Traveling by bus can be a great option. Busses are cheap, environmentally friendly, and reduce the number of cars on the road. Busses also tend to be a safe way to travel, but accidents still happen.
Unfortunately, when a collision involving a bus does occur, it often results in devastating injuries. The passengers on the bus usually do not have airbags or seatbelts to protect them, and any car or pedestrian that the bus hits will likely take on significantly more damage than the bus due to the difference in size and weight. Moreover, bus wrecks tend to be more complicated than normal car crashes because so many different people and insurance companies are involved.
When you are injured by a bus or while riding a bus, a Somerset bus accident lawyer can help protect your rights and seek fair compensation for your losses. Call today to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney about your case.
Determining what caused an accident and who is at fault is a critical step in any personal injury case, and the result will greatly impact the amount that an injured person can recover. Various people could cause a bus crash, including other drivers on the road or even a passenger on the bus who was acting recklessly.
Even if the bus causes the collision, there are still multiple people who could ultimately be responsible, including:
Determining fault is a complicated endeavor that can involve reviewing evidence, interviewing witnesses, and comparing the accident to similar cases. An attorney in Somerset who has experience trying bus wreck cases can help you determine who is likely to be at fault in your case and, in turn, how much compensation you may be able to recover.
In some cases, the bus that caused the collision may be owned or operated by a public transit authority, a municipal bus line, or another government entity. This can add another layer of complexity to the case because specific rules apply to suing government entities, and the rules can vary depending on the circumstances or which government entity is involved. However, an experienced bus crash lawyer in Somerset can help guide you through the process.
For example, if the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or a Commonwealth agency owned the bus involved in the wreck, 42 P.S. § 8521 would apply. This statute states that, generally, Pennsylvania retains its sovereign immunity—meaning an individual cannot sue the Commonwealth or its agencies for his injuries. However, 42 P.S. § 8522(b)(1) provides an exception: a person can file suit if he or she was injured by a motor vehicle that the Commonwealth or a Commonwealth agency owns or controls. Through that exception to immunity, a person injured in a bus accident involving the Commonwealth could bring a lawsuit. Unlike in a case against a private citizen, even when a lawsuit is an option, the total amount the injured person can recover is limited. 42 P.S. § 8528(b) states that no injured person can recover more than $250,000 in a lawsuit against a Commonwealth agency.
When you are hurt in a bus crash, your focus should be on recovering from your injuries. You should be stressed about how you will pay your bills or negotiate with insurance companies.
Reach out to a Somerset bus accident lawyer at Marcus & Mack for help recovering the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Call now for a free consultation.
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