Every day, thousands of Pennsylvanians board public and private buses to commute to work, ride to school, and travel between metropolitan areas. While the majority of these trips proceed without any issues, some end in collisions that cause substantial injuries to passengers, pedestrians, or other drivers.
If you were hurt due to a negligent bus operator or busing company, you need a skilled personal injury attorney like Jon Ostroff on your side. In a previous case, Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers took legal action against Greyhound Bus Company after a fatigued driver crashed with a bus full of passengers. We won over $21.3 million in verdicts and settlements for our clients that suffered harm in this crash.
Whether you were involved in a crash with a public transit vehicle or other commercial bus, it can be beneficial to work with a legal professional. Our Norristown bus accident lawyers are here to help you fight for fair compensation.
Establishing Fault for a Bus Crash in Norristown
Just like every other motorist, commercial and private bus operators have an implicit legal duty to follow the rules of the road. These professional drivers and the companies that employ them are considered “common carriers,” meaning they owe an even higher degree of care to the people they are transporting.
Any time a bus operator acts negligently, including an overt traffic violation, or driving while distracted or fatigued, they are legally “negligent.” A negligent bus driver can be held liable for any injuries you suffer in an accident caused by their actions.
Likewise, bus companies and municipal transit authorities may bear liability for their employees’ actions. A company might even be directly negligent if its subpar hiring practices or failure to adequately train drivers led to an accident.
Potentially Negligent Third Parties
In some cases, a third party may be responsible for an accident. For example, a mechanic who failed to address a technical issue or the manufacturer of a defective part could be considered negligent in an accident claim. Additionally, another negligent driver could be at fault. Every bus wreck case in Norristown is unique, so it is crucial to have help from an attorney who has handled these types of claims successfully in the past.
Special Rules for Claims Against Municipal Entities
Government entities have immunity from civil liability in certain situations. However, the Pennsylvania Sovereign Immunity Act states that motor vehicle accidents involving state-owned and/or state-operated vehicles are one of several exceptions to that immunity.
While you can file a lawsuit after an accident involving a public bus, you should be aware of the restrictions on these types of cases. 42 Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes §8528 limits total recovery for a single injured person to $250,000. Total recovery across all injured parties is limited to $1,000,000.
Additionally, 42 PA Con. Stat. §5522 requires you to notify the government entity of your intent to file a lawsuit within six months of sustaining the injury. This is a much shorter deadline than the two year statute of limitations that applies to other lawsuits filed in PA. A seasoned attorney can provide more information about the laws specific to public bus accident claims.
Consider Working with a Norristown Bus Accident Attorney
Whether it involves a collision with another vehicle or a sudden start or stop, a serious bus accident can result in severe and long-lasting injuries. You may be dealing with immense financial, physical, and personal burdens as a result of a negligent driver’s actions.
A Norristown bus accident lawyer from Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers can provide legal guidance tailored to your unique situation. Call us today to schedule a free consultation and learn more.
