If you’re seeking the help of a bus accident lawyer District Heights MD respects, you may already understand just how different and devastating an accident involving a bus can be. The lawyers of Cohen and Cohen, P.C. are here to help. We have litigated accidents cases for more than 20 years, helping thousands of personal injury victims recover more than $50 million in damages.

What makes an accident different when it involves a bus?

Commercial drivers are held to higher standards than personal use drivers. When investigating the accident, a bus accident lawyer District Heights MD accident victims trust will probably want to look into the bus driver’s motor vehicle history. If the driver has been involved in a number of accidents and/or received citations, then a case could potentially be made that points some liability to the bus company.  Not every bus accident lawyer District Heights MD has to offer has as much experience litigating personal injury cases as Cohen and Cohen. Our lawyers have handled more than 5,000 personal injury cases. We fight very hard for the rights of our clients.

Negligence Must be Proven

A bus accident lawyer District Heights MD turns to for legal help may have an accident reconstructionist he or she works with to establish what caused the collision. After a thorough investigation, your attorney may be able to prove that the bus driver made a mistake which resulted in an accident. To win the case, your attorney also has to prove that the driver, bus company, or a third party was negligent. Examples of negligence could include:

• The driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs and lost control of the bus.
• The bus company’s maintenance department was aware that the brakes were faulty but did not repair them. The bus crashed because the driver didn’t have braking control.
• The bus company was aware that road conditions were extremely hazardous but did not reroute the bus, resulting in passenger injury.

Establishing Negligence

To help establish negligence on the part of the driver, their company, or a third party, it can be helpful if you collect evidence at the accident scene. A bus accident lawyer District Heights MD hires in similar cases may have a checklist of evidence they will want to see. If you are unable to collect evidence, request someone else at the scene do it on your behalf as soon as possible. This evidence may potentially make all the difference in a personal injury case. If possible, collect the following:

• Photos of the accident scene, preferably immediately afterward before the vehicles have been moved or removed from the scene.
• Photos of the accident scene several days after the accident to see if any of the static evidence was tampered with such as skid marks erased, signs replaced, or concrete curbs repaired.
• Photos of yourself and injuries at the accident scene as well as in the hospital.
• Witness statements of what happened. Videotaping their statements using your cell phone can be powerful testimony for your personal injury claim.
• A copy of the police report on the accident.
• Weather report at the time and location of the accident.
• Your written and detailed notes of the accident.

Common Bus Accident Injuries

There are a variety of ways a bus passenger can become injured after an accident. If you’ve sustained one of the below injuries as a result of a bus accident, it may be in your best interest to contact a bus accident lawyer District Heights MD relies on.

• Cuts, bruises, and scrapes
• Whiplash
• Torn and strained ligaments
• Back injuries
• Spinal injuries
• Poisoning from carbon monoxide
• Scarring
• Herniated disks
• Broken bones
• Severed limbs
• Brain concussions
• Death

The Differences in Claims Processing

Statute of limitations. Depending on where the accident happened, you may have a short window of time during which you can file a personal injury claim against a public transportation company. A District Heights MD bus accident lawyer can tell you how the deadlines apply in your particular case.

Notification requirements. In some areas, the rules for notifying a public transportation company are very strict. If you notify the wrong entity, or don’t notify them within a predetermined time, your claim may be barred. The legal team of Cohen and Cohen is experienced in navigating this sometimes complicated and confusing legal process.

Damages Limit in Personal Injury Claims Against Public Transportation Companies

When you discuss your personal injury case with a bus accident lawyer District Heights MD residents believe in, inquire as to what the cap or limit is for an injury claim against the agency responsible for your accident. The limits may vary according to whether it’s a government or privately owned agency.

The Law Firm of Cohen and Cohen

When bringing a claim against a bus company, you may want to consider hiring a bus accident lawyer in District Heights MD with experience litigating these types of cases. Lawsuits involving bus companies with deep pockets, or a public transportation run by a government agency can be complicated and move slowly. At Cohen and Cohen, we pride ourselves on resolving cases as quickly as possible. We have the experience to handle complex personal injury cases and not lose sight of our client’s best interest. Contact the Cohen and Cohen, P.C. team today if you need a bus accident lawyer District Heights MD victims rely on to get the compensation they deserve.