When you board a bus, you trust the driver to reach your destination safely. Other motorists assume that the bus operator will follow traffic rules. Yet, some drivers fail to make reasonable decisions in traffic.
What follows is often catastrophic. Bus accidents are among the most surprising and injury-causing motor vehicle collisions.
Often, getting fair compensation for bus accidents requires complex legal maneuvering. Yet, resourceful lawyers can meet the challenge. The Cellino legal team has over 60 years of experience with tough cases, securing more than 2 billion hard-won dollars in compensation for our clients.
Our bus accident attorneys can help you. Learn what your case is worth and how to pursue justice. Contact us at 888-888-8888 for a free consultation.
Examine the Impact of Bus Accidents
The thousands of Fairfield County commuters have an abundance of transportation options.
Free and paid bus options include:
- Rapid transit buses that connect Bridgeport, Hartford, New Britain, and more
- Local and express service throughout the city and surrounding areas
- Long-distance travel buses that pass through Bridgeport to other cities and states
- School buses for transporting students to and from school
- Paratransit buses with accessible features for individuals unable to use regular public transportation
- Charter buses for group rides to the airport or for events (e.g., weddings, sports matches, and school trips)
Buses can provide a smooth and pleasant ride. Their weight depends on size and capacity. For instance, a standard long-distance bus can weigh about 35,000 pounds.
Once loaded with passengers and luggage, its weight could exceed 44,000 pounds. This bus might measure over 45 feet. The impressive size of mass transit vehicles can spell disaster during a collision.
A motor vehicle accident can happen anywhere—at an intersection, on a highway, or even in a parking lot. Whatever or whoever happens to be in the way can suffer damage. Consider the following consequences faced by many accident victims.
Property damage
Bus accidents can cause harm to or destruction of physical property.
Damage commonly occurs to:
- Vehicles: Cars, trucks, motorcycles, or other vehicles, often requiring mechanical repairs and bodywork
- Buildings: Homes, offices, and other structures and their surroundings (e.g., fences, landscaping, mailboxes)
- Personal property: Furniture, electronics, clothing, and other items
- Infrastructure: Roads, bridges, signs, and public utilities
Most material items can be fixed or replaced. When people are hurt, the consequences are often more severe.
Physical injuries
Bus-related physical injuries can vary widely depending on the severity of the crash.
Some common injuries are:
- Burns from friction, contact with hot surfaces, or explosions
- Bruises resulting from blunt force trauma
- Broken bones, often in the legs, arms, or ribs
- Traumatic brain injuries like concussions, fractures, or penetrating injuries
- Cuts and scrapes from sharp glass or metal
- Spinal injuries (e.g., paralysis, chronic pain, bowel and bladder dysfunction, muscle spasms)
- Internal bleeding or organ damage
- Neck injuries like whiplash from sudden jerking motions during an accident
The effects of a Connecticut bus accident are not limited to the physical condition. The next section discusses symptoms that are not always as discernable as cuts or bruises.
Psychological injuries
You might know someone who is still suffering years after a trauma. Accident-related psychological injuries can cause mental and emotional pain.
Examples of psychological injuries include:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Nightmares, heightened environmental sensitivity, and severe anxiety
- Depression: Persistent sadness, hopelessness, and disinterest in life activities
- General distress: Mental and emotional suffering, feelings of worry, anger, or frustration
- Phobia: Specific fears related to buses or driving
- Cognitive impairment: Issues with concentration, memory, and decision-making
Injuries can manifest themselves in various ways. They can change the victim’s relationships, quality of life, and ability to earn a living. Others require costly professional treatment and support.
Death
Over 21,600 people died in the first 6 months of 2022 due to motor-vehicle crashes. At Cellino Law, our hearts go out to those who have lost loved ones in preventable accidents. We want to do all we can to help surviving relatives take advantage of their rights afforded by Connecticut law.
The family members and legal dependents might be entitled to compensation. Attorneys can help them act on behalf of their deceased relative so liable parties can be held responsible and families can afford final expenses. Are you eligible?
Under Connecticut law, only the executor or administrator of the estate can file a wrongful death claim on behalf of the decedent’s heirs which may include:
- Spouses
- Children
- Dependents (e.g., parents, stepchildren)
Are you an accident victim or a grieving family member? The emotional and financial toll of an accident can be devastating. You need to know what damages you can recover.
Consider the Damages of Connecticut Bus Accidents
Each state has rules about what type of damages you can claim after a personal injury accident. In general, these damages fall into 3 categories.
1.Punitive damages
Punitive damages are the least common type of compensation and may be awarded in cases involving:
- Gross negligence: Severe actions that indicate severe disregard for the well-being of others, beyond simple carelessness or failure to exercise reasonable caution
- Extreme recklessness: Conscious and unjustifiable risk-taking that jeopardizes the rights and safety of others
- Intentional misconduct: The intent to harm another or commit an act that has a high likelihood of causing injury or death
Punitive damages can serve as punishment for those whose actions cause injury or the loss of life. These damages can also deter others from acting similarly.
2.Economic damages
Economic damages compensate for tangible financial losses.
Cellino Law has helped clients recover expenses such as:
- Vehicle or property repair or replacement costs
- Car rental expenses
- Medical expenses (e.g., hospital bills, prescriptions, medical devices, rehabilitation)
- Transportation costs for accident-related doctor’s visits
- Lost income (i.e. wages lost due to missed work or compromised earning potential due to the bus accident)
- Funeral and burial costs
What about intangible losses? Please consider the information in the next section to answer this question.
3.Non-economic damages
Non-economic damages are associated with the pain and suffering of psychological damages. Intangible losses can also affect the surviving family members of a fatal bus crash. Eligible family members can pursue compensation for loss of companionship, consortium, or parental guidance.
Compensation from the liable party can do much for your peace of mind. It is often the best way to relieve financial pressure and recover peace of mind. The following section discusses options for getting the compensation you are due.
Explore Legal Avenues for Compensation
Who is accountable when a bus crashes? The liable party is responsible for compensating the accident victims. Yet, determining who is at fault is a complex process. A lawyer can identify and seek compensation from the responsible parties.
Potential defendants in a bus claim could include one or more of the entities listed below:
- Bus drivers: Anyone operating heavy machinery must follow laws and avoid negligent actions like driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Transportation companies: Businesses must hire qualified drivers, maintain their fleet, and manage personnel responsibly by scheduling reasonable shifts and training new operators
- Maintenance workers: Professionals must perform regular inspections and promptly address safety hazards that could lead to mechanical failure
- Designers, manufacturers, or distributors: Those who design, build, and sell buses could be responsible for faulty designs, manufacturing defects, or insufficient safety warnings on vehicle parts
- Other motorists: A driver’s actions determine whether that person can be held partially or completely liable
- Government organizations: Some agencies manage publicly owned buses or roads
The avenue to pursue liability can also depend on how, when, and where the accident occurred. Let’s consider a few examples.
Workers’ compensation insurance
The Workers’ Compensation Commission handles compensation forwork-related injuries. You must notify your employer of your injury and seek immediate medical treatment.
The Commission does not approve every claim. For example, reporting delays increase the chance of reduced benefits or disputed claims.
Personal injury lawsuits
Personal injury claims focus on holding liable parties responsible for the damages they cause. Some claims progress to Connecticut courts. There, judges and juries determine liability and compensation for the injured party.
Connecticut justice seekers must act before specific deadlines. The Cellino team can help you so that you don’t lose the money you deserve because you ran out of time.
Out-of-court resolutions
There are several ways to resolve certain bus accident cases without going to court. Mediation involves a neutral third party. He or she assists both sides to find a solution together.
In arbitration, a neutral party listens to both sides. Then, the arbitrator decides what compensation should be paid. This decision is usually final and binding.
Settlements are arrangements made directly between the parties to avoid a trial. These options can save time and money for everyone involved.
Face the Legal Process With the Cellino Team
Does the path to compensation seem marked by overwhelming challenges? You don’t have to deal with them alone. Our law firm can champion your interests.
Effective lawyers can collect evidence, handle insurance companies, and represent clients in court. Yet, each person has different needs. We would like to meet and discuss what you require.
Schedule your free appointment with Cellino Law today. Call 888-888-8888 at any time to learn how to pursue justice for your bus accident injuries.
Photo by Karl Solano on Unsplash