What You Need To Know If You Get Into An Accident With A Bus
An accident with a bus can have serious consequences. A bus is a large vehicle and can do major damage to a personal vehicle. If you are involved in an accident with a bus, you may wonder who is responsible and how you can get compensation for your damages. The following are some things you need to know:
Who Is Liable for Your Damages?
There can be several responsible parties for an accident with a bus. It mostly depends on the type of bus and who it is in operation with.
The bus driver is one liable party you can pursue for damages, particularly if they are driving erratically, are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or are otherwise acting negligently while operating the bus.
If the bus is owned by a private company, you can sue the company for your damages as well. If the bus is a government-owned bus, you may be able to pursue the government agency who is responsible for its operation. For example, if the bus is owned by the public school system, you can pursue the state for your damages.
Depending on the nature of the accident, you can also pursue the government if the roadway was somehow designed poorly if it contributed to the accident. If the bus was poorly maintained, you can pursue the maintenance company responsible for its regular maintenance. You and your attorney will be able to identify the liable parties based on the circumstances of your accident with the bus.
On What Grounds Can You Sue?
You can sue for a number of reasons based on your accident. If the bus was speeding, the driver was distracted, or was following you too closely, you can sue on those grounds. If the driver did not take weather into consideration when operating the bus and caused the accident, you can sue on those grounds as well. You can also sue the bus operation company if it did not hire qualified drivers or if the driver did not have proper training. To sue for damages, you need to show negligence on the part of any entity that can be responsible for your accident.
If you are in an accident with a bus, you need to get medical treatment, document your evidence, and talk to one of your local personal injury attorneys right away. You need to act quickly to ensure you receive a fair settlement.