Buses offer people a cheap and reliable method of transportation, but also no control of how the bus is operated. You might expect that the bus driver will take his or her job responsibility seriously and drive as safe as can be, yet you could be wrong in many cases. Far too often, people suffer serious injuries due to bus accidents that are caused by the negligence of the bus driver or a negligent motorist who crashes into the bus. All the while, the injured parties had no say in the situation and could do nothing to prevent the accident.
A Richmond bus accident attorney from Portner & Shure, P.A. can work with you to get your claim moving. Our main priority is getting you as much compensation as possible while also making certain you are feeling confident and comfortable as your case progresses. This is what we have been doing for 30 years, and we look forward to doing it for many more decades to come!
Our legal team is proud to serve all local peoples and communities, including:
- Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese)
- Vietnamese
- Korean
- Hispanic and Latinx
For a free consultation regarding your Richmond bus accident case, contact us at (410) 995-1515 or online.
Common Carrier Laws in Virginia
Under Virginia law, buses are classified as common carriers. They are held to a higher standard of care than the average motorist because they are providing transportation to other people and also are much larger, heavier vehicles. For example, buses must undergo regular maintenance to look for part defects and fix them before a crash occurs. Bus operators must also hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and undergo specialized training to get hired. Despite these added safety regulations, bus accidents still occur due to operator error and improper maintenance.
Bus Accident Injuries & Compensation
Bus accident victims can suffer severe injuries in a crash. Without any sort of restraint system on the bus, they are vulnerable to being thrown around the inside of the cabin in a collision.
Some of the worst injuries often reported in bus accident claims are:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Contusions
- Concussions
- Muscle strains
- Neck injuries
- Lacerations
- Whiplash
The extent of such injuries often requires bus accident victims to seek emergency medical treatment and follow up care to make a full recovery. The financial cost of this medical treatment can cause severe financial hardship and emotional traumatization. While trying their best to heal, many bus accident victims are unable to work, which further exacerbates their financial loss.
A successful bus accident claim can retrieve various damages, though:
- All past and future medical costs
- All past and future lost wages
- Pain and suffering
Bus Insurance Company Tactics
Bus companies often refuse to accept responsibility for a crash. Instead, they like to shift blame onto the drivers of any other vehicles involved in the collision. This tactic forces bus accident victims to sue more drivers for their full damages, which means they need to use evidence multiple ways to prove that they were not liable for what happened.
Another common tactic is to say that the claimant’s injuries were not suffered in the bus accident. Rather, the defense will try to muddle medical evidence and argue that the claimant’s injuries preexisted before the accident.
Choose Our Richmond Bus Accident Lawyers to Help You
Bus accident cases are complex to file, manage, and litigate. Portner & Shure, P.A. and our team would be happy to help you through all three of these processes. Our attorneys are experienced in obtaining crucial evidence such as maintenance logs, bus operator employment files, and travel logs. Meanwhile, you can rest and focus on your wellbeing instead of tough legal work.
