Bus Accident Lawyers Representing Injured Clients in Monmouth County and throughout New Jersey
New Jersey has an extensive public transportation system, and buses are a lynchpin of that system. When we board a bus, we expect that the driver of that bus will operate it safely. In many instances, we are putting our own safety as well as the safety of our loved ones, in the hands of another. As a passenger on a bus, you do not have the ability to slow down, proceed with caution, or remain alert at all times. Instead, you must rely on the bus driver to do these things. Although bus drivers have an obligation to drive in a safe and cautious manner, unfortunately, they do not always abide by these basic principles. Sometimes, negligent bus drivers cause accidents with pedestrians, motorcyclists, bicyclists, or other motor vehicles. Given the size and weight of buses, these accidents can be catastrophic. When bus drivers fail to drive and operate a bus in a safe and cautious manner, people can be severely injured or even killed in a bus-related accident.
If a driver fails to operate a bus in the safest manner possible, and someone is injured because of a bus driver’s dangerous actions, that individual may be entitled to compensation under the laws of the state of New Jersey. The attorneys at our firm fight for the victims who suffer injuries in bus accidents to obtain the compensation they deserve. If you or someone you love has been involved in a bus accident, contact our New Jersey Bus Accident Attorneys to discuss your specific case and find out if you may have grounds for a claim. We handle bus accident injury cases in Monmouth County, Ocean County, Atlantic County, Middlesex County, and throughout NJ. You can reach us anytime online or by calling 732-825-6120. An experienced NJ bus crash lawyer is available immediately to assist you free of charge.
Causes of New Jersey Bus Accidents
The New Jersey Department of Transportation estimates that it receives around 320,000 motor vehicle crash reports annually, and many of these crashes involve buses. Bus drivers may be fatigued due to working long hours; they may not have been paying attention to the road; they may have been driving aggressively to stay on schedule; their buses may not have been serviced often enough and may suffer from mechanical failures, blown tires, or worn brakes; or, in some cases, bus drivers are driving impaired by alcohol or drugs. All of these potential causes can give rise to accidents caused by negligent operation of the bus. Regardless of the specific cause of the bus accident, if negligence on the part of the driver or the bus company exists and you suffer harm as a result, you may have a personal injury claim.
Negligent Parties in Bus Accident Injury Cases
Because of the large number of people aboard a bus at any single time, the driver of the bus must always ensure that he or she operates the bus in the safest manner possible. In addition to an individual bus driver’s duty to ensure public safety, the bus company or owner of the bus has various legal duties. The bus company must ensure that the bus is properly maintained and equipped with all necessary safety equipment. The bus company or owner must also properly monitor the drivers they employ to ensure that the drivers are operating their buses in a safe manner. In some instances, both the bus company and the individual bus driver may bear some responsibility for a bus accident.
In addition to suing the bus driver, you may also be able to bring a personal injury or negligence claim against the bus driver’s company, whether that company is a private bus line, a bus operated by a hotel, airline, or small business, or whether the bus is operated by a local municipality or county. You may have a claim that the owner of the bus and employer of the bus driver was negligent in hiring the driver, training the driver, or maintaining the bus, among other potential forms of negligence.
Who bears responsibility for a bus accident is obviously a detailed factual and legal analysis; therefore, it is important to contact a New Jersey Bus Accident Attorney as soon as possible after a bus accident has occurred. Note that if you are suing a state agency, county, or municipality, there may be a time limit on when you must give notice of your claim. Sometimes, you must give notice to the agency within 90 days of the accident. There may also be other government-claims specific rules applicable to such personal injury lawsuits, which make it even more essential to contact a knowledgeable personal injury attorney in New Jersey as soon as possible after the date of your bus accident, assuming that you have sought medical attention first.
What Damages can get if I was Injured in a Bus Accident?
If you are injured by the negligent operation of a bus, you may be able to bring a successful lawsuit that entitles you to both economic and noneconomic damages. If the bus accident results in medical bills or time lost from work, for example, you can recover those economic damages from the driver, the bus company, or the bus company’s insurance. If the bus accident causes you injuries and mental and emotional harm, you can potentially also recover pain and suffering damages. An experienced personal injury attorney will be able to help you evaluate the strength of your bus accident case and potential recovery.
Speak with a Monmouth County Bus Accident Attorney about Your Case
Our New Jersey Bus Accident Attorneys are aggressive, compassionate trial attorneys who will tirelessly fight for you or your loved one. If you or someone you know has been involved in a bus accident, call our law firm immediately, or click on the contact us tab. An attorney from our personal injury law firm will get back to you as soon as possible. We are dedicated to handling your bus injury case with the utmost care and dedication, and we work on a contingency fee basis. This means that the lawyers at our firm will not ask you for a single dollar when we begin to represent you and we will only be paid if we successfully recover money on your behalf. Call 732-825-6120 for more information and a free consultation.
