Given the size disparity between buses and passenger cars, the injuries caused by these collisions can be catastrophic in many cases. When negligence leads to a bus crash, you may have a valid case for compensation.
After sustaining injuries in a bus crash, a compassionate personal injury attorney can assist with your case. Holding bus companies accountable is not always easy but having a legal professional in your corner will greatly help in achieving your goals. Let an Athens bus accident lawyer review your situation and explain where you need to go from here.
The Most Common Causes of Bus Accidents
There are different factors that can result in a crash of private or public transit. Some of these factors involve human error, while others are outside the control of the drivers involved in the crash. In each of these instances, an Athens bus accident attorney could determine how the crash happened and identify the negligent person or entity.
Bus Operator Negligence
One of the most common factors that can lead to a crash is negligence by the bus operator. Although bus drivers are required to carry special licenses, they are still prone to careless acts that can lead to disaster. Some examples of bus driver negligence include speeding, cell phone use, or driving while impaired.
Bus Company Negligence
The actions of the bus company could also be a contributing factor in a number of ways. For example, a bus company, or the government entity that runs it, could be negligent in their hiring processes; or they might fail to maintain a bus in safe, working order.
Vehicle Defects
Defective bus or car parts could also be the culprit in a crash, even if the drivers did nothing wrong. When vehicle parts are defective, avoiding a collision can become difficult. It can be possible hold these manufacturers responsible when their defective products are the cause of a collision.
Recovering After a Bus Injury
Any time a person hires a lawyer and files a bus accident lawsuit in Athens, the ultimate goal is to recover financial compensation for their injuries.
The compensation a person seeks can be considered either economic or non-economic losses. Economic losses represent the things an injury victim must pay for out of their own pocket after a crash. When a plaintiff recovers these damages, it should put them back in the financial position they found themselves in at the time of the bus crash. Some of the common economic damages are past and future medical costs, and lost wages.
Non-economic damages, on the other hand, are subjective and cannot be proven using evidence like receipts or bills. These losses cover things like the emotional or physical harm sustained in a bus crash. Some common examples include the following:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
- Loss of consortium
The plaintiff should speak with their lawyer about which non-economic losses they might be able to include in the lawsuit.
Talk to an Athens Bus Accident Attorney for Guidance
If you or someone you love sustained injuries in a bus crash, the guidance from Childers, Schlueter & Smith can help you maximize your financial recovery. Whether you were a passenger, a pedestrian, or a person in another vehicle, you could have a case. Do not try to handle it on your own. Schedule a free consultation and let an Athens bus accident lawyer provide the next steps.
