Bus crashes leave victims with many questions, such as who is liable for their injuries, what evidence they need to get compensation, and do their lawsuits have to go to trial. Our attorneys can answer these questions and more when we handle your case.
Since Massachusetts limits damages in lawsuits against MetroWest Regional Transit Authority, we can see if someone else is liable for your accident on a public bus. That may include a car or truck driver or a brake manufacturer. The evidence we collect will indicate liability, such as photos and witness statements. We will use medical records to prove injuries and hospital bills to prove treatment costs. Such evidence helps us leverage good settlements or prove fault during trials.
Call (617) 925-6407 for a free case analysis from the Law Office of John J. Sheehan’s bus accident lawyers.
Who Can I Sue After a Hopkinton Bus Accident?
After a bus accident, our lawyers can determine who is liable. A bus driver might be negligent, but so might a passenger car driver.
The MetroWest Regional Transit Authority operates the public transportation bus in Hopkinton. When bus drivers cause accidents and victims sue the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority, Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 258, § 2 caps damages at $100,000.
Passenger car drivers who cut off buses, make reckless lane changes, or ignore a bus’s right of way may be liable for accidents. Drivers often make risky maneuvers near large vehicles like buses, and we can analyze photos and interview experts to see if that is the case.
Bus accidents from brake failure or other defective parts may be the manufacturer’s fault. This may explain sudden rear-end crashes or other collisions.
Private charter buses do not benefit from the same damage caps as public buses. Victims may sue private charter companies for all damages they incur when drivers cause accidents.
What Evidence Do I Need for My Bus Accident Lawsuit in Hopkinton?
Our lawyers can get enough evidence to prove who caused the accident, how bad your injuries are, and the different losses you have incurred.
Photos
The photos you take at the crash site are good evidence for your lawsuit. They can show the force and point of impact and the accident’s fallout. Photograph damage to the bus and any other involved vehicles.
If you suffer lacerations, burns, compound fractures, or other visible injuries, photograph them at the scene. These pictures help us connect your injuries to the accident.
Our bus accident lawyers may get more useful photos from law enforcement when we get the crash report. We can also get pictures from eyewitnesses and videos from nearby security cameras. Some buses have onboard cameras for security and safety. We can demand bus owners preserve that footage and make it available during the lawsuit.
Witness Statements
Eyewitness statements support victims’ versions of events. We can contact witnesses immediately and interview them before their memories fade. Eyewitnesses can include other bus passengers, pedestrians, or drivers passing by.
Victims can also testify about what happened during the crash. They can talk about the immediate pain from their injuries and the medical treatments they received. Victims can also testify about other “non-economic” damages. We can prepare you to discuss your anxiety, depression, and lowered quality of life since the accident. Even your loved ones can testify about your demeanor and depression because of your injuries.
Medical Records
Immediate and ongoing medical records prove you suffered injuries. You should get medical attention for any injuries after a bus crash, no matter how minor. Concussions, whiplash, and internal injuries can take time to appear. Doctors can catch these and other injuries when you go to the hospital.
This initiates the medical records for your injuries. Records contain doctors’ notes, diagnoses, test results, X-rays, prescriptions, and other important injury information.
Keep your physical recovery your priority. Doing so generates more medical records our lawyers can use for your lawsuit. Victims jeopardize their claims when they do not have enough proof of their ongoing injuries and the cost.
Proof of Damages
We need proof of damages for bus accident lawsuits. Hospital bills prove the cost of surgeries, diagnostic tests, and other procedures. Bills get disorganized easily, and we can keep track of them for you.
We also need to prove your lost wages if you cannot work. We can use income records to calculate the wages you have missed since the accident. This is important, especially if you still cannot work months after the crash.
Your testimony is good proof of your non-economic damages. Mental health experts who have assessed or diagnosed victims can also testify about their pain and suffering at trial.
Will My Bus Accident Lawsuit Go to Trial in Hopkinton?
Many injury cases do not go to trial in Hopkinton. A settlement can compensate you, but generally only after aggressive negotiations. Wanting to avoid trials is normal, but victims should not accept bad settlements to stay out of court.
When defendants do not offer fair out-of-court settlements, lawsuits may go to trial. After negotiating for some time, we can gauge whether or not the defendant will increase their offers further. If they have not budged much from the initial amounts, going to court may yield better proposals.
We can prepare plaintiffs for what to expect when cases go to trial. Though settling is likely, preparing for a possible trial is important. It also prepares you for settlement negotiations, giving you better evidence to leverage for better offers.
Even during a bus accident lawsuit, we may get settlement offers. You can accept settlements during a trial to end your case or get a jury award. Jury awards often exceed settlement amounts, especially regarding non-economic damages.
Call Our Hopkins Bus Accident Attorneys Now
Call (617) 925-6407 for a free case review from the Law Office of John J. Sheehan’s bus accident lawyers.