Statistically, traveling by bus is much safer than driving or riding in a car or truck. Just because public or commercial buses rarely get into traffic accidents, though, doesn’t mean they never do. When you are hurt in this kind of crash—either as a rider or a motorist—exercising your legal rights can be complicated.
When negligence by a bus driver, bus operating company, or anyone else leads to you getting injured, seeking guidance from a personal injury attorney can be a vital first step toward getting the justice and financial compensation you deserve. A Watertown bus accident lawyer at D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC will ensure you understand your rights and options. They can also help you build a strong legal claim and work tenaciously to hold the person who caused you harm accountable for their negligence.
Negligence in bus accident lawsuits works similar to other civil claims concerning an auto accident in Connecticut. All bus drivers owe a “duty of care” to everyone on board their bus. And as professional drivers of a common carrier, a bus, they owe a heightened duty of care to those in other vehicles on the road and to nearby pedestrians. Any careless “breach” of that duty would be the basis for civil litigation if it leads to a passenger or anyone else suffering an injury.
In addition to following traffic laws and watching for nearby vehicles and pedestrians, bus drivers are also expected to drive carefully enough that their passengers are not at risk of getting hurt outside of a traffic collision. For example, suppose a bus driver accelerates too quickly from a stop before a boarding passenger can find a seat. In that case, the driver will be legally responsible if that passenger falls and suffers a serious injury.
Other people or groups could also be liable for a bus-related injury—either directly, because of their negligence, or indirectly, on behalf of their employees. This includes, but is not limited to:
Our Watertown attorneys can pursue litigation against anyone who bears fault for your bus accident injuries.
Support from legal counsel can also be helpful in filing a bus accident claim within applicable deadlines set by state law. For suits against private individuals or companies, Connecticut General Statutes § 52-584 sets a deadline of two years after an injury first occurs.
The filing deadline for claims against a State, county, or city government, when necessary, can be much shorter—in some situations, as little as six months or less after an accident first occurs. Assistance from our lawyers can be crucial to building a strong case within this strict time limit following a public bus crash in Watertown.
Traumatic bus accidents can be difficult to recover from physically and even more challenging to move on from financially and emotionally. Fortunately, you have help available from legal professionals who will fight for you every step of the way through your legal proceedings.
Working with a Watertown bus accident lawyer at D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC can make a huge difference in obtaining both the justice and financial compensation you deserve. Call today to schedule your free remote or in-person consultation with one of our lawyers.
