Bus Accident Lawyer Serving the Hudson Valley
Every year, hundreds of people die in bus-related accidents. Buses are big, which makes it hard for bus drivers to see smaller vehicles on the road. Because of this, proper training is crucial. Also, proper maintenance of buses is critical in keeping our roads safe. However, training and maintenance can sometimes be inadequate, or simply not enough. If you or a loved one was injured in a bus accident in Orange County or surrounding area, call the personal injury lawyers at the Law Office of Taran M. Provost, PLLC, an established Hudson Valley personal injury firm. Our attorneys have more than 40 years of combined experience and will provide you with a free consultation of your case.
What to Do in A Bus Accident
The most important thing to do after a bus accident is to seek medical attention. Passengers in a bus accident should also file a report with the police. If possible, it is important to take pictures of the bus and your injuries. Also, if you receive medical attention, keep the records of your treatment. These will be helpful in determining the severity of the accident and perhaps even what happened during the accident. Do not consent to written or signed statements. These can be used against you in the future to deny or reduce your claim.
No-Fault Claims for Automobile Drivers Involved in Bus Accidents
If you were driving a car and were involved in an accident with a bus, please note that New York is a no-fault state. For no-fault claims, you have 30 days to file. Deciding what is a no-fault claim and what are recoverable damages beyond that point can be a difficult task. Please call our office, and we will gladly help you evaluate your case.
Responsible Parties
- Transit Authorities and School Districts
Because bus drivers have the duty to keep their passengers safe, their employers require that they undergo specialized training—not just the type of training required for a basic license to drive a car. If a bus driver is not properly trained, and his or her conduct results in another person’s injury, the bus driver’s employer will be held liable. In some situations, the training is insufficient. In others, the demands of the employers on the bus driver are unrealistic. For instance, requiring bus drivers to work an unmanageable number of hours and thereby causing the drivers to be less effective on the road is a sign that the employer was negligent. - Private Charter Companies
Private charter buses are usually owned by companies that have national, and even international, corporate structures. Knowing who to hold accountable in these situations can be challenging. - Bus Drivers
Depending on the driver’s conduct, he or she may also be held personally liable. If a bus driver knowingly breaks traffic laws or is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, he or she can be held liable. - Bus Manufacturers
In certain cases, it is the manufacturer of the bus that is at fault for manufacturing a vehicle that does not perform properly and puts passengers at risk. - Other Motorists
Even if the bus driver is cautious and diligent, other motorists can negligently or knowingly break traffic laws and make it impossible for the bus driver to avoid getting into an accident.
Knowing who to hold accountable is critical to the success of a bus accident claim, and the personal injury lawyers at the Law Office of Taran M. Provost, PLLC can help you proceed effectively.
What You Can Recover
The law is there to make injury victims whole again. In a bus accident, you can recover:
- medical expenses (present and future);
- lost wages;
- pain and suffering; and
- property damage.
Timely Filing
Many bus companies are owned by governmental entities, which means the statute of limitations for certain types of claims will be shorter and you will have less time than usual to file that claim. In addition, insurance companies representing those entities will fight aggressively to avoid paying for your damages.
Call Us Today For a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one was recently injured in a bus accident, call the experienced personal injury lawyers at the Law Office of Taran M. Provost, PLLC to assist you with your case. We have over 40 years of combined experience and are passionate about our work. We strive to represent our clients aggressively and diligently so that they have peace of mind in their time of need. The law requires timely filing of your injury claim, so please call us today at 1-845-675-3243 for a free consultation.
