There are many ways to get around Cartersville, whether by car or public transportation. One popular method of transportation is city buses. While they are a great way to get around, they can also be very dangerous.
Often, bus accidents cause catastrophic and severe injuries requiring extensive medical care and treatment. Many victims will have lengthy hospitalizations and an upward rehabilitation process. Victims will also suffer permanent impairment and disability, leading to lifelong struggles.
You may become unable to work or need a career change. Your life is turned upside down, and you will need financial compensation to move forward comfortably. A Cartersville personal injury lawyer from John Foy & Associates can assist with your needs.
The Sheer Size of a Bus Is Dangerous
Bus accidents are especially grueling because they are much larger and heavier than other vehicles on the road. Due to their size, buses need more time to brake and stop. Bus drivers will also have limited visibility and restricted maneuverability when operating a bus.
Other motorists will also face limited visibility because they cannot see around the bus, making it difficult to react. When a bus driver is inattentive or reckless, it can cause a tragedy. You will need a Cartersville bus accident lawyer to guide you through your legal options.
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Liability Is Contentious
Whether the bus is run by a private or government agency, navigating the responsibility for liability is contentious. Buses are known as common carriers and must therefore exercise extraordinary care. While the bus driver was negligent in their actions, other parties can bear responsibility too.
A bus accident lawyer in Cartersville can help you add more parties to your claim. This will increase your chances of obtaining compensation.
Privately Owned Buses
A privately owned bus will operate under an employer who will need to answer for the driver’s actions. The driver is acting as a representative of the bus company. One vital step in these cases is requesting the bus driver’s personnel file.
The file will contain training, medical conditions, and driver history records. Depending on the findings, there can be additional charges we can file and an enhanced theory of liability.
Government-Owned Buses
Government entities own and operate some buses. A government entity can face a lawsuit, although the statute to file a claim is often shorter than in other cases. Government entities will have various protections, and you must prove they are liable.
A bus accident lawyer will help identify the protections to appropriately argue your case.
Filing a Third Party Claim
There are endless ways an accident can happen, and many parties can share liability. For example, buses have many moving parts, which must be in proper working order. If a parts manufacturer sends a defective part, it can cause the bus to malfunction and lead to an accident.
Additionally, there may be a third-party driver who was the cause of the accident.
Finding who is liable for an accident is vital so you can adequately pursue compensation. Even if you know who was to blame, many legalities can prevent you from suing the person directly. Your Cartersville bus accident lawyer can work to uncover all liable parties and determine which laws apply to your case.
Evidence for Your Claim
One of the critical roles your bus accident attorney in Cartersville will focus on is collecting evidence. While the police report can seem like it outlines fault, the bus company will try to deny responsibility on behalf of their driver. We will need evidence to show the bus accident was the cause of your pain and medical condition.
Some evidence we will uncover includes:
- Witness statements
- Cell phone records
- Medical record
- Employment records
- Social media posts
- Photographs of the scene and your injuries
Evidence will be vital to your claim.
Injuries from a Bus Accident
Passengers inside the bus will suffer from a range of injuries, and thousands of people use the transit system daily. People outside the bus will often suffer the worst injuries because they have less protection than those inside the bus. Bus accident injuries include:
- Paralysis
- Permanent scars
- Back injuries
- Neck injuries
- Broken bones
- Soft tissue damage
- Internal injury
- Loss of limb
- Scars
All injuries will take time to heal, and some never will. The more severe your injury, the more treatment you will need. Someone must pay for these expenses, mainly the liable party.
While these injuries are severe, the lifestyle changes you will need to make are heartbreaking. You will be unable to do things in the same capacity you did before the accident. You must have a Cartersville bus accident lawyer working on getting you a fair settlement for your losses.
Damages from Bus Accidents in Cartersville
A bus accident will cause a slew of damages, and you will need to recover these damages to ensure you can live a comfortable life. You must not take a low settlement and then be stuck paying for excess medical bills you did not cause. It is your right to file a lawsuit and recover your losses.
Some payment you can get includes:
- Property damage
- Emergency medical care
- Ongoing medical care
- Rehabilitation services
- In-home care
- Lost future wages
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering
You will need to work with your Cartersville bus accident lawyer to find all of the avenues of compensation available for your case. Each incident is unique, and even two parties in the same accident will have different outcomes. Your medical attention is of the utmost importance, and you will need to focus on healing, while John Foy & Associates focuses on legal remedies.
How Can a Cartersville Bus Accident Lawyer Help
There are many ways a Cartersville bus accident lawyer can help your claim, from collecting evidence to negotiating with the insurance company. We will also ensure you get top-notch medical treatment and can recover to maximum medical improvement.
There are strict deadlines for these cases, and it is vital to move quickly. Contact John Foy & Associates to get started today.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form