Those who take buses in Kentucky range from commuters and children who use a school bus to people traveling long distances. The vast majority of the time, everything goes without incident — but when an accident does occur, it can be devastating due to the large size of the vehicle.
If you or a loved one were injured in Louisville, KY, it’s important to seek compensation as justice for your injuries. Working with experienced Louisville bus accident lawyers can help maximize your settlement.
Main Causes of Bus Accidents
Often, accidents are due to the bus drivers’ actions — and these are the kinds of bus accidents that tend to result in the highest number of casualties. However, it’s also possible that the bus company, someone else on the road, or a government entity in Louisville, Kentucky, is at fault. Who is held liable will depend on the cause of the bus crash, which may be one of the following.
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Driving Under the Influence
Some of the most disastrous bus accidents are due to someone driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If your Louisville bus accident involved drunk driving, you should talk to an attorney about the possibility of receiving punitive damages.
Fatigue
When a bus driver is required to stay behind the wheel for many hours each day, exhaustion is not unlikely. The impact on reaction times and concentration is much the same as driving under the influence.
Distracted Driving
Just taking eyes off the road for a few seconds is enough to cause an accident. Distractions could include a passenger, a text message, or something going on outside.
Driver Error
There’s an especially high risk of bus accidents if drivers don’t receive sufficient training before they’re allowed to start driving.
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Aggressive Driving
A driver who is behind schedule or frustrated with other people on the road could make poor decisions.
Mechanical Malfunction
Bus companies are required to make sure their vehicles are safe. Bus accidents caused by poor maintenance (such as worn tires, engine problems, or failed brakes) usually mean the bus company was negligent.
Poor Road Conditions
Improperly-maintained roads can cause a large vehicle to crash. If the relevant Kentucky government entity was aware of the road conditions and did nothing to fix them, you can sue and receive compensation.
It can often be difficult to know what caused an accident and therefore who owes you compensation for your damages. A Louisville bus accident lawyer can investigate the cause to ensure you receive justice.
Types of Accidents
There are a few types of vehicles that can be involved in an accident. These include:
- School buses
- Public transit
- Greyhound buses
It’s important to find a Louisville bus accident lawyer who is familiar with accidents involving the type of bus that injured you. For instance, a personal injury lawyer with experience representing clients who were in accidents involving school buses know what defenses the legal team representing the school board is likely to use.
Common Bus Accident Injuries
Injuries from bus accidents can be severe because of the lack of seatbelts and other safety features — some passengers may have even been standing. Children involved in school bus accidents in Kentucky are often hospitalized after an accident. Victims may suffer:
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Lacerations
- Whiplash
- Nerve damage
What to Do If You’re Injured in a Bus Accident
The first step for victims involved in bus accidents is always to seek medical care. This is necessary even if you have no injuries that require immediate attention. Not only should you see a doctor for health reasons, you’ll gain a medical record of your personal injury that will assist you in receiving justice after your accident.
Next, schedule a consultation with a bus accident attorney. Whereas it’s always useful to have an attorney for a personal injury claim, it’s extra important in this situation. This is because you’ll be facing the legal team of a large commercial busing company, school board, Louisville, KY, government entity, or another powerful player. Having bus accident attorneys on your side will ensure you do receive justice.
With a lawyer handling your case, you’ll be able to receive compensation to cover your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Finally, never speak to the insurance company of the negligent party yourself. The adjuster will almost always offer you less in compensation for your personal injury than you actually deserve.
Louisville Bus Accident Lawyers
If you or a loved one was been involved in a Louisville bus accident, you need a personal injury lawyer experienced in handling bus accident cases to ensure you receive justice.
Contact the Fleck Firm for a Louisville bus accident lawyer who will work with you every step of the way to ensure you receive compensation to cover all your damages. If we don’t receive a reasonable offer from the insurance company of the negligent party in your bus accident case, we’ll even represent you in a lawsuit.
