Public transportation offers people an affordable method of travel. People board and ride buses with certain expectations, such as that the bus will be operated safely and competently. Sadly, these expectations are shattered when bus collisions occur.
If you were recently injured in a bus collision, you should consult a Silver Spring, Maryland bus accident attorney. At Portner & Shure, P.A., our attorneys will fight to get you the compensation you deserve. For a free consultation, call us at or contact us online.
Causes of Bus Accidents
Buses are “common carriers,” which means that bus drivers are required to undergo specialized training and hold a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) to operate a bus. Buses are required to undergo maintenance at regular intervals.
Despite these regulations, bus collisions often occur due to:
- Bus driver negligence
- Failure to follow road signals
- Maintenance issues
- Unqualified drivers
- Distracted driving
- Unsafe lane changes
Injuries from Bus Accidents
Victims of bus accidents suffer a variety of injuries. This is because many buses are not equipped with safety devices such as seatbelts.
Common injuries include:
- Neck and back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and brain injuries
- Internal injuries
- Bone fractures
- Muscle sprains
These injuries often require emergency medical care. Follow-up care is then required to ensure that a bus accident victim makes a full recovery. Physical therapy and orthopedic care are often required.
Damages to Claim in Your Bus Accident Case
Maryland law allows bus accident victims to claim both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are meant to compensate a bus accident victim for the cost of their past and future medical care and past and future lost wages. Non-economic damages are meant to compensate bus accident victims for their pain and suffering.
Litigation & Defenses to Consider
To win a bus accident case, bus accident victims must sue the driver of the bus and the drivers of any other vehicles that were involved in the collision. Bus and automobile drivers deny fault and blame each other, making the situation extremely convoluted. The problems will be compounded if the bus company is also liable, as it can be due to the legal rule of respondeat superior.
A bus accident victim must prove by a preponderance of the evidence, i.e., 51%. They must prove with at least 51% certainty that one of the drivers was negligent and caused the collision. Insurance companies often deny bus accident claims on the basis that a bus accident victim did not suffer injuries as a result of the collision.
How a Silver Spring, Maryland Bus Accident Lawyer Can Help You
Bus accident victims often find themselves at the mercy of insurance companies who downplay their injuries or deny responsibility. Retaining a Silver Spring, Maryland bus accident attorney can increase your chances of obtaining the compensation you deserve. The attorneys at Portner & Shure, P.A. have been obtaining successful results for bus accident victims in Silver Spring for more than 30 years. Our reputation for excellence can be seen in the numerous awards our attorneys have earned along with the countless five-star reviews written by former clients.
Portner & Shure, P.A. receives no fee unless our client obtains a settlement or judgment in court. To schedule a free consultation regarding your Silver Spring bus accident case, call us at or contact us online. Our staff speaks English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, and Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese).
