Buses offer a convenient and relatively inexpensive method to get from place to place, whether it be to work or even across the country. However, the convenience of bus rides comes with the risk of terrible accidents. If you were harmed in a crash, contact a Richmond bus accident attorney as soon as possible.
The Richmond personal injury lawyers at The Pendleton Law Team have decades of experience fighting for injured victims. We’ll make sure you are compensated for your injuries and related expenses. Call us today to review your options for financial recovery.
Your Richmond Bus Accident Attorney Can Help You Recover Damages
As a passenger in a bus crash, you may bring a claim for damages against the bus company or the driver. Depending on the accident, you might also be entitled to file a claim against the driver of the other vehicle involved in the collision.
An experienced Richmond bus accident attorney will assist you in determining who is responsible for causing the crash, as well as the damages you’re able to add to your personal injury claim.
As the victim of a bus accident, you are entitled to file a claim for:
- Medical expenses
- The cost of future medical treatment
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
For a Free Legal Consultation
Call The Personal Injury Lawyer Hotline.
804-250-5050
Let Your Bus Accident Lawyer Deal With Insurance Companies
The insurance companies involved in the collision will probably attempt to contact you shortly after the incident to negotiate a settlement. However, it is important to speak to an attorney prior to agreeing to a settlement offer since it will affect your ability to claim the damages you deserve.
Insurance companies are infamous for offering low-ball settlements to victims who are too focused on recovery to notice that the offer is insufficient. Your Richmond bus lawyer can review any offers you receive and negotiate with insurers to get you the highest payment possible. If the company is unwilling to offer fair payment, your lawyer can take them to court.
Let the Heavy Hitters® Take On Your Case 804-250-5050
Responsible Parties in a Richmond Bus Accident
Determining who is liable for a bus crash in Richmond depends on the type of accident, which bus company was involved in, and who caused it.
Every bus collision is unique, but one or more of the following parties will likely be held responsible:
- The driver of the other vehicle
- The bus operator
- Schools
- A government entity
- Private bus or transportation companies
When it comes to bus crashes, there are a number of parties who could be liable. Even a passenger could be held accountable if they tried to hijack the bus. Our attorneys will investigate the details of the collision and determine who is responsible for your injuries and losses.
Central Virginia's Top Rated Personal
Injury Lawyers 804-250-5050
Bus Companies Can Be Held Liable for Insufficient Training
When bus drivers receive inadequate training or no training at all, they are more likely to cause a dangerous crash than drivers who are familiar with bus safety precautions and the rules of the road.
Bus companies are required to provide their drivers with the training they need to operate their vehicles safely. If they fail to do so, it’s more likely that their drivers will get into a collision that harms passengers. If you were injured in a bus accident involving an untrained driver, your attorney will find out and hold the bus company responsible.
Let Us Be The Heavy Hitters® For Your Case Speak To An Attorney Now
How Long it Takes to Litigate a Richmond Bus Accident Case
Bus companies, including municipal ones, have hefty insurance policies, as well as experienced insurance lawyers who will try to reduce the amount of compensation you receive. This can make for a long trial, but other variables can determine the length of your case.
Here are the factors that dictate how quickly your claim will be resolved:
- The insurance company’s offer
- The circumstances of your case and your injuries
- Whether we need to go to trial to reach a fair result
- How busy the court is where your crash happened
We will do our best to keep you informed on what is happening with your case and let you know what to expect at each stage. Following your lawyer’s instructions and providing them with the information they request is the best thing you can do to help speed up the process.
Statute of Limitations for Bus Accidents in Virginia
The tricky part of filing a lawsuit against a bus company is the statute of limitations. If the state government runs the bus involved in the incident, your time for filing may be much shorter than you expect.
If you are suing the State of Virginia, you have up to one year to file your lawsuit. If you are filing against a city, state, or town, you only have six months to file. It’s imperative that you speak with a lawyer before these deadlines, or you could lose your right to sue.
There are also filing deadlines for wrongful death claims. According to Virginia Code § 8.01-244, you’ll need to file a claim within two years of the victim’s passing. Our experienced bus accident lawyers in Richmond will ensure that all the necessary paperwork is filed on time.
Different Types of Bus Accident Cases We Handle
While most buses are similar in design, how we file a claim depends on who owns the bus. Your Richmond bus accident attorney will be familiar with the complex legal procedures required to file a claim for the following types of accidents.
Commercial Bus Accidents
Federal and state laws regulate commercial bus lines, like Greyhound or Megabus. The drivers and owners of such buses are held to high standards, as they are carrying paying customers.
These companies also have robust insurance policies to protect themselves when accidents happen. Since commercial buses carry multiple passengers at once, they need to have enough coverage to handle things if everyone is injured.
School Bus Accidents
School bus safety is important, but most school buses are not equipped with traditional seat belts. Children have an increased risk of serious injury if the driver makes a sharp turn or slams on the brakes. Because the bus driver is a government employee, they’re protected from lawsuits for simple negligence, but they can be held liable for gross negligence.
It is possible to sue the government directly for a school bus accident, but it is difficult. When you take the government to court, many of the normal rules for suing individuals change. Your attorney will be able to navigate the process of filing such a claim.
Public Transit Bus Accidents
Pursuing financial compensation in a public transit bus crash depends on the system and the insurance policies they carry. One city may run its system internally, while another might contract out to third parties. Part of our job in a case like this is to determine who is the liable party and insurer.
Unsafe Bus Design in Richmond, VA
Bus collisions are often more devastating than the average motor vehicle accident because of the inherent lack of safety features and protection offered to bus passengers. Buses have long relied on their weight and height to keep passengers safe, but that only works up to a certain point.
While bus safety has seen a surge in recent years, with many buses now equipped with seatbelts, many passengers still refuse to wear them, and those that do notice little change in the bus’s safety.
If a bus is hit hard enough to roll over, the results can be catastrophic. Bus companies must be held liable if one of their drivers gets into a collision. You shouldn’t be left uncompensated for an injury you’ll carry for the rest of your life. That’s why our attorneys are dedicated to winning compensation for victims.
Bus Accident Statistics in Virginia
In the 2021 statistics on crashes in Virginia, there were 399 bus accidents, of which 170 were injury crashes and 8 were fatal. The number of bus collisions in Richmond represents a relatively small percentage of the total accidents throughout the state – just 0.3%.
Fortunately, these crashes result in relatively few injuries compared to those of typical car accidents. That being said, you should still consult with a lawyer. Even if your injuries are mild, they’ll be able to get you compensated for any medical bills you’ve been burdened with.
A Bus Accident Lawyer Can Help With a Number of Injuries
Our Richmond bus accident lawyers have experience building claims for a variety of injuries. No matter how severe or mild your injuries are, you can be confident that our attorneys will do everything they can to win you an equitable payment.
The types of injuries we can build a claim for include, but aren’t limited to:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Lacerations and cuts
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Neck, back, and chest injuries
Contact Our Richmond Bus Accident Attorneys
If you or a loved one have been injured in a crash, contact a Richmond, VA, bus accident lawyer at the Pendleton Law Team. Our personal injury attorneys have years of experience filing claims for victims of bus accidents.
We will take care of the legal process for you so that you can focus solely on your recovery. Call our office or contact us online today for your free case evaluation. You’ll be glad you reached out to us when you see how passionate our attorneys are about holding those at fault accountable and helping accident victims move on with their lives.
The Pendleton Law Team Is Here For You 804-250-5050
