Fort Wayne Bus Accident Lawyer

Bus accidents are some of the most dangerous collisions across the State of Indiana because of the vehicle’s sheer size and the number of potential injury victims. When negligence causes the accident, these victims have the right to pursue legal action.

Lawsuits for bus accidents may result whether the accident was caused by driver error, operating company failure, maintenance issues or some manufacturing defect on the bus. When a bus accident lawsuit succeeds, the plaintiff can recover both economic and non-economic damages in line with the harms that they have suffered. But to succeed, the plaintiff must file within two years of the accident date.

The Fort Wayne bus accident lawyers at Wruck Paupore know what it takes to get you the compensation you deserve, starting with a free initial evaluation of your case. To get started, you can reach us at our offices at (219) 322-1166.

Common Causes of Bus Accidents in Fort Wayne

If you were hurt in a bus accident in Fort Wayne, you should keep an eye out for signs of who was at fault for causing the accident. Fault can be established in several ways in any collision. Our Fort Wayne bus accident lawyers have provided the following examples found in many accident injury lawsuits.

Driver Negligence

Buses are large, awkward vehicles that take skill to operate, especially in areas with tight quarters such as urban environments. But bus drivers are professionals who must be trained in safe vehicle operation. If they turn too wide or fail to identify other vehicles, cyclists, or pedestrians in their blind spot, they could easily cause a serious accident, harming bus passengers and anyone they collide with.

Driver Fatigue

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards, bus operating companies are responsible for scheduling their drivers to prevent putting an overtired employee behind the wheel. When the operating company violates these standards, they put lives at risk.

Poor Maintenance

All buses contain numerous functional parts that provide for the safe and effective operation of the vehicle, such as kill switches and complex hydraulic lift systems. The bus operating company is typically responsible for inspecting and maintaining these features and liable for injuries that occur when they fail to do so.

Weather Conditions

Icy roads and low visibility are two frequent features in many collisions, particularly in areas with the winter weather Fort Wayne can experience. All drivers who operate in these conditions must account for them when driving safely. Bus drivers are no different and actually must consider them substantially more, as buses are heavier and harder to stop than the average personal vehicle.

Bus Defects

Bus operating companies are not responsible for the production of the bus. In many cases of malfunction, the bus might have been sold to the operator with the causal defect already present. These instances create liability for the bus manufacturer directly. Identifying manufacturing defects is difficult without the help of an experienced Fort Wayne bus accident lawyer.

Damages for Bus Accident Injuries in Fort Wayne

If bus driver or operator negligence caused the accident that injured you, you can generally seek recovery from the operating company to recoup the losses you sustained as a result of your injuries.

Damages are calculated based on what harms the victim suffered as a result of their injuries. These calculations will include both economic and non-economic issues that your injuries cause. Because damages are calculated directly based on each plaintiff in every different case, it is impossible to say generally how much your case might be worth without a specified assessment from one of our Fort Wayne bus accident attorneys. Our legal team will be able to determine the likely value of your case based on criteria we have developed over decades of representing bus accident victims.

Economic Damages

Your claim for damages will first account for all of the tangible costs and losses that your injuries cause. Economic damages will cover any medical bills from care related to your injuries. This includes the immediate care required, like ambulance services and emergency procedures, as well as the longer-term requirements, such as physical therapy and follow-up appointments with specialists. It also includes all future care you may need throughout the course of your lifetime that would not have been necessary but for the injury.

You may claim compensation not just for what must be spent, but also for what you would have earned if the incident hadn’t happened. If you miss time at work, your damages will account for your lost opportunity to earn income, benefits, or receive a promotion. Calculations for lost wages will factor in how long you miss work, as well as the nature of your job and field. These damages include not only work lost in the past, but also all work you may miss in the future. Our Fort Wayne bus accident lawyers work with some of the nation’s top vocational economists to help prove your claims for wage loss.

Non-Economic Damages

You can also obtain compensation for your pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life resulting from a bus accident. This includes the emotional impact on you. Chronic discomfort from injuries can impact a person’s daily function or ability to enjoy their life as they once had. Following a bus accident, common psychological conditions could include depression or anxiety disorders as well as a post-traumatic stress disorder. Our Fort Wayne bus accident attorneys can help with the difficult process of providing the noneconomic damage value, which often is substantially greater than the economic losses you have suffered.

Statute of Limitations for Fort Wayne Bus Accident Lawsuits

Indiana’s statute of limitations puts the limit on when a plaintiff can file a bus accident injury lawsuit at two years from the date of the accident itself. If you miss the deadline, your case will likely be thrown out of court, and you will lose your chance to recover. Additionally, your case may be subject to additional notification requirements if you plan to sue a government body, such as Fort Wayne Citilink. Get in touch with your Fort Wayne bus accident attorney as soon as possible to avoid any of these unfortunate outcomes.

Take Your Bus Accident Injury Recovery to Court with Wruck Paupore

When you call our Fort Wayne bus accident lawyers at (219) 322-1166 today, Wruck Paupore can provide you with a case evaluation for free.