Buses are far larger than the average vehicle, making accidents involving them that much more dangerous. People injured in a bus crash should seek help from experienced bus accident lawyers in Cape Coral in order to get maximum compensation for the harms they have suffered.
While navigating a potential lawsuit can be frustrating, especially when you are dealing with a difficult injury recovery process, attorneys can take that burden from you. At Viles & Beckman, we help clients by gathering evidence, filing claims, negotiating settlements, and taking the case to court if necessary.
Determining Fault in a Cape Coral Bus Crash
One of the first steps when filing a claim is determining who should be held responsible for causing the wreck and the injuries you suffered. Attorneys can gather evidence of fault, such as:
- Official police records of the crash
- Testimony from eyewitnesses
- Testimony from accident reconstruction professionals
- Video from nearby cameras (including surveillance or traffic camera footage)
- Documentation of your injuries and damages (such as photos of the wreck and your medical report)
Based on the available evidence, you might be able to sue a variety of parties for the injuries they caused. At-fault parties in a Cape Coral bus crash may include the bus driver, the bus company, the manufacturer of auto parts for any of the vehicles involved in the wreck, other involved drivers, and more.
For a free legal consultation with a bus accidents lawyer serving Cape Coral, call (239) 334-3933
Compensation You Can Get in a Cape Coral Bus Accident
In order to get compensation from the at-fault party, you will also need to show evidence of injuries and damages you have suffered. These are divided into two separate categories: economic and non-economic harms.
Economic Harms
The first group of damages for which you can seek compensation in a Cape Coral bus accident claim includes all the ways that you are financially affected by the wreck and your injuries. For example, you can seek compensation for:
- Medical bills associated with your injuries
- Future medical expenses (including accessibility alterations to your home due to disability)
- The cost of repairing or replacing your damaged vehicle
- Lost wages due to injury
- Lost earning potential due to injury
Non-Economic Harms
You can also get compensation for the emotional and mental harm you suffer as a result of your injuries. Physical pain, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment in life, loss of consortium with your spouse—all of these are types of harms that deserve to be compensated. However, since these do not have clear monetary values, it’s best to get help from Cape Coral bus accident lawyers.
Punitive Damages
There is another category of compensable damages, but these are rarely awarded. Designed as a way to punish overly negligent or dangerous behavior, this additional compensation can be awarded by the court in cases involving actions like drunk driving or texting while driving.
Cape Coral Bus Accident Lawyer Near Me (239) 334-3933
Time Limits for Bus Accident Cases in Cape Coral
The law places a time limit, called a statute of limitations, on the amount of time you can wait to file your claim before you lose the right to pursue compensation in court. For bus accidents and other personal injury claims in Florida, this deadline is four years, per Florida Statute § 95.11.
If you intend to file a bus accident claim against a government entity, local municipality, or school district, there may be further restrictions. Your time limit may be reduced, and you may have to contend with sovereign immunity laws that protect them.
Four years may seem like a lot of time, but there is much work that must be done in order to have a successful claim. It’s best to speak with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after your crash so that they can start working toward the compensation you deserve.
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What Cape Coral Bus Crash Lawyers Do for You
We’ve covered some of the major ways that bus accident attorneys in Cape Coral can help you have a successful claim, but there is much more. In addition to gathering information related to your wreck and subsequent injuries, your lawyer can:
- Negotiate with the at-fault party’s attorneys
- File your claim correctly and on time
- Identify all at-fault parties to maximize your compensation
- Argue your case in court, if necessary
Studies show that plaintiffs who are represented by attorneys consistently receive more compensation than those who represent themselves, even after lawyers’ fees are taken into account. The truth is that having an experienced law firm on your side is a huge advantage, especially when having to go up against a wealthy bus company.
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Our Bus Accident Attorneys in Cape Coral Work on a Contingency Basis
You are the only one who can decide if it’s “worth it” to hire an attorney for your Cape Coral bus accident case, but it almost always is. That’s especially true because our lawyers work on a contingency basis. We don’t get paid unless and until you get compensation in your case, and our fee comes as a percentage of that compensation.
Get a FREE Consultation With Cape Coral Bus Accident Lawyers Today
At Viles & Beckman, we offer all our clients a free consultation to discuss the ways in which we can help you succeed in your case. If you’re ready to fight for the compensation you deserve, fill out the form on our contact page or call us. Our Cape Coral bus accident attorneys are ready to provide the legal counsel you need.
Call or text (239) 334-3933 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form