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You are far less likely to be injured in a crash while on a bus than riding in a car. but bus accidents can still cause major injuries in certain situations. Occupants of vehicles involved in collisions with buses also risk severe injury.
Reach out to an bus accident lawyer at our Edmonton firm when you suffer injuries in an accident involving a public transport vehicle. Whether you are a bus passenger or the occupant of another vehicle, our committed personal injury lawyers can help you obtain just compensation for your injuries.
Anyone injured in a bus crash can obtain compensation if they can prove another party’s negligence caused or contributed to it. Negligence means failing to observe the standard of care a reasonable person would have exercised in the same circumstances.
The necessary degree of care depends on the situation, especially the risk to others. For example, a bus driver is responsible for the lives of everyone on the vehicle, so they are expected to operate them cautiously to protect passengers. A driver of a passenger car must obey the law and drive responsibly, but the standard that applies to a passenger car driver is less strict.
Violations of the law or relevant regulations can be proof of negligence in a lawsuit. For example, any bus that is manufactured to carry at least 11 people, including the driver, must follow strict maintenance requirements and driver fatigue management rules as described in Alberta Transportation’s Safety and Maintenance Program Development Guidelines. When a bus crash lawyer in Edmonton discovers evidence of non-compliance with the guidelines, they can use it to demonstrate that the bus owner and operator were negligent.
When someone suffers significant injuries in a bus accident, it is common for Insurance Company representatives to contact them soon after. The representative may make a settlement offer, and it could seem generous. However, in many cases, the injured person does not yet know the full extent of their injuries and any permanent impacts they may have.
It is critical to engage an Edmonton lawyer as soon as possible after the bus accident. They can manage communication with the Insurance Company and ensure the injured person does not make any accidental concessions or omissions. They can also engage in negotiations, insisting the Insurance Company’s offer reflects the full value of the injured person’s losses.
When negotiations are stalled or the Insurance Company negotiates in bad faith, filing a lawsuit can be helpful. The parties responsible for the accident must provide information that may not be available otherwise. This information often strengthens the claimant’s position and enhances their bargaining power. Even when a legal professional must file a lawsuit, settlements are often reached before a trial begins.
Anyone injured due to someone else’s negligence is entitled to recoup their damages, or losses. Damages include compensation for material losses and money in acknowledgment of the accident’s impact on an injured person’s quality of life. A lawyer in Edmonton can explain how an injured person can document their losses for the bus accident to support their claim for compensation.
Pecuniary damages pay uncovered medical expenses, the cost of household help during recovery, lost wages, and incidental expenses. Pecuniary damages also cover future losses like diminished earning capacity and the cost of medically necessary treatments required in the future.
Sometimes the injured person has partial responsibility for the accident. The Alberta Contributory Negligence Act requires apportionment of responsibility amongst all involved parties. When an injured person bears partial responsibility, their damages will be reduced to an amount equal to their degree of fault for the incident.
Bus accidents often cause serious injuries that may have a permanent impact on your body or your ability to provide for your family. It is important to devote your energy to your physical recovery and leave your financial recovery to professionals. With more than 5 years of experience in this business, our bus accident lawyers from Edmonton can ensure you recover your losses. Reach out to us as soon as possible after the crash.