Bus Accident Injury Claims Can Involve Unique Procedural Rules
According to a study by the University of Michigan, buses are involved in 63,000 motor vehicle accidents every year. People who are injured in or property that is damaged by a government owned bus will need to follow specific procedural rules unique to filing bus accident injury claims.
Bus accident injuries
Like for all types of motor vehicle accidents, bus accident injuries vary from minor to severe and most commonly involve whiplash-related soft tissue injuries, traumatic brain injury / head trauma, broken bones, cuts and bruises. While risk of a bus accident is smaller than the risk of a standard motor vehicle accident, buses do carry a higher danger of a rollover or tip-over accident. When a bus does tip or rollover, injuries tend to be more severe because passengers are not wearing seat belts. When buses hit a regular passenger vehicle the damage and injuries are more prone to being serious because of the enormous size difference of the vehicles.
Unique procedural challenges in bus accident injury claims
When it comes to filing bus accident injury claims, there are two main scenarios:
- The first scenario is when the accident is caused by the driver of another motor vehicle on the road. In these cases, the injured bus passenger may make a third-party claim with the at-fault driver’s insurer, for the purpose of receiving compensation for economic losses like medical expenses and lost income and non-economic losses like pain and suffering.
- The second scenario is when the accident is caused by the bus driver and can apply to a bus passenger or a pedestrian or driver hit by a bus. This situation complicates the injury claim because many buses are owned and run by government entities. The process varies from location to location but in most places the injured party must start the claim by filing a “notice of claim” in a timely manner with the government entity that is possibly responsible for the bus accident. Contact a local bus accident lawyer who is familiar with the laws in your city and state.
What must be included in a notice of claim with a government entity?
For people injured as bus passengers or hit by a bus because of the negligence of the bus driver or government entity, a notice of claim or equivalent filing must usually be submitted. Specific procedural rules are different depending on the city where the accident happened but in general the filing must include:
- The claimant’s contact information including name and address.
- A statement declaring that the claimant intends to seek compensation for injuries and/or property damage caused by the negligent behavior of the officer, government employee or government agency.
- A detailed description of the accident including time, place and cause.
- A description of the claimant’s injuries, property damage and other losses including medical expenses and lost wages.
Claimant’s must find out if they need to use a specific form and the timeline for submission as it varies. The best way to ensure that you are submitting everything correctly is to speak to a local personal injury lawyer.
If you or a loved one is suffering from an injury as a result of an accident or error caused by the negligence of another, you have enough on your plate. Let an experienced accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times bigger with the help of a lawyer. Call the personal injury lawyers at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! We have been representing residents of Whatcom County, Skagit County, Island County and Snohomish County since 1979. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
