In 2018, 117 people lost their lives in school bus accidents nationwide, according to the National Safety Council. Most of the fatalities did not involve students, but rather people in other vehicles or pedestrians. Those statistics do not include the hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries from other types of buses– such as local or city buses or those rented out for parties and other events. If this has happened to you or a loved one, it is no longer a statistic but a tragedy.
A Bart Bernard bus accident attorney can determine who is liable for and hold those parties accountable. We protect your rights while helping you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Hit Hard. Get Bart Bernard. ™
Bus Accident Causes
The bus driver is often primarily responsible for the accident. Common causes related to bus driver negligence include:
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence
- Driver fatigue
- Inadequate training
- Speeding
- Aggressive driving
Of course, there can be other contributory factors– poor maintenance on the part of the bus company frequently results in crashes– whether due to blown tires, brake failure, or other mechanical issues. Further, if the jurisdiction in charge of the roadway did not maintain it properly, such as not repairing broken pavement or fixing traffic signals, the town, parish, or state might prove liable.
Other drivers may play a role in the collision. A motorist may sideswipe the bus, tailgate, or behave in some of the same negligent ways noted for bus drivers.
A bus accident lawyer conducts a complete investigation, including reviewing police and medical reports, bus company maintenance records, collecting accident scene evidence, and interviewing eyewitnesses. We also look at the bus company’s prior history of accidents and safety violations.
Bus Accident Compensation
Anyone hit by a bus, whether in another vehicle or as a pedestrian or cyclist, is lucky to be alive. Unfortunately, many people do succumb to their bus accident injuries, and in such cases, the family may file a wrongful death lawsuit. For those who are injured but survive the accident, compensation may include:
- Medical expenses, present, and future
- Lost wages
- Potential lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Special equipment
- Home or vehicle modifications
Contact DeRidder Bus Accident Lawyers
A bus accident lawyer from our firm can review your case and let you know your options. Under Louisiana law, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit is just one year from the accident, one of the shortest in the country. That brief time limit is compounded by the fact that many buses, including public school buses, are owned or operated by government agencies. In these circumstances, a claim requires filing within six months of the crash.
Call us today or contact us online and arrange a free consultation. Since we work on a contingency basis, there is no fee unless we win. Be Smart. Get Bart.™
