Indiana Bus Accident Lawyers

Bus accidents are not as common as other types of accidents, however, when they happen, they can often have devastating consequences. If you have been a victim of a bus accident, you can claim compensation for your suffering. You will have to file an injury claim against the at-fault party. Please continue reading to learn more about the bus accident claims process and how an attorney can help.

Common Causes of Bus Accidents

The driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The bus had faulty equipment or was not properly maintained.
The driver did not have adequate training or was not properly screened for the position.
There were poor driving conditions such as inclement weather or slippery roads.
The driver was fatigued or distracted.

How to Bring a Bus Accident Injury Claim

If you are filing a case against a publicly owned or operated bus, you will need to file a written notice of your internet intent to bring a claim. The content, form, and timing of the notice depends on which public organization you are notifying. If the bus accident resulted in a fatality, you may have a special statute of limitations. If the bus was privately owned or operated, there would be fewer procedural hurdles.

Establishing Liability

Depending on the specific cause of the accident, there are different parties that can be held liable for a bus accident. These may include the bus driver, maintenance company, bus manufacturer, or bus owner or operator. If you bring a lawsuit against a driver that was negligent or reckless, the bus owner or operator can also be held liable for their employee’s on-the-job incompetence or negligence. The bus owner or operator has a responsibility to hire qualified bus drivers, offer training, and ensure they are not overburdened with work.

Gathering Evidence

You can gather different types of evidence to strengthen your case. For example, if you had to receive medical treatment as a result of the bus accident, you should gather copies of all the medical records, including bills.

You can also gather witness statements and expert testimony to support your claim. If law enforcement officials arrived at the bus accident site, they likely made an incident report or police report. You can obtain a copy of this report to add more evidence to your case.

Some buses have event data recorders (EDRs) installed in them. These devices record the operational parameters of the bus, such as speed and acceleration. You can use this data to support your claim on how the accident happened.

If you claim that the accident happened due to driver negligence or wrongdoing, you can check their driving record to determine if they have a history of such violations. Lastly, you can use the bus maintenance and inspection records to prove any negligence in maintaining minimum safety standards for the bus.