Has an injury from a bus accident caused you hardship? The Law Offices of Christopher Trainor & Associates can help you recover financial compensation.
After a bus accident, the recovery process may seem hopeless at times. Perhaps the most obvious issue is the physical discomfort from injuries. In addition, there is the trauma, fear, and uncertainty about what will happen next.
With rising medical expenses and lost wages, the financial stakes are high. Also, securing fair compensation from an insurance claim is no small task.
We understand. You deserve a law firm that listens to you and fights for your needs. At the Law Offices of Christopher Trainor & Associates, we specialize in helping Livonia residents and visitors get the justice they deserve after being injured in a bus accident. Call us now for a free consultation with a Livonia bus accident lawyer.
What Are the Typical Reasons for Bus Accidents?
Every accident is unique, of course. However, the following situations frequently result in bus accident cases in Livonia:
Behavior of Other Drivers: Bus accidents sometimes result from the actions of other drivers. A few driving behaviors that might put buses and their passengers in danger include reckless driving, speeding, and failing to cede the right of way.
Weather: There are a variety of weather variables in Livonia that can impact the safety of drivers. Rain, ice, and snow can make it harder for a driver to see and for a bus to maintain traction. Despite driver education programs for poor climate conditions, the risks of accidents still increase when the weather turns bad.
Road Design and Traffic Flow: Bus accidents can also be caused by the layout of the roads and the flow of traffic. The layout of bus stops, poorly designated lanes, complex intersections, and insufficient signage can all provide difficult conditions for bus drivers. Collisions are more likely in high-traffic locations, especially during rush hour.
Driver Error: Distracted driving, weariness, insufficient training, and inexperience are all examples of common bus driver errors. Each of these elements can potentially cause judgmental errors that end in mishaps.
Mechanical Failures: Buses are complex machines that require regular maintenance to operate safely. Unfortunately, mechanical issues can still occur, leading to serious accidents. Common problems include tire blowouts, engine troubles, and brake failures.
If you’ve been injured in a bus accident, you are likely wondering what your options are moving forward. Our Livonia bus accident lawyers are here to help. Call us today to get more information.
What Are the Most Common Types of Bus Accident Injuries?
The Michigan Traffic Crash Report indicates that in 2021, the number of crashes involving buses and big vehicles increased by 26%. There were 14,293 accidents in all. These are collisions involving various vehicles, including tour buses and school buses. The repercussions were likely dire for many of those who were harmed. Among the injuries that change the lives of accident victims include the following:
Psychological and Emotional Injuries: Understand that not all injuries are physical. Being a part of a bus accident can cause trauma that can have long-lasting psychological effects, such as PTSD, anxiety, sadness, and travel phobia.
Head Injuries: From minor concussions to traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), head injuries can result from bus accidents. Injuries can occur from direct contact with bus components, like seats or windows, or abrupt stops that cause your head to hit something. Head injuries can affect your memory, emotional stability, and cognitive function.
Whiplash and Neck Injuries: Whiplash is one of the most common injuries sustained in car crashes, particularly those involving buses. This injury happens when the body is violently jerked forward and suddenly backward during a collision, injuring the neck's tendons, ligaments, and muscles.
Broken Bones: Bones are easily broken by the force of a bus crash. Passengers can sustain more serious injuries, such as broken arms, legs, or ribs.
Lacerations and Contusions: In a collision, jagged or sharp objects may become projectiles and cause cuts or scrapes. A deep bruise (contusion) may also result from the high-impact hit. Even though they may seem minor, they can lead to more serious problems if left untreated.
Paralysis and Spinal Cord Injuries: Variations in paralysis rank among the most severe consequences of spinal injuries. Any injury to the spinal cord or the nerves at the end of the spinal canal causes these injuries. This injury frequently needs assistive aids, continuous care, and living space modifications.
Were you injured in a bus accident? Make sure you get immediate medical care so you can be properly evaluated for any possible injuries, including those that aren’t easily detectable at first.
What Are the First Actions to Take Following an Accident?
A bus accident has left you in pain, shocked, and shaken up. How do you respond to this terrible incident? You must first gather yourself and maintain your composure. The moments following an accident can affect your health, safety, and any future claims you may have. Here's what you should do:
Examine for Injuries
Self-Assessment: Check yourself for injuries immediately. Shock can often hide pain, so it's essential to be thorough.
Help Others: If you are able to safely, ask other passengers if they require assistance. Avoid moving injured people unless there's an immediate danger, like a fire, as it could worsen their condition.
Make a 911 Call
Report the Accident: Notify emergency services of the accident, even if there aren't any apparent injuries. Medical professionals can treat any injuries that may be more serious than they first look, and an officer of the Livonia Police Department can report the incident.
Provide Details: Tell the 911 operator all they need to know about the incident, including the number of individuals involved, location, and vehicles involved.
Record the Scene
Take Pictures: Use your phone to take pictures of the accident scene. Make sure to capture the bus from different angles, any other vehicles involved, and any street signs or landmarks.
Gather Contact Information: Names and contact details should be exchanged with witnesses, other passengers, and the bus driver. Obtain the drivers' information from any other vehicles that may be involved.
Get Medical Help
Get Emergency Care: Some bus accident injuries, such as whiplash or internal bleeding, may not manifest symptoms right away, even if you feel fine. See a physician or go to an emergency department for a checkup.
Record Your Visit: Save all documentation of your medical treatment, including receipts, prescriptions, and doctor notes. These records are necessary for insurance disputes and future legal actions.
Inform Your Insurance Company
Initial Call: Report the accident to your insurance provider. Stick to the facts and refrain from assigning blame or making lengthy comments without first speaking with a Livonia personal injury attorney.
Follow-up: Document any correspondence you have with your insurance, including the dates, names of the individuals you speak with, and the topics of your conversations.
Speak with a Personal Injury Lawyer
Legal Advice: A lawyer's feedback is quite helpful in situations involving public transportation and possible injuries. A bus accident attorney can assist in defending your rights and provide guidance tailored to your circumstances.
No Upfront Commitment: Speaking with a lawyer will inform you of your options and the best course of action going forward, but it does not commit you to hiring the lawyer for your case.
Right after a bus accident, taking these steps can protect your health and your rights. The acts aid in your compensation recovery as well.
How Does No-Fault Insurance Impact Bus Accidents?
There is a unique no-fault insurance system in Michigan. In this coverage model, regardless of who caused the accident, drivers and passengers are reimbursed by their own insurance for medical costs, missed earnings, and rehab fees. This insurance covers accidents involving buses and other types of vehicles.
Specifically, no-fault insurance impacts Michigan bus accident cases in the following ways:
Coverage for Bus Occupants: If you don't have auto insurance, you may be covered by the bus company's insurance or the Michigan Assigned Claims Plan.
Coverage for Other Parties: If you're injured in a bus accident as a pedestrian, bicyclist, or occupant of another vehicle, you may still be eligible for PIP benefits through your auto insurance policy or the policy of a resident relative.
Coordination of Benefits: If you have health insurance coverage in addition to PIP coverage, there may be coordination of benefits rules determining which insurance pays first for your medical expenses.
The no-fault law limits your ability to sue. When it comes to non-economic damages, like pain and suffering, victims may only file a tort claim against the negligent driver if their injuries are severe enough—that is if they result in death, permanent disfigurement, or significant impairment of bodily function.
Property Damage: Michigan's "mini-tort" statute, which is an exception to the no-fault rule, permits recovery of up to $1,000 from the at-fault motorist for damages to vehicles or other property, provided that the victim's car was parked at the time of the collision.
Exclusions & Exceptions: In some circumstances, a victim may disregard the no-fault system. For example, various regulations may be applicable if a commercial or out-of-state vehicle is involved in a bus collision.
Benefits for Victims
In Michigan, insured drivers, passengers, and pedestrians involved in auto accidents are eligible for several no-fault insurance benefits. The main advantages are as follows:
Health care costs
Benefits for income loss
Benefits for survivor's loss
Damage to vehicles
Expenses for burial and funerals
This approach aims to ensure that everyone involved in an auto accident receives prompt medical attention and to reduce the number of lawsuits. However, it can complicate the recovery process, especially in cases of catastrophic injuries or insurance disputes. If you face either of those scenarios, consider consulting a Livonia personal injury attorney.
How Is Bus Accident Liability Determined?
Who is at fault legally for a bus crash? Of course, the circumstances surrounding the incidents determine who might be held accountable. The most common parties include bus drivers, bus companies, car manufacturers, and government agencies. Here's a closer look at the process used to establish responsibility.
The idea of negligence is fundamental to determining responsibility. Legally speaking, negligence is failing to exercise reasonable care, which results in injury to others. For instance, a bus driver might be careless if they drove beyond the speed limit.
There May Be Several Parties at Fault
Several people are frequently involved in bus wrecks. Consequently, this makes identifying faults more difficult. Among the responsible parties could be the following:
The driver of the bus
The bus's owner's firm
Other drivers
Teams for managing traffic in cities
Local transportation authorities
Manufacturers of parts
Bus accident attorneys in Michigan carefully consider each party's acts (or inactions). Through an extensive investigation, they can gather evidence and determine how much the at-fault parties contributed to the accident.
Vicarious Liability
The safety and training of drivers are the top priorities for bus firms. If drivers are not properly trained or there is insufficient maintenance, the corporation may be held accountable for the accident. Under the legal doctrine of "vicarious liability," an employer bears responsibility for its workers' acts while performing their duties.
Comparative and Contributory Negligence
Due to Michigan's comparative negligence law, you are still entitled to damages even if you share some blame for the accident. Nevertheless, the portion of fault attributed to you will be subtracted from your compensation. For example, your payout would be lowered by 30 percent if it is determined that you were 30 percent at fault for the serious accident.
Getting Proof is Essential
Evidence is needed to prove negligence. Collecting as much information as possible following a bus collision is critical. Photographs of the accident scene, witness accounts, police reports, and any video footage that is accessible are all included in this. A case may succeed or fail based on the evidence—or lack thereof.
Accident victims must provide proof of liability. It is the key that opens the door to compensation beyond what is provided by PIP. See a Livonia personal injury lawyer if you need assistance determining who will pay for your accident-related expenses.
The Court System and What to Expect
Many people see the legal system as the woods, and they don't have a map. There is a proverb that states, "The time to have a map is before you enter the woods." They feel burdened when they pursue a bus crash claim since they don't know how to go from point A to Z. There are usually multiple steps involved in the legal process. What to anticipate in general is as follows:
First Consultation: The first step on your path is to meet with a personal injury lawyer who has dealt with bus traffic accidents before. This meeting establishes the foundation for your argument. You'll talk about your injuries, the specifics of the collision, and any proof you were able to gather.
Research and Claim Submission: To get all relevant information, such as accident reports, witness accounts, and medical records, your Livonia personal injury attorney will carry out a comprehensive investigation. They will use this data to submit a claim on your behalf in an effort to seek payment from the accountable parties.
Discovery Phase: All parties exchange data and supporting documentation during this stage. This phase, which includes interrogatories, document requests, and depositions, may extend for several months. It's a critical step that often strengthens your case.
Mediation and Negotiation: Before going to trial, the majority of bus accident cases are settled by negotiation. In order to arrive at a settlement that pays for your medical bills, missed income, and other losses, your personal injury lawyer will bargain with the insurance companies and attorneys for the defendant.
An Average Bus Accident Lawsuit Timeline
This kind of personal injury case may take several years to complete. The duration may vary from a few months to a few years. A few variables influencing the length are:
The accident's complexity.
The extent of the injuries.
The parties' readiness to reach a settlement.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Trials and Settlements
Here are the pros and cons of each legal option. The legal avenue you choose depends on the unique circumstances of your case.
A legal settlement is an agreement between disputing parties to resolve the matter without going to trial, often involving a payment or other agreed terms.
Advantages
Speedier resolution: A settlement can end your dispute more quickly than a trial.
Less stressful: Prevents the tension and uncertainties that come with a legal struggle.
Guaranteed compensation: Offers a certain sum of money as payment.
Disadvantages
Lower payout: You might not get as much as you might get in court.
No public trial: There is no chance for the public to hold the defendants responsible.
Trial
Advantages
Possibility of a higher award: Juries can give larger verdicts than a settlement offers.
Public accountability: If the case goes to trial, the defendant's acts will be held publicly responsible.
Disadvantages
Time-consuming: Compensation could be delayed by lengthy trials that last for years.
No outcome is guaranteed: There is always a chance of losing because trials are unpredictable.
Should you proceed to trial or settle? It is dependent upon a number of variables, including the strength of your case, your financial situation, and your level of preparedness for a protracted legal proceeding. To safeguard your interests, a knowledgeable bus accident lawyer can offer you advice based on your unique circumstances.
How to Pick a Reputable Livonia Bus Accident Lawyer
The attorney you choose can significantly affect your chances of getting fair compensation. Here are some pointers to assist you in selecting legal representation:
1. Recognize the Value of Experience
Only some Michigan personal injury attorneys have experience handling bus accidents. Complex liability problems are often at play in these cases. Your legal team must also be knowledgeable about state restrictions for commercial vehicles and transportation laws.
2. Examine Customer Feedback and Testimonials
What are other people's opinions about their interactions with the lawyers? Past clients might provide insightful information. Seek feedback and endorsements from previous customers, especially those with bus accident claims. These are available on the lawyer's website, review websites and social media accounts. Assessing the reputation of the lawyer can be aided by client feedback.
3. Look at Their Resources
Resolving bus accident claims is a resource-intensive process. These cases require a thorough investigation into the accident, including the expertise of accident reconstruction specialists and medical professionals to provide testimony about the injuries. Make sure your lawyer has access to a network of experts who can support your case with their knowledge.
4. Evaluate Their Ability to Communicate
The foundation of the attorney-client relationship is communication. It's helpful to have someone who understands your situation and can explain complex legal strategies in simple, clear terms. Select a lawyer who puts you at ease and is friendly. They ought to inform you of developments in your case.
5. Examine Their Fee Schedule
Most lawyers for bus accidents take cases on a contingency fee basis. What is this? It means they only get paid if they recover compensation. Before you sign a contingency fee agreement, be sure you understand their price schedule in its entirety. You don't want to be surprised by unexpected fees or hidden costs.
Does the lawyer for bus accidents fit these requirements? If this is the case, you will be more likely to pursue your claim. Knowing that your case is in competent hands will give you peace of mind.
Settle Your Personal Injury Claim With a Trusted Lawyer
Being involved in a bus accident is a terrifying experience. You don't have to go alone on the path from injury to recovery. Having a Livonia bus accident lawyer on your side is beneficial even if your family and friends support you.
At the Law Offices of Christopher Trainor & Associates has a great deal of experience, our goal is to make sure you get the maximum compensation. Get in touch with us right now for a free consultation. Start your journey to recovery with the support of a personal injury law firm you can trust.
