Public buses are an essential mode of transportation for many individuals in Maryland. Buses transport hundreds of people every day and are required to uphold a duty of care for all passengers to ensure safety. Unfortunately, that duty of care may be neglected which results in devastating accidents and injuries. If you or someone you love has been injured in a bus accident, contact a determined St. Mary’s County Bus Accident Lawyer who can help you seek the justice you deserve. We are ready to fight on your behalf today.
What steps should I take after a bus accident?
Injured individuals should take certain steps to maximize their chances of recovering monetary compensation for their injuries. Individuals should:
- Call 911. Injured individuals should file an accident report with the police.
- Seek medical attention. Injured individuals should seek immediate medical attention from a medical professional. They will be able to properly assess the extent of an individual’s injuries as well as treat them.
- Take photographic evidence. Individuals injured in a bus accident should take photos and video footage of the scene.
- Gather contact information. Injured individuals should gather contact information from witnesses or other victims.
- Retain the legal assistance of a skilled St. Mary’s County Bus Accident Lawyer. A qualified lawyer can help you investigate and gather pertinent evidence to prove negligence.
Who is liable for a bus accident?
Depending on the circumstances of a bus accident, liable parties may include bus companies, public transportation companies, or bus drivers. In Maryland, public buses are typically owned by the Maryland Transit Administration. This means injured individuals could hold public transportation companies liable for their injuries sustained in a bus accident. However, injured individuals must prove their injuries were directly caused by negligence. They must prove that the public transportation company owed its passengers a standard duty of care. This means they should have been properly maintaining the bus and remedying any hazardous issues. If they failed to do so, they may be held accountable for any accidents and injuries. The same standards apply to bus drivers. If a bus driver acts negligently such as speeding or driving while intoxicated, they will be held responsible for damages.
How long do I have to pursue legal action?
In Maryland, injured individuals usually have three years to file a claim against a negligent party. However, when it comes to bus accidents, individuals must file a claim within one year of the date the accident occurred. If they fail to do so, they will lose their opportunity to recover financial compensation for their injuries. In terms of negligence, several parties could be held liable for a bus accident: the bus company, the public transportation company, and the bus driver.
If you or someone you care about has been injured in a bus accident due to negligence, don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our adept and knowledgeable team members. Our firm is committed to helping our clients prove their injuries were caused by negligence. We are prepared to fight for you today to help you achieve
