If you have been injured in a bus accident in Bessemer, AL, you are likely dealing with physical injuries, emotional trauma, and financial difficulties. Whether you were a passenger on the bus or in a separate vehicle, if your injury was due to someone else’s actions, you may be able to pursue compensation for your losses.
A bus accident lawyer acquainted with Alabama law can help you seek compensation for the injuries you sustained as a result of someone else’s negligence. The vehicle accident attorneys at Cory Watson Attorneys will examine your case and help you decide how to proceed with your Bessemer bus accident claim.
Three Decades of Successful Litigation
Over the past three decades, Cory Watson Attorneys has established a reputation as a successful litigation firm for all kinds of personal injury claims, from car and bus accidents to class action, product liability, and drug injury claims. We have successfully represented clients against heavy-hitting Fortune 500 companies, and our aggressive advocacy has allowed us to recover more than $4 Billion in damages for our clients.
No matter how large or small your claim, our dedicated team of personal injury lawyers are committed to ensuring that each of our clients receives personal attention. We aim to ensure that injury victims such as yourself receive fair compensation, and we aren’t afraid to take your case before a judge and jury to obtain the settlement you deserve.
We Can Help You Seek Compensation for Your Losses in a Bessemer Bus Accident
Bus accidents, while less common than passenger vehicle collisions, can cause significant damage to passengers and drivers of other vehicles. Since passengers on buses often ride without seat belts, a collision can cause them severe injury. For drivers in passenger vehicles, a bus collision can be especially dangerous due to the size and weight of the bus.
If you or a loved one are injured in a bus accident that is not your fault, you should not have to shoulder the financial burden associated with your injuries. A Bessemer bus accident lawyer will ensure that the claim you file includes all the losses you sustained, both economic and non-economic.
Damages you may be able to claim include:
- Vehicle repair and replacement
- Physical injury treatment and recovery
- Mental and emotional anguish, trauma, and PTSD
- Lost or reduced income
- Short- and long-term disability
- Surgery, physical therapy, and rehabilitation
- Hospital and medical bills for treatment of your injuries
- Reduced ability to participate in activities you previously enjoyed
- Loss of career and career change as a result of your injuries
- Lifestyle modifications due to disability
- Loss of companionship
Every claim is different, so you should speak with an attorney as soon as possible to discuss your options. The bus accident lawyers at Cory Watson Attorneys offer a free consultation, in order to determine whether you have a claim, and what damages you can include.
Our Bessemer Bus Accident Attorneys Can Help
Many types of buses are involved in collisions each year, including:
- City buses
- Charter/ Tour buses
- School buses
- Shuttles
- Minibuses
- Double-decker buses
- Trolleys
Buses are subject to different laws, depending on the circumstances and bus use. For example, laws pertaining to school bus accidents may be different than those for long-distance commuter buses. To ensure that you are operating within the correct legal context, you should discuss your situation with an attorney who handles Alabama bus accident cases.
The hard-working attorneys at Cory Watson Attorneys will provide you with a free consultation, so we can determine whether you have a solid claim. If we decide to work together, our legal team will:
Establish Fault
Alabama law dictates that operators of passenger vehicles are liable for injury to passengers, if the injury was due to the operator’s negligence. In such a case, the passenger may be able to seek damages for their injuries. Similarly, drivers involved in a vehicle accident in Alabama, whether with a bus, truck, or other passenger vehicle, may be able to seek damages if the other driver is wholly at fault.
In order to determine fault in an Alabama bus accident, our lawyers must establish that the other driver had a duty of care to act responsibly, that they breached that duty of care, and that you were directly injured as a result of that breach.
Compile Documentation and Evidence
Your attorney will assemble documentation and other evidence to establish fault and place a monetary value on your claim. Evidence that can be used to support your claim include:
- Photos and video footage of the accident
- Police reports and witness testimony
- Statements from experts in economics, healthcare, and accident reconstruction
- Medical records and invoices
- Any other documented evidence that can prove fault or establish the value of your losses
Determine the Value of Your Claim
When we analyze your claim, we take into account the full value of all the losses you sustained as a result of your bus accident. Economic losses, such as bills, invoices, lost income, and other documented financial costs, can be easily tallied in order to provide a solid value.
For non-economic losses, such as pain and suffering, reduced quality of life, and mental and emotional trauma, your attorney will use established calculation methods and expert testimony. Our vehicle accident attorneys are committed to ensuring that you receive the maximum possible settlement for your losses, and we will work to include every possible loss in your claim.
Conduct Negotiations
Once we have established who was at fault in the incident and determined your claim’s monetary value, we will contact the insurance company of the at-fault party and submit a claim on your behalf. In many cases, the insurance company will try to reduce their own liability by shifting the blame to you or another party.
Our attorneys know that insurance companies have an interest in paying out as little as possible to injury victims. We are familiar with their methods and will forcefully defend your right to proper compensation for your losses.
Take your Case to Court
While most vehicle injury claims are resolved out of court, some insurance companies will refuse to negotiate a fair settlement. If we cannot reach an agreement with the insurance company, we will file the appropriate documents to take your case before a judge or jury. With decades of experience handling Alabama personal injury claims, we are confident in our ability to successfully represent you in Court.
You Have a Limited Amount of Time to File Your Bessemer Bus Accident Lawsuit
Alabama law allows injury victims to pursue negligent parties for damages in certain circumstances. However, you may only have a limited amount of time in which to file a case. Each case is different, so the statute of limitations to file your injury lawsuit may vary depending on the circumstances of your accident. In most cases for personal injury you have a limit of two years to take legal action as per AL Code § 6-2-38.
Insurance companies are notorious for drawing out negotiations until the statute of limitations has passed. To ensure that you complete your filing on time, contact our Bessemer bus accident attorneys as soon as possible after the accident. Our extensive knowledge of Alabama personal injury law will allow us to determine your case’s timeline and make sure that you don’t miss important legal deadlines.
We Represent Accident Victims in Bessemer, Alabama and Across the U.S.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a bus accident in Bessemer or the surrounding area, you need the knowledge and support of a lawyer familiar with local laws. Cory Watson Attorneys’ legal team has experience handling cases large and small in Alabama, Tennessee, and around the world.
If we decide to work together on your case, our lawyers will provide you with personalized attention from the initial consultation through receipt of your settlement. We work on a contingency basis, which means that you don’t have to worry about fees and retainers. Instead, we will provide you with legal services for a percentage of your final settlement.
Contact the bus accident lawyers at Cory Watson Attorneys today to arrange your free consultation.