Huntsville Bus Accident Attorneys

Ferguson & Ferguson

Attorneys at Law

When you get onto a bus, you trust that the driver is properly licensed, well-rested and ready to operate the bus in the safest way possible to protect the safety of all passengers. You also trust that the vehicle has been properly inspected and designed and that all parts of the bus are fully operational. However, bus accidents do occur, and often times it is the result of negligence on the part of the bus driver, bus company or bus manufacturer. When a bus wreck or accident occurs the consequences can be significant, both emotionally and financially, not only for the passengers on board but also for their dependents and loved ones.

Alabama law ensures that the costs of bus crashes are borne by those at fault, not by the innocent bus passengers and their families. An injury that occurs while an individual is using bus transportation may entitle that person and/or his dependents and family members to compensation. At the Huntsville and Decatur law firm Ferguson & Ferguson, our attorneys can help you determine if you have a valid claim for your bus accident injuries, and if so to maximize your recovery from the responsible parties.

Types of Alabama Bus Accidents

Our Huntsville bus accident lawyers handle all types of bus accident cases for injured victims. Some of these types of accidents include:

• Accidents on CTA and other local mass transit carriers
• School bus accidents
• Accidents on charter bus tours
• Bus accidents involving sight-seeing buses
• Greyhound, Megabus and other interstate passenger bus accidents
• Shuttle bus accidents

Causes of Alabama Bus Accidents

When you step onto a city transit bus or put your child on a school bus, you trust that every effort has been made to protect your safety or the safety or your child. Sadly, many bus accidents are caused by:

• Lack of seatbelts
• Bus driver error
• Flammable seat cushions
• Faulty emergency exits
• Dangerous roadways
• Weather conditions
• Defective parts
• Improper maintenance
• Criminal activity

Monetary Compensation for Serious Bus Injuries and Tragic Deaths

If you suffered a serious injury or your loved one was tragically killed in a bus accident, you may be able to file a lawsuit to collect monetary compensation for the damages associated with your injury or loss, including:

• Medical bills
• Lost earnings and wages
• Impaired earning capacity
• Life care costs
• Occupational rehabilitation
• Disfigurement
• Loss of relations
• Pain and suffering
• Punitive damages in wrongful death cases.

A bus crash lawyer can help you determine the types of damages to which you may be entitled. The extent of those damages will depend on the circumstances of the bus accident. We can help you determine the types of damages you may be entitled to compensation for and also help you identify all sources of compensation. In a bus accident lawsuit, several parties may be responsible. Depending on the circumstances surrounding your case, the bus driver, bus company, bus maintenance company, school district, auto part manufacturer or a government entity may be financially liable for accident-related damages.

Bus Accident Statistics

Thousands of Americans are hurt or killed each year in bus accidents. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, in 2012 alone, over 20,000 people were injured and another 254 were killed nationwide in accidents involving buses. Because of their immense size and weight, buses can be particularly dangerous when involved in accidents with smaller passenger vehicles. Under the law, most buses are considered “common carriers” and are subject to state and federal regulations. State and federal government laws can add to the complexity of a case involving a bus accident injury or death, which is why bus accident victims should consult a personal injury attorney.

In each of the years from 1990 to 2001, there were between 50,000 and 63,000 bus crashes in the United States, including bus accidents involving school buses, transit buses and intercity buses. Although the number of fatalities in these bus accidents is relatively low (from 3 to 21 per year, between 1991 and 2004), the number of injuries is much higher: generally somewhere between 15,000 and 21,000. Statistics from the Department of Transportation reveal that in 2008, 307 bus accident fatalities occurred in the United States. Since 2008, approximately 21,000 to 24,000 people per year were injured in U.S. bus accidents, reports the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

What Can a Bus Accident Attorney Do to Help?

There are many regulations that are specific to common carriers, such as bus companies and government transit lines, and an experienced bus accident attorney will be able to determine how they apply to your case. Also, statutes of limitations restrict the amount of time you have to file a claim after a bus crash, particularly if a government entity is involved. Government entities usually have shorter terms within which to file a bus accident claim. You should only entrust your case to a bus accident attorney who has experience and proven results in bus injury cases, to ensure that your case is handled competently and that the filing deadlines in your case are protected. At Ferguson & Ferguson, our Huntsville bus accident attorneys work with top investigators and experts in the fields of accident reconstruction, medicine, and life planning to ensure every case is properly prepared.

Free Consultation

If you or a love one has been injured in a bus accident in Alabama, call us today for a free consultation. Contact our firm as soon as possible to schedule an appointment with one of our professional attorneys. We offer free case reviews and work on a no win, no fee basis. Call now. Call 256-534-3435 or 1-800-752-1998. We are here to help.

Huntsville Office Location:
303 Williams Avenue Southwest
Suite 321
Huntsville, AL 35801
Decatur Office Location:
211 Oak Street Northeast
Decatur, AL 35601

Our bus accident attorneys serve every city and town in the State of Alabama and nationwide including Mobile Alabama: