Questions Bus Accident Victims May Ask
When an accident occurs, the stress and confusion can make it difficult to focus on asking the right questions of a bus accident lawyer College Park MD victims trust. This can be especially true if you sustained injuries as a result of the accident. Our lawyers at Cohen and Cohen, P.C. understand how overwhelmed you may feel. We’re available 24/7 to help you recover the compensation you deserve.
Our attorneys offer a free no obligation consultation during which we can answer your questions. Every personal injury case is different, but below are some common questions and answers that you may find helpful before meeting with one of our attorneys.
What is a wrongful death claim?
All too often bus accidents result in fatal injuries. When someone dies as a result of someone else’s intentional actions or negligence, the at-fault person is liable to be named in a wrongful death claim. This type of claim makes it possible for the victim’s estate or designated surviving relatives to file a suit against the at-fault person. That same person may also be charged with any number of criminal offenses that a prosecutor decides to pursue.
Compensation in a wrongful death suit can include medical attention for the victim, funeral expenses, lost income during the period they were injured, and lost future wages or what they would have earned had they not died. A bus accident lawyer College Park relies on may also include any additional costs he or she deems relevant to the case.
How do bus injuries happen?
There are a number of ways in which you can be injured as a bus passenger during an accident. A bus accident lawyer College Park MD families turn to for legal help can investigate how and why the accident happened.
For instance, buses are generally high profile vehicles. Most high profile vehicles are more prone to rollovers because of the way the weight is distributed. Therefore, a bus is more likely to rollover if the driver maneuvers too sharply at a high rate of speed, if the bus jumps a curb or collides with a crash wall or other solid object.
Furthermore, seatbelt use is not mandatory in all vehicles and jurisdictions. If a passenger was not wearing a seatbelt, and that contributed to their injuries, a top bus accident lawyer College Park MD has to offer can determine if the bus should have had seat belts available, if the driver failed to inform passengers of proper seat belt usage, or if the bus driver’s/company’s action or inaction were negligent.
Won’t the bus company’s insurance pay for all my medical costs?
Not necessarily, even if they’re responsible for the accident. A top bus accident lawyer College Park MD offers can represent your family if the insurance company responds to your accident claim with any the following:
1. They offer your family a lowball settlement offer. Their hope may be that you’ll follow the lead of other accident victims and settle quickly. A good College Park MD bus accident lawyer will probably try to negotiate a higher amount. The settlement may also include more possibilities for compensation such as future lost wages or medical costs if they may be applicable.
2. They delay payments. Some insurance companies draw out the payment process for as long as possible to deter victims from pursuing compensation. As a bus accident lawyer College Park MD victims turn to, Cohen and Cohen, P.C. can aggressively pursue what is owed to you and make every effort possible to get you paid in full as quickly as possible.
3. They claim the passenger was partly at fault. The insurance company may claim that the passenger should have been wearing a seatbelt or were otherwise negligible. In this scenario, they may not pay you in full or they may not pay you at all. A bus accident lawyer College Park MD accident victims believe in can fight the insurance company on your behalf.
Does it matter if the bus is owned by the government?
When the defendant is a government entity, certain laws and regulations apply. An attorney from Cohen and Cohen, P.C. can determine how and if they affect your personal injury claim. Two of the main differences include:
1. Notice requirements: If the defendant is a federal agency, your attorney must give notice to that entity before taking legal action against them. This can be true for state entities as well. Your attorney can determine if this applies to your child’s personal injury case.
2. Statute of limitations: The statute of limitations for filing a claim may be shorter than for non-government entities. It is important to file your claim before the deadline. Your Cohen and Cohen, P.C. attorney can make sure that all deadlines for your case are met.
Ask Cohen and Cohen, P.C. When You Need Answers
Our lawyers at Cohen and Cohen, P.C. have more than 20 years of experience helping clients. We’ve handled more than 5,000 personal injury cases. Our attorneys have recovered more than $50 million for our clients. We can help you too. The first step is to give us a call. When you need answers, contact a bus accident lawyer College Park MD depends on today.
