Due to strict enforcement of traffic laws and top-quality driver training programs, bus accidents are relatively rare. Despite continuing safety programs, bus accidents often involve multiple injured passengers, resulting in life-changing injuries that could cause physical, financial, and even emotional upheaval.
Typically, public and private bus operators have insurance policies with much higher policy limits than individual auto insurance policies. Settlements and jury awards in bus accident cases could climb up to millions of dollars depending on the accident’s circumstances, the case facts, the degree of negligence involved, and the extent of injuries and damages sustained. But winning a case is not easy. Luckily, there’s a way for bus accident victims to get the help they need. All they have to do is to find experienced bus accident attorneys, and they may be able to receive the compensation they deserve. Read on to know more about the various types of payment you may be entitled to in a bus accident case.
Types of Compensation
It is vital to note that the specific types and amount of compensation available for bus accident injuries may vary depending on the jurisdiction’s laws and regulations. However, bus accident cases come in categories that include economic and non-economic damage.
Economic damages consist of:
Medical expenses
This includes compensation for any medical costs related to the treatment of injuries sustained during the accident, from emergency room costs and emergency transportation to hospitalization, surgery, testing, cost of prescription medication, medical equipment, etc. Your past, current, and future medical expenses could also be included in a personal injury claim, and the degree of your injuries will determine the value of your case. So, your medical reports containing expenses must be all recorded and documented. A professional bus accident lawyer can help you compile and present your evidence.
Property damage
If you were driving in your car and got involved in a bus accident, your vehicle was likely damaged. You can get compensation to repair or replace your vehicle. If you were on a bus when an accident occurred, you could receive compensation for any possessions you had with you that were damaged or lost.
Lost wages or income
Suppose the injuries sustained in the bus accident prevent the victim from returning to work or the accident forced you to change careers or switch to a lower-paying position. In that case, you could be entitled to compensation while recovering from your injuries, and the loss might also be added to your claim.
Fractures
Fractures are prevalent in bus accidents because people can get thrown around and suffer blunt-force trauma in bus crashes. While fractures or bone breaks may not be fatal, they could result in chronic pain or disfigurement. Fractures also require rehabilitative therapy or treatment to restore strength, function, and flexibility to the injured body part. This means you may only be able to work once you fully recover from your injuries.
Wrongful death
In cases where a bus accident results in the death of a victim, their family members may be entitled to compensation for their loss.
Non-economic damages:
These are damages sustained from bus accidents that cannot be assessed monetarily. However, it is still possible to quantify them. One example of non-economic damages is the victims’ physical pain and mental suffering after the accident. In addition to the physical injuries, victims also suffer psychological and emotional effects such as depression, anxiety, breakdown of family relationships, etc.
Final note
An experienced bus accident lawyer can obtain the maximum compensation by evaluating the claim properly to reflect your injury’s financial and psychological impacts. Hence, it is imperative to consult with a personal injury lawyer who can help navigate the legal process and ensure that victims receive the appropriate compensation they are entitled to.
