Rhode Island Bus Accident Lawyer

Call to schedule a free, no obligation bus crash case evaluation today with a skilled bus injury attorney with Marin and Barrett, Inc..  We are available 24/7 at 401-298-9116 to take your call and stand ready to fight for justice and the fair compensation you need and deserve for your injuries.

Choosing the Right Rhode Island Bus Accident Attorney

Bus accident cases, unlike traditional motor vehicle accidents, can be extremely complex, and depending on the type of bus involved as well as the various circumstances surrounding the crash anyone from the bus driver to the bus company to another motorist may be liable. For these reasons, it is vitally important to hire a skilled and aggressive personal injury attorney right away. In many bus crash cases, time is of the essence and your lawyer should immediately begin working on your case by:

• Your lawyer should see you in person, whether at the office, your home, or the hospital.
• Gather evidence about the bus accident, how it happened, and who may be responsible.
• Determine the party or parties who may be liable.
• Figure out what your case is worth by gathering your medical records.
• Negotiate with the other parties, the insurance carrier and insurance adjusters, or their attorneys.
• Use the Legal Process to reach a settlement or file a lawsuit if required.
• Build a case for settlement or trial, depending on the case.

RHODE ISLAND BUS ACCIDENTS

Each day, Rhode Islanders rely on public and private mass transportation to travel or commute to work and school. Additionally, because Rhode Island is geographically positioned between Boston and New York City, many travelers from out of state utilize Rhode Island roads in private and public means of transportation. Buses are one such means of transportation that is very common for Rhode Islanders and for persons traveling through Rhode Island. Unfortunately, the prevalence of buses on Rhode Island roads and highways means the risk of bus collisions increases and injuries as a result of bus collisions with other vehicles and or stationary objects along the road. As with other auto accidents, bus accident personal injury cases are typically the result of driver error, drunk driving, driver fatigue, aggressive driving, or bad weather conditions.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU ARE INJURED IN A BUS ACCIDENT?

Our injury team fights to get you justice. If you or someone you love has been injured in a bus accident in Rhode Island, you have the right to hold the negligent operator personally responsible. You have the legal right to demand compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. We understand that being involved in a bus accident can be a traumatic experience and stand ready to help fight for your recovery.

BUSSES ARE COMMON CARRIERS IN RHODE ISLAND AND OWE A HIGHER DUTY TO OPERATE SAFELY

In Rhode Island, buses are classified as “common carriers.” A common carrier is a service that transports people from one place to another in exchange for compensation. As a common carrier, buses (including bus drivers, bus companies, and employers) have an elevated duty of care or responsibility. This means that that buses operating on Rhode Island roads have an obligation to exercise extreme caution and care to make sure that passengers are protected during their travels. Buses also have to exercise more care than others because the stake are higher. This makes sense; a bus driver transporting a bus full of schoolchildren should be held to a higher standard of care than a person driving themselves around town.

As common carriers, at a minimum, bus operators/companies must:

• Hire qualified and competent drivers
• Ensure the drivers are properly trained and that they are complying with safety laws
• Ensure the buses and equipment are fully functional
• Ensure that the buses are inspected regularly and maintained

When an operator or company fails to meet these minimum standards and live up to their elevated duty of care, the resulting consequences can be severe if not fatal for passengers, pedestrians, and/or other motorists.

WHAT ARE COMMON BUS ACCIDENT INJURIES?

The size and weight of buses and the lack of restraint devices on buses make injuries worse than in motor vehicle accidents and typically a foregone outcome as a result of being in a bus crash. These injuries may be permanent or require years of rehabilitation, physical therapy and medical care potentially costing hundreds of thousands of dollars. These injuries may often include:

Contact a Providence bus accident lawyer with Marin and Barrett, Inc. if you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a bus accident in Rhode Island. We can help you recover the financial compensation you are entitled to and we are available 24/7 at 401-298-9116.

How Long Do I Have to File a Bus Accident Lawsuit in Rhode Island?

If you have been injured in a bus accident, you have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit for damages. However, the Rhode Island statute of limitations limits the amount of time you have to take legal action. Generally speaking, Rhode Island General Law Section 9-1-36 provides that you must file your personal injury claim within three years of the bus accident. If you don’t file before the statute of limitations expires you will be permanently prohibited from pursuing legal action for your injuries

The best way to ensure that your bus accident case is filed on-time is to seek legal representation from a skilled local Rhode Island personal injury attorney. At Marin and Barrett, Inc., we are committed to helping you recover the money you deserve. Call us today at 401-298-9116 to schedule your no-obligation case evaluation.

HOW MUCH IS MY BUS ACCIDENT CASE WORTH? WHAT DAMAGES AM I ENTITLED TO?

Injuries from bus accidents can be catastrophic at worst and at a minimum the injuries can be painful. Additionally, seeking treatment afterwards can be overwhelming and can require extensive medical treatment and lead the injured to miss time at work. Fortunately, Rhode Island law provides a way for you to hold the negligent person or company financially responsible for your injuries and damages.

Damages for injuries to bus accident victims in Rhode Island can include payment for:

In the event that loved one has died in a bus accident you may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim for those left behind. Of course no amount of money can bring your loved on back or provide adequate compensation, but you nevertheless may be able to recover for funeral and burial costs, loss of income, and loss of companionship.

At Marin and Barrett, Inc., our RI bus injury claims lawyers will fight for every dollar you deserve. On these types of cases it is often helpful to work closely with expert witnesses to ensure that your injuries and damages are valued fully. This extra effort makes sure that you recover maximum compensation for your bus accident claims.

HOW IS FAULT DETERMINED AFTER A BUS ACCIDENT IN RHODE ISLAND?

How is responsibility for a bus accident determined? Although at first glance it seems obvious, the responsible party isn’t always so clear. Following an accident, the local or state police will initiate an investigation; if there is a bus accident with multiple fatalities, the National Transportation and Safety Board will initiate an investigation. However, in most cases, eyewitness reports and available video footage that captures the accident are what becomes the official record. Additionally, our skilled team of Rhode Island bus accident attorneys will conduct our own investigation into the cause of a bus crash. Our team of personal injury lawyers will determine who is responsible for the accident, including whether the:

CHILDREN ARE MOST LIKELY TO BE INJURED IN BUS ACCIDENTS

When you get in your car, you buckle up for safety, and if you are a parent, you ensure that your children are safely buckled up, as well. But if you are a parent, do you wonder about your children as they board their bus to go to school and return home each day? How safe are they aboard the bus, particularly if the bus – like most – has no seat belts for its passengers?

According to School Transportation News, during the average school year, nearly 23.5 million elementary and secondary school children ride a bus to and from school each day. Add in extracurricular activities, and the school bus system is the largest public transportation system in the United States.

Like any form of vehicular transportation, school bus accidents are inevitable. Based on National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data, the National Safety Council (NSC) reported that there were 3,000 injuries to school bus passengers and 1,000 injuries to school bus drivers in school bus accidents in 2017.

Sadly, from 2007 to 2016 there have been 1,282 fatal injuries in school bus crashes – an average of 128 fatalities per year. Within the same time period, 98 school-age pedestrians (18 and younger) have died in school bus related crashes.  When dealing with a school bus accident case, it is important to seek the legal counsel of experienced attorneys because oftentimes the injured party will sustain catastrophic injuries.

RHODE ISLAND BUS ACCIDENT LAW FIRM

Have you or someone you love been injured in a bus accident in Rhode Island? At Marin and Barrett, Inc., our best rated Rhode Island public transportation injury lawyers understand that a bus accident can have catastrophic and long-lasting complications from injuries. You have the legal right to seek compensation from the negligent/responsible driver and or company and we can help to make sure that you receive the necessary medical treatment and that you are fully compensated. Call our office at 401-298-9116 to schedule your free, no obligation Rhode Island bus accident case evaluation today. We work on a contingency fee basis so we don’t get paid unless you win your case.

HOW DO I GET STARTED WITH MY BUS ACCIDENT CASE?

First thing is first, be sure to get the medical attention and medical care you need. Once you do that, the bills will start pouring in and the expenses add up in a hurry. Realistically you’ll want to contact an attorney as soon as possible. The evidence you may need is often the freshest shortly after the accident, and you can rest assured that the negligent party responsible for your injuries will be gearing up for their own legal fight and you will not want to be left behind.