Call Us atWhether you are a passenger on a bus or you were struck by a bus, an accident has the potential to upend your life. The damages that result can be higher than the average car accident due to the bus’s size; and the medical expenses, lost income, and the pain and suffering a person endures can add up quickly. If you have been involved in a bus accident, an experienced personal injury attorney could work with you to maximize your odds of recovery. An Anchorage bus accident lawyer knows how to assemble a case and identify the parties who might be held liable.
Bus Crash Injuries and Losses
The seriousness of bus crash injuries cannot be understated. Whether the bus caused the injury to the plaintiff because they were in another car or because they were a passenger on the bus, a bus driver is often the negligent party in these situations. The types of injuries that a plaintiff could file damages for include:
- Broken bones and fractures
- Burns and skin damage
- Whiplash and concussions
- Spinal cord trauma
- Wrongful death of a loved one
These injuries will require medical attention in order to treat, which can be costly, especially if it lasts for months or years. Medical bills can be compensated through a civil lawsuit but they are not the only losses that a plaintiff can address. Property damage to the vehicle can be compensated for, as can the amount of income that the injured party missed out on while they were recovering. This is important to preventing their family from falling into debt.
A bus collision lawyer in Anchorage could work with a plaintiff on determining which non-economic damages they could be eligible for. This includes intangible losses such as pain and suffering, diminished quality of life, performing daily activities while suffering in pain, the emotional trauma related to potential disfigurement, and other related concepts.
Investigating and Proving Negligence
Making a successful claim requires a plaintiff and their attorney to prove that the defendant was negligent in their conduct or through their omissions. A person is negligent when they fail to abide by their respective duty of care. For example, a bus driver has a duty to obey traffic laws and drive carefully around cars, while also ensuring bus passengers are safe. When a duty is breached, and injury results to the plaintiff, that means the defendant may be liable for damages. It takes proof of negligence to create liability.
An Anchorage bus accident attorney could help prove negligence by:
- Consulting experts
- Analyzing the facts of the case
- Reviewing any recordings of the accident
- Interviewing and deposing witnesses
- Performing legal research and filing proper motions
- Reading law enforcement reports and speaking with officers
These steps, and many more, reflect the type of work necessary to bring forth a successful claim.
Time Limitations in Negligence Cases
State law, through Alaska Statutes 09.10.070, requires that most types of personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the date the accident occurred. If someone attempts to file after the deadline passes, their case will be dismissed. Due to this time limitation, it is critical that an injured person reach out to a skilled attorney promptly after an accident so they do not miss out on the possibility of compensation. Do not wait to hire an attorney.
Schedule Your Consultation with an Anchorage Bus Accident Attorney
You are permitted to file suit against a bus driver or some other entity that played a part in an accident that injured you. These cases can be difficult to litigate, so you should consider retaining legal counsel. An experienced Anchorage bus accident lawyer could help you determine the strength of your case and the best way to seek compensation. Call now to discuss your situation.
