If you were injured in a bus accident, whether it’s public transit, a shuttle, or another type of bus, the consequences can be devastating.
The Nashville bus accident lawyers at Cory Watson Attorneys wants to help you hold the at-fault party responsible for their actions, and seek compensation for your injuries and losses. You may be entitled to compensation if you:
- Were a passenger on a bus that crashed
- Were hit by a bus while driving
- Were a pedestrian who was struck by a bus
Our attorneys can also help you pursue a wrongful death case on behalf of a family member you may have lost in a bus accident.
Recovering Compensation for a Nashville Bus Accident
The settlement the liable party’s insurance company may offer you may not be enough to cover the losses you’ve sustained due to your accident. Our attorneys can help you fight for damages that take into account not just your immediate losses, but those that will impact your future. These include:
- Medical treatment
- Future medical expenses
- Loss of income
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
There is no set calculation to determine the amount of money you can recover for your accident. However, our attorneys have spent 38 years working personal injury cases, and we’ve claimed Billions of dollars in settlements for our clients. As a result, we can ensure that all of your damages are accounted as we prepare your case.
Responsible Parties in a Bus Accident
Tennessee is an at-fault state. Therefore, whoever the court finds at fault for the accident is financially responsible for the damages. However, the liable party in a bus accident may not always be the driver. Potentially liable parties could include:
- The bus driver
- The city of Nashville
- Bus rental company
- Transportation company
- Tourism company
As your attorneys, we can investigate your accident and identify who is liable. In some cases, we may find that there are multiple at-fault parties. Police reports, eyewitness statements, security camera and dashcam footage, and other relevant information can help us to make this determination.
Establishing Negligence in a Bus Accident Case
After we have identified the responsible party, we have to prove their negligence before holding them legally accountable for your damages. To establish negligence, we must prove:
- The at-fault party owed you a duty of care
- They breached that duty of care
- Your injuries were a direct result of this breach
Tennessee recognizes comparative negligence law, which means that all parties involved in the crash will be assigned a percentage of negligence. If this percentage exceeds 50%, you cannot collect damages. However, if it is less than 50%, the court will reduce the amount of the damages you collect by this percentage.
Benefits of Hiring a Bus Accident Lawyer
After a bus accident, you may not know what to do next. Our attorneys can help you by:
- Investigating your accident
- Gathering evidence
- Identifying the at-fault parties
- Drafting and completing all paperwork
- Negotiating on your behalf
- Handling all correspondence
- Enlisting the help of specialists to help with your case
- Taking your case to court, if necessary
We understand the physical and financial toll a bus accident can take on you. That’s why we work quickly and efficiently to get a resolution on your behalf. We will help you from beginning to end with your case.
Cost of Hiring a Bus Accident Lawyer
There are no upfront fees or costs to retain our representation. Instead, our lawyers work on a contingency fee basis which means you won’t pay anything unless we’re successful in your case.
Next Steps After a Nashville Bus Accident
Once you’ve been treated for your injuries, your next steps are critical to secure your right to compensation. We recommend you do the following:
File a Police Report
If you did not file a report at the scene, you must file an accident report with the Department of Safety within 20 days after your accident. This report is not only legally required, but it can also help in establishing fault in your case.
Gather Information
Gather the contact and insurance information of the involved parties, including the bus driver and eyewitnesses.
Avoid Making a Statement
Avoid making a statement to insurance companies or other individuals involved in the accident. These statements may be used to contradict you, place you at fault for the accident, and prevent you from getting compensation for your damages.
Gather Evidence
Take photographs of the accident scene, including the bus, other vehicles involved, and any other relevant aspects.
Continue Medical Treatment
Continue rehabilitative care as needed. Doing so can help you speed up the recovery process and serves as further documentation of your injuries.
Contact a Nashville Bus Accident Lawyer
After a bus accident, you need time to recover both physically and emotionally. Our attorneys can handle all the legal aspects of your case while you focus on your recovery.
Call Us Today For Your Free Case Review
At Cory Watson Attorneys, we’re committed to recovering compensation for personal injury victims who have been harmed due to someone else’s negligence.
We’re a national firm with branches across Tennessee and Alabama, and we’ve helped thousands of clients just like you to seek justice. But don’t take our word for it; read what our clients are saying about us.
Call us today for a free consultation to review your case.
Nashville Office Location
1033 Demonbreun St., Ste. 300Nashville, Tn 37203