The number of nationwide bus accidents each year has been steadily decreasing recently, but bus accidents are unfortunately always possible. Any type of automobile accident can be damaging for various reasons, but bus accidents are more likely to injure multiple people because of the size of the vehicle. Bus drivers have the responsibility to safely transport their passengers, but not all bus drivers take this responsibility seriously and accidents can still occur. Have you been injured in a bus accident? You may be wondering about your next steps. To learn how you can file a personal injury claim after a bus accident, read on or reach out to one of our New Jersey Bus Accident Lawyers today.
WHAT CAN CAUSE A BUS ACCIDENT?
There are many different conditions that may lead to a bus accident. Most automobile accidents are caused by negligent drivers, which are drivers that fail to perform their civil duty to practice safe driving habits. Ways that a negligent bus driver can cause an accident include:
- Driver error (ex: not seeing another vehicle in their blind spot before switching lanes)
- Driver fatigue
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Unsafely discharging passengers
Bus accidents can also be caused by factors outside of the bus driver’s control. Some other reasons for bus accidents could be:
- Other negligent motorists on the road
- Bus company’s failure to perform bus maintenance
- Dangerous weather conditions
- Other hazardous road conditions (ex: potholes or construction zones)
Knowing the cause of the accident is important to figure out who is liable for a bus accident and any subsequent injuries. Even if the accident was caused by driver error, other parties could still be found liable in court.
WHAT SHOULD I DO AFTER A BUS ACCIDENT?
If you’ve been involved in a motor vehicle accident, the first thing you should do in that situation is to call the police. If you’re planning on filing a personal injury liability claim, it’s incredibly important to file an official report to have the incident on record. If you’re severely injured, you should keep all hospital records to show the extent of your injuries in court. Because of the statute of limitations for personal injury claims, you should reach out to an experienced attorney as soon as possible to ensure you can receive the damages you’re entitled to.
The New Jersey statute of limitations depends on what type of bus was involved in the incident. If you were injured by a New Jersey Transit bus or a school district bus, you have 90 days to file a Notice of Claim because you technically sustained injuries on municipal-owned property. Otherwise, you have two years to file a personal injury liability claim after a bus accident injury.
If you’re looking for a qualified and compassionate personal injury attorney, look no further! Contact Rubenstein, Berliner & Shinrod, LLC today for trusted legal counseling.
