Ylla Gosney represents injury victims in all different types of accidents in Oklahoma City. During your daily commute, it’s very likely you come across a bus, whether it’s a school bus or an EMBARK transit bus.
Like any accident involving a large vehicle, bus accidents in Oklahoma City can lead to serious, life-altering injuries. To learn more about your legal options in this situation, contact us today for a free consultation.
Why Should You Get a Lawyer After a Bus Accident?
You don’t need to get a lawyer after a bus accident in Oklahoma City, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. More so than other accidents, a bus accident–whether you’re inside or outside of the bus–is likely going to cause pretty serious injuries. This, as you might expect, is going to make everything that comes after it harder.
We can help you by:
- Looking into what caused the accident
- Explaining your legal rights and choices
- Talking to insurance companies to get you a fair settlement
- Taking the case to court if necessary
Having our experienced team on your side after a bus accident in Oklahoma City can make a big difference in how smoothly things go. We’re here to simplify the process and help you understand your legal choices.
What Legal Options Are There After a Bus Accident
Whether a bus hits your car, you’re a pedestrian, or you’re a passenger on the bus, your legal rights are the same. If someone else’s negligence caused your injuries, you can file a personal injury claim. You typically do this by either:
- Filing an insurance claim
- Filing a lawsuit
The steps you take will depend on factors like who was at fault and how severe your injuries are. The main goal is to recover “damages” from the responsible party, which can include:
- Medical bills and ongoing care if you’re permanently injured
- Lost income from missed work and future earning potential if you can’t work anymore
- Costs to repair or replace your vehicle or other property
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment in life
- Expenses for wrongful death if the accident was fatal
- Punitive damages if the accident was caused by reckless or intentional actions
Remember, in Oklahoma, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim. If you miss this deadline, you lose the right to file a claim at all. Given how serious bus accidents can be, getting damages could be critical to your recovery.
Who Pays For Your Damages After a Bus Accident?
Obviously, it can be pretty difficult to untangle all the things that go into a bus accident. This includes figuring out who pays for your damages–legally known as establishing “liability.” Even though it’s challenging in some cases, it’s extremely vital; it tells you who you’ll be filing your claim against, and more importantly, who has to pay for your damages.
At the same time, buses are held to the same rules as other vehicles. Moreover, negligence is still the legal standard for liability. So, if a bus driver’s negligence caused the accident, both the driver and the bus company may be held responsible.
- The bus driver or another party had a duty to act safely but failed, causing the accident and your injuries.
What makes bus accidents more complicated is that multiple parties could be involved. While the bus driver and their employer (which could be the city, county, or school district if it’s a school bus) are often the main parties responsible, others may also share the blame, like:
- Other drivers – If another driver’s reckless behavior caused the crash, they could also be at fault.
- Manufacturers – If defective parts or safety equipment contributed to the accident, the manufacturer could be liable.
- Bus leasing companies – If the bus was leased and had issues, the leasing company might be responsible.
- Distracting passengers – If a passenger distracted the driver, they could share some liability.
- Maintenance workers – If poor maintenance caused the accident, those responsible for upkeep could be held accountable.
- Road maintenance agencies – If bad road conditions played a role, local government agencies may be partially liable.
Like any accident–but especially in a bus accident–it’s important to figure out all of the liable parties because you can get damages from each of them. This makes the process a bit more complicated, but increases the chances that you’ll get higher damages. But remember, you still have a few responsibilities when it comes to your claim.
What Can You Do to Protect Your Claim?
Just having the right to file a claim after your bus accident doesn’t mean you’ll automatically get your damages. Rather, as the victim filing the claim, it’s actually on you to take certain steps–and present certain evidence–to strengthen your claim. You get much of this information right after the accident happens, but this raises a difficult question: how can you protect your claim? Generally, it means taking the following steps:
- Get medical care – Call 911 right away, even if you think you’re fine. A doctor’s check-up will record your injuries, which is important for your claim.
- Report the accident – Have the dispatcher send the Oklahoma City Police to the scene. They’ll handle the situation and gather important details. Make sure the bus driver or company reports the accident and any damage.
- Collect evidence – If you can, get the contact and insurance details from the driver and others involved. Take photos or videos of the scene, any damage, and visible injuries.
- Keep records – Hold on to all paperwork related to your medical care, costs, and communications with insurance companies. This documentation is going to be crucial for your case.
- Be careful with statements – Don’t say or sign anything without checking with us first. Insurance companies usually try to use your words against you to reduce their liability. Also, don’t post about the accident on social media or anywhere else public.
While no one wants to go through a bus accident, it’s important to consider your legal options if it happens. Following these steps will help you build a strong foundation for your claim.
What Can Cause a Bus Accident in Oklahoma City?
Bus accidents can happen anywhere, and Oklahoma City is no exception. Oklahoma City is among the busiest and most crowded areas of the entire state. If you’re walking or driving in busy areas like Midtown or the East End, you should always be cautious with buses. Still, even if you’re careful, there are common reasons why these accidents might happen:
- Busy areas – Busy streets and bus stops increase the chance of accidents, especially when pedestrians or drivers aren’t paying full attention.
- Tired or distracted drivers – Bus drivers working long hours might have slower reaction times, increasing the risk of accidents.
- Distractions – Drivers using phones, eating, or talking to passengers can lose focus, which can lead to dangerous situations.
- Aggressive driving – Speeding, tailgating, or other risky driving behaviors become even more dangerous in Oklahoma City’s traffic.
- Inexperienced drivers – Drivers without proper training or experience may struggle to operate a bus safely, raising the chances of an accident.
- Poor bus maintenance – Buses that aren’t regularly inspected or repaired are more likely to break down or have mechanical issues, which can cause accidents.
- Bad road conditions – Potholes or poorly maintained roads can cause accidents if bus drivers aren’t cautious.
What makes bus accidents different from normal car accidents is that they often result in serious injuries like head trauma, spinal injuries, whiplash, broken bones, and internal damage that might not be obvious right away but could be life-threatening. Recovering from such injuries takes time and support, and while the legal system is there to help, having our team by your side can make all the difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
If a bus hits me while walking, can I file a claim?
Yes. You have the same legal rights whether you’re walking, driving, or riding on the bus. When an accident leaves you injured, you can file a claim.
Can I still file a claim if my child is hurt on a school bus?
Yes. You can file a claim on behalf of your child if they’re hurt in an accident on their school bus. However, the claim will likely be filed against the city or county school board.
What if I’m partially at fault in the accident?
If you’re partly at fault for a bus accident in Oklahoma City, you can still get damages. But, the amount you get will be reduced by the percentage of blame you share. For example, if you’re 20% at fault, your payment could be 20% less.
Experienced Oklahoma City Bus Accident Lawyers
At Ylla Gosney, Attorneys at Law, we focus on helping you recover physically and legally after a bus accident in Oklahoma City. Our experienced bus accident lawyers understand the challenges you’re up against, and we’ll be there to guide and support you through the entire claims process. If you or someone you care about has been injured in a bus accident in Oklahoma City, contact us today for a free consultation.