It’s only natural to wonder how much money you will receive if you were injured in a bus accident. In fact, the only reason people hire Monroe bus accident lawyers is to get compensation for their injuries.
Here, we will discuss the various factors that can impact the value of your case.
Nobody Is Guaranteed Compensation After a Bus Accident
It’s important to understand that just because you were involved in a bus accident, that doesn’t mean you’re automatically entitled to compensation. There are many factors that can affect whether you will be paid.
For example, if the defendant can prove that you were partially at fault for the accident, you may not receive full damages. Also, if you only suffered minor injuries in the crash, you can’t expect to receive more than a few thousand dollars.
Your Monroe Bus Accident Lawyer Must Prove That the Bus Driver Was at Fault
Before you can even think about how much your case is worth, you need to know whether your Monroe bus accident lawyer can prove that the bus driver was at fault. Nobody receives damages simply because they were involved in an accident.
Your Monroe accident attorney will need to show that the bus driver was negligent in some way. Proving negligence requires four things.
First, your lawyer must prove that the bus driver owed you a duty of care. This should not be difficult to prove at all. All motorists, especially professional drivers, owe a certain duty to other people on the road. At a minimum, they must abide by all local traffic rules and exercise reasonable care.
The second thing your Monroe accident attorney must prove is that the defendant somehow breached this duty. For example, if you have proof that the bus driver was speeding at the time of the crash, that would count as failing to drive carefully.
The third element of negligence requires you to demonstrate that you were hurt. When you sue somebody, you can only demand damages for injuries you actually suffered.
Finally, your Monroe bus accident lawyer must show that your injuries were caused by the defendant’s breach of duty. To do this, your attorney will have to gather evidence to show that the bus driver’s actions caused the accident.
What Kind of Evidence Will Your Monroe Bus Accident Lawyer Need to Do This?
You may be wondering what kind of evidence your attorney can submit to prove fault. One of the most valuable pieces of information will be the police report. This is why our Monroe accident attorneys always tell their clients to call 911 immediately after their crash.
Your attorney can also submit statements made by people who witnessed the crash. Perhaps they noticed that the bus driver was eating a hamburger instead of paying attention to the road.
Finally, your Monroe bus accident lawyer can rely on intersection cameras and other recordings to prove that the bus driver was not behaving the way they should have given their position.
Ideally, the Insurance Company Will Pay Your Claim
In a perfect world, you won’t have to worry about proving these things. Ideally, the bus company’s insurance carrier will pay your claim.
According to §49 CFR 387 (b) (7.7) of rules set forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, bus companies are required to carry anywhere from $1.5 million to $5 million in insurance coverage. It all depends on how many passengers the bus is designed to carry.
If there is a bus crash, there’s a very good chance everyone on the bus will get hurt. What this means is that there could be dozens of people filing insurance claims at the same time. Some may be smaller than others, however, together they may exceed the insurance policy’s limits.
Your bus accident attorney in Monroe, GA will strive to negotiate a settlement with the insurance company. But the insurance company won’t agree to a settlement amount higher than the policy’s limits. That means going to court may be the only way to win the full compensation you deserve.
Your Monroe Bus Accident Lawyer May Need to File Suit
If your Monroe accident attorney does need to file suit, they will demand damages on your behalf. In most of the bus accident cases our firm has handled, we have demanded some or all of the following:
- medical bills and future medical bills
- property damage
- lost wages and lost future income
- pain and suffering
Sometimes, a client asks if we can demand punitive damages in their lawsuit. It is very rare that a judge would ever award punitive damages in a bus accident case. It is sometimes easier and smarter to demand the damages you know you can prove.
The More Serious Your Injuries, the More Your Case Will Be Worth
One thing that will heavily impact the value of your case is the seriousness of your injuries. If you were able to walk away from the bus crash with a few bumps and bruises, you can’t reasonably expect to receive an awful lot of money.
If, however, you sustained life-threatening injuries, there is a good chance that you will be entitled to a significant amount of compensation. Just keep in mind that your Monroe accident attorney can only demand the damages they can prove.
This is why it’s critically important that you go to the emergency room immediately following the accident. If you wait too long to see a doctor, it may become difficult to prove the extent of your injuries.
The Best Way to Know What Your Case Is Worth Is to Call a Monroe Bus Accident Lawyer
If you were injured in a bus accident, you may wonder how much your case is worth. You may be wondering if you’re entitled to compensation at all. Rather than continue to wonder about these things, you should contact a Monroe bus accident lawyer and ask them.
Our firm offers all new clients a free, initial consultation. This gives you a chance to talk with a member of our team and find out if you have a case. Contact the Weinstein Firm today and let us help you get the compensation that you deserve.
