Buses are a convenient, economical mode of transportation in Stamford. Unfortunately, these large commercial vehicles present a serious threat to other drivers, pedestrians, and even their own passengers.
If you have suffered an injury in a bus crash, you could have a viable claim for monetary damages. You are entitled to pursue an injury lawsuit against the person or entity responsible for the crash with the help of a skilled injury attorney. To discuss your legal options, call a Stamford bus accident lawyer who uses aggressive tactics.
Our team at Skiber Law knows how to handle these complex claims. We have over 50 years of combined legal experience, and we’re ready to fight for you. You can learn more by reaching out to a Stamford personal injury lawyer right now.
Why Hire a Bus Accident Lawyer in Stamford, CT?
Hiring a personal injury attorney immediately after an accident can improve your chances of securing the compensation you deserve. Our team knows what it takes to address your concerns after a crash.
When you contact us as soon as possible, it gives us a chance to:
Answer Your Legal Questions
We can give you clear and fast answers to the questions you have after a crash with a risk-free consultation. We’ll consider your concerns and give you the answers you need to make informed decisions throughout the legal process.
Explain Your Legal Options
We’ll ensure that you understand what to do throughout the legal process after a bus collision. We want to protect your claim and allow you to feel confident as we work to bring you maximum compensation for your losses.
We’ll also explain your legal rights and what to expect at every step.
Gather Evidence
Hiring us as soon as possible after a motor vehicle accident gives us a chance to gather all relevant evidence on your behalf.
We may need to:
- Collect statements from eyewitnesses
- Get dashcam footage or surveillance camera videos
- Get a copy of the police accident report
- Review the bus operator’s driving record
- Get maintenance records for the bus
- Work with accident reconstruction specialists
Waiting to contact a lawyer can give the bus company and other potentially liable parties time to destroy evidence, so don’t hesitate to contact us and get the help you deserve.
Handle Legal Communications About Your Claim
We take over all communications with the liable party, their legal representatives, and insurance companies. Allowing us to handle this communication can give you peace of mind and protect your claim.
We can also take charge of insurance settlement negotiations when necessary. We focus on helping you get the funds you need through a settlement, potentially allowing you to avoid going through the court system to get the funds you need to financially recover.
However, we also have the experience, training, and resources to help with a personal injury lawsuit when necessary. You can contact us now to learn more about how we can help and to take charge of your future.
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Damages in a Bus Crash Lawsuit
Identifying the damages available to their injured client is one of the most important roles of a Stamford bus accident lawyer. During their initial review of a claim, an attorney handling a bus crash case will identify the physical, emotional, and financial repercussions their clients face.
Damages in a bus crash case fall into two categories: economic damages and non-economic damages. Economic damages are tangible. A plaintiff could establish their exact value using evidence like receipts, invoices, or bills.
Non-economic damages are less certain. These damages can compensate a bus crash victim for injuries that are difficult to quantify. Examples of these damages include the loss of consortium or pain and suffering.
Some common examples of damages include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
- Diminished future earning capacity
- Loss of consortium
- Permanent disability
We’re here to determine an accurate value for your claim based on all the losses you sustained during an accident.
Potential Plaintiffs in a Bus Accident Lawsuit
A bus crash lawsuit can take many forms. In some cases, a lawsuit involves an injury claim of a pedestrian hit by a bus. In other cases, the bus passengers could seek compensation for injuries they suffered in a crash.
A seasoned Stamford bus accident attorney could help any of these prospective victims pursue the compensation they deserve.
Some typical plaintiffs in a bus crash lawsuit include:
Bus Passengers
Bus passengers are vulnerable in a crash, despite the size disparity between buses and most other vehicles on the road. This vulnerability results from the lack of safety restraints. When a bus strikes another vehicle or a fixed object, it can send bus passengers against the bus walls or floor.
Buses also carry the risk of luggage or other items shifting and striking a passenger during a crash.
Other Drivers
Anyone in a passenger vehicle could have a viable injury claim after a crash involving a bus. These drivers could pursue compensation against the bus operator, the company that owns the bus, or even the mechanic responsible for keeping the bus in running order.
Pedestrians
A collision between a bus and a pedestrian can be especially devastating. While people in vehicles have some measure of protection in a crash, pedestrians are entirely exposed. These crashes routinely occur in intersections, but they can happen anywhere pedestrians are present.
What to Do After Your Bus Accident
After a collision involving a bus, you should:
Notify the Authorities
You should immediately contact the police and tell them what happened after a crash. Notifying the police allows them to visit the scene and file an official report about the causes of the collision.
Our bus accident lawyers in Stamford often use this information when working on personal injury claims. Police officers can provide unbiased and professional accounts about when, where, and how your accident happened.
Get Medical Attention
Don’t wait to seek medical treatment for any injuries you sustained in a crash. Getting treatment quickly can connect your injuries to the collision, improving your chances of getting the money you need to cover all of your medical bills.
Gather Evidence
If possible, you should collect evidence from the scene of your auto accident involving a bus.
Collecting evidence could include:
- Getting contact information from witnesses
- Taking pictures of your injuries and the damage to your property
- Writing down an account of what happened before and during the crash
We may utilize the evidence you gather when working on your claim.
Contact a Personal Injury Law Firm
Hiring an attorney immediately after your crash can strengthen your claim and ensure that you always have someone on your side. Our team stands ready to offer the dedicated support you need throughout all stages of the legal process, so don’t hesitate to get started.
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Understanding Public and Private Bus Crash Claims
Claims involving buses owned by private companies and those operated by government agencies vary. For example, you’ll usually have much less time to pursue a claim after an accident involving a city bus.
Additionally, the parties that you pursue for compensation will vary based on the ownership of the vehicle. If a private bus hits you, you’ll likely need to pursue a claim against the company that owns the bus or even the bus operator.
If a publicly-owned bus strikes you, you may have to seek compensation from the governmental agency responsible for operating this form of public transportation. Our team is here to help in either situation, so reach out now and learn more about how we can help.
Bus Accident Frequently Asked Questions
You can turn to our team when you need answers to questions after your crash.
For example, we can help with questions like:
What are Common Bus Accident Injuries?
Some of the most common injuries associated with bus crashes include:
- Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) and back injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and concussions
- Broken bones
- Whiplash and neck injuries
- Internal injuries
- Cuts, sprains, and strains
You need to quickly get medical care if you sustained a catastrophic injury in a crash. We can give you more information about your next steps when you reach out to us for help.
How Much Compensation Can I Get After a Bus Crash?
The value of your personal injury claim will depend on several factors. We’ll carefully review all the losses you sustained in a crash to determine the correct value.
Once we understand the extent of your expenses, we can move forward with your claim while focusing on ensuring you make a full financial recovery.
How Long Can I Wait to File a Bus Crash Claim?
You must move forward with your claim before Connecticut’s personal injury statute of limitations expires. Generally, you’ll only get two years from the time of your crash to seek compensation, though this deadline can vary.
Can I Get Compensation if I’m Partially Responsible for a Crash?
Connecticut’s laws on comparative negligence mean that you may qualify for compensation even if you play a role in causing a crash. However, the amount of compensation you receive will decrease based on your percentage of responsibility for the crash, and you’ll be barred from recovering compensation if you’re found more than 50% at fault.
We’ll work tirelessly to show that someone else caused the collision, so you can get the money you need to fully financially recover and move forward with your life. You can rely on us to put you first and protect your best interests.
Why Do Bus Accidents Happen?
Bus accidents in Fairfield County often happen because drivers make mistakes or engage in dangerous behaviors behind the wheel.
Some of the most common causes of these crashes include:
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Aggressive driving
- Fatigued driving
Poor weather and road conditions can also contribute to these collisions. We get to work quickly to review the causes of your specific accident and gather evidence showing that someone else’s dangerous actions caused the crash.
We’re here and ready to begin an investigation today. Contact us for a free initial consultation to learn more about how we can assist you after a collision.
Contact a Stamford Bus Accident Attorney Right Away
Bus accidents can lead to life-altering injuries for other drivers, pedestrians, and even bus passengers. When a crash results from the negligence of the bus operator, an injury victim could have a viable claim for compensation. However, pursuing these claims on your own is ill-advised.
A Stamford bus accident lawyer could guide you through the process of seeking compensation from a negligent bus driver or company. The claim process can be long, but there is the potential to recover the damages you deserve.
Our team at Skiber Law is here and ready to take charge on your behalf. Call today to schedule a confidential case evaluation with a tough, legitimate, and credible attorney.