Scottsdale Bus Accident Lawyer
How Can a Bus Accident Lawyer Help with an Injury Claim?
Accidents involving school buses, charter buses, city transit buses, tour buses, and other passenger buses can be catastrophic. Because buses transport large groups of individuals, multiple people may be injured or killed in a crash. Buses typically provide safe transportation, but they can pose several risks to passengers and others.
In a crash, a person or family may have a claim against the bus driver, bus company, or other party for damages and losses. Victims should contact an experienced Arizona bus accident attorney to discuss options for filing an injury claim.
Why Does a Person Need to Hire a Bus Accident Lawyer?
A bus accident lawsuit may involve numerous parties and causes of action. Assistance from a law firm with experience handling cases involving buses is essential. Some of the ways a lawyer can assist an accident victim with their bus accident case include:
Investigate the Accident
A bus crash may occur for several reasons. A victim cannot receive compensation for a claim until the cause of the accident is determined and the party responsible for the cause of the crash is identified. An experienced lawyer will conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause and the liable party. Steps an attorney may take include:
- Examining the accident scene;
- Taking videos and photographs of the scene;
- Interviewing eyewitnesses;
- Gathering physical evidence from the vehicles; and,
- Consulting an expert in accident reconstruction.
Calculating the Value of an Injury Claim
Many factors must be considered to calculate the value of a claim. A claim includes economic damages, such as medical bills and lost wages. The claim also includes noneconomic or pain and suffering damages. A lawyer understands the damages that must be included in a claim to maximize the chance of recovering the full value of an injury claim.
Elements of Wrongful Death and a Personal Injury Case
To receive money for a claim, the victim must prove each of the legal elements of a wrongful death claim or a personal injury claim. If the victim cannot prove each legal element, the claim can be denied. Attorneys with experience handling injury cases know the laws governing these types of cases and the evidence required to prove the claim.
Dealing with Insurance Companies
Insurance companies can be very aggressive when defending accident claims. The company has a team of attorneys, investigators, adjusters, and other professionals to defend claims. A person who was injured in an accident needs an attorney who can aggressively fight insurance providers that seek to pay as little as possible to settle claims. Until a person speaks with an injury lawyer, it is best not to provide statements or sign any documents for attorneys or representatives of the insurance company. Hiring a Scottsdale bus accident lawyer can level the playing field to ensure the victim is treated fairly.
How Common are Bus Crashes?
Accidents involving buses increased over the past several years. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the number of buses involved in motor vehicle accidents increased by 11 percent over the reporting period. Buses involved in fatal crashes increased by nine percent.
During 2015, 295 people died in bus accidents. The number of accidents involving a bus increased from 236 to 261 between 2014 and 2015. Injuries sustained in crashes involving a bus increased to 24,000 in 2015. The number of buses involved in injury crashes increased from 11,000 to 15,000 between 2014 and 2015.
In Arizona during 2016, 890 accidents occurred that involved a commercial or non-commercial bus. Seven people died, and 195 people were injured in these crashes.
Victims of bus crashes need competent legal counsel to provide advice, guidance, and support during the painful process of recovering and filing an accident claim.
Call for a Free Consultation with a Bus Accident Attorney
Our law firm represents bus accident victims throughout Scottsdale and surrounding areas. Call 480-802-8232 to schedule a free consultation.