Bellevue Bus Accident Lawyer
Accidents may occur on any type of bus, including city or municipal buses, charter buses, and school buses. Bus accidents often stem from negligent bus drivers or other motor vehicle drivers on the road. No matter who is ultimately deemed liable, accidents of this magnitude can result in serious—and sometimes fatal—injuries.
There are numerous types of harmful acts that could cause an accident. Many of which place liability on the bus driver and all of which can have disastrous results. If you were involved in any type of collision with a bus, consider getting in touch with one of our personal injury attorneys. A skilled Bellevue bus accident lawyer from Inkelaar Law could evaluate the aspects of your case and help you to decide your next legal steps.
Who May be Held Liable for Damages in a Bus Accident Case?
The responsibilities of a bus driver extend to adhering to state driving laws. This includes making sure they do not breach the duty of care owed to the passengers they are transporting. If a court determines that a bus driver acted negligently or carelessly at the time of or immediately prior to a collision, that driver may be held liable for any resulting damages.
Furthermore, the bus company, school district, or even city municipality responsible for operating the bus involved in a crash may be held liable for their driver’s actions under the principle of vicarious liability. An attorney could hold these entities liable if the accident could have been prevented by performing suitable maintenance on the bus.
If the accident would not have occurred but for the actions of another driver, the driver who initiated the collision may be held liable. Certain actions that may lead to liability include:
- Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Speeding
- Illegal traffic maneuvers
- Reckless driving
- Failing to adhere to traffic laws and regulations
In some cases, a vehicle or vehicle parts manufacturer can be held liable for a bus collision if a defect in the vehicle was present at the time of the accident. For example, the manufacturer of a defective brake system may be to blame for an accident’s occurrence under the laws of product liability.
Statute of Limitations for Bus Accidents in Bellevue
Victims of bus accidents have strict deadlines to file a lawsuit against the alleged negligent driver. Under Nebraska Revised Statutes §25-207, you and any bus collision attorney in Bellevue that you choose to retain have up to four years to file a lawsuit for both personal injury and injury to personal property.
If the state of Nebraska is the employer of the at-fault driver, the state imposes a shorter deadline on any lawsuit that a victim might bring to pursue compensation. For example, if the negligent party was a public bus driver or is under the employment of Nebraska’s Transportation Service Bureau. Your claim is likely against the state of Nebraska and therefore must be filed within two years of the accident, as per Nebraska Revised Statutes §25-218.
Types of Compensation in Bus Accident Lawsuits
Bus accidents can result in serious injuries to bystanders and passengers on board the bus. When they occur at high speeds, passengers may sustain whiplash-type injuries or forcefully strike the front or back of their seat, causing upper- and lower-body injuries. In such cases, you may be able to recover monetary compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and permanent impairment with help from a Bellevue bus accident lawyer at Inkelaar Law.
Depending on the severity of the accident, damages in bus accident cases may also include non-economic compensation for emotional distress, causally related psychological harm, and loss of enjoyment of life. These intangible losses are often difficult to quantify and assign a dollar value to in comparison to economic damages.
Contact a Bellevue Bus Accident Attorney
No matter who is at fault for your accident, you may need an experienced attorney on your side who could advocate for your legal interests if you sustain injuries in a serious bus collision. A skilled Bellevue bus accident lawyer could evaluate the facts and circumstances of your case and fight to hold all potentially responsible parties accountable for their actions. To learn more, call Inkelaar Law today.