On Behalf of Palacios Law Group
Riding a bus is an efficient way of getting from one place to another. Every day, these large vehicles safely carry commuters to their destination, but a few may encounter accidents. Because buses have fewer safety features than other passenger vehicles, an accident could lead to severe injuries.
New York is a no-fault state which allows victims to file a personal injury lawsuit even if they are partially at fault for an accident. This means that if anyone suffers severe injuries caused by another person’s negligence, they may be able to obtain compensation for their losses.
However, there are many factors that can complicate bus accident injury claims, such as:
The number of people injured
A bus can carry up to 60 passengers, which means a bus accident can injure several people at a time. Moreover, because of the size of the bus, it is possible that it collided with other vehicles.
The more people that suffer injuries, the less likely it is that victims will receive full compensation. Even if the bus company agrees to reimburse everyone, they may not have the financial resources.
The number of people responsible
Apart from the bus driver, the bus company can also be held accountable for the accident. This is typically due to negligence in staff training, not hiring qualified and responsible drivers or inadequate maintenance of their vehicles.
To file a claim against the bus company, you will likely need to go through their insurance provider. The complex structure of their insurance coverage and the necessary investigations may prolong the process. Moreover, if a part of the vehicle is defective, the manufacturing or maintenance company may also be called into question.
The amount of evidence
Accidents involving large vehicles such as a bus may affect other vehicles on the road. It is crucial to thoroughly examine all available evidence to determine if any other vehicles were partially responsible.
Victims will need to collect relevant data to prove fault. This may entail collecting and sorting through large amounts of data from dash cam recordings to CCTV videos as well as bus driver service logs.
Victims of bus accidents may turn to a personal injury lawyer to help navigate the process and negotiate a fair settlement. They may also gather evidence and manage all the paperwork so victims can focus on recovering instead.