Elsner Law Firm

Personal Injury & Accident Lawyers in WA

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Snohomish County Bus Accidents Lawyers Upholding the Rights of the Injured

Snohomish County residents and visitors utilize buses to take their children to and from school, to travel around the city of Seattle, and more. While buses are a convenient mode of transportation, passengers and nearby motorists can be severely injured in a bus crash. Bus accident cases can quickly become complicated due to all the potentially liable entities involved. Insurance companies are often less than helpful to victims who simply want fair compensation for their losses. To ensure your personal injury case is handled properly and you receive the maximum compensation you are entitled to, contact the skilled lawyers at Elsner Law Firm, PLLC today.

How Do Bus Accidents Happen?

Whether they drive school buses, city transit buses, or tour buses, most bus drivers are well-trained, capable individuals. Still, driver error is a frequent cause of bus accidents. A single mistake made by a bus driver can result in serious consequences for all of their passengers. Examples of negligent acts on the part of the bus driver include:

  • Speeding
  • Driving while under the influence
  • Not leaving enough space between vehicles
  • Driving while fatigued
  • Not possessing the proper qualifications or training to operate the bus safely

In other situations, the accident is not due to the bus driver’s negligence, but because of another factor beyond their control, such as:

  • Bad weather conditions
  • Negligent behavior by other drivers on the road
  • Improper bus maintenance
  • Faulty bus parts
  • Poorly designed buses

Who is Liable for a Bus Accident?

Where the liability lies for your damages after a bus accident can vary based on the circumstances of your case. There are times when multiple individuals or entities may be responsible. Even when the crash was primarily due to factors outside of the driver’s control, such as bad weather, the driver may still be partially liable because their actions worsened the outcome of the crash. Parties who may be found at fault for Washington bus accidents include:

  • The bus driver
  • The government agency or municipality operating the mass transit system
  • The bus company
  • The bus manufacturer or designer, if manufacturing or design flaws caused or contributed to the crash
  • Third-party drivers, if their negligent actions caused the accident
  • Bus maintenance providers or mechanics

Due to the complexity of these cases, it can be challenging to prove fault. You must also contend with the Washington statute of limitations on personal injury claims. This time limit is generally three years from the date of the accident, but it may be significantly less if the defendant is a government entity. A knowledgeable bus accident lawyer can ensure all relevant parties are included in your claim and will file your claims promptly so you don’t miss your opportunity to recover damages.

What Are Your Rights After a Bus Accident?

You have the right to seek compensation for all your losses due to your bus accident injuries. The calculations for a fair settlement should include all your economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are financial losses that you’ve faced after your injury, such as:

  • Medical bills
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of future earning capacity
  • The cost to replace or repair damaged property

Because not every loss experienced by an accident victim is financial, non-economic damages are awarded for the physical and emotional impacts caused by the injuries, including:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of quality of life
  • Mental anguish, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD
  • Disfigurement and scarring

If your loved one tragically died in a bus accident, a wrongful death lawsuit can hold the responsible parties liable. Through this lawsuit, you can recover some of the losses related to your loved one’s passing, including funeral and burial expenses, loss of consortium, and other damages.

How Can a Bus Accident Lawyer Help You?

Your life may be upended by your bus accident. You could be saddled with debt from large medical bills and feel uncertain how you will support your family if your injuries have left you unable to work. The insurance adjusters may be downplaying your injuries and trying to blame someone else for the accident. Our tenacious lawyers at Elsner Law Firm, PLLC will step in to fight for your rights on your behalf. We take pride in standing up for victims against the insurance companies. Call us today for a free consultation to learn how we can assist you: 206-447-1425.