Taking the bus can be a convenient and affordable mode of transportation, especially for people near large cities. Unfortunately, bus accidents can be extremely dangerous because buses are so large, and other drivers or passengers might be severely injured.
Bus accidents often stem from driver negligence, although many other possible causes exist. Distracted driving, drunk driving, and traffic violations are common reasons behind bus accidents. Liability for bus accidents tends to fall on bus drivers. Private bus companies might also share liability under certain circumstances. If the bus was part of a public transportation system, the city, town, or municipality that runs the bus line might be liable. Available damages include financial losses in addition to painful experiences, and bus accident cases can be very valuable when injuries are severe. Our team can help you assess these damages, gather evidence, develop legal strategies, and negotiate settlements.
Do not let a bus accident stop you from living your life. Our Birmingham, AL bus accident lawyers can help you get financial compensation to get back on your feet. For a free review of your case, call Howe Law at (844) 876-4357.
How People Are Injured in Bus Accidents in Birmingham, AL
Bus accidents are frequently large events, and many drivers, vehicles, and passengers might be injured. The passengers on public buses are often very badly hurt because many public buses do not have seatbelts or safety restraints. If the bus driver slams on their brakes because they are too distracted to stop at a red light, passengers might be thrown forward with significant force. Injuries might be even worse if the bus is tipped over or rolls.
Distracted drivers are one of the most common causes of accidents on the road today, and bus accidents are no exception. A serious accident could happen if the bus driver is preoccupied with their phone, talking to a passenger, or spaced out and not paying attention. In Alabama, texting while driving is illegal, and a bus driver caught doing so might be ticketed and likely lose their job.
Drunk drivers are also a huge problem and cause many serious accidents every year. A drunk driver might cause a bus accident by swerving into the bus driver’s lane or by other reckless behavior. If the bus driver is intoxicated, that is even worse, and the accident could be catastrophic.
Buses are huge, and bus drivers usually must carefully make very wide turns to navigate the roads safely. If a bus driver makes a turn that is too wide or too sharp, they might hit pedestrians or other vehicles. Talk to our Birmingham, AL bus accident lawyers about your case, and we can help you hold the negligent party responsible.
Liability for Bus Accidents in Birmingham, AL
One of the biggest hurdles our Birmingham, AL bus accident attorneys can help you overcome is determining who is liable for the bus accident. Bus accidents are often complex, and many drivers and injured victims might be involved. Liability might fall upon the shoulder of one person, several people, or an entire bus company. Sometimes, even the local government might be liable for a bus accident.
Since bus drivers are behind the wheel when a bus accident happens, they are often considered the primary defendants. If the bus driver worked for a private bus company, the bus company might be vicariously liable under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior. According to this doctrine, employers are vicariously liable for their employee’s negligence if that negligence occurred in furtherance of the employee’s job.
Buses used for public transportation are often owned and operated by city governments and municipalities. In such cases, you can sue the government and hold them liable for the accident. However, suing the government comes with additional time restrictions that do not normally apply in cases against private individuals or entities. Under Ala. Code § 11-47-23, you must present your claims to the government within 6 months of the accident. This is a very tight window, and our team can help you get your case filed as quickly as possible.
Damages Available in Birmingham, AL Bus Accident Cases
Damages in a lawsuit represent the losses and injuries the plaintiff suffered that they want compensated by the defendant. Many damages are related to money lost or spent by the injured victim after the accident. Other damages are not necessarily related to an economic value but cover the plaintiff’s painful personal experience.
Economic damages are related to explicit monetary values. After a bus accident, one of the most significant economic damages you might have is your medical care. Medical bills can be extremely expensive, especially if you do not have health insurance. Even with insurance, you can still claim the value of high deductibles. In addition, you can claim lost income if you cannot return to work and the value of damages or destroyed property, such as your vehicle or personal belongings.
Non-economic damages are related to the plaintiff’s subjective experiences and are meant to compensate for pain and trauma. For example, since bus accidents can be physically and emotionally devastating, many plaintiffs claim mental and physical pain and suffering. You might also claim damages for humiliation or damage to your reputation. Evaluating these damages is somewhat difficult, and we must show how these experiences affect your life on a daily basis.
How Our Birmingham, AL Bus Accident Attorneys Can Help You
Bus accidents are often catastrophic events, and injured victims might be so badly injured and overwhelmed that they cannot handle a lawsuit on their own. Our Birmingham, AL bus accident lawyers can help you navigate your lawsuit while you recover.
Your attorney can begin by helping you identify and collect important evidence. Much evidence might come straight from the scene of the bus crash. You should take photos and record videos of the accident scene right away. If you were too badly hurt to do this, it is possible that someone else involved in the accident took pictures. In either case, these photos help preserve information about the crash before the area is cleared away by law enforcement.
An attorney can also help you assess damages. Damages usually have to be evaluated before we even file the case. Your damages and the kind of relief (i.e., compensation) should be spelled out in your initial complaint, meaning damages should be determined before your case begins. Your lawyer should be able to evaluate all possible damages, so you get the maximum amount of compensation available.
Call Our Birmingham, AL Bus Accident Lawyers for Assistance Today
Bus accidents are often more severe than ordinary car crashes, and people tend to experience greater injuries and higher damages. A lot is on the line in your lawsuit, and our Birmingham, AL bus accident attorneys can help secure justice. For a free case assessment, call Howe Law at (844) 876-4357.
