The size of most buses makes them incredibly dangerous to everyone else on the road if they are not operated by a focused and attentive professional driver. Any error committed by a bus driver can cause an accident that leaves you with severe injuries. Medical bills can quickly pile up after a collision, and the effects of missing work can be financially devastating. As such, you deserve payment from the at-fault driver and bus company when their recklessness turns your life upside down.
The Blue Bell bus accident lawyers at Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers have significant experience with these types of claims. In 2013, a Greyhound Bus operator fell asleep at the wheel with a bus full of passengers, causing a severe crash on Interstate 80 in Pennsylvania. Jon Ostroff and his team of skilled personal injury attorneys filed a lawsuit against Greyhound Bus Company for its failure to monitor fatigue among its drivers. This case, which was featured on CNN, resulted in over $21 million in verdicts and settlements. Jon also recovered over $4 million for his clients injured in another Greyhound crash caused by a tired driver.
If you or a loved one was injured in a severe bus crash, working with a reputable legal team can improve your chances of succeeding in court. Get in touch with our law firm to learn more about your legal options and begin your case.
Determining Fault for a Bus Accident in Blue Bell
Bus drivers are supposed to operate their vehicles with great care. As “common carriers,” they have an even higher duty than most to protect their passengers and others on the road. Any negligent act committed by a bus operator may be the basis for a successful personal injury claim. Some of the most common examples of driver negligence include:
- Driving tired
- Distracted driving
- Reckless driving and speeding
- Failing to check blind spots
- Failing to yield
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
When a bus driver is at fault, they may be individually responsible for the accident.
Employer Liability for Bus Driver Actions
Most bus drivers work for a company or government entity. In a bus wreck case, the employer may also be legally responsible for the negligent acts of the bus driver. Under state law, this is known as “vicarious liability.” You have the right to demand compensation from the employer as if they were directly responsible for the accident.
A lawsuit against the employer may provide considerable financial recovery, as a large company is likely to have more resources to pay a claim than the bus driver. Our experienced attorneys can help you understand fault in your bus collision claim.
Recovering Compensation in a Civil Claim
Once you and your lawyer have identified the responsible parties and gather the evidence to prove their fault, you can receive payment for your injuries and losses. Our lawyers in Blue Bell can help you seek compensation for many types of economic and non-economic damages after a bus accident.
Economic damages are the financial losses you suffered as a result of the collision, such as:
- Medical bills
- Costs repairing or replacing damaged property
- Lost wages
- Lost business and professional opportunities
Non-economic damages are the emotional and social consequences of the accident, including pain, suffering, disability, and loss of life’s pleasures. When Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers has successfully proven recklessness by the bus company, they have obtained multiple verdicts that include “punitive damages.” Punitive damages are intended to punish reckless defendants and can be multiples of the compensatory damage award. Jon Ostroff obtained four punitive damage verdicts against Greyhound in the past. In one such verdict against Greyhound, Jon recovered punitive damages that were about seven times the compensatory damages.
How Can Partial Fault Affect Compensation?
In some cases, the defendant will claim you are somewhat at fault for the accident.
Under Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes § 7102, if you are less 50% at fault for the accident, you can still recover compensation. However, your damages award is reduced by the percentage of your fault for the accident.
If you are deemed to be over 50% at fault for an accident, you will not be entitled to compensation under PA law. Your accident lawyer can be the difference between proving more or less fault than 50% on the bus driver. It is therefore important to hire a lawyer who can defend you against allegations of partial fault.
Discuss Your Case with a Blue Bell Bus Accident Attorney Today
A bus accident can cause serious harm, and you should not have to struggle financially because of another person’s negligence. Let our Blue Bell bus accident lawyers at Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers help you fight for fair compensation. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and begin the legal process.
