Bus accidents may be less common than most other types of vehicle accidents, but when they happen they can have devastating effects on those involved. If you or a loved one have been injured in a bus accident, it is important to consult a Hartford bus accident lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your recovery options. The right attorney can help you prove liability and secure the compensation you need to recover.
The attorneys at Bartlett & Grippe aim to help every one of our clients maximize their recovery. We have successfully handled a wide range of many type of vehicle accident cases in the Hartford area, and we know the unique legal challenges you might face in the aftermath of a bus accident. Whether you are seeking compensation for your own damages or taking legal action on behalf of a family member, we can help.
Our firm will carefully review the details of your accident to help you prove fault. You may have the ability to file an auto insurance claim, or your case may require filing a personal injury suit against the at-fault driver. It is also possible for multiple parties to bear fault for your damages, or you may need to file a wrongful death suit on behalf of a fatally injured family member. Whatever your case requires, we are confident in our ability to resolve it efficiently.
It is possible for any type of bus accident to have devastating effects on multiple victims. In Connecticut, the fault rule applies to all vehicle accidents, meaning proving fault will be an essential first step in recovering from your accident. However, fault can be a complex issue in a bus accident case depending on the type of bus involved. You face different legal challenges for accidents involving school buses, public transportation buses, and private charter buses.
Your Hartford bus accident lawyer can determine who is responsible for causing the accident and explain the steps you will need to take to hold them accountable. For example, if a common carrier is liable for the accident, the company likely has commercial auto insurance that includes expansive coverage, but you will need help maximizing your settlement. Every case is unique so it’s important to find an attorney who can address the specific issues you face.
Every driver in Connecticut is required to have auto insurance that meets minimum coverage requirements. Once a driver is proven to be at fault for an accident, their insurance can pay for the resulting damages. Depending on the type of bus involved in your accident, you may be able to file a claim against an individual driver’s policy or a claim against a company’s commercial auto insurance policy.
Whatever type of insurance claim you must file, it is important to remember that insurance companies will typically do everything they can to avoid paying out a maximum settlement. Insurance company representatives may attempt to use your own words against you, look for ways to justify denying or devaluing your claim, or use high-pressure tactics to convince you to accept the lowest settlement offer possible. Your attorney can ensure you are treated fairly.
When insurance is unavailable or cannot fully compensate your losses, you have the right to file a personal injury suit against whoever is directly responsible for causing your accident. Success with this case will require evidence that shows the defendant’s negligence or misconduct directly caused the accident and your resulting damages. A successful personal injury case can potentially yield compensation for any economic and noneconomic damages you suffered.
Economic damages in a personal injury case include any financial losses the victim sustained because of the defendant’s actions. These are likely to include medical expenses and lost income, and the victim can also seek compensation for projected future losses like ongoing medical treatment costs and lost earning power. Your attorney can help you accurately calculate the value of the economic damages you can seek with your claim.
Noneconomic damages include intangible losses like physical pain and emotional suffering. It may sound difficult to quantify these in monetary terms, but an experienced attorney will know how to determine a suitable amount that reflects the scope and severity of the harm you experienced. Generally, the more serious the plaintiff’s injuries, the more they are likely to obtain in pain and suffering compensation.
In the event you have lost a loved one in a fatal bus accident, this can form the foundation of a wrongful death suit against the party responsible for causing the accident. This type of personal injury case aims to secure compensation for the losses suffered by the family of the victim, such as lost financial support, funeral and burial expenses, and their pain and suffering. Success with this case can provide the family with a valuable sense of closure.
It can be incredibly difficult to confront this type of case without legal representation on your side. Let the experienced team at Bartlett & Grippe build your wrongful death suit and assist you with holding the defendant accountable for the harm they have caused. Our goal in every case we accept is to help our client maximize their total recovery as efficiently as possible. You can rely on us for compassionate and responsive legal counsel in your wrongful death case.
You have a limited time to pursue compensation for your damages, and a bus accident can be more challenging to resolve than a typical car accident. You need an attorney you can trust on your side in order to have the greatest chance of success with your case. The team at Bartlett & Grippe can help you make sense of your situation and guide you to the recovery you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Hartford bus accident lawyer.