When a bus driver acts negligently behind the wheel, s/he often endangers many more people than the average passenger car driver. Both the passengers on the bus and other road users may suffer injuries because of a simple careless mistake. Because of the lack of seat belts and the sheer size and weight of a bus, these injuries are often serious. Understanding how insurance claims work after a bus accident in Dublin or elsewhere in Ohio is key to getting the compensation you need. The bus driver and his/her employer should have insurance to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and other accident-related losses. A bus accident lawyer in Dublin, OH from Bressman Law can help you recover the compensation you deserve.
Call us today at (614) 538-1116 to schedule a free, no-obligation case evaluation. After learning more about your case, we can help you pursue an insurance claim and negotiate a fair settlement. You pay nothing until you recover compensation in your case.
What Causes Bus Accidents in and Around Dublin, OH?
Any negligent action behind the wheel can cause a bus accident. Some of the most common:
- Failing to yield the right-of-way to other motorists, bicyclists, or pedestrians
- Ignoring or otherwise disobeying traffic signals
- Speeding
- Aggressive driving
- Driving while fatigued or sleepy
- Driving under the influence of medications, drugs, or alcohol
- Defective parts or poor maintenance on the bus
For a free legal consultation with a bus accident attorney in Dublin, call (614) 538-1116
What do Ohio Laws Say About Liability after a Bus Crash?
Ohio law gives you the right to collect compensation after a negligent driver causes a bus accident in the state. This is true no matter if:
- You were a bus passenger;
- The bus collided with your car; or
- The bus hit you while you were walking or riding a bicycle
It is important to note that Ohio law allows you to file a claim even if your actions also contributed to the cause of the accident. As long as you were 50 percent or less at-fault in the crash, you can collect a reduced amount of compensation for your claim.
Even if the bus driver is the one who caused the crash, we will file a claim against the bus company’s liability insurance. This is because, under the theory of responde at superior, the bus company is legally responsible for the mistakes its drivers make on the job.
This can work in your favor, since these bus companies typically have high limits on their policies. However, it can also make recovering compensation more difficult because bus companies have insurers that often try to trick victims out of settlements they deserve.
Lastly, Ohio law gives you two years to file a lawsuit against the bus company in most cases. Typically, we can recover the compensation you deserve through an insurance claim and going to court is not necessary. However, a Dublin bus accident lawyer from our law firm can pursue this option if the bus company refuses to offer you a just settlement.
Dublin Bus Accident Attorney (614) 538-1116
How Do I Pursue Compensation if the Bus is Privately Owned?
If a tour company or other private corporation operated the bus, we can file a third-party claim based on the bus company’s liability insurance policy. You will want to enlist our help for this as early in the process as possible because there are certain actions we need to take quickly to protect any evidence in the bus company’s possession. They will have records and documents that could play a key role in strengthening our case, and we need to ensure they are not lost or destroyed.
A Dublin bus accident lawyer will use these records as well as other evidence we collect during our investigation to build a strong case showing the driver acted negligently and caused your crash. We also compile documentation of your injuries and associated financial losses to prove the damages you suffered. Only once we complete this investigation can we successfully take on the bus company and negotiate a settlement in your case.
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How Can I File a Claim if the Bus Was Providing Public Transportation?
When a city, county, or state government agency owns or operates the bus, it makes things a little more complicated. Luckily, the Political Subdivision Tort Liability Act provides a way to file a claim with the local municipality. Government agencies usually have immunity from this type of claim, but this law offers a number of exceptions.
One of those exceptions is that a government agency is “liable for injury, death, or loss to person or property caused by the negligent operation of any motor vehicle by their employees when the employees are engaged within the scope of their employment and authority.”
The method of filing this type of claim — and the time you have to file it — depends on the rules of the municipality. Many cities, for example, have a specific form you must submit. After we evaluate your case, we can identify the correct agency and submit the proper forms to begin the claims process.
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What if My Accident Involved a School Bus?
For the most part, an accident caused by a negligent school bus driver proceeds in the same way as any other claim against a municipality. You can only recover compensation if you are able to prove the bus driver was behaving negligently, and was acting within the scope of his/her employment at the time of the accident.
Why Do I Need a Bus Accident lawyer in Dublin on my Side?
Bus crashes are more complex than a typical passenger car accident lawsuit, so finding the right bus accident lawyer in Dublin is key to winning the compensation you need. Liability issues in these cases are not always clear, and you do not want to take on a huge company or government agency on your own.
We are by your side throughout the entire process. We use our experience and relationships with experts in the community to get a proper value of your case and ensure your settlement covers everything you lost. We protect your rights, and can even represent you in court if a lawsuit is necessary. We are not afraid to face a bus company, bus manufacturer, or government agency if that is what it takes to get you the payout you deserve.
How Can I Contact a Bus Accident Attorney in Dublin, OH?
Bressman Law has extensive experience with bus accident claims. Our team knows how trying the days, weeks, and months after an accident can be, so we handle your entire case from start to finish.
Call us today at (614) 538-1116 to schedule your free case analysis with our bus accident lawyer in Dublin, OH. Let us go to work getting you the compensation you deserve.
Call or text (614) 538-1116 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
