Bus drivers are responsible for carrying large numbers of passengers and getting them to their destination safely. If the bus is subject to maintenance problems, tired driving, or other dangers, passengers could be involved in serious and potentially deadly bus accidents.
The West Chester bus accident injury lawyers at The Reiff Law Firm represent the victims of these kinds of accidents and fight the bus drivers and bus companies responsible for the crash to get compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you or a family member was injured in a bus accident, call our law offices today to schedule a free consultation with our lawyers about your case. Our number is (215) 709-6940.
Whom Can You Sue After a Bus Accident?
After a bus crash, you may be entitled to sue multiple parties. Talking to an attorney about your case is vital to ensure that your case is properly investigated and all liable parties are joined in the lawsuit. Depending on how the crash happened, you may be able to sue any of the following parties.
You can generally sue the bus driver after being involved in a bus crash. If you were injured as a passenger, as a driver of another vehicle, or as a passenger in another vehicle, you may be entitled to sue a negligent bus driver for any accidents they caused. Bus drivers are personally responsible for the actions they take behind the wheel, and you can file a lawsuit against them for many bus accident injuries caused by the bus driver’s traffic violations, tired driving, drunk driving, distracted driving, or other driving errors.
Since the bus driver is an employee of the bus company, you may be entitled to sue the transportation company that operates the bus you were injured on. Suing the bus company for the negligent actions of its employee is permitted in many cases where the bus driver was actively performing their job as a driver when the accident occurred. This permits you to take your case to court against a larger company that often has the money and insurance to cover more serious injuries. This can mean suing charter bus companies, local transportation companies, Chinatown buses, or companies like SEPTA.
The bus company may also be responsible for the accident in their own right. If the bus company hired or retained a driver who has a history of dangerous driving violations or drunk driving, they might share direct responsibility for the injuries because of their negligent hiring. In addition, the bus company itself is often the party responsible for the vehicle’s maintenance and safety. Putting a dangerous bus on the road can make the bus company liable for any injuries that dangerous bus causes.
Lastly, you can generally sue any other at-fault drivers for a crash. If your bus driver was operating a safe bus with the proper care and skill, fault many fall solely on the head of the other driver who hit you. Taking them and their insurance company to court may get you the damages you need to cover injuries and damages after a bus crash.
Available Damages for a Pennsylvania Bus Accident Lawsuit
If you take your case to court, you may be entitled to a range of damages for your case. Most bus accident injury cases deal with three common areas of damages: medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
The damages for medical expenses commonly cover any treatment, including the cost of emergency procedures and transportation, doctor’s visits, rehabilitation, physical therapy, imaging, and medical devices like wheelchairs and crutches. These damages can also cover ongoing checkups and medical care you will need going forward. The amounts paid are often especially high for life-altering injuries like brain injuries or paralysis.
The damages for lost wages can cover paychecks that you miss during your recovery as well as ongoing lost wages. If you are too injured to go back to work for a period after your injury, you could recover all wages you missed during this time. If your injuries make it impossible to continue doing your previous job, you may need to take a lower-paying job or retire altogether. The lost earning capacity you face could be compensated as part of a lawsuit.
You can also claim damages specifically for your pain and suffering. These damages are not commonly available through insurance claims, but they can pay you back for physical pain, lost quality of life, emotional trauma, and more. These are often some of the highest parts of any injury lawsuit, and you should discuss how much your pain might be worth with an experienced bus injury lawyer.
Our West Chester, Pennsylvania Bus Accident Lawyers Offer Free Consultations
If you or a member of your family was injured in a bus accident in West Chester or the surrounding area, contact our law offices today. The Reiff Law Firm’s West Chester bus accident lawyers can help you recover compensation for serious injuries, including damages for lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering. To schedule your free consultation with our attorneys, call us today at (215) 709-6940.
