Buses are cheaper than taking a flight which explains why they are such a popular option among students and commuters. With thousands of commuters using buses, bus accidents and bus accident claims are bound to happen. According to a study conducted by the University of Michigan in 2010, approximately 63, 000 buses are involved in an accident every year. 325 of those accidents are fatal while 14, 000 of them result in injuries.
If you have been involved in a bus accident in Worcester you should consider hiring the best Worcester bus accident lawyer to increase your chances of getting compensated. In this article, we discuss the common types of bus accident injuries and the steps you should follow when making a bus accident claim.
Common Types of Bus Accident Injuries
Just like in car accidents, bus accident injuries fall across the spectrum of seriousness ranging from traumatic brain injuries to whiplash.
Riding on a bus comes with a few more added risks than riding in a standard car when it comes to bus accidents thanks to the characteristics of most buses. For instance, the chances of a bus rolling or tipping over are much higher than in a standard car. Buses do not have any supplemental safety devices such as airbags.
Some people may argue that the chances of getting into a bus accident are much lower compared to other forms of ground transportation. However, this doesn’t mean that the seriousness of injuries will be much lower if the bus accident does occur.
Challenges of Filing a Bus Accident Claim in Worcester
When filing for a car accident claim, the process of negotiating with an insurer or filing for a lawsuit is straightforward. However, for bus accidents, this may not be the same case but this depends on the situation. For example, if the bus accident involves a collision with another car or a truck, then you can claim with the at-fault’s insurer.
However, if the bus driver was at fault, filing for a bus accident claim may be a challenge. For starters, many buses are owned by public transportation bureaus among other government entities. Filing a claim with a government body is complex because the procedures vary from one jurisdiction to another. There is also a set time frame that you need to file your claim for you to get compensated.
The good news is that a Worcester bus accident lawyer can handle all the details regarding your case while you focus on recovering.
How to File a Bus Accident Claim with a Government Body
The procedure for bringing a claim against a public transportation company involves special state laws. Government entities have specific timelines for filing claims and these deadlines must be adhered to. They include:
- Six months or less to notify the bus company in writing about your accident. You must include the details and circumstances of the accident.
- A short deadline to file a bus accident lawsuit.
You must make your bus accident claim against the right government agency. A bus accident lawyer in Worcester can give you legal help and will ensure that you satisfy all the state’s notification requirements.
Proving Negligence in a Bus Accident
Unlike other types of personal injury claims, proving negligence in a bus accident claim doesn’t require you to produce a lot of evidence to win your case. However, you can never have too much evidence so make sure you collect as much of it as possible. Some of the evidence you can provide includes:
- Written notes about your injuries and accident
- Weather report
- Police report
- Witness statements
- Photos of the accident scene and of your injuries.
You also need to prove other details such as:
- Lost wages
- Medical bills
- The extent of your injuries
- Other damages such as pain and suffering.
All the above details will help your bus accident lawyer in Worcester secure the most compensation possible.
Hire Only the Best Worcester Bus Accident Lawyer
You might not need legal help if you sustained minor injuries in a bus accident because you can settle your claim fairly with the insurance company. However, if you sustained severe injuries or lost a loved one in the accident, it might be difficult to settle if you do not have the skills and experience to handle such a case.
It costs nothing to contact one of our bus accident lawyers in Worcester. We offer free initial consultations and we are available 24/7.
