6 Reasons Why You Need a Bus Accident Lawyer

Being involved in a bus accident can leave you overwhelmed, dealing with injuries, medical bills, and confusing insurance questions. While you legally don’t need a bus accident lawyer, there are six reasons people often get legal help after a crash. 

From understanding your rights to handling complicated claims against bus companies or transit authorities, a Florida bus accident lawyer can protect your interests. Below, we discuss the six reasons why you want a bus accident lawyer to handle your case.

Your Lawyer Can Identify All Liable Parties

Two of the biggest questions after a bus accident are: Who’s at fault? Who is paying for my injuries? Determining responsibility isn’t always straightforward, especially when multiple parties are involved.

Depending on the situation, the following could be legally responsible:

• A private bus company
• A public transportation agency, like the MBTA in Massachusetts or Broward County Transit (BCT) in Florida
• The bus driver
• A vehicle maintenance contractor
• Another driver on the road
• A  parts manufacturer

Why does this matter? Because the party responsible affects how your claim is handled. For example, filing a claim against a city bus line or another government entity is often subject to stricter deadlines and special procedures.

A Florida personal injury lawyer can help identify all potentially responsible parties, preserve evidence, and ensure your claim follows the right legal processes. 

Your Lawyer Can Handle the Insurance Companies for You

After a bus accident, it’s common to hear from insurance companies, sometimes even within hours or days. The insurance adjuster may ask you for a recorded statement or offer you a quick settlement.

It’s important to remember:

• You are not required to speak with insurance adjusters right away.
• You do not have to (and should not) accept the first settlement offer.
• The insurance company can use anything you say against you and your claim.

Insurance companies often try to settle quickly, especially when serious injuries are involved. These early offers typically do not fully account for your medical costs, lost wages, or long-term recovery needs.

A bus accident lawyer on our team can step in to handle these communications for you, review offers, and negotiate for fair compensation. Even if you decide to manage your claim on your own, take the time to understand your rights before signing anything.

Your Bus Accident Attorney Will Thoroughly Investigate the Crash

To recover compensation after a bus accident, you generally need to show that someone else’s negligence caused your injuries. Proving negligence requires demonstrating:

• The responsible party had a duty to operate the bus or vehicle safely.
• They breached that duty (through reckless driving, improper maintenance, etc.).
• Their actions directly caused your injuries.
• You suffered damages, such as medical bills, lost income, or pain and suffering.

Bus accidents often involve multiple parties, and gathering solid evidence is key to a successful injury claim. A lawyer can conduct an independent investigation to strengthen your claim, which may include:

• Obtaining police reports and bus company records
• Interviewing witnesses and securing statements
• Requesting surveillance footage or bus camera recordings
• Consulting accident reconstruction experts
• Reviewing maintenance logs and driver history

Your Lawyer Can Handle Cases Where You’re Partly At Fault

It’s common to feel unsure about your rights if you think you may have contributed to the accident, but Massachusetts and Florida law each provide important protections for injured people.

Both states follow a modified comparative negligence system. Here’s how it works:

• You can still recover compensation if you were less than 51% at fault.
• Your percentage of responsibility reduces your compensation.

For example, if your final damage award is $100,000 but you are found 20% at fault, you would still receive $80,000. But if you’re 51% or more at fault, you typically can’t recover compensation.

Determining fault isn’t always simple. Bus companies, public agencies, and insurance adjusters may try to shift more blame onto you to reduce what they owe.

Our lawyers can help by investigating the accident, gathering evidence, and contesting unfair fault claims. 

Your Bus Accident Lawyer Will Fight for Fair Compensation

Paying for medical treatment and lost income after a bus accident can be confusing, especially with different insurance rules in play. If you face serious injuries like traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord injuries, you may have lifelong impacts.

Both Florida and Massachusetts also follow a “no-fault” system for many motor vehicle accidents, which means:

• Your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance may cover initial medical bills and lost wages, regardless of fault.
• PIP has limits on the amount of coverage offered.
• Serious injuries or extensive treatment costs can quickly exceed these limits.

If you were injured as a bus passenger, pedestrian, cyclist, or motorist, you may be entitled to pursue compensation for a range of losses, depending on the circumstances. 

This can include:

• Medical expenses and future treatment costs
• Lost wages or reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Permanent disability or disfigurement

A lawyer from our firm can help untangle these details, identify available coverage, and pursue additional compensation for things like future medical care, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering. They will fight for the maximum compensation you may be entitled to.

Your Lawyer Ensures All Legal Deadlines Are Met

Massachusetts and Florida both have strict time limits for filing personal injury claims, and bus accidents often involve even tighter deadlines, especially when public transportation is involved.

Here’s what you should know:

• The general statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits in Massachusetts is three years from the date of the accident.
• Florida’s statute of limitations is typically two years from the date.
• Bus accident claims involving government entities have different deadlines in both Florida and Massachusetts.

Because these deadlines can vary depending on the circumstances, it’s essential to act promptly. A lawyer can track all applicable deadlines, file the necessary paperwork, and ensure your rights are protected.

Contact a Bus Accident Attorney Today

After a bus accident, you’re facing enough stress, from medical treatment to insurance confusion. You are not required to hire a lawyer, but having one can make a difficult situation easier to manage.

At GED Lawyers, we’ve helped injured individuals across Florida and Massachusetts navigate the complex process of accident claims. Whether you’re dealing with the MBTA or BCT, a private bus company, or insurance adjusters, our team can help you understand your rights, investigate the accident, and pursue fair compensation.

Our consultations are free, and there’s never an obligation to hire us. If you’ve been injured in a bus accident anywhere in Florida or Massachusetts, reach out to our bus accident lawyers today to explore your legal options.