While bus accidents are often serious, they are hardly rare in Hoover. Even minor bus accidents can have a serious impact on a victim’s health and finances.
Fortunately, you can recover compensation for the parties responsible for your bus accident injuries. One of the more pressing concerns in these types of cases is deciding who to actually sue. Of course, the bus driver will almost always be named in a lawsuit, but their employer might also share liability. Further, other drivers could have contributed to bringing about the accident and should be held responsible for their negligent actions. With a proper investigation from our firm, you can ensure each party that owes you compensation is held to account.
Call Howe Law at (844) 876-4357 to speak with our bus accident lawyers and receive your free case evaluation.
Who Can Be Sued for a Bus Accident in Hoover, AL
Bus accident lawsuits can be quite challenging in Hoover. Identifying the responsible party for the accident is often not straightforward, like a typical car accident. Although the bus driver is usually held liable for causing the accident, there are usually other parties that share the blame. Additional parties named in your lawsuit could include the bus company the driver works for, which could be a local government agency and other negligent drivers.
Bus Driver
When it comes to determining who is responsible for a Hoover bus accident, the bus driver is often the first party that comes to mind. As the person in charge of the safety of all the passengers on board, the driver can be held liable if they failed to exercise reasonable care while operating the bus.
Bus Company
You will likely also have the option to pursue legal action against the bus company that employed the bus driver that caused your accident. Employers can be held responsible for the actions of their employees through the legal rule of superior respondeat. For instance, if the bus driver caused an accident because they were speeding between bus stops, this would likely be considered to have occurred while performing their job duties, allowing you to sue both the bus company and the driver.
Municipal and State Government Companies
In the event that the bus that caused your injury was owned by a local or state government agency, it could be possible to pursue legal action against the agency. However, it is important to note that government agencies have legal protection called “sovereign immunity,” which generally prohibits lawsuits against them without their consent. Thankfully, there are some exceptions to this rule that allow victims to seek compensation for personal injuries resulting from a government vehicle. However, it is typically necessary to provide written notification to the government agency responsible for the bus prior to initiating legal proceedings.
Other Drivers
Typically, a bus accident involves at least one other vehicle, if not multiple drivers. Despite being one of the largest vehicles on the road, buses can still be missed by careless drivers. Consider a scenario where driver A cuts off driver B, who was exceeding the speed limit. In response, driver B suddenly applies the brakes leading to a bus behind them colliding into their car. In this case, both drivers A and B should be held responsible for their portion of causing the accident.
Steps to Take to Help Your Claim After Being Injured in a Hoover, AL Bus Accident
If you have been hurt in a bus accident in Hoover, you should know what steps to take after being injured. These steps can help our bus accident lawyers better protect your rights and ensure that you receive the compensation that you deserve. After a bus accident, do not hesitate to call the police to the scene before getting medical care, if possible. Considering that there will likely be other passengers, speak with them and get their contact information so that our firm can encourage them to testify in your case.
Call 911
If you have been in a Hoover bus accident, the first step is to contact the police. Once police arrive, they will investigate the scene and create a report outlining the details of what happened. This report can assist in gathering additional evidence for your lawsuit, as well as locating additional witnesses and potentially providing the officer’s opinion on who was at fault. Additionally, it should include important contact and insurance information for the parties involved. Thus, it is important to remain at the scene until an officer arrives to ensure that everything is accurately documented.
Collect Evidence
If you have been involved in a bus accident, it is important to gather evidence. Take pictures and videos with your phone, focusing on physical damage to the vehicles involved and your injuries. These photos can be used later to support negotiations in an insurance claim or in a lawsuit. If you are unable to take pictures due to injuries, seek help from emergency medical staff or witnesses nearby.
Additionally, you should try to write down as much information about the accident as possible. Include details about other vehicles involved, including license plates and make and model. Describe the people involved, such as drivers and passengers, and note any injuries sustained. This can also be done on your phone with a notes app or even by sending an email to yourself, which can be forwarded to your attorney later.
Finally, depending on the type of bus involved, the driver might be required to file an official accident report. Bus companies and municipalities often mandate that drivers complete incident reports and notify their supervisors immediately when an accident occurs. They might conduct their own investigation, and your attorney can help you obtain those records during the “discovery” phase of your lawsuit.
Get Medical Care Immediately
If you have been in a bus accident in Hoover, it is crucial to get examined at the hospital, even if you feel fine. There may be internal injuries that you are not aware of that can be deadly if left unattended. Additionally, medical records are needed for your legal case to help prove your damages and recover compensation. If you are directed to seek further care or are given a treatment plan, it is important to follow through with your treatment plan and attend every appointment scheduled.
Contact Our Lawyers
Being involved in a bus accident in Hoover can be a traumatic and overwhelming event with significant legal and financial implications. By working with our team, you can count on your damages being accurately assessed and that important deadlines are not missed. We will also investigate the other parties to turn up evidence that would be difficult to obtain on your own.
Our Hoover, AL Bus Accident Lawyers Can Help
For a free case review with our bus accident attorneys, contact Howe Law today at (844) 876-4357.
