Most people do not consider buses to be particularly dangerous forms of transportation, especially since they travel at such low speeds, however, bus accidents do happen, and if you’ve been injured in one, you need a knowledgeable St. Mary’s County bus accident lawyer who can fight for your rights today. Contact The Dorsey Law Firm to learn more about how we can assist you.
Do I Need a St. Mary’s County Bus Accident Lawyer?
Bus accidents are notoriously complex to handle, as in many cases, we will have to file a claim against the Maryland Transit Administration in order to win the compensation you need. This is why you need a Leonardtown personal injury lawyer who has handled bus accident claims in the past. Our firm is here.
Frequent Causes of Bus Accidents
Bus accidents can happen for a variety of reasons, though in most cases, they are caused by bus driver negligence. Some of the most common types of bus driver negligence that our firm sees are as follows:
- Speeding
- Driving while intoxicated
- Failing to ensure everyone is seated before driving away
- Negligently discharging passengers
- Sudden stops and starts
- Failing to account for blind spots
- Looking at a GPS or otherwise using a cellular device while driving
Proving Your Claim
After a bus accident, if possible, it is critical that you take certain steps to maximize your chances of winning your personal injury claim. In most cases, when it comes to bus accidents, there were other passengers involved, which is why after calling the police, you should be sure to obtain their contact information so they can corroborate your claim at a later date. You should also take pictures of the scene of the accident and hire a knowledgeable St. Mary’s County bus accident lawyer who can work to ensure that surveillance footage from the accident is secured as well. It is also imperative that you seek immediate medical treatment after such an accident, even if you are not immediately injured, as certain injuries take a couple of days to set in.
Notice of Claim
While the statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Maryland is, generally, three years, this is often not the case when it comes to bus accidents. Since bus companies are generally owned by the Maryland Transit Administration, if you’ve been hurt in a bus accident, you will most likely have to file a Notice of Claim within one year of the date of your accident, which essentially informs the agency that you plan on taking legal action against them. Failing to do so will most likely result in you losing your right to sue.
Contact Our St. Mary’s County Bus Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been injured in a bus accident, the time to act is now. The sooner you speak with our firm, the better off you will be. Contact The Dorsey Law Firm today so we can begin the claims process on your behalf.