While busses provide an efficient way for many people to get around, their size and lack of seatbelts mean that accidents can often result in severe injuries. If you were injured in a crash involving a bus, you might benefit from speaking with a Cary bus accident lawyer about your legal options. If the careless or reckless behavior of a bus driver caused you harm, you may have a right to pursue compensation.
Following a possibly serious injury, however, you may be overwhelmed and unsure of how to proceed. By seeking the services of a caring and experienced Cary personal injury lawyer, you could rest assured knowing that you have a legal professional to guide you through each step of the process.
How is Liability Determined in Bus Accidents?
Like any other person on the road, bus drivers must take reasonable steps to prevent the foreseeable harm of others. This includes riders within the bus itself, drivers of other vehicles and their passengers, and pedestrians. As a result, virtually any person who suffers an injury due to the action—or inaction—of a bus driver has the right to pursue compensation.
To accomplish this, a plaintiff must prove that the driver was negligent. One way to demonstrate this, for example, is to provide evidence that the driver violated a rule of the road. A police report may indicate that a bus driver was speeding, ignored a red light, or failed to signal before changing lanes. If so, this may be grounds for a legal claim based on negligence per se.
However, the process of demonstrating negligence per se might prove difficult for an underrepresented or underprepared claimant. A detail-oriented attorney could help an injured person to gather the necessary evidence needed to demonstrate how a driver was at fault for a bus crash.
The Time Limit for Filing a Claim in Cary
Like many states, North Carolina has a statute of limitations for filing injury claims. This is a law that controls when a claimant may request compensation following an injury and, according to North Carolina Statute §1-52, a plaintiff must act within three years of the date of the accident.
However, there may be exceptions that shorten this deadline—such as if the owner of the bus is a government entity—or prolong it. Because of these nuances, a proactive Cary bus accident lawyer could help an injured person to file a claim that satisfies the statute of limitations.
For a free legal consultation with a bus accident lawyer serving Cary, call (800)785-5000
Damages to Recover in a Bus Crash Claim
When seeking compensation, a claimant may benefit from considering the full and total impact of the incident—as well as the subsequent losses—upon their life. Most claims include economic damages, such as all related medical bills. Additionally, if the accident leaves a person unable to work, for example, a request may also be made for reimbursement of lost wages or lost earning capacity.
Furthermore, a plaintiff may wish to examine the emotional toll of experiencing a bus wreck. This is because a claim may also request compensation for emotional trauma, pain and suffering, lost enjoyment of life, or other psychological anguish. Due to the extent of possible damages, an injured claimant may wish to seek the advice of a compassionate Cary Bus Accident Lawyer to assess a claim and work to pursue its full value.
Cary Bus Accident Lawyer Near Me (800)785-5000
Retain a Cary Bus Accident Lawyer for Help Filing a Claim
Bus drivers and their parent companies have a legal duty to provide protection to those around them. The disregard of this duty that results in an accident may, therefore, leave them legally liable. If you or a loved one has suffered harm due to a bus driver’s negligence, you may benefit from speaking with a Cary bus accident lawyer.
Navigating the legal system alone might seem overwhelming, especially as you try and recover from your injuries. A determined injury attorney could help to assess the facts of your case, work to gather necessary evidence, and go through each step of the claim’s process to collect compensation. To learn more about your legal options and schedule a consultation, reach out to a legal professional today.
Call (800)785-5000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form