Wildwood Bus Accident Lawyer

Wildwood Bus Accident Attorneys

While bus accidents are far less common than passenger car accidents in Wildwood, they can easily result in significant injuries for multiple victims. If you are recovering from injuries suffered in a charter bus accident, the right attorney can be an invaluable asset when it comes to helping you recover. Your Wildwood bus accident lawyer can help you ensure compensation for your damages.

The team at The Cagle Law Firm has helped many past clients recover from all kinds of personal injuries, and we know the legal challenges you might face with your charter bus accident claim. We can lead and advise you in your bus accident case.

Causes of Charter Bus Accidents

Charter bus accidents may be caused by a number of things, including a bus driver’s negligence. A bus driver could be driving distracted if they’re eating, using their cell phone, or otherwise multitasking. An accident could also be caused by driving recklessly or under the influence.

Bus drivers often have long shifts, which means they could be driving while fatigued. Like driving under the influence, this is also extremely dangerous and can result in serious crashes.  Charter bus drivers are held to the same level of responsibility as other commercial drivers. They are professional drivers employed by common carriers.

Charter bus companies and drivers must follow all of the regulations from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.  They are held to this professional standard because of the size of the vehicles and the greater risk and damage that occurs when these vehicles crash.

Building Your Charter Bus Accident Claim in Wildwood

Missouri upholds the fault rule for all vehicle accidents, meaning if the bus driver is at fault, the charter bus company’s insurance will be liable. Like in most other vehicle accident cases, insurance compensation can play a critical role in your recovery both physically and financially.

Because charter buses are commercial vehicles, they carry commercial insurance coverage, which is much greater than typical passenger vehicle insurance minimums.

Charter bus companies typically have common carrier insurance, which is quite different from typical insurance policies. As a passenger, you shouldn’t need to worry about giving statements or proving fault. Unlike car accidents when you are a driver, you won’t have to defend yourself from accusations of fault.

Dealing With Insurance Adjusters as a Charter Bus Accident Victim

Dealing with any insurance company can be challenging, as adjusters almost always look for ways to deny claims or justify the lowest possible settlement offers. Common carrier insurance adjusters don’t have your interests at heart, and they’ll do everything possible to reduce the amount they owe you.

While they might act friendly, don’t speak to them without first speaking to an attorney. They’ll likely try to contact you after a bus accident to make an offer or have you sign a release. However, these offers are typically unfair and not enough to cover the costs of your injuries. It’s crucial to get an attorney’s advice before complying with their requests.

Some adjusters may even engage in bad-faith tactics to avoid paying out fair settlements. This is just one of the potential complexities you could face with this type of case, and the right attorney can be an invaluable asset in helping you prevent and address these issues.

An insurance adjuster is less likely to attempt any bad-faith dealings when they see that legal counsel represents a claimant. Your Wildwood personal injury lawyer can ensure you are treated fairly. We can make sure that you receive the appropriate compensation and protect you from bad-faith insurance adjusters.

The Cagle Law Firm is ready to assist you with your bus accident claim in Wildwood. We can address any challenges you face and help you recover compensation for the damages you suffered. Insurance adjusters may try to speak with you soon after the crash, so it is important that you reach out to our firm quickly.

FAQs

Q: Do You Need to Prove Fault for a Bus Accident in Wildwood?

A: As a passenger, you have to prove fault by the negligent party for a bus accident in Wildwood. However, you are not generally having to prove any lack of fault on your behalf as a passenger. The only time that you may be able to have any fault attributed to you if you were somehow interfering with the driver. You should be able to receive compensation through the bus company’s common carrier insurance.  An experienced bus accident lawyer can help ensure that their client receives compensation.

Q: How Much Compensation Can I Claim for a Bus Accident in Wildwood?

A: The amount of compensation you can claim for a charter bus accident in Wildwood depends on the overall severity of the injuries you suffered. You have the right to seek full compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and other economic damages, and you can also seek pain and suffering compensation. Your bus accident lawyer can provide an estimate of the total compensation you could foreseeably obtain if you succeed with your case.

Q: How Long Does It Take to Resolve a Bus Accident Claim in Wildwood?

A: The time it could take to resolve a charter bus accident claim in Wildwood largely depends on whether the plaintiff has sufficient evidence to clearly prove fault and whether the at-fault defendant accepts liability. The other important factor is the medical requirement timeline to address your injuries.  Those seriously injured usually go through medical treatment for weeks if not months, thus their cases may take longer simply due to the time required to heal.

Dealing with insurance can be challenging without an attorney’s help, and if you must file a personal injury case, settlement through your attorney may still be a good option in a shorter timeline than litigation. However, a faster case could mean a smaller settlement, as insurance adjusters typically offer too-low settlements at first.

Q: What Is Common Carrier Insurance for Commercial Buses?

A: Common carrier insurance is a type of insurance policy intended for transportation such as buses, trains, and planes. As a bus passenger, you should be covered under this type of insurance in the event of an accident.

Insurance adjusters for the common carrier often make offers and attempt to have you sign releases soon after the accident. While they’ll pass these actions off as friendly customer service, in reality, they’re attempts to protect their bottom line. Your attorney can protect your interests.

Q: Why Do I Need to Hire a Wildwood Bus Accident Lawyer?

A: You need to hire a charter bus accident lawyer because common carrier insurance companies may try to take advantage of you when you don’t have legal counsel. They often try to use anything you say against you to reduce or deny your claim. An attorney can ensure that insurance adjusters do not engage in bad-faith tactics. With their help, you’re much more likely to receive sufficient compensation.

Contact the Skilled Attorneys at The Cagle Law Firm Today

The Cagle Law Firm can provide the compassionate, responsive legal representation you need for your bus accident case. We have helped many past clients secure compensation for their damages after all sorts of bus accidents in Wildwood, and we can put this experience to work for you. Contact us today and schedule your free consultation with a trustworthy Wildwood bus accident lawyer about your case.