Thousands of bus accidents occur across the country each year, inflicting devastating personal harm. Sometimes, the injuries suffered by victims of bus collisions are so serious that they prove to be fatal. A Rolla bus accident lawyer could work to help recover damages for your claim. A personal injury attorney could be a committed advocate on your behalf from the beginning to the end of your case, and ensuring that your legal rights are not infringed.
Whether they are bus passengers or driving another vehicle, individuals who are involved in a bus crash are very likely to suffer serious and potentially permanent injuries. These injuries frequently include:
There may be multiple parties who hold legal blame for the victim’s injuries besides the actual bus driver. If a manufacturing defect in the braking system contributed to the crash, the parts manufacturer may be liable for damages. Sometimes, the employer of the bus driver might also be legally culpable for what happened.
Every state provides fixed time limits in which to file a personal injury lawsuit. As stated in Missouri Revised Statutes § 516.120, injured individuals have five years from the date the bus accident occurred to pursue a civil lawsuit. If the statutory deadline for a victim’s case is drawing near, they should promptly speak with a Rolla bus wreck attorney to discuss whether they are eligible to file a claim.
If someone is injured in a bus accident due to someone else’s negligence, they may be able to secure financial recovery. Money damages could be recovered for the victim’s past and future wage loss, past and future medical expenses, pain, suffering, and disfigurement. The court may also see fit to award the victim punitive damages, which are designed to punish the responsible party or parties while deterring others from similar wrongdoing.
Serious bus accidents may be attributed to a range of factors, including reckless or careless driving, driver fatigue, drunk or drug-impaired driving, and speeding. Other reasons why a bus crash may happen include a faulty brake system or other defective vehicle part, failure to obey traffic signs, texting while driving, and inadequate vehicle maintenance.
A victim may share liability with the at-fault party for the accident and still be able to collect money damages. Any share of liability assigned to the victim, however, would lessen their recoverable money damages.
It should be noted that even if a victim is found to be more at fault than the defendant, they would still be able to achieve financial recovery. For example, if the injured person is assigned 80 percent of the liability for the bus accident, they may still receive 20 percent of their compensation. Bus collision victims should speak with a Rolla attorney to learn more about how any assignment of liability could impact their recoverable money damages.
If you were involved in a recent bus crash and sustained injuries as a result, you should contact a Rolla bus accident lawyer to learn more about what filing a claim would entail and discuss whether you may be entitled to compensation. To schedule your confidential case consultation, call the office today.
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