Whether functioning as public transportation or providing a ride to and from school, buses help commuters get to where they need to go. However, accidents may occur when buses are not well maintained, or when bus drivers are improperly trained, tired, distracted, or reckless.
If you or somebody you love suffered an injury due to a bus driver or company’s negligence, an Opelousas bus accident lawyer could help you fight for justice. Bus accident victims may be entitled to a variety of damages depending on the facts of the case. A seasoned personal injury lawyer could help seek a variety of damages, including medical expenses and lost income as well as non-economic damages like pain and suffering and loss of consortium.
Bus Accident Injuries
Bus accidents are often more devastating than passenger car wrecks due to the increased volume of passengers and the size of the vehicle involved. If passengers do not wear seatbelts, either by choice or because the bus is not equipped with them, they may be thrown from their seats or ejected from the bus entirely in the event of a crash. This can lead to particular severe injuries like:
- Broken bones
- Internal bleeding
- Lacerations and road rash
- Brain injuries
- Back or spinal cord damage
Liability in Bus Accident Cases Injuries
Identifying the party at fault for a bus crash is often more complicated than it is for commuter car accidents. Depending on the circumstances, it could be possible that the bus suffered a mechanical failure that caused its breaks to fail, was overloaded with passengers and freight or crashed due to driver error.
Certain errors implicate not only the bus driver, but also the companies that owned, maintained, and managed the vehicle. In situations involving defective mechanical components, elements of product liability may also come into play.
Whatever the particular cause, seeking compensation for injuries sustained in such a crash typically requires an investigation into why it happened. Knowledgeable Opelousas bus accident attorneys understand the importance of launching a timely inquiry, gathering and preserving evidence, and determining which persons or companies may be responsible.
Proving Negligence in Opelousas
Negligence forms the basis for most personal injury claims. A defendant may be considered legally negligent if the plaintiff can prove the following elements:
- The defendant owed a duty of care to the plaintiff
- The defendant breached that duty
- The plaintiff was involved in an accident directly caused by the defendant’s breach of duty
- The accident in question directly led to compensable injuries to the plaintiff
A duty of care is a legal responsibility to watch out for another’s well-being under certain circumstances. In the case of a bus driver and a passenger, the bus driver must obey laws and drive as safely as a reasonable person would under the circumstances to prevent injury to the passenger.
A bus driver breaking the law or otherwise failing to exercise reasonable care constitutes a breach of this duty of care. After that, the element of causation requires that a plaintiff prove that the defendant’s breach of duty directly caused the accident that resulted in the plaintiff’s injuries.
Finally, a plaintiff must have damages for which they seek compensation. These may include medical-related expenses, lost wages, and other emotional or psychological harms resulting from the accident. A bus crash lawyer in Opelousas could help an injured victim establish negligence and recover damages.
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ClientSchedule a Consultation with an Opelousas Bus Accident Attorney
Bus accidents can result in serious physical and emotional injury and steep financial burdens. Legal counsel could make your life easier by handling the difficult aspects of bus accident settlements, such as negotiating with insurance companies and filing a timely lawsuit. Contact an Opelousas bus accident lawyer today to get started on your case.
