New Jersey Bus Accident Lawyers
Bus accidents have the potential to be just as gruesome as truck accidents because of the sheer size of buses. There are actually 80,000 reported crashes where buses are involved every year. A significant number of these accidents are caused by someone else’s negligence. Thousands of people suffer severe injuries or die in these kinds of incidents every year. A competent and experienced bus accident lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve if you are injured in a bus accident.
Common Causes Of Bus Accidents
These accidents often happen when people violate traffic safety rules. Some traffic safety violations that often result in bus accidents include:
- Tailgating
- Aggressive driving
- Drunk driving
- Speeding
While these are some of the common causes, the main reason why these accidents happen is bus driver fatigue. Bus drivers just like truck drivers often have to drive long hours and don’t get adequate sleep or rest breaks. They also tend to work multiple jobs to supplement the income they get from driving buses. A fatigued bus driver will experience difficulty reacting quickly to emergency situations on the road, which is scary because buses have a longer braking distance compared to smaller vehicles. Fatigued bus drivers also face problems when they need to make a turn or change lanes. Remember that a bus needs more extra space to change lanes or turn.
Bus Maintenance Issues
Sometimes bus accidents happen because of mechanical issues not the driver. Mechanical problems can be the fault of the bus company or it could be the fault of the company that made spare parts used by the bus company. A bus accident may happen because the bus company failed to make timely repairs of any mechanical problems in their buses. These mechanical problems can be spotted before they cause problems by doing regular inspections.
Since there is more than one possible at-fault party in bus accidents, you should hire a lawyer to identify who a claim should be filed against. In fact, in some situations you may be able to get compensation from more than one at-fault party. Your lawyer can carry out an investigation with the help of experts to gather evidence to help you get the compensation you deserve.
How To Pursue A Bus Crash Claim
After a bus accident, the first thing in your mind should be getting the medical treatment you need. A knowledgeable and skilled car accident lawyer can file a bus crash claim on your behalf, so that you can focus on your recovery. You need to contact a lawyer as soon as possible after the accident so that the lawyer can start gathering evidence. Remember that these kinds of cases have a statute of limitations of 2 years or 90 days.
Your lawyer can fight to ensure that you get the maximum compensation you deserve. That will include seeking compensation for future medical expenses especially if you suffered severe injuries in your accident. A skilled lawyer can negotiate aggressively with insurance companies without falling for the tricks and tactics that most insurers use to pay lower pay outs or deny claims.
