatening injuries. If your life has been substantially affected after you were injured in a bus accident, and you do not know where to turn for help, our team at John Foy & Associates may be able to offer you the legal services you need when you need the most.
Contact your Milledgeville bus accident lawyer at our firm for a free consultation today to learn more about how the claims process works and how much compensation you could be awarded.
When to Sue for a Bus Accident in Milledgeville
Although you may assume that it will be clear if you have the right to file a lawsuit after a bus accident in Milledgeville, this is not always the case. In fact, the right to take legal action is based upon two primary factors known as negligence and damages.
Negligence
If you are wondering whether you have the right to move forward with a bus accident claim in Milledgeville, the best way to find out is by considering whether someone else could be responsible for causing your injuries and damages.
After a bus accident, it is not always clear who is responsible. Depending on how the accident occurred, your bus accident could have been caused by a drunk driver, negligent operation of a bus, roadway hazards, defective bus parts, or another factor entirely.
However, it will be up to your bus accident attorney in Milledgeville, GA to determine how your bus accident occurred and who is ultimately responsible. The liable party must have owed you a duty of care and breached that duty of care for you to have grounds for a bus accident lawsuit.
Damages
Negligence is not the only criterion that needs to be met for a bus accident lawsuit to be successful. In fact, your bus accident lawyer in Milledgeville, GA will be responsible for showing how substantially your life has been affected by your damages.
That is not to say you must have suffered critical or life-threatening injuries to be entitled to compensation. However, your injuries must have had a substantial impact on your life for you to have grounds for legal action. Your attorney can introduce compelling evidence to support your case and prove the value of your damages.
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How the Bus Accident Claims Process Works
Your Milledgeville bus accident attorney will be responsible for handling all of the legal details of your case. This way, you can spend your time and energy recuperating instead of having to deal with the complex and often burdensome elements of the claims process.
With that in mind, here is a general idea of what you can expect from the Milledgeville bus accident claims process:
Investigation
Your lawyer begins by opening up an investigation. The bus accident investigation will determine how your injuries occur and who is responsible for causing the collision. You might be surprised to learn that the bus company, the owner of the bus, bus technicians, bus safety inspectors, and other third parties could be responsible for your damages, depending on how the accident occurred.
It will be up to your attorney to gather the evidence needed to prove liability and negligence in your case. Some examples of such evidence could include:
- Photos of your bus accident injuries
- Photos of the damage at the accident scene
- The bus operator’s chemical blood alcohol test results
- The bus operator’s cell phone records
- Dash or traffic cam footage of the accident
- Medical records and physician statements
- Reports from accident reconstructionists and police
Insurance Negotiations
Once liability has been determined and established, your lawyer will determine whether you have the right to file an insurance claim. Insurance claims are a great opportunity to recover certain types of damages.
However, it should always be noted that insurance settlements do not frequently cover bus accident victims’ losses in full. You may find yourself with remaining losses the insurance company has no legal obligation to cover. When this happens, you do not need to lose hope. We will prepare to bring your case to trial.
Trial
Your Milledgeville bus accident lawyer will negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. However, even if your insurance settlement does not cover your damages entirely, bringing your case to court gives you the opportunity to get the most out of your claim. Your bus accident lawyer in Milledgeville will present the evidence before a judge and jury, advocating for the total recovery of your losses.
The Value of Your Milledgeville Bus Accident Damages
No matter how you seek compensation for your bus accident damages, you have the right to be compensated for each and every loss. There are two primary types of damages awarded in bus accident lawsuits. These include compensable damages and punitive damages.
Compensable Damages
Compensable damages account for both economic damages and non-economic damages. These describe how your entire life has been affected emotionally, physically, financially, psychologically, and everything in between. Examples of such damages include:
- Lost wages
- Damage to personal property
- Disfiguring skin scars
- Reputation or damages
- Vehicle repair costs
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Reduced earning capacity
- Diminished quality of life
- Loss of consortium
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are not like compensable damages. You are not entitled to recovery of them. Instead, the Milledgeville civil court system will award punitive damages if they find it necessary to punish the defendant. In doing so, they will send a message to the Milledgeville community that similar actions in the future will not be tolerated.
Meet with a Bus Accident Lawyer in Milledgeville for Help Today
When your injuries are making it difficult for you to live your life normally, a reputable Milledgeville bus accident lawyer at John Foy & Associates can help you get your life back on track and recover maximum compensation for your suffering.
Find out who is responsible for your damages and what legal options are best suited for your case when you contact our team for a free consultation. You can reach us through our quick contact form or by phone to get started today.
478-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form