Because of the large number of passengers carried by buses, and the large size and tremendous weight of the vehicles themselves, a bus accident can cause devastating injuries to multiple individuals. Victims of bus accidents may be passengers in other vehicles, cyclists or pedestrians – as well as bus passengers.
If you or someone you love has been seriously harmed in a bus accident, the trauma can be financially, physically, and emotionally draining for the whole family, especially if the victim is a wage earner. When you are overwhelmed by this kind of situation and don’t know where to turn, contact Cummings Law.
Our preeminent personal injury firm, located in Nashville, has the knowledge and skill to help you win the damages you deserve. Our lead attorney Brian Cummings has a well-earned reputation for being an agile negotiator and a fierce litigator with a track record of success. More than that, he is known to be compassionate and supportive, dedicated to fighting for the rights of his clients.
Causes of a Bus Accident
In some cases, a bus accident can be traced to impairment or negligence on the part of the bus driver; in others, the cause may be defects in the vehicle itself. Also, some bus accidents may be caused by poor maintenance or by the recklessness of the driver of another vehicle. In any case, in which someone else is responsible for your injury, you are legally entitled to compensation for your medical costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and other injury-related expenses. Brian Cummings is the bus accident attorney to make sure you receive them.
Through a thorough investigation of police reports and witness accounts, an examination of the accident site, and consultation with mechanical and medical experts, our team will work to narrow down the cause of the accident to one or more of the following:
- Bus driver impairment by drugs or alcohol
- Bus driver fatigue, illness, or distraction
- Recklessness on the part of the bus driver –e.g. speeding, disobeying traffic signals
- Recklessness of another driver who collided with the bus
- Defects in the bus at the time of manufacture
- Poor maintenance of mechanical or electronic equipment on the bus
- Insufficient training of the bus driver by the bus company
- Improper vetting of the bus driver in terms of driving record and/or personal history
- Improper road repair resulting in broken pavement, potholes, etc.
Bus drivers must have special training in order to be able to maneuver their vehicles safely since buses are long, have large blind spots, and are difficult to handle, especially on steep slopes or sharp turns. Also, passengers on public buses are not protected by seat belts, which means if an accident occurs there are serious injuries.
Types of Bus Accident Injuries
Unfortunately, although the tough exterior of a bus tends to protect its passengers, the height of a bus makes it more likely to tip over. Rollovers are more likely to result in traumatic injuries and also in situations in which passengers have to be mechanically extricated from the vehicle. Victims of bus accidents can suffer:
- Lacerations
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Bone fractures
- Back injuries
- Whiplash
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
Such severe injuries may result in long-term or permanent disability — e.g. loss of mobility, loss of vision or hearing, amputation, cognitive impairment — or even in wrongful death. Cummings Law is fully prepared to help you win the substantial damages you deserve so you can maintain your stability and the stability of your family no matter how catastrophic your losses.
Who Will Cummings Law File a Claim Against?
In Tennessee, WeGo Public Transit, formerly known as the Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA), serves both Nashville and Davidson Counties. WeGo oversees the transportation of almost 10 million riders annually in both commuter buses and paratransit buses (minibusses or vans servicing disabled riders). Depending on the particular circumstances of your accident, we may file a claim against:
- WeGo Public Transit for poor maintenance or improper vetting or training of drivers
- Bus manufacturers who have allowed defective vehicles to be on the road
- Drivers of other vehicles whose negligence resulted in a collision with your bus
- The town, county, state or federal agency responsible for maintaining traffic lights, signs, or roadway surfaces
In addition, privately owned buses, including tour buses and charters, are part of the Tennessee mass transit system. Private buses may be more prone to have serious accidents than public buses since they frequently travel on highways and go longer distances at higher speeds.
You should be aware that Cummings Law handles private and school bus accidents as well as those involving public buses. We take on all types of bus accidents involving the liability of others in which you or a family member has been harmed.
Cummings Law Will Help You Win Your Bus Accident Case
In order to receive monetary damages in a bus accident lawsuit, it is not sufficient to merely prove that you were injured by a bus accident. We also must prove that:
- The bus company, another individual, or government agency owed you a duty of care;
- The defendant breached that duty;
- The defendant’s conduct caused your injuries; and,
- Your injuries resulted in serious harm that can be compensated.
According to Tennessee law, every driver in Tennessee owes everyone else on the road, sidewalk, or shoulder of a roadway a duty of reasonable care. This means that all drivers are expected to drive reasonably and to avoid taking risks that may harm others. For bus companies and their drivers, however, the legal standard is even higher. This higher level of duty of care makes it somewhat easier for us to win a claim against a bus company than it might be to win against another non-professional driver. By the same token, large public transit companies have high-priced lawyers working for them and insurance companies that are just as reluctant as other insurance companies to make large payouts.
Contact Our Nashville Bus Accident Attorney
With our innovative negotiation techniques and courtroom strategies, Cummings Law is ready to work energetically to see to it that you and your family receive every bit of compensation you are entitled to. It is important to consult with us as soon as possible since there is a one-year statute of limitations for bus accident injuries in Tennessee. Also, the sooner you contact us, the sooner we can collect evidence while it is still fresh and available. Remember, when you become a Cummings Law client, you owe no attorneys’ fees until you receive a financial recovery.
