Many people rely on public transportation to get from one place to another. Buses are one of the most popular means of transportation especially in large cities. Like any other vehicle on the road, buses do get involved in accidents. What happens when you’re injured in an accident involving a bus?
Causes of bus accidents
Accidents involving buses are often the result of negligence. They can result in serious injuries to the passengers, other motorists as well as pedestrians. Examples of negligence that can result in bus accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Driving while fatigued
- Driving in poor weather conditions
- Speeding
- Mechanical failure
- Failing to obey traffic laws
Buses are considered high risk vehicles. Because they are larger and less stable than smaller cars especially when moving at high speeds or around bends, they are at higher risk of rollover accidents than smaller passenger vehicles.
It should also be noted that most public buses do not feature safety restraint devices, such as airbags or seat belts. The risk of injury to passengers is therefore heightened. Injuries in bus accidents can range from minor scratches to fatal injuries.
Some issues in filing claims
Filing an injury claim after being injured in a bus accident can be complex. As a passenger, you were not driving any of the vehicles involved in the accident. However, you were injured as a result of negligence on the part of one or both of the drivers.
If the driver of another car is responsible for the accident, then you will have to file a third-party claim with their insurance provider for damages you’ve suffered. It gets complicated when the bus driver was at fault since many buses are considered government entities and may have protections such as governmental immunity or damage limitations.
If you were using a public bus, you would have to file a claim against a government body. This is probably the most complex type of claim to file. You will need to file a claim with the insurance company that covers the buses or possibly with the government agency itself. It is important to abide by the rules of filing a claim as well as the time limits given. If you happen to miss a deadline, you may have to begin the process afresh or your claim may be barred altogether. This complexity is exactly why you should retain an experienced personal injury lawyer before taking any action on your own.
