Bus accidents can be incredibly damaging to those unfortunate enough to have to experience them. In most cases, a fully loaded bus can vastly outweigh that of any other personal use vehicle. Due to his large difference in size and weight, the force behind buses in traffic collisions can lead to far more damaging injuries. For this reason, those who experience bus accidents caused by the negligence of another have every right to pursue legal action against the party at-fault for the accident. However, every lawsuit has its various hurdles and requirements. One important to take note of is the statute of limitations, and the best way to ensure you follow this statute for your case is to retain legal representation for your case. At Normandie Law Firm, one of the top-rated law firms in Los Angeles, our skilled attorneys with experience handling bus accident claims can guide you through the often arduous process of building your case, filing your claim, and collecting compensation for your case. If you have any questions after reading this article, please feel free to reach out to our law offices for a free consultation by one of our experienced lawyers.
The Statute of Limitations & Bus Accidents
The statute of limitations for a lawsuit is essential to the overall success of the lawsuit itself. The statute of limitations is defined as the time deadline to sue for a bus accident or any other accident that caused injury or damage to an individual. This period varies from state to state, and changes depending on the kind of case. For instance, the California statute of limitations for suing a bus company for a bus accident is six months from the date of the accident. In these six months, the victim must file a claim for damages. This is different from a lawsuit, as the time frame in California to file a lawsuit for a bus accident is two years.
When filing a claim for damages in the state of California, you must fill out an accident form with the transit authority responsible for your damages. In completing the form, it is highly recommended that you are clear and concise. You should also be careful as to how you word your statements as many times a slip up in phrasing can lead to a statement being used against you to dispute your claim for compensation.
Once you’ve filed your claim with the transit company responsible, you will have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. These lawsuits are typically filed against the transit authority when they do not work to address your claims initially brought forward within the six-month period.
Regardless of whether the transit company responsible addressed your damages in the initial claim or the lawsuit, it is in your best interest to seek legal representation from an experienced attorney for your case. The statute of limitations can truly make or break your case, and without proper legal aid can lead to having your case dismissed from court entirely.
If you happen to miss the statute of limitations for your case, the odds of reaching a positive outcome end up being stacked against you. This is not the end, however, as in some cases you can appeal the statute of limitations if there is good reason. However, without a clear and concise argument as to why you missed the statute of limitations for your case, it is unlikely that you will receive the full compensation deserved to you. Although that should not deter you completely if you suffer from serious injuries you should still try and file a claim. Doing so may limit the amount of compensation you receive. However, the damages from bus accidents can be devastating, and it is best to earn at least some form of compensation for your damages. An expert attorney who has experience in bus accident cases can help you earn a settlement.
The Damages From Bus Accidents & Lawsuits
As stated previously, buses in most cases can vastly out scale that of any other personal-use vehicle. For this reason, the odds of receiving a serious injury as a result of a bus injury are notedly higher. There are other risks at play as well, such as the large number of passengers typically onboard, and the lack of safety measures like seatbelts and airbags. Some common injuries bus passengers can suffer are listed as follows:
- Whiplash Injuries
- Head and Spinal Cord Injuries
- Broken Bones
- Lacerations and Deep Cuts
This is just a handful of the damages that a passenger can experience as a result of a bus injury. Some of these injuries can leave victims with a lifetime of poor living conditions, and at times can leave victims permanently disabled. For this reason, victims of bus accidents who have experienced severe physical trauma should especially pursue legal action against the transit authority responsible for their damages.
However, the process of filing a lawsuit varies depending on the bus company itself. For instance, a public school bus is more than likely going to be funded by the state or local government, making them a government entity. Government employees can receive protection from aspects of the law like sovereign immunity, accelerated or special procedural requirements, and caps on the total amount of damages available to a victim.
If your accident involved a private bus company, then filing a lawsuit would follow the normal procedures for filing a personal injury lawsuit that includes things like claims of negligence. For this reason, it is incredibly important that you successfully identify the bus company responsible for your damages as the rules and regulations depend on what kind of bus entity was at fault, either private or public.
The statute of limitations also change. For example, when filing a lawsuit against a government entity for a bus accident in California, the statute of limitations dictate that the victim only has six months to bring their case forward. On the other hand, the statute of limitations dictates that bus accident lawsuits against private companies have up to two years to be brought to court.
Navigating the complexities of the statute of limitations for any case can be somewhat challenging. That is why it is highly recommended that you employ a qualified attorney with expertise in bus accident injury lawsuits to help you fight your case. Having a well-learned lawyer on your side can mean the difference between filing a successful claim for compensation and having your case dismissed from court entirely.
How Normandie Law Firm Can Help
If you or a loved one has sustained injuries from a bus accident, you may be entitled to collect significant monetary compensation. At Normandie Law Firm, one of the top firms in the city, our accomplished personal injury attorneys with experience in bus accident cases can guide you through the often complicated process of building your case and bringing it to court. While we are based in Los Angeles, our lawyers practice in Oakland, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Jose, San Diego, Fresno, Bakersfield and throughout the state of California.
FREE LEGAL CONSULTATION: As a show this commitment to you and your case we offer our clients the benefits of a zero fee guarantee policy. Under our zero fee policy, all clients don’t pay for our services until their case is won. If you feel in need of a second opinion, second opinion case reviews are also free under this policy. Call now for a free consultation by a lawyer experienced in bus accident cases, and we can guide you down the path of receiving proper compensation for your damages.
