Sydney Bus Accident Lawyers

Hundreds of people in Sydney ride in buses every day, whether the buses are operated by Transit Cape Breton, school districts, or private carriers such as tour companies. Unfortunately, sometimes these buses are involved in accidents that cause injuries to riders, bus company employees, other drivers, or even pedestrians. If you are injured in a bus accident, there are legal steps you can take to gain compensation for your injuries.

At NOVA Injury Law, we have experienced bus accident lawyers who can assist you in the process of filing your bus accident claim and receiving the compensation you deserve. We will help you determine who the liable parties are and assist in gathering evidence, locating witnesses, filing the necessary legal paperwork, and representing you in settlement negotiations or court if necessary. We have handled bus accident claims against public and private bus companies, including common carriers and municipalities, and have secured fair compensation for victims’ injuries.

Contact us today and let our dedicated legal team of personal injury lawyers navigate the legal process with you, securing compensation and protecting your rights. Call (782) 824-3348 to schedule your free consultation with an experienced Sydney bus accident lawyer and begin your journey toward healing.

Understanding Liability and Legal Process

Who Is Liable After a Bus Accident?

Liability in a bus accident case can be complicated, due to the number of parties involved and the likelihood of multiple victims. Liable parties may include the bus driver, bus owner, and even the bus manufacturer in cases of equipment malfunction. Bus drivers are obligated to exercise care and follow the rules of the road. Bus owners, whether private companies or public transit authorities, are responsible for following careful hiring practices, providing adequate training and supervision of employees, and following the laws regulating time on the road and rest breaks for drivers. Bus manufacturers must provide equipment that performs safely and does not fail. Government entities such as cities or provinces must maintain safe road conditions by maintaining roads, providing adequate signage for hazards, and managing challenging weather conditions. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, any or all of these parties may be found liable for the accident that caused your injuries.

Bus companies and local transit authorities are required to carry liability insurance to protect the public in case of an accident that causes injuries. Therefore, it may be the insurance company offering a settlement to avoid going to court. Big insurance companies have teams of lawyers whose only job is to avoid large payouts. The knowledgeable and experienced bus accident lawyers at NOVA Injury Law have experience dealing with insurance companies and can help you negotiate for the best settlement possible, or represent you in court if the insurance company is not willing to give you what you deserve.

Filing a Lawsuit or Claim

Filing a bus accident claim involves gathering evidence and providing the necessary legal paperwork in a timely manner. The statute of limitations for bus accident claims in Nova Scotia is generally two years from the date of the accident with injury. There are some exceptions. For example, if the victim is under 19 years of age, the two-year limitation period begins at the victim’s 19th birthday. Occasionally, the injury is not apparent for some time after the accident. In these cases, the two-year limitation period may not begin until the injury is discovered, provided that the delay is reasonable and the injury could not have been discovered earlier.
It is important to note that in cases where the defendant is a municipality or where the accident was fatal, the statute of limitations is reduced to one year. There are additional notice requirements for claims against the municipal, provincial, or federal government, as well.

For any bus accident claim, time is of the essence. Gathering evidence and building a case can take time, so contacting an experienced Sydney bus accident lawyer immediately is imperative. Our skilled bus accident lawyers will begin right away collecting evidence such as police reports, photos and video, witness statements, driver logs, documentation of driver training and supervision, bus maintenance records, and any other information that can be used to prove liability for your injuries. From there, we will build a case strategy, file all necessary paperwork, and represent you in settlement negotiations or at trial. Call us right away so that we can begin protecting your rights and securing fair compensation.

Types of Bus Accidents

If you are injured in a bus accident, it matters what kind of bus you were riding, driving, or hit by. Bus ownership can determine the liable parties and the best strategy for securing compensation. Whether your accident involved a school bus, charter bus, transit bus, tour bus, or charter bus, the owners, drivers, and bus manufacturers bear the responsibility of keeping you safe. If any of these failed in that responsibility, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.

Public vs. Private Bus Accidents

In a bus accident involving public entities, such as Transit Cape Breton or public school districts, it is vital to move quickly to secure the services of a skilled Sydney bus accident lawyer. The statute of limitations for filing a bus accident claim against a government entity is one year, as opposed to the two-year window available for claims against private carriers. That makes it imperative to contact a skilled bus accident lawyer immediately after any public transit accident. This shorter time limit also applies if the reason for the accident involved poor road maintenance, improper signage, or any other cause for which a government entity could be held liable.

The statute of limitations may be longer for injuries sustained in an accident involving a private carrier, but the urgency to secure legal representation is the same. Over time, memories fade, evidence disappears, and proving negligence can become more difficult. Contact our Sydney offices to speak with an experienced bus accident lawyer as soon as possible to avoid any delays in receiving your due compensation.

Public or private, all common carriers are held to the standards of the Nova Scotia Motor Carrier Act and can be held liable if any of the provisions of the Act are violated.

Injuries and Medical Support

Due to the size and weight of buses, injuries sustained in bus accidents are often catastrophic and life-altering. If another party’s negligence caused the accident that changed your life, they should be held liable, and you should be compensated.

Common bus accident injuries can include:

Whiplash or other neck injury
Soft tissue damage to muscles, ligaments, tendons, or fascia
Broken or fractured bones
Internal injuries, including internal bleeding or damage to organs
Crush injuries
Burns
Spinal cord injury leading to full or partial paralysis
Traumatic brain injury
Amputations
Psychological trauma, such as anxiety or PTSD

Any or all of these injuries can lead to significant financial losses, not to mention extreme pain and suffering. High medical bills, time off work, inability to carry out family responsibilities, traveling to and from medical and rehabilitation appointments–all of these can spell financial disaster. If someone else’s carelessness caused the accident, they should be held accountable and provide you with fair compensation to cover your losses.

In addition to the economic damages that include actual expenses incurred as a result of your injuries, a defendant may be liable for non-economic damages as well, such as compensation for pain and suffering, the loss of activities and pastimes that you previously enjoyed, loss of companionship or relationships, and psychological trauma, among other consequences of their negligence.

Money cannot ever compensate for losing the way of life you enjoyed before the accident, but fair compensation can help bring you back from the brink of financial ruin, provide for the medical care you need, and put you on the road to living the best post-accident life possible.

What to Do After a Bus Accident

The immediate aftermath of a bus accident can be chaotic and confusing. You will likely be in shock, assessing your own injuries, and assisting other victims if you are able. In such circumstances, it can be difficult to think logically and sequentially. Read through the important steps to take following a bus accident and commit them to memory, should you be involved in a bus accident with injuries.

Immediate Steps After a Crash

The very first thing you should do after any kind of accident in which you are injured is to seek medical attention. Even if you don’t think you are injured, it is important to be checked out in case the adrenaline rush of the accident is masking symptoms or you have injuries that might not be immediately apparent.

Once you have ensured that you are medically stable, your next steps should be:

Obtain evidence at the crash site, such as photos or video of the scene
Request an accident report from the officers at the scene
File a police report that details everything you remember about the accident
Write down or record your detailed account of everything that happened before and during the accident before your memory fades
Write down or record anything that is said by others involved in the accident, especially if anyone apologizes or admits fault
Get the names and insurance information of any drivers involved in the crash
Write down or record the names and contact information of any witnesses.
Contact an experienced bus accident legal team immediately

Gathering all the documentation you can and getting immediate legal representation can make the difference between gaining fair compensation for your injuries and being on your own to deal with the expenses and hardships the accident has caused.

Getting Legal Advice Early

Contacting a skilled personal injury legal team immediately can ensure that evidence is collected before it disappears and that all legal steps are taken correctly and within legal time limits. At NOVA Injury Law, we provide a free case review to assess your possible claims and begin preserving the evidence you will need to prove negligence. Call us immediately if you have been injured in a bus accident. We are standing by to help!

Compensation and Financial Recovery

Compensation for injuries caused by the negligence of another in a bus accident can cover losses that may not seem obvious. Working with a highly competent bus accident lawyer can help to ensure that you get the fair compensation you deserve, whether through a negotiated settlement or a court order.

What Compensation Can Cover

Compensation for injuries suffered in a bus accident can be economic or non-economic. Economic damages include actual costs incurred, for which you can easily provide documentation of charges. Examples include but are not limited to:

Medical costs, including ambulance charges, hospital bills, medication charges, rehabilitation bills, and more
Transportation and travel costs related to necessary medical care
Cost of necessary medical equipment or home modifications
Lost wages, both now and in the future

Non-economic damages include compensation for less tangible consequences that are not as easily documented. Examples include but are not limited to:

Pain and suffering
Mental anguish or declining mental health
PTSD
Loss of hobbies and activities you previously enjoyed
Loss or change of relationships
Inconvenience
Reduced quality of life

Settlement vs. Court Trial

Often, the insurance company or companies involved in a bus accident claim will offer a quick settlement. While it may seem easiest to accept the first settlement offered, remember that insurance companies are in it for profits and are not likely to offer you compensation that is fair and complete right out of the gate. A skilled bus accident attorney can negotiate with the insurance company for you to get a fair settlement. If the insurance company refuses to negotiate in good faith or is not willing to provide the compensation you deserve, the next step is to proceed with a lawsuit and court trial. At trial, our experienced bus accident attorneys will fight for your right to fair compensation and a chance at a good life going forward after the accident. Insurance companies employ whole teams of attorneys whose sole goal is to save the company money. Our goal, on the other hand, is to represent you and protect your rights by holding the responsible party or parties accountable for their negligence and the carelessness that changed your life. We have fought the insurance companies for years, and we know how to help you get the best outcome for your bus accident injury claim.

Call Our Sydney Bus Accident Lawyers Today

When disaster strikes, you need a skilled and experienced legal team on your side. At NOVA Injury Law, we have dedicated ourselves to representing victims and helping them get the fair compensation they deserve. If you have been injured in a bus accident, call us today at (782) 824-3348 for a free consultation. Our Sydney bus accident lawyers are ready and able to guide you through the legal maze and help you move on with your life.