Buses are incredibly helpful to many people every day. They are an economically efficient and effective transportation method that many people rely on to get to and from work and other activities. Unfortunately, bus accidents do happen from time to time and can result in serious injuries. If you were in a bus accident, you could end up with huge hospital bills and an arduous recovery period.
You do not need to deal with the aftermath of a bus accident alone. We are experienced attorneys ready to see your case through to the end. We can interview witnesses, collect evidence, and retain experts to testify at trial if necessary to give you the best chance at getting the compensation you need after an accident.
Call the bus accident lawyers at Howe Law at (844) 876-4357 for a free initial consultation about your case.
Causes of Bus Accidents in Sandy Springs, AL
No two bus accidents are the same. Some bus accidents are caused by the driver, while another party’s negligence could cause others. It is important to understand the specific cause of your bus accident because that determines who you are able to recover damages from in court. If you try and sue someone who has not done anything wrong, you will not be able to get damages from them. Our bus accident lawyers can help figure out the correct parties to sue based on the unique facts of your bus accident case.
Bus Driver Negligence
Many bus accidents are the result of negligence on the driver’s part. In law, negligence means that someone was careless, and their carelessness caused your injuries. For example, if a bus driver was texting on their cell phone when they crashed in your accident, they were negligent and are liable for your injuries.
Other Driver Negligence
Sometimes, bus accidents are the fault of another driver. If another driver is doing dangerous things on the road, like constantly switching lanes, speeding, or driving under the influence, they could crash into the bus you are riding in. Alternatively, another driver’s risky behavior could result in the bus driver taking evasive maneuvers to avoid the dangerous motorist, resulting in a bus accident.
Bus Company Negligence
Other parties besides motorists could be liable for your injuries. The law allows you to sue employers for the negligence of their employees. Under the doctrine of “respondeat superior” or “let the master answer,” employers can be held liable for their employees’ bad acts so long as the employee was doing a work activity. An example of a work activity that a bus driver would do is driving to and from a destination to drop off passengers.
One of the reasons that you can hold the employer liable is that they are often in a better position to compensate injured plaintiffs than employees. Bus drivers will often be “judgment-proof” or unable to pay damages, even if you win the lawsuit.
Alternatively, the bus company could have been negligent in hiring the driver. For example, if the bus driver had multiple tickets on their record or a history of drunk driving, the bus company should not have hired that person as a bus driver.
What You Should Do After a Bus Accident in Sandy Springs, AL
If you find yourself in a bus accident, there are important steps you should take to make sure that you are safe and to give yourself the best chance in any lawsuit you choose to file. Following these simple steps will allow our lawyers to build a stronger case for you than if you had not done so. Bus accidents are scary experiences, so having a plan of action beforehand is a good way to ensure that you can take action when one happens.
Get Medical Help
The most critical thing you can do after a bus accident is to make sure that you are safe. If you are able, call emergency services or make sure someone else has done so. Stay at the scene of the accident until medical first responders arrive at the scene and follow all of their advice and instructions. If they say that it is ok to stay near the accident, you should document the crash in any way you can. If they tell you to go to the hospital, you should do that instead. Going to see a doctor in the ensuing days is also a good idea, even if the first responders say you are fine. Some injuries can take a day or so to reveal themselves, so be certain you see a medical professional.
Document the Bus Accident
Get as much information about the accident as you can right after it happened. First, interview witnesses and other passengers. Next, take as many photographs and video of the accident as you can. Make sure you talk to police officers who respond to the scene so they can get your side of the story after the bus accident.
Talk to Our Lawyers
Talk to a lawyer as soon as you can after a bus accident. Doing so will let our lawyers start working on your case earlier, and that can lead to a stronger argument on your behalf. Moreover, if you do not file a lawsuit soon enough, you could be barred from recovery entirely. There is a law called the statute of limitations that stops you from recovering damages for your injuries after a certain amount of time has passed. In Alabama, the time you have to bring a personal injury lawsuit is two years under Ala. Code. § 6-2-38. After that time is up, you will not be able to get any damages, so it is imperative that you talk to a lawyer right away.
Call Our Sandy Springs, AL Bus Accident Lawyers Today
The bus accident lawyers with Howe Law are ready to give free case reviews when you call (844) 876-4357.
