Legal Considerations After a Car Accident with a Bus
A car accident with a bus can be a complicated and stressful experience, long before you deal with insurance and liability. But what if it wasn’t your fault? As you work to heal and rebuild your life, you’ll need to consider your legal options and know what to expect.
As a Memphis personal injury lawyer, I’ve helped hundreds of people get the compensation they need and deserve after someone else caused their crash.
Here’s what you need to know to protect your rights after a car accident with a bus – and how a great lawyer can help.
Determining Fault
Your lawyer and insurance company will first try to determine who was at fault for the accident. In Tennessee, the law follows a “comparative negligence” rule. This means more than one party can be held responsible for the accident.
Comparative negligence may be helpful in complex cases and help make sure everyone pays fairly. But it’s crucial to have a lawyer who can help you gather evidence and build a strong case to minimize your liability.
Dealing with Multiple Parties
Accidents involving buses often mean dealing with multiple parties. These might include:
- the bus driver
- a bus company
- the city or county (if it’s a public bus)
- passengers
- other drivers.
Each of these parties may have their own insurance and legal teams, which can make the process far more complex. A lawyer can help you navigate these multiple layers and represent your interests.
Government Entities Involved
If a government entity owns the bus – like a public transportation system – special rules may apply.
Suing a government entity is different from suing a private individual or company. There are often strict deadlines for filing claims, and the process may involve additional legal hurdles.
Our experienced Memphis car accident lawyers understand the state and local laws that guide these kinds of cases. We can help you navigate any problems that might come up.
Insurance Complications
Insurance companies can be tough to deal with, especially when a bus is involved.
First, the bus company’s insurance will likely try to minimize their payout by arguing the bus driver wasn’t at fault, or your injuries aren’t as serious as claimed. In addition, your own insurance company might also try to reduce the amount they pay.
As a result, we generally advise anyone in an accident to speak with their lawyer first and not talk to any insurance representative. Having a lawyer on your side can help you fight these tactics so you get the full compensation you deserve.
Potential for Serious Injuries
Bus accidents often result in more serious injuries due to the size and weight of the vehicle. These injuries can lead to significant medical bills, long-term rehabilitation, and even permanent disability.
It’s important to have legal representation that understands the full impact of these injuries and can fight for compensation that covers all your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Collecting and Preserving Evidence
In any accident, evidence is key to proving your case. With a bus accident, the evidence might include surveillance footage from the bus, the bus driver’s log, maintenance records, and witness statements.
Collecting and preserving this evidence is critical, and a lawyer can help make sure nothing is overlooked. But evidence can disappear or become harder to obtain over time. So the sooner you involve a lawyer, the better.
Negotiation and Settlement
Many car accident cases are settled out of court, but that doesn’t mean you should settle for less than you deserve. Bus companies and their insurers may offer a quick settlement that doesn’t fully cover your expenses or account for future needs.
A lawyer can negotiate on your behalf to reach a settlement that fairly compensates you for all your losses. If a fair settlement isn’t possible, your lawyer can take the case to court.
Statute of Limitations
In Tennessee, you have a limited time to file a lawsuit after a car accident. This is known as the statute of limitations.
For most car accidents, the deadline is one year from the date of the accident. However, when a government entity is involved, the deadline may be shorter.
Missing this deadline can prevent you from recovering any compensation, so it’s crucial to act quickly and consult with a lawyer as soon as possible.
Getting the Right Legal Help After a Car Accident with a Bus
A car accident with a bus involves many legal considerations that can be overwhelming to handle on your own.
From determining fault to dealing with multiple parties, navigating insurance, and negotiating with government entities, the legal landscape can be challenging.
If you’ve been involved in a bus accident in Memphis, it’s essential to seek the help of an experienced car accident lawyer.
Our Memphis car accident lawyers have served the people of Memphis for decades, and we’ve won multiple awards for client satisfaction. We can guide you through the process, protect your rights, and help you get the compensation you deserve. And we don’t get paid anything unless and until we win your case.
To get started with a free consultation, contact us online today or call us at 901-327-2100.