Bus accidents tend to be both catastrophic as well as complex, because of the number of individuals who can be injured in the accident. Passengers on the bus, those in other vehicles, and pedestrians and bystanders are all at risk of injury when a bus accident occurs.
If you or a loved one were involved in a bus accident of any type (whether you were on the bus itself or not), a Ville Platte bus accident lawyer can help. We can help you seek justice for your injuries and losses. We can also help you handle negotiations with the liable party’s insurance company. Contact the Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation. Call now at (337) 777-7777.
Over 3,900 vehicles were involved in bus accidents in Louisiana in 2019, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). If you or a loved one suffered in a bus accident, we want to help. You may have grounds for a civil damages claim. Contact us for a thorough investigation of your case. Generally speaking, you can file a claim for yourself or on behalf of a minor under the age of 18 if they were involved in a bus mishap. Our team can work with you to determine your options, as every person’s circumstances are different.
Statutes of Limitations May Affect Your Case
You must investigate the accident as soon as it occurs, because some government entities may have specific time limits and processes with which you must concern yourself. If you do not file legal action within a specific amount of time, you may forfeit your right to seek damages from any at-fault parties responsible for the accident.
In the state of Louisiana, CC 3492 dictates that victims of personal injuries generally have one year to file a lawsuit seeking compensatory damages to cover their accident-related losses. If your loved one died in a bus accident, you also have one year under this statute to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
Your Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers legal team will inform you of whether this timeline is relevant to your case. Reach out to our team at (337) 777-7777 today for a free consultation.
For a free legal consultation with a bus accident lawyer serving Ville Platte, call (337) 777-7777
Assigning Fault for Bus Accidents
Several parties may be at fault for a bus accident. A Ville Platte bus accident lawyer will help you establish exactly who was responsible for your injuries. Potentially responsible parties include all of the following:
Ville Platte Bus Accident Lawyer Near Me (337) 777-7777
Bus Driver
Many bus accidents are caused by distracted, reckless, fatigued, or drowsy driving. Some drivers get behind the wheel despite being impaired by the use of alcohol or drugs. Whether or not a drug or a substance is legal to use, it is illegal to use them and then drive if their use can impair your driving.
Bus accidents can be caused by speeding, following a vehicle too closely from behind, executing improper or unsafe lane changes, driving too fast based on existing traffic conditions, or failing to sufficiently slow down for a turn.
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Another Driver
The driver of another vehicle can be responsible for your bus accident if they cut the bus off, forced it to brake, or performed other dangerous or reckless actions that were not the direct fault of the bus driver. In such cases, the other motorist may be held liable for the damages that occur.
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Bus Owner or Operator
Many towns, municipalities, and local government jurisdictions operate public transit systems. A local school district may provide bus transportation to its students, and interstate bus companies often run transport services between different service hubs that run across city or state lines, for instance. These operators—or the owners of the buses themselves—can sometimes be held liable for the negligence of their employees. If they hire inexperienced or untrained drivers, they can be held responsible for that as well.
Other factors can also come into play, such as if an operator fails to drug screen the drivers, neglects the performance of important vehicle maintenance services or repairs, or pushes a driver to violate rules or regulations (such as rules pertaining to how long they are allowed to drive).
Service Vendors
Many bus operators outsource the service and maintenance of the vehicles in their fleets to third-party vendors. If a contracted mechanic fails to meet maintenance schedules, performs substandard work, or forges certificates of safety, the vendor may be held liable for damages that occur.
How a Ville Platte Bus Accident Lawyer May Be Able to Help
We can help you in the aftermath of a bus accident. Our priority is securing your physical and financial wellbeing based on the fault, negligence, and extent of damage involved in your accident. We can help you by:
- Compiling photos and video evidence of the scene of the accident
- Interviewing eyewitnesses and recording their statements
- Securing a court order to ensure that the bus is not manipulated in any way until we have had a chance to inspect it
- Obtaining the official police report of the crash
- Obtain the bus’ black box to extract information about its speed, steering, and braking right before the crash
- Obtaining other forms of proof—such as mobile phone records, social media activity, and prescription drug use of other drivers to prove distracted, fatigued, or aggressive driving.
We are also prepared to prove liability in your Ville Platte bus accident. This is a necessary requirement for securing compensation. We will accomplish this by:
- Proving that the negligent party had a duty of care to keep you safe.
- Showing that the negligent party violated this duty.
- Displaying that this violation resulted in your accident.
- Communicating that the accident caused you damages.
Speak with our team to learn more about your rights in the aftermath of a bus accident. At the Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, we work for you. Call us today at (337) 777-7777 for a free case evaluation.
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