No one ever expects to be involved in a motor vehicle wreck. Unfortunately, collisions involving public transportation, school buses, private charters, and other types of buses are far more common than you might have expected. Identifying the liable party is essential if you hope to hold them accountable and recover the compensation you deserve.
An experienced New Jersey bus accident lawyer at Rand Spear could be a valuable asset in your pursuit of justice. With our firm advocating for your rights, you will not need to worry about anything other than your healing journey. You can rely on your legal representative to investigate, quantify damages, analyze your options, and fight for your right to maximum compensation.
Are you ready to demand total reimbursement for your suffering? Schedule a 100% free consultation with a dedicated New Jersey personal injury attorney today. When you do, you can learn more about liability in bus accident claims, essential types of supporting evidence, and the anticipated value of your bus accident settlement.
What to Do After a Bus Accident in New Jersey
The aftermath of your bus accident may be chaotic. It is important to do everything in your power to remain calm and take steps to protect your right to compensation and prove the liable party’s negligence. These steps include:
- Moving yourself and your vehicle out of traffic, if possible
- Calling emergency responders and law enforcement officials to the accident scene
- Collecting evidence to support your case against those responsible, including:
- Witness statements
- Contact information and insurance details of other involved parties
- Photos of your injuries and the scene of the collision
- Calling a bus accident lawyer in New Jersey to meet you at the scene or your hospital room to get started on your case
- Obtaining a medical evaluation so you can be diagnosed and start treatment for your injuries
- Following your healthcare provider’s treatment plan and attending follow-up appointments, where necessary
Although you may be tempted to reach out to the insurance company immediately after the accident, you should wait. Your New Jersey bus accident attorney at Rand Spear can handle every insurance exchange on your behalf. Additionally, do not post photos of the collision or your injuries. Do not discuss the accident in any way on social media, as this evidence could be manipulated and used against you by insurance companies and liable parties.
Causes of New Jersey Bus Accidents
Your bus accident lawyer will focus on the cause of the accident to determine who is responsible for your injuries. In many cases, bus accidents are caused by negligent drivers, whether that be the bus operator or the vehicle that collided with the bus. Some examples of negligent driving could include:
- Impaired driving
- Following too closely
- Failure to stop or yield
- Road rage and aggressive driving
- Distracted driving
- Failure to check blind spots and making unsafe lane changes
- Failure to use a turn signal
- Driving while fatigued
- Making unlawful turns
- Driving down the road the wrong way
Bus accidents are not only caused by negligent driving. Hazardous roads and defective motor vehicle parts could also contribute to these accidents. You may have grounds for a claim against auto parts manufacturers, designers, vehicle technicians, the state of New Jersey, the New Jersey Department of Transportation, safety inspectors, government employees, and other third parties, depending on how the accident occurred.
New Jersey Bus Accident Lawyer Near Me (215) 985-2424
How the Bus Accident Claims Process Works
Understanding how bus accident claims work can reduce some of the anxiety associated with pursuing a lawsuit or insurance claim. Every bus accident victim’s case is different, but the claims process generally unfolds similarly. Here is a basic idea of what to expect when you decide to take action against the liable party:
- Your bus accident attorney in New Jersey begins investigating.
- Our investigation uncovers valuable evidence to prove negligence and fault.
- We carefully evaluate your damages to calculate the value of your claim.
- Your car accident attorney determines whether you are entitled to compensation through an insurance claim.
- We negotiate with insurance adjusters and renegotiate settlement terms as necessary.
- If an insurance settlement is not an option or your settlement is not enough, we will prepared to present your bus accident lawsuit at trial.
When you work with Rand Spear The Accident Lawyer, you can expect regular case status updates along the way. If we can settle outside of court with the insurance company or liable party, you could avoid a trial altogether. However, going to court is often the best option if you hope to maximize your compensation and hold liable parties accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
Recoverable Damages for Bus Accident Victims in New Jersey
Bus accident victims like yourself should be awarded total financial compensation. The liable party should not get away with negligence and expect you to cover the costs. Some examples of compensatory economic and non-economic damages you could recover include:
- Emotional distress
- Loss of income
- Physical pain and suffering
- Reduced earning potential
- Loss of future potential income, bonuses, and salary increases
- Disfigurement and skin scarring from burn injuries
- Permanent disability
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Mental anguish
- Inconvenience
- Personal property damages
- Reputational damages
You may also wonder whether punitive damages could be awarded. You should never rely on a punitive damages award, as they are rare. In fact, New Jersey civil courts generally only issue these as a way of punishing the defense beyond your compensatory damages. This is done when the defendant’s conduct is considered intentionally harmful or malicious, grossly negligent, or egregious.
Demand Rand. Contact a Proven Bus Accident Attorney in NJ for Help Today
Your bus accident may have temporarily turned your life upside down. But that does not mean it needs to haunt you for the rest of your life. You can take action and ensure the liable party compensates you in full for your damages.
With Rand Spear The Accident Lawyer fighting for you and your family, you do not need to be burdened by the stressors associated with a complex legal battle. We will negotiate with the insurance company, challenge allegations of shared liability, and work tirelessly to recover maximum compensation. Contact Rand Spear through our quick contact form or by phone to request a free, no-obligation consultation today.
Call or text (215) 985-2424 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
