Bus accidents can be hazardous. They are massive vehicles, often full of passengers, so there is a potential for mass injuries when a bus is in an accident. Because of the sheer size of the bus, people in other vehicles, pedestrians, and bikers are at risk. Plus, the passengers on the bus are in danger, too. Most buses do not have seatbelts, and some may even have passengers standing or in other vulnerable positions.
Filing a personal injury lawsuit based on a bus accident differs from filing a lawsuit against the driver of a passenger vehicle. Buses are common carriers, which are companies offering public transportation services. As common carriers, they have an obligation to their passengers. However, many bus companies are owned by local government or quasi-governmental groups, which can impact the ability to recover from them. A Connecticut bus accident lawyer at D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC, can help you understand your potential rights and remedies after a bus crash.
Connecticut has a well-developed public transportation system, with buses that transport people around the state. Most rides are safe, but even the safest drivers can’t avoid all accidents. Lousy weather, other drivers, and defects in the buses can all contribute to collisions. Bus driver negligence can also be a factor.
Some of the bus companies in Connecticut include:
There are also other local commuter bus lines. In addition to those lines, school buses transport thousands of students each day.
The first step a lawyer will take is to determine which Connecticut bus line was involved in your accident. They need that information to know who to sue. Additionally, the owner of the bus line could impact statutory time limits and how to file a claim.
The bus driver may be at fault for a wreck, but they are often not the only ones to blame. Third parties may share responsibility. The owner of the bus may share the blame if they fail to maintain the vehicle properly. Even if the driver is liable for the wreck, their employer may also be liable. And certainly, if they had reason to suspect that the driver would engage in negligent behavior, they could be responsible for that driver’s behavior. In addition, other drivers may have third-party liability if they caused the crash.
Individual liability insurance policies are usually not large enough to cover all the damages in a bus accident. Fortunately, in many instances, passengers are not limited to recovering from other drivers. As common carriers, buses have a duty of safety to their passengers. And common carriers have a heightened duty of care. This requires the utmost of care for their passengers.. That makes a bus accident claim differ from a claim against a passenger vehicle or even against some other commercial drivers.
A Connecticut bus accident attorney will look for all potential defendants to ensure you get the compensation you need to recover. Under the state’s modified comparative negligence statute, you can recover from all other wrongdoers as long as you are not 51 percent or more responsible for the wreck. Bus passengers rarely share fault in a bus collision. However, if you are a driver involved in a wreck with a bus, you may share some liability.
If you have been injured in a bus wreck, you may be experiencing significant emotional trauma, physical pain, and financial distress. Pursuing a financial claim may be the furthest thing from your mind. However, since buses are common carriers and are often operated by governmental agencies, you may have a shorter period to file a claim.
A Connecticut bus accident lawyer at D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC, can help you understand any time constraints you may face. They can also help you successfully pursue a case, giving you the information you need to accept or reject settlement offers. Call now to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation to protect your best interests after a bus crash.
