Bus Accidents

How Compensation Works

Utah follows what are called “shared fault” rules which affect how much compensation you may be eligible for as a result of your bus accident. Here is how the rule works: If you are found to be 50% or more at fault for the cause of the accident, you will not be eligible for financial compensation. If you are found to be less than 50% at fault, you will be eligible for compensation, though it will be less than compensation for a no-fault claim. If you share no fault in causing the accident (you were a passenger sitting on the bus when it collided with a car) then you are eligible for the greatest level of financial compensation for your damages, injuries, pain, and suffering. Our Utah bus accident lawyer works hard to get you the fullest and fairest amount of compensation possible.

Types of Bus Accident Injuries

Bus accidents include more than collisions of vehicles. They can be slip and falls at the bus station, you can be a passenger on the bus during a crash, or you could be in another vehicle that collided with the bus. The possible injuries range greatly due to these possible accidents that the term “bus accident” covers. The types of injuries include:

• Broken bones or fractures
• Cuts and lacerations
• Whiplash
• Spinal injury
• Head injury
• Internal bleeding
• Paralysis

These injuries have the potential to be permanent in nature. When you are seeking compensation, regardless of fault, the amount you receive will be based on your injuries. Minor injuries will have lower considerations for financial compensation than major injuries would. Whatever the case, our bus accident attorneys are dedicated to obtaining to maximizing your settlement.

Statute of Limitations

A “statute of limitation,” defines a time period in which you can bring complaints or press charges in court. In Utah, the statute of limitations for a bus accident is four years. Our attorneys operate on a contingency fee basis and provide a free, no-obligation consultation for a variety of personal injury matters, meaning we don’t get paid until you do, so there’s no reason to wait. If you have been injured in a bus accident, it’s essential that you obtain legal representation as soon as possible. Contact our office today to schedule your free consultation and meet with a personal injury attorney.

How Do I Find the Right Bus Accident Attorney?

If you’ve been involved in a bus accident in the state of Utah, it’s important that you hire the right attorney. The right attorney, in that case, is somebody who has experience dealing with bus accidents, is able to understand the regulations, and understands how the transit company operates. Our bus accident attorneys are dedicated to settling your case in as expeditious a manner as possible, while also ensuring you receive the treatment you need and the best possible settlement.

What Mistakes Should I Avoid When Handling a Bus Accident?

When someone has been seriously injured in a bus accident in the state of Utah, one of the common mistakes that these victims make is not seeking medical attention soon after the accident. If you have been injured, it’s important that you see a doctor as quickly as you can. Another is when claimants do not follow the recommendations of their doctors. It is important to give yourself the time and rest necessary to heal, especially as prescribed by a medical authority. Mistake number three is when victims do not hire an attorney early on in the case. An attorney and their paralegal staff will step in, organize your case, help you avoid common pitfalls, and make sure that your case progresses smoothly. Our personal injury attorneys have the experience to fight and win for a fair settlement on your behalf, in or out of court.

What Should I Do After a Bus Accident?

If you have been injured by a bus in the state of Utah, we recommend that you do the following: First, you need to seek medical care for any injuries that you sustained in the accidents. You need to understand your injuries and what your treatment plan will look like moving forward Second, we recommend that you hire an attorney who can handle your case from start to finish early on in your case.

What Are the Differences Between Car and Bus Accidents?

If you have been injured by a bus in the state of Utah, there are some differences that are important that our clients need to be aware of. First, buses are typically much larger than the objects or the vehicles that they strike, and so the forces are different. You need to understand what those forces are and how that impacts the type of injuries that you sustain and how severe those injuries are.

Second, you’re typically dealing with a corporate policy, which typically carry higher insurance limits, so there usually is a greater amount of insurance to cover the injuries you sustain. A third issue is, lots of times, buses are owned by either states or cities, or municipalities or school districts, which are governmental agencies, and if the bus that injured you is owned by a governmental agency, there are different rules that apply. You have a shorter amount of time to bring a claim. There are certain steps you have to take, and if you fail to take any of those steps, you could lose your right to make a claim.

What if My Kid Was Hurt on a School Bus?

If your child was injured on a school bus, whether or not your child can bring a claim depends on a number of factors. First, an investigator will need to determine the fault of the accident. This will typically be handled by the police when they arrive at the scene of the accident.

School districts, as government entities, enjoy some level of governmental immunity. As such, any claim will have to be handled different than many other personal injury claims. Consult with one of our personal injury attorneys as soon as possible, as you may have a restricted window of time in which to bring your child’s claim.

What Causes a Bus Accident?

Bus accidents can result from a variety of factors. Your qualified legal team at LeBaron & Jensen has experience settling bus accidents in Utah and knows what to look for in the reports and statements filed following your accident.  After law enforcement and insurance officials investigate your accident, they’ll work to determine the following:

• Was anyone under the influence of drugs or alcohol?
• Was anyone driving recklessly or had intentional recklessness?
• Did weather play a factor in the crash?
• Did the bus have defective equipment?
• Was the bus properly maintained?
• Were the roadways hazardous?

When dealing with any type of bus accident in Utah, contact LeBaron & Jensen to ensure your claim is handled correctly and you receive the compensation and justice you deserve.