Indianapolis Bus Accident Lawyer

Bus accidents are often very serious, and drivers, passengers, and pedestrians tend to suffer extreme injuries. If you were injured in a bus accident, you deserve compensation from the responsible parties. Unfortunately, getting compensation is often easier said than done. There may be several legal avenues worth your consideration, and our legal team can help you find the option that works for you.

After a bus accident, most people are concerned with whether they are covered by insurance. In Indiana, you can file a claim with the bus driver’s insurance and claim damages. Alternatively, you can file a lawsuit to get compensation. You might also have several choices when it comes to defendants, including the bus driver, their employer, and others. It is important to act quickly following a bus accident, as the bus operator may have limited insurance available and there may be numerous injured people making similar claims for recovery if the accident injured multiple passengers.

After a bus accident, you deserve financial compensation to help pay for your recovery. Our Indianapolis bus accident lawyers can help make that happen for you. Call the offices of Wruck Paupore PC Injury Lawyers at (219) 322-1166 for a free case evaluation today.

Getting Compensation for a Bus Accident in Indianapolis

After a bus accident, you have several legal options to explore regarding financial compensation. It is important to discuss your case thoroughly with an experienced attorney to figure out which option works best for your case. Our Indianapolis bus accident lawyers can help you get the compensation you need and deserve.

Many injured plaintiffs first look to insurance. Insurance plays a significant role in any auto accident, bus or not. Indiana is an at-fault or fault-based state when it comes to auto insurance claims. Under a fault-based system, your own insurance will typically not cover you, and you must file a claim with the other driver’s insurance. In addition, you must have evidence to support your claims and prove the other driver caused the accident.

Typically, buses are often considered “common carriers” under Indiana law where they are transporting numerous unrelated people. Special law exists with respect to “common carriers” which gives them a heightened duty to protect the safety of their passengers. This law is quite different than the law of negligence in ordinary car accident cases, and it’s very important that you have lawyers who are knowledgeable in this area of the law to help you receive the maximum legal recovery.

If a settlement cannot be reached with the other driver’s insurance or the insurance company denies your claim outright, you have the option to file a personal injury lawsuit against the bus driver and possibly their employer. Lawsuits are not always the ideal route to take as they have been known to take a long time. However, disputes may exist over issues such as the injured party’s pain and suffering and extent of economic losses which cannot be resolved without filing litigation. It is important that your lawyers have the means and knowledge to document your losses in ways that a jury will understand in order to maximize your recovery. Our lawyers have invested millions of dollars on behalf of clients over their career in order to retain skilled expert consultants who can document our client’s injuries.

By preparing your case in a compelling way - so that the bus company and its insurance company understand what will happen if they don’t resolve the case - it is often possible to convince the at-fault parties that they would lose a court battle and that a private settlement is their best choice. Our Indianapolis bus accident lawyers can help you effectively negotiate for the greatest settlement possible in your case.

Who Can I Sue After a Bus Accident in Indianapolis?

When filing a lawsuit for a bus accident, you should talk about your case with your attorney before signing anything or agreeing to give a statement to an insurance adjuster. While you might have one particular defendant in mind, your attorney might know about other defendants who are also liable for your accident. Naming the best defendant or defendants in a bus accident case will help you maximize your potential damages claims, as will receiving guidance from someone experienced in these cases.

First, you can sue the bus driver involved in your accident. Bus drivers are responsible for driving safely on the road like any other driver. Not only are buses extremely large and heavy vehicles, but they are also often full of passengers. Both on and off the bus, many people rely on the bus driver to keep them safe. When a bus driver is negligent, you and others might get severely injured.

Many plaintiffs do not realize that they can sue more than just the bus driver. Employers can be held liable for the negligence of their employees under certain circumstances. If the bus driver worked for a larger bus company when the accident happened, that bus company could also be held liable. However, if a bus driver was not technically an employee but rather a driver contracted to drive the bus, the bus company cannot be sued. Employers can be held liable for the negligence of employees, but clients cannot be held liable for the actions of independent contractors. Bus drivers are usually employees, so this should not cause an issue in your case.

Buses are not only used in private businesses. Many buses are part of a city’s public transportation system and are actually owned and operated by the city. The city itself could be held liable for your injuries in such a case. However, suing a municipality is not like suing a private person or business. There may be additional legal procedures that must be followed. As such, it is crucial that you speak with our Indianapolis bus accident lawyers as soon as possible so we can figure out what your next step should be.

Pedestrians Involved in Bus Accidents on Indianapolis

You do not have to be the driver of another car to have a cause of action in a bus accident. Anyone injured in a bus accident can file a lawsuit or insurance claim, including other drivers, bus passengers, or pedestrians. In fact, you may have a stronger case as a pedestrian in a bus accident lawsuit because pedestrians are almost never at fault for accidents. As a pedestrian plaintiff, you might have a better chance of leveraging a large settlement agreement without having to go through a long and costly trial.

However, that does not mean that an insurance company or the bus company will not fight the case. Common allegations against pedestrians include arguments that the pedestrian was in the street when they did not have the right of way. Pedestrians are permitted to cross the street according to lights and street signs. It is sometimes confusing who has the right of way at a crosswalk or intersection. Our Indianapolis bus accident lawyers can help you fight for just compensation.

Call Our Indianapolis Bus Accident Attorneys

If you were involved in a bus accident, your injuries might be very serious and expensive. Do not allow negligent bus drivers and the people they work for get away with bad behavior. Contact our Indianapolis bus accident lawyers for legal advice. Call the offices of Wruck Paupore PC Injury Lawyers at (219) 322-1166 for a free case evaluation.