If a school bus, private charter bus, or city government bus crash caused your injury, Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can seek compensation for your losses based on the bus driver or bus company’s negligence. If another party is liable, we can name them in your claim or lawsuit instead.
A Marksville lawyer from our team can assist you in bringing a legal claim based on your damages following a bus accident. Our attorneys boast over 100 years of experience in personal injury law and are ready to work for you. Our free consultations and no win, no fee policy make pursuing compensation as risk-free as possible.
Potentially Liable Parties in Bus Accident Claims
Although every bus accident is unique, commonly liable parties and groups include:
- Bus drivers
- Drivers of other vehicles
- Bus manufacturers
- Bus companies
In some cases, a bus parts manufacturer or maintenance team may also bear liability. If we find that an accident resulted from a mechanical defect involving the bus, we can hold these parties financially accountable.
Either way, a bus accident lawyer from our office in Marksville can help identify the best defendant to pursue compensation from in your case.
For a free legal consultation with a bus accident lawyer serving Marksville, call (318) 777-7777
Proving Negligence is Easier with a Lawyer’s Help
The legal theory known as the common carrier doctrine creates a higher duty of care for bus drivers than other drivers on the road. While everyone must drive reasonably and safely, common carrier drivers must put passengers’ safety first. When bus drivers or companies fail to meet this heightened standard of care, they are typically liable for the crash and resulting damage.
The common carrier doctrine alters the burden of proof during a legal claim for liability after a bus crash. Though the burden to prove negligence in an injury claim falls on the victim, people injured in a bus accident must establish a relationship between their injuries and the accident. Likewise, it falls to the defendant to demonstrate that negligence did not occur.
Comparative Negligence in Bus Accident Cases
Under Louisiana Civil Code (CC) §2323, injury victims can pursue compensation from all potentially liable parties, even if they bear partial liability. However, any damages awarded by the court would decrease by the injured person’s assigned percentage of fault. For example, someone who is 15 percent at fault would have their damages reduced by 15 percent.
Because comparative fault can have a tremendous impact on a case’s value, defendants often attempt to shift blame onto the accident victim to protect their financial interests. A bus accident lawyer in Avoyelles Parish from our firm can help victims refute such claims and fight for your right to fair compensation.
Marksville Bus Accident Lawyer Near Me (318) 777-7777
Collecting Damages in a Bus Accident Case
Individuals injured in bus collisions are often left with a tremendous financial burden and may be unable to work while they heal. Victims often experience pain, emotional trauma, and loss of enjoyment of life.
All these losses, known as damages, are often recoverable in a personal injury action. A lawyer from our team can help you recover the damages you deserve. This will require:
- Collecting evidence of the losses experienced using medical bills and other records
- Identifying non-financial damages, such as pain and suffering
- Adding up the expenses and losses
- Assigning a value to the non-financial damages
- Presenting evidence and our calculated case value to the insurance company or court
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Can You Seek Damages if You are Partially Responsible?
Multiple parties can contribute to an accident. For example, a bus and passenger vehicle driver may have made mistakes behind the wheel, leading to a collision. This is crucial to note for your case because an injured person may hold partial fault for an accident and still seek civil compensation in Louisiana.
However, the recoverable damages may change with the legal theory of comparative negligence. The higher the percentage of fault, the lower a court award or settlement may be.
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How Fault Works in Louisiana Car Accident Claims
States usually follow one of two car insurance systems: no-fault car insurance or the fault system. Under no-fault, injured parties have limited choices for recovery and often have to meet injury thresholds to file a lawsuit. Meanwhile, fault states like Louisiana provide bus accident victims with more options.
Personal injury plaintiffs in Avoyelles Parish have the option to file a claim with their own insurance company as well as the at-fault driver’s insurance. A personal injury attorney from our firm could be instrumental in evaluating your claim resulting from a bus accident and could help identify the various parties we can hold liable.
Why Hire the Team at Laborde Earles Over Any Other Team in Louisiana?
From our office in Marksville, the attorneys at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers serve clients all over the Avoyelles Parish area. We help bus accident victims handle all aspects of their cases, from the initial investigation to fighting for a verdict in court, when necessary.
Previous clients have referred to us as “always polite and professional,” as well as “caring and prompt with returning calls and emails.” Perhaps more importantly, we take pride in offering legal services that are “quick, to the point,” and we waste “zero time” when we take a case. Our goal is to address all of your legal needs, whether this means going head-to-head with an insurance adjuster or defense attorney.
Call Today to Start Working Right Away with a Bus Accident Attorney in Marksville
With the help of an attorney from Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, you can recover compensation related to your losses. Since there are strict time limits on your ability to bring a bus accident claim, time is of the essence. Call today to discuss your potential claim and begin working toward a favorable outcome at (318) 777-7777.
Call or text (318) 777-7777 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
