Accidents involving Knoxville Area Transit (KAT) buses are often catastrophic. When victims are hurt in such incidents, they may be able to recover compensatory damages in claims against KAT or KAT drivers.
After getting hit by a Knoxville Area Transit bus, victims should get themselves to safety, call the police, and go to the hospital. Once you have taken these steps, you can explore your options for recovery, which might include suing Knoxville Area Transit or the KAT driver responsible for your injuries. Tennessee has complicated laws regarding a victim’s ability to sue a government entity or worker for negligence, which our attorneys can explain. When suing KAT, victims will only have one year to pursue compensation. In claims against government agencies, recovery is limited. Because of that, our attorneys will confirm whether or not another party in addition to KAT or the KAT driver shares fault for the injuries you sustained in Knoxville.
To have Howe Law’s Knoxville bus accident lawyers analyze your case for free, call us today at (844) 876-4357.
Steps to Take After Getting Hit by a Knoxville Area Transit (KAT) Bus
If you were hit by a Knoxville Area Transit bus or were injured in an accident while riding on a KAT bus, there are a few things you should do. This checklist includes steps victims should take in the immediate aftermath of an accident and steps victims should take in the following days and weeks.
Get Yourself to Safety
Start by getting yourself to safety. This looks different depending on the type of accident that occurred. If you were struck by a KAT bus as a pedestrian, you might be too injured to move. If you can move to a sidewalk or area away from the road, do so. If you cannot, ask others around you to direct traffic so that you are not further injured. If you are severely injured, moving might worsen your injuries.
If you were struck by a KAT bus while driving your car, exit your car and move away from the road. Again, only do this if your injuries permit. The same can be said for victims injured while riding a KAT bus in Knoxville. If you are stuck, do not have witnesses move you; wait for emergency personnel to arrive at the scene.
Alert the Police
Accidents involving KAT buses are sure to cause some commotion. Eyewitnesses might stop and stare. Cars might be backed up for some time. Still, do not assume that anyone else will call the police. It is always best for victims to do this themselves if their injuries allow them to. If you are too injured to call law enforcement, for example, if you have a broken arm or cannot exit your vehicle, ask eyewitnesses to do so on your behalf. Calling the police following an auto accident that results in injury is mandatory in Knoxville.
Visit the Hospital
Because buses are so large, they can cause serious damage in auto accidents. Whether you were struck by a KAT bus as a pedestrian or driver or were injured while riding on a KAT bus, go to the hospital right away. While some injuries might immediately be visible to you, others might be under the surface. Medical professionals can fully assess you and diagnose your injuries. Go directly from the accident site to the hospital, and do not refuse medical attention. If you delay getting medical care, you might hurt your chances of recovery. Depending on your injuries, you might require treatment from specialists, such as neurologists or physical therapists. Carefully follow the guidelines of your recovery plan and attend all scheduled visits with medical professionals.
Learn Your Recovery Options
Many states refuse to totally waive sovereign immunity, making it difficult for victims of negligence to sue government agencies or workers. The Tennessee Governmental Tort Liability Act (TGLA) explains how and when victims can sue government agencies for negligence. Notably, the TGLA removes immunity from liability in cases of injury from negligent operation of motor vehicles. This means that victims may be able to file claims against the KAT drivers responsible for causing their accidents. Whether or not you can file a claim under the TGLA can be complicated, especially considering the recent ruling from the Tennessee Supreme Court regarding immunity for government entities that demonstrated common negligence but not gross negligence. Our Tennessee bus accident lawyers will evaluate your case and explain how Tennessee’s current laws regarding suing government agencies and workers for negligence apply.
File Your Claim
In order to recover compensation against a government agency like Knoxville Area Transit or a KAT driver, you must bring your claim within one year of an accident. This statute of limitations applies to all personal injury lawsuits, regardless of who the defendant is. Because the amount of time victims have to file claims is so short, it is important to begin the process as soon as possible following a KAT accident.
Recover Compensation
The Tennessee Government Tort Liability Act limits recovery in claims against the government or government workers. The liability cap for death or injury per person is $300,000 and $700,000 per accident. If your damages are greater than what the TGLA allows, our attorneys may explore the possibility that another party contributed to your accident. For example, a passenger car driver might have cut a KAT bus off, causing the KAT bus to veer into another lane and collide with your car. There might be many circumstances in which a KAT bus is involved but not at fault for an accident in Knoxville. In such cases, victims might be able to recover greater compensation by filing a separate claim.
Call Our Lawyers to Discuss Your Bus Accident Case in Knoxville.
Call Howe Law at (844) 876-4357 to schedule a free case assessment from our Knoxville personal injury lawyers.
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