Norfolk, VA Bus Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one were seriously injured in a bus accident in Norfolk, you likely have many questions. You might wonder whether you are stuck paying for all your medical bills yourself and whether there are resources available to help. Bus companies, as common carriers, owe a high duty of care to passengers.
The cause of the bus wreck could be the bus operator or another motorist or both. Bus wreck injuries can happen on public transit buses or on chartered private buses. Passengers in large vans or mini-buses can also get hurt.
A skilled Norfolk bus accident lawyer could evaluate your situation and inform you of your options for recovering compensation to help pay for medical bills and other losses resulting from the accident. A knowledgeable Norfolk personal injury lawyer from Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers could also provide representation in dealing with the insurance companies, attorneys, and others involved in the claim. We fight aggressively on behalf of those harmed in bus accidents in seeking all forms of available compensation. If you were injured in an accident, let us help you. We have experience making claims against bus companies like HRT (Hampton Roads Transit).
Filing a Bus Accident Claim
Collecting evidence is a large part of investigating an accident and obtaining proof to establish liability. For instance, it is often important to have pictures of the accident scene and resulting injuries, statements from witnesses, video footage of the accident, and other information. Keep your ticket or payment to show you were on that bus in the wreck.
However, some of this evidence may fade or even disappear soon after the accident. A knowledgeable bus accident lawyer in Norfolk could help collect the best available evidence and preserve it for use in settlement negotiations and, if necessary, at trial.
It is important to start building your claim as soon as possible as Virginia limits the amount of time you can file a claim seeking compensation after an accident. In most cases involving bus collisions, a lawsuit must be filed within two years, or you might not be able to recover any compensation.
This deadline is referred to as the statute of limitations. When you work with an experienced attorney, your legal advocate can help ensure compliance with all applicable deadlines, including the statute of limitations.
What Compensation Am I Entitled to for an Accident Claim?
Those injured in a bus accident may be entitled to compensation to make up for the harms and losses resulting from the crash. If someone is killed as a result of a bus accident, family members may be able to recover compensation for the loss of their relative.
In Virginia, the compensation you may be able to recover generally includes economic losses such as medical expenses, lost wages, and any lost earning capacity. Noneconomic losses including pain and suffering and emotional trauma are also compensable. Loss of enjoyment of favorite activities and decreased quality of life as the result of the accident are also claimable.
How Does a Claimant Prove Liability in Norfolk?
To recover compensation, you must prove that the negligence or wrongdoing of another caused the accident and resulting injuries. Proving negligence often requires an investigation and the use of expert witnesses.
In most cases, your Norfolk bus accident lawyer will need to show that another person failed to fulfill a responsibility and that failure caused the injuries you suffered. For instance, a bus driver owes a duty to follow the rules of the road while driving. If a driver looks at a cellphone instead of the road and a crash results, the driver may be liable.
Often in an accident involving a commercial vehicle such as a bus, the company employing the driver may be held liable for their employee’s error’s in driving. When the bus is owned by a government entity, however, the situation becomes more complicated. Contacting an attorney immediately after an accident is important so that you can give your claim the greatest chance of success.
Talk to a Norfolk Bus Accident Attorney Today
If you or a loved one were injured in a bus accident that could have been prevented, talk to a Norfolk bus accident lawyer as soon as possible. The attorneys at Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers can help protect your rights and fight for the compensation you are entitled to. For a free case evaluation, call now.
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