After you have suffered critical injuries in a bus accident, you may be overwhelmed and unsure of what your next steps should be. You should not be stuck coping with the costs of your damages if another party is responsible for your injuries.
Get help bringing the culpable party to justice. Contact a dedicated Duluth bus accident lawyer at Barrios & Virguez for a free consultation today to find out more about how much your insurance and civil claims could be worth.
Common Bus Accident Injuries
Bus accident injuries can be far more severe than many people realize. Whether you were a passenger on the bus or were involved in a collision with a bus, the injuries you suffered may be life-changing. Some of the more common types of injuries we see in Duluth bus accident claims include:
Physical Injuries
Physical injuries are common in Duluth bus accidents. Victims have reported suffering from one or more of the following injuries:
- Third-degree burns
- Lacerations and sepsis
- Traumatic brain injuries, concussion, or head injuries
- Spinal cord injuries, paralysis, and back injuries
- Broken bones and compound fractures
- Whiplash and soft tissue injuries
- Organ failure, internal bleeding, and other internal injuries
Emotional Injuries
The emotional injuries people experience following bus accidents in Duluth are undeniable. The bus accident victims have reported suffering from many debilitating emotional injuries, including:
- Depression
- Anxiety disorder
- Panic disorder and fear
- Insomnia and nightmares
- Social isolation
- Flashbacks of the accident
- Trouble concentrating
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
These are just a few of the different types of physical and emotional injuries you could have suffered in a Duluth bus accident. If you have suffered other types of injuries we did not list here, that does not mean you do not have grounds for a case.
In fact, you could be entitled to compensation for every single loss. Contact our office to find out whether you have grounds for a claim.
For a free legal consultation with a bus accidents lawyer serving Duluth, call 678-888-2222
Grounds for a Bus Accident Claim in Duluth
Many bus accident victims assume their injuries need to be life-threatening or catastrophic to have grounds for an insurance or civil claim. However, this is often not the case. In fact, the type of injury you suffer will have little to no impact on your ability to pursue your case. But your injuries should have had a significant impact on your life in some way.
To know whether you have grounds for a bus accident claim in Duluth, it is important to consider whether someone else is or could be responsible for causing your injuries. Some of the questions you can consider include:
- Was another passenger responsible for causing the accident?
- Was the bus driver drunk or under the influence?
- Was there an incident on the bus immediately prior to the collision?
- Was the accident caused by another driver?
- Could a bus defect have caused your collision?
- Were the road conditions dangerous at the time of the accident?
If your bus accident lawyer in Duluth can demonstrate that another party’s negligence or misconduct is the cause of your bus accident, you may be entitled to full compensation for your damages.
Duluth Bus Accident Lawyer Near Me 678-888-2222
Cause and Fault in Duluth Bus Accidents
One of your Duluth bus accident attorney’s most important tasks will be establishing liability. Proving fault is one of the only ways bus accident victims can recover compensation for their damages. Some of the more common causes of Duluth bus accidents and their respective liable parties include:
Hazardous Road Conditions
When the conditions of the roads are dangerous, there are several parties who could share liability. Some examples of dangerous road conditions could include:
- Intersections with broken traffic lights
- Roadways lacking street lamps
- Missing street signs
- Lack of crosswalks and bike lanes
The parties who are responsible for road safety and maintenance could be responsible for compensating you for your damages if dangerous road conditions cause your bus accident in Duluth. This could include government officials, government agencies, municipalities, construction workers, contractors, subcontractors, and other third parties.
Negligent Drivers
Reckless drivers are one of the top causes of bus accidents across Duluth. Any type of unsafe driving could be considered negligence. Some examples of negligent driving include:
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Failure to yield to the right of way
- Driving while fatigued
- Distracted driving
- Making illegal turns, including illegal U-turns
- Failure to stop at a traffic light or stop sign
- Driving over the speed limit
- Aggressive driving and road rage
If a negligent bus operator or other driver is responsible for causing your injuries, they can be compelled to compensate you for your damages in full. You may be able to file a claim with the liable driver’s insurance company to recover compensation for certain types and amounts of damages.
Reckless Passengers
Bus accidents can also be caused by reckless passengers. If bus passengers are not adhering to the rules of the bus, they could be responsible for causing your accident. If a fight broke out, if passengers brought items on the bus they were prohibited from bringing, or passengers became rowdy, they could be held accountable for victims’ damages.
Defective or Malfunctioning Vehicle Parts
When bus parts or the parts on any other involved vehicle were defective or malfunctioning at the time of the accident, there are multiple parties who could share liability, such as:
- Motor vehicle maintenance technicians
- Bus safety inspectors
- The owner of the bus
- The bus company
- Government agencies, including the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT)
- Municipalities
- Motor vehicle parts manufacturers, distributors, and designers
- Motor vehicle dealerships
- Other third parties
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Meet with a Bus Accident Attorney in Duluth Today
If you are feeling overwhelmed at the thought of pursuing your bus accident claims, you are not alone. We want to help you with your legal case. Reach out to an experienced Duluth bus accident lawyer at Barrios & Virguez for a no-cost, risk-free consultation.
Our firm is proud to offer complimentary case evaluations to bus accident victims across Duluth and surrounding cities. Take advantage of the opportunity when you complete our convenient contact form or call our office to get started on your case today.
Call or text 678-888-2222 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form