Buses are among the most common means of transport, and they may cause injuries through accidents. You have the ground to sue the bus company in the unfortunate event of an accident. However, the process is complex due to the multiple parties involved, like the driver and company. In addition, bus companies are subjected to federal and state regulations, which may vary depending on your jurisdiction. And most bus companies are large corporations covered by insurance companies. So, how do you sue a bus company? You can do so using the tips below.
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Seek medical attention
You will start by seeking medical attention regardless of how minor the injury might seem. This is essential because some injuries, such as whiplash or internal ones, might not immediately show signs. Seeking medical attention will help in identifying the injuries and treating them. Doing this will also help document the injuries, which is essential when filing a claim. It will help if the healthcare provider gives you a medical report of the injuries to help you with the process.
Document the accident
It’d also be best to document the accident because you might forget some details after a while. Documenting the accident scene provides evidence that you can use when seeking compensation. If you have insurance coverage for such an accident, documenting it will help you support your claim. You can take photos or videos, write down the details, or get a police report.
Hire a personal injury lawyer
Since a bus accident case is complex, you should hire a personal injury lawyer who will provide legal expertise. Such attorney’s understand the personal injury laws and can help gather more evidence and interview witnesses. Thanks to their experience, the professionals will know the right questions to ask the witnesses, which can help you win the case. The attorney will also negotiate on your behalf when dealing with the bus company’s insurance agent.
Determine liability
You will also need to determine the liable party before moving further with the process. To do so, your attorney will evaluate the bus driver’s behaviour leading to the accident. Driving records, history of drug use, or previous violations are some of the things your injury lawyer will check. The attorney will also review any negligence from the bus company, such as lack of proper maintenance or adequate training. In addition, the attorney will analyze the road and weather conditions on the day of the accident and determine liability.
File a claim
After the above processes, you can file a claim through your lawyer if you find the bus company at fault. This process entails notifying the bus company so that its insurance agent can investigate the accident. The insurance company will come up with a settlement after the investigation. Your lawyer must negotiate for a better settlement, and should the process fail, you can file for a lawsuit.
Suing a bus company in an accident can be complex due to the size of most companies, the complexity of laws, and the many parties involved. However, it is not impossible. So, how do you sue a bus company? You will use the information you have read here to help you get a fair settlement.