Were you hurt in a collision involving a bus? At Sweet James, our attorneys understand the importance of legal representation in the aftermath of a crash. The sooner you contact us, the sooner our Massachusetts bus accident lawyers can take on your case.
With experience helping injury victims for over 25 years, our attorneys can investigate what happened, identify the parties who might be responsible, communicate with insurers, and fight for a fair outcome on your behalf. Call now for advice from a bus accident lawyer.
Who’s Responsible for a Bus Accident?
A bus accident is not always a simple claim against the bus driver. Depending on the circumstances, responsibility could involve the following people and parties:
- The driver
- Bus companies
- Transportation authorities
- Another motorist
- A vehicle manufacturer
- A maintenance company
- Another party
For example, a claim involving a privately operated bus can involve traditional negligence principles. A person injured by negligent conduct generally needs to establish that the defendant owed a duty of reasonable care, breached that duty, and caused compensable harm.
When a public transportation authority is involved, different rules can apply. Massachusetts law specifically includes these within the definition of a public employer under the Massachusetts Tort Claims Act:
- Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
- Regional transit authorities
Public employers can be responsible for injuries caused by the negligent or wrongful conduct of public employees acting within the scope of their employment, subject to the limitations and exceptions contained in the statute.
This distinction matters because the legal process for pursuing a claim against a public entity is different from pursuing a claim against a private company. You can rely on your Massachusetts personal injury lawyer to figure these matters out on your behalf.
What Compensation Can a Bus Accident Claim Cover?
The compensation available in a personal injury case depends on the facts and severity of the injuries. A claim can involve both immediate financial losses and the longer-term effects of an injury. Depending on the circumstances, here’s what your damages might include:
- Medical treatment and related medical expenses
- Lost income from time missed at work
- Reduced ability to earn income in the future
- Pain and suffering
- Physical limitations caused by the injury
- Emotional distress connected to the accident and resulting injuries
- Property damage when applicable
- Other losses supported by the facts and applicable law
The purpose of pursuing compensation is not simply to put a number on what happened. It is to seek financial recovery for losses that resulted from the accident and the injuries that followed.
A bus accident attorney serving Massachusetts can review medical records, employment information, bills, treatment plans, and other evidence to build a claim that reflects the actual consequences of the accident rather than relying on a quick estimate from an insurance company.
How Long You Have to File a Bus Accident Lawsuit
Time limits are an important part of any bus accident claim. Per Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 260, Section 2A, Massachusetts generally requires tort actions involving personal injuries to be commenced within three years of the accident date, subject to exceptions found in the law.
Claims involving public employers have additional requirements. Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 258, Section 4, a claimant generally must present a written claim to the executive officer of the appropriate public employer within two years of the accident.
Because the correct deadline depends on who is involved and the nature of the claim, it helps to hire our bus accident lawyers serving Massachusetts to help you.
How Can Our Massachusetts Bus Accident Attorneys Help You?
After a serious bus accident, you should be able to focus on your recovery rather than spending every day arguing with insurers and trying to determine which records matter. Our Massachusetts bus accident attorneys can take over these legal responsibilities:
- Investigating how the accident happened
- Identifying potentially responsible parties
- Collecting accident reports and other records
- Communicating with insurance companies
- Reviewing medical documentation and financial losses
- Evaluating settlement offers
- Handling required communications with public entities
- Preparing the claim for litigation when appropriate
- Representing you in negotiations or court proceedings
Perhaps just as important, having legal representation can give you someone to call when an insurer raises questions about your injuries, responsibility, treatment, or losses. You should not have to figure out what an insurance company’s request means while trying to recover.
For Help From Our Massachusetts Bus Accident Lawyers, Call Sweet James ASAP
You should not have to handle the aftermath of a bus accident alone. At Sweet James, our Massachusetts bus accident attorneys have insight into how insurance companies evaluate and dispute claims. This is because James previously represented insurance carriers, and we can use this knowledge to your advantage.
If you’re searching for a “bus accident lawyer near me serving Massachusetts,” our experienced team is ready to fight for you. We offer no-cost consultations, and we work on a contingency basis, so you’ll Pay No Fees or Costs Until We Win. Contact Sweet James for help with your case.
