You may not be responsible for the losses you suffer in a bus accident. Following your accident, it may be beneficial to consult with a Mesquite bus accident lawyer. Once you meet with a Mesquite personal injury lawyer, you can review your legal options and determine if you are able to seek damages through an injury claim.
H&P Law is fully staffed with injury lawyers who are qualified to advise you on all aspects of your case. When you arrive for an initial consultation, we will greet you at the door and provide you with amazing customer service. To get started, contact us today.
What to Do After an Accident on a Bus
A personal injury case may involve an accident that occurs while you are riding the bus. For example, a bus driver may act negligently and cause your accident. If this happens, you may be able to pursue damages from the driver or their employer.
After an accident on a bus, you may want to get medical help. This enables you to undergo a medical evaluation and treat your injuries. Also, you can reach out to a Mesquite bus accident attorney who may help you decide if now is the time to file a claim.
Your lawyer can represent you in an injury case against whoever is responsible for your accident. At H&P Law, we can walk you through the steps required to submit an injury claim. For more information, get in touch with us.
How to Respond if a Bus Driver Crashes Their Vehicle into Your Car
You may treat a bus crash in the same way you would an auto accident. In terms of how to file a car accident claim, you should notify your insurance company. From here, your insurer may work with the at-fault party or their insurance provider to resolve your case.
There are times when you are in no way liable for your accident, but the liable party or their insurance company claims otherwise. A bus accident lawyer in Mesquite will advocate for you and represent your best interests. They can help you avoid taking the blame for your accident.
Even if your attorney attempts to negotiate a settlement, there is no guarantee that they will succeed. If no settlement is reached, you may have to bring your case in front of a judge or jury. When this happens, your lawyer will help you show a judge or jury why you deserve 100% of the damages you are requesting.
Bus Accident Claim Statute of Limitations
According to Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) §11.190, you may have up to two years from the date of your accident to request damages. The time frame for filing a claim may not be extended. Beyond two years, you may be solely responsible for your accident-related losses.
A bus accident attorney in Mesquite may help you file your claim before your window to do so lapses. They may encourage you to pursue economic and non-economic damages. You may receive economic damages for quantifiable losses and non-economic compensation for subjective ones.
You are responsible for the burden of proof. If you cannot compel a judge or jury to rule in your favor, you may not receive damages. Your lawyer may help you gather evidence and prepare an argument that explains why you deserve the maximum amount of compensation.
Proving Negligence in a Bus Accident Case
A bus driver may claim you are partly or completely responsible for a head-on collision or another type of accident. To dispute this claim, you must prove the other party was negligent. This may require you to show that the following elements of negligence were present at the time of your accident:
- Duty of Care: The at-fault party had a legal obligation to avoid reckless and careless acts toward you.
- Breach of Duty of Care: The party violated their obligation and put you in danger.
- Causation: The party is responsible for your accident.
- Damages: The party’s actions have caused you to incur economic or non-economic losses.
Your Mesquite bus accident lawyer may use accident scene photos and videos, medical records, and other forms of proof to support your case. At the same time, the defendant in your case may look for ways to contest your argument. In the best-case scenario, you will have a wealth of evidence and a strong argument that makes it clear to a judge or jury that you are not at fault for your accident.
How Comparative Negligence Applies to a Bus Accident Case
Based on NRS §41.141, you and another party may jointly be held responsible for your accident. In this situation, you may recover only a fraction of the damages you requested. Or, you may not be able to get any compensation.
As an example, a judge or jury may rule you are 20% liable for your accident. This means the defendant in your case is 80% at fault. The defendant may be required to pay 80% of the damages you initially sought.
Alternatively, a judge or jury may say you are 51% to blame. At this point, you are more responsible for your accident than the other party. As a result, you may be responsible for all of your accident-related losses.
Bus Accident Settlement
Your Mesquite bus accident lawyer wants you to get the best case results. However, there may be instances where you can settle your case outside the courtroom. If you approve a settlement offer, you can receive compensation in less time than what may be required if you go to trial.
If you receive a settlement proposal, you may want to discuss it with your lawyer. This allows you to ask questions and share any concerns you have about the offer with your attorney. In addition, your bus accident lawyer in Mesquite can let you know what may happen if you approve, decline, or counter an offer.
You do not have to accept a settlement offer. If you review a proposal and feel it is in your best interests to do so, you may approve the offer and close your case. On the other hand, if you are not satisfied with an offer, you may want to reject it and continue with your litigation.
Partner with an Attorney
Getting damages after a bus accident may be difficult. The legal team at H&P Law may be able to help you get compensation you can use to recover from your accident. To schedule a free case consultation, contact us today.
