Bus Accident Attorneys in Mobile

Riding the bus is a convenient way to get around town, and thousands of Alabamans use this mode of transportation each day. Many people travel on buses to get to and from work, and we entrust school buses to bring our kids to and from school and other activities safely. Some individuals also travel long distances on a Greyhound or charter bus to visit family or attend an event.

Most of us assume that buses are a safe way to travel, and while this is generally true, they do get into accidents sometimes. When a bus gets into an accident, it can result in serious injuries. When a bus collides with a regular vehicle, for example, occupants of the other vehicle usually take the worst of it because their vehicle is smaller, and they do not have as much protection.

When someone gets injured in a bus accident that was someone else’s fault, they deserve to be fully compensated. These types of cases are typically far more complicated than standard auto accidents, however, and insurance companies will do everything they can to avoid paying out fair compensation. If this has happened to you or someone close to you, it is very important to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible, so you understand your legal rights and options.

At Hedge Copeland, PC, we have over six decades of combined experience representing victims of bus accidents and all other types of vehicle accidents in Alabama. Our firm is focused exclusively on representing injured plaintiffs, and we have extensive knowledge of this area of the law. Over the years, we have secured millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements on behalf of our clients, and we accept a limited number of cases so we can give your case the energy and attention it deserves.

We do things a little differently than most other firms. The clients who work with us are treated like family, and we work closely with them to secure the most favorable result possible. We know how to deal with insurance companies and other well-funded adversaries, and although it is often in everyone’s best interests to negotiate a settlement that represents full and fair compensation, we will not hesitate to take the case to trial if necessary when the other side is not acting in good faith.

Types of Bus Accidents in Alabama

There are a number of different types of accidents that a bus could be involved in:

• Bus-Car Accidents: One of the most common accidents is a bus that collides with another vehicle or several vehicles. This often happens when the bus or the other vehicle veers out of their lane without realizing that the lane is not clear.

• Bus-Motorcycle Accidents: Motorcycles have a very small profile, and it is easy for a bus driver to not notice a motorcycle that is riding alongside them. When a bus crashes into a motorcycle, the motorcyclist can end up with serious injuries.

• Bus-Bicycle Accidents: The climate here in Alabama is warm for most of the year, so it is not uncommon for people to be out riding their bikes. With a fair amount of bicycle traffic on the roads, bus-bicycle collisions are more likely in this part of the country.

• Bus-Pedestrian Accidents: Some of the most catastrophic injuries result from a large vehicle like a bus running into a pedestrian. These types of accidents are most common when there are a lot of kids around walking to and from school or the bus stop.

• Single Vehicle Accidents: Though not as common, buses can sometimes roll over when they are driving at high speeds and encounter heavy winds and other adverse conditions. Rollover accidents can result in very serious injuries for bus passengers.

Common Causes of Bus Accidents

The large size of buses can be an advantage in that it helps passengers feel more secure, but it also makes these vehicles more difficult to maneuver, especially through tight areas. And as we touched on earlier, buses have a higher center of gravity, which makes them more prone to rollover accidents. Bus drivers may also have a more difficult time seeing other vehicles, objects, and persons nearby.

Here are some of the reasons bus accidents occur:

• Speeding or driving too fast for conditions.
• Texting or other forms of distracted driving.
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Aggressive or reckless driving.
• Driving while fatigued.
• Mechanical breakdowns or defective vehicle part malfunctions.

Pursuing a Bus Accident Legal Claim

Bus accident victims will often require extensive medical treatment which could cause them to miss a significant amount of work. On top of this, there is the physical and emotional pain and suffering, which could last for an extended period of time. In the worst cases, victims can end up with a permanent and debilitating injury or a wrongful death.

Determining who is at fault for the injuries and where to go for compensation can be very challenging in a bus accident case. Every case is different, and an extensive investigation is needed to uncover the root cause of the accident and what factors contributed to it. It could also be that multiple parties are responsible and pursuing a claim may involve some specialized procedures.

For example, if the driver of the bus is at fault and he/she works for a private bus company, then federal FMCSA regulations would come into play as well as the state laws that govern the operation of buses and other large commercial vehicles. However, if the bus is owned by a government entity, then the defendant may have special protections and there may be limited deadlines for filing the claim.

We would also want to look at whether the accident was caused by negligent maintenance or a faulty vehicle or vehicle part. If this were the case, then the party in charge of maintaining the vehicle or the product manufacturer could be the one at fault.

Work with an Experienced Mobile, AL Bus Accident Attorney

If you or a loved one got injured in a bus accident in Alabama, you need strong legal counsel in your corner fighting hard to recover maximum compensation on your behalf. For a free consultation and case assessment with one of our attorneys, contact Hedge Copeland today at 251-432-8844 or send us an online message. We look forward to serving you!