Milwaukee Bus Accident Lawyer

Buses must navigate tight quarters, carry many passengers, and operate safely on the streets of Milwaukee with other motorists in mind. When bus drivers, operating companies, or bus manufacturers behave negligently, they put others in harm’s way and create liability for themselves for the consequences.

To sue for bus accident injuries, a victim must first identify which party’s negligence caused the accident. This might include the bus driver, their employer, another driver, or the company that manufactured the bus. If they can show that the other side was responsible for their injuries, they could recover damages stemming from the financial and personal consequences that those injuries have and will create.

If you are considering your legal options after a bus accident left you injured, Wruck Paupore wants to help. By taking the first step of calling our seasoned Milwaukee bus accident lawyers today, you can access our initial offer of a free case assessment. Contact our offices at (219) 322-1166.

Determining Fault for Bus Accident Injuries in Milwaukee

If you suffer injuries in a bus accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may have the chance to recover compensation for those injuries through a lawsuit. This chance exists regardless of whether you were on the bus itself, in a different vehicle, or walking nearby.

When considering legal action, the first item on the agenda will be determining who was at fault for causing the accident that injured you. Wisconsin is an at-fault state, meaning that injury victims should pursue damages directly from the negligent party’s insurer.

To determine whether the bus driver was at fault, you should consider whether they took reasonable care in operating the bus. This includes following the standard traffic laws that every driver is responsible for following in Milwaukee, but it also includes duties specific to buses. Buses are heavier, slower to stop, and harder to turn around tight corners than personal vehicles. A reasonably prudent bus driver would consider all of these factors while operating their vehicle. One who does not might be at fault for the consequences.

However, the bus driver is not always the party at fault. Another driver’s negligence may have caused the accident. If you were a passenger on a bus that was involved in an accident with other vehicles, your Milwaukee bus accident lawyer can help you determine whether fault lies with the bus driver or another driver.

Bus Operator Liability for Bus Accident Injuries in Milwaukee

When we talk about finding the bus driver was at fault, that does not necessarily mean that your lawsuit will be filed against the bus driver themselves. Most bus drivers are employees of the bus operating company. Under Wisconsin law, you can name the bus company or operator in your lawsuit if the bus driver’s negligence that caused the accident occurred within the scope of their employment. This doctrine is known as respondeat superior.

For example, if a bus driver caused a crash because they failed to account for icy conditions on the road while driving, an injury victim would be able to sue the bus driver’s employer under respondeat superior. However, if the crash occurred because the bus driver stopped at the bar and had several drinks before getting behind the wheel of the bus, that behavior would likely be considered outside of the scope of their employment, and respondeat superior might not be available.

Bus operators may also be found liable if their own negligence caused the accident. Companies and government bodies that own and operate buses have legal obligations to inspect and maintain their vehicles and provide adequate training to their employees on safe bus driving practices. If they fall short in these areas, an untrained driver or a malfunctioning piece of bus equipment could make them liable for the consequences.

Manufacturer Liability for Bus Accidents Caused by Defects in Milwaukee

If a bus defect or malfunction caused the accident, you should note that the bus company may not always be the one at fault. Some manufacturing defects may be difficult or even impossible to detect through reasonable inspection. In these cases, the bus manufacturer or the company responsible for building the defective part may be the party to blame.

But identifying these situations can be difficult without the experience necessary to identify if a defect existed. Therefore, if you find yourself in a situation like this, bring your case to the attention of our experienced Milwaukee bus accident lawyers to help you sort through who was responsible.

Damages for Bus Accident Injuries in Milwaukee

When a Milwaukee bus accident injury victim succeeds with their personal injury lawsuit, they recover damages from the responsible party or their insurer. Damages are monetary compensation for the financial and personal consequences of the victim’s injuries.

Financial consequences include more than just the medical expenses you incur from your evaluation and treatment. Damages will account for the monetary value of the time you miss at work. Suppose your injuries prevent you from working indefinitely or permanently. In that case, you could also get compensated for your decreased earning potential and the experience or education you had gained in your field.

As far as the impact on your quality of life, monetary losses may be harder to quantify. But just because these losses are less tangible does not mean that your claim for pain and suffering and diminished enjoyment of life is not valuable. These damages, known as non-economic damages, frequently account for the largest portion of personal injury damages. However, it takes skilled and experienced lawyers to maximize the recovery for these damages.

It is hard to know how much your case could be worth in damages without the experienced eye of a Milwaukee bus accident attorney. Avoid speaking with an insurance representative or writing off your case before first speaking with Wruck Paupore Injury Lawyers about your options.

The Wruck Paupore Milwaukee Bus Accident Attorneys

When you call our diligent Milwaukee bus accident lawyers at (219) 322-1166 today. We will provide you with a personalized case assessment for free.