If you or your loved one got injured in a bus accident, you might be eligible to receive compensation. In some cases, you may be able to pursue compensation from more than one party, depending on how the accident occurred.
Bus companies are responsible for the actions of their employees, so they may be held liable for bus accidents their employees cause. However, in some cases, the bus company might argue that the liable party is another party.
This is where an Andrew bus accident lawyer can come in. A lawyer can advise you on what to do and help you pursue compensation. They can investigate how the accident occurred and determine who the right liable party or parties are.
Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers will be there for you or your loved one. Our team can review your case and inform you of your legal options. Contact us today.
Bus Accidents May Be More Dangerous Than Other Motor Vehicle Accidents
Bus accidents can result in severe injuries or death. This is because certain factors might make buses more dangerous than other types of vehicles. These factors include:
Larger Weight and Size
Buses are larger than passenger vehicles and motorcycles in both weight and size. Due to their weight and size, bus drivers must take extra precautions when making turns, driving at higher speeds, and coming to a stop. Failure to take these precautions may lead to an accident, of which the impact of a bus collision may be greater than a collision with a passenger vehicle due to differences in weight and size.
Due to their size, buses also have larger blind spots than smaller vehicles. If a passenger vehicle or motorcycle is in a bus driver’s blind spot, the bus driver might not notice them when attempting to switch lanes. Because of this, bus drivers must keep track of vehicles near them to avoid a collision.
Larger Distance Between Seat and Roof of the Bus
A bus has a larger distance between the seat and the roof. If a bus gets into a rollover accident, this distance may put passengers at risk of injury or death. Passengers might get thrown around inside the bus in a rollover accident because there is more space to move freely in. Even if the bus only topples over to one side, the width of the bus may be great enough that passengers might get injured falling to the other side of the bus.
Lack of Seatbelts or Airbags
Lack of seatbelts or airbags also put passengers at risk of harm because they do not have any protection if an accident occurs. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), Louisiana is one of six states that require school buses to have seatbelts. However, this law applies to newly purchased buses since the legislature does not grant funding to change older buses without seatbelts. This law also does not apply to public transit buses, meaning people who use this method of travel are at risk of getting injured in a collision.
An Andrew bus accident lawyer can help you determine what factors led to your bus accident and which party or parties you should make your claim against. After a bus accident, give Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers a call to start working on your personal injury case today.
How an Andrew Bus Accident Lawyer Can Help
If you or your loved one was involved in a bus accident, you can hire a lawyer to help you file a personal injury claim or lawsuit. A bus accident lawyer may offer to do the following:
- Prepare and file legal documents
- Represent you in court
- Negotiate with the insurance company
- Pursue a claim against one or more parties involved in the accident
- Gather evidence
If the liable party’s insurance company refuses to settle your claim out of court, you may be eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit, which you must file before the statutory deadline expires. According to LA Civ Code § 3492, you generally have one year to file a personal injury lawsuit against the liable party. One year is a very limited amount of time. Your lawyer may prepare your case and file the appropriate documents within this timeframe.
Your lawyer may also serve as your representative in court if your injuries prevent you from being physically present. This can be convenient if your injuries have you bedridden or limit your physical movement.
Before needing to go to court, an attorney may negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf to settle your case. Insurance companies often reach out to victims to give a settlement offer. However, these offers may not be sufficient to cover victims’ damages. Your lawyer may calculate your damages to see what amount to strive for in negotiations.
In some cases, multiple parties may be liable for a bus accident. An Andrew bus accident lawyer may be able to pursue a claim against all involved parties to increase the potential amount of compensation you might receive.
The lawyer may also help collect and present evidence to support your claim. Evidence may include the police report, expert testimonies, or accident reconstruction analysis.
Get a Free Case Evaluation From Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers
After a bus accident, you or your loved one should focus on recovering from your injuries. Let an Andrew bus accident lawyer focus on getting you the compensation you need to recover from your losses.
Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers is dedicated to its clients. Our team will use our resources, knowledge, and experience to help you with your case. Give us a call to receive a free case evaluation.
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