Baton Rouge Bus Accident Lawyer

Helping Our Clients Secure Fair Compensation

You see them everywhere, from Downtown Baton Rouge to the Greyhound vehicles along Interstate 10: buses transporting dozens of passengers. These common carriers are an integral aspect of our local and national economy. However, their massive size creates a significant risk to others on the road — particularly when negligence is involved. If you or a loved one have been injured in such an incident, a bus accident lawyer in Baton Rouge may be able to assist. At Walter R. Krousel Jr. & Associates, APLC, our team of Louisiana personal injury attorneys is here to help. We know the disastrous effects that a bus crash can have on someone’s life. Catastrophic injuries are common, but even when harm is less severe, the medical expenses and lost wages can prove challenging. That’s why it’s important to understand your rights and what you’re entitled to. Let an experienced Baton Rouge bus accident attorney review your case. Contact us today at (225) 263-6194 for a free case review.

Are You Entitled to Compensation?

The most common question our law office hears is, “Am I entitled to financial compensation?” This is an important question — particularly for injury victims who are dealing with mounting medical bills, significant pain, and the other fallout from bus accidents. While these cases can vary significantly, receiving financial recovery all comes down to proving liability. To do this, the following three elements must be proven in a court of law:

• Duty of care: Most parties have some duty to avoid actions that could cause harm to others. This duty would apply to a bus manufacturer, the bus owner, the bus driver, and many others.
• Violation of duty: To receive compensation, it must be proven that a party violated a duty of care. For instance, perhaps a bus company failed to screen for dangerous drivers. This violation of duty could prove harmful.
• Resulting harm: A violation of duty only results in financial compensation if actual harm occurs. In the previous example, perhaps dangerous employees hired by the bus company crash while intoxicated behind the wheel.

If you can prove these elements exist, you might be entitled to economic, non-economic, and even punitive damages. A Baton Rouge bus accident attorney may be able to assist you in this endeavor. Even more importantly, they might be able to help you stay out of court altogether. If it’s likely that a negligent party will be held liable in court, their insurance company may prefer to offer a settlement. Our law firm can make sure this offer is fair and properly compensates you for your losses. If you’re worried about your health insurance covering your injuries or tapping into your savings to stay above water, take a moment to contact our law firm today. We may be able to alleviate some of these concerns.

How Much Compensation Can You Receive?

All bus accident cases are unique, so there’s no easy way to calculate your potential compensation without hearing the details of your accident. However, many bus accident victims request compensation for damages they accused because of the accident.

Generally, damages are categorized as the following:

Economic Damages

Economic damages have a specific dollar amount attached to them. In most cases, accident victims prove their economic damages with bills and receipts. Economic damages may include:

• Medical care, both present and future treatment
• Physical therapy
• Rehabilitation costs
• Property damage repair or replacement
• Lost income

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages don’t have a specific price tag. These damages have to do with your overall well-being after the accident. Our bus accident lawyer can help you calculate these damages to request full and fair compensation. Non-economic damages often include:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Mental anguish
• Permanent disability
• Loss of enjoyment of life

What Are Common Bus Accident Injuries?

Accidents involving most motor vehicles are relatively similar. Unless something disastrous happens, collisions involving passenger vehicles most often result in whiplash and minor injuries. However, a bus accident case can be much more difficult due to the potential for catastrophic injuries. After all, these vehicles are massive. That’s why you can typically expect to see one or more of the following in any bus accident claim:

• Broken bones
• Head injuries
• Spinal cord and back injuries
• Fractures
• Burns
• Internal damage
• Disfigurement
• Amputation

Of course, not every bus accident victim will suffer injuries to this extreme. This doesn’t mean they’re any less entitled to compensation. Did you suffer whiplash, seat belt injuries, bruises, or even emotional trauma? Each of these are considered harms and could lead to financial recovery. However, the task of proving liability falls to you. That’s why it’s so important to have a bus accident attorney in Baton Rouge on your side. Contact Walter R. Krousel Jr. & Associates, APLC today to learn what you may be entitled to.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Bus Accidents?

Like car accidents, bus crashes happen for a variety of reasons. The most common reasons for bus accidents involve human error or negligence. Determining the exact cause of your bus accident can help you assign liability and collect compensation in a personal injury claim.

In Baton Rouge, the most common causes of bus accidents include:

• Distracted driving
• Speeding
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Violating traffic laws
• Reckless or aggressive driving
• Fatigued driving
• Vehicle defects
• Weight distribution issues
• Road defects
• Poor weather conditions
• Third-party negligence
• Poor vehicle handling
• Hours of service violations

Bus drivers can make mistakes, especially if they are rushing to keep up with a tight schedule or hurrying to a specific bus stop. Other cars on the road can also cause bus accidents. Unfortunately, because buses lack traditional safety features like seatbelts and airbags, many bus accident injury victims suffer from long-term symptoms. Contact our Baton Rouge bus accident lawyer today to learn more about your rights after an accident.

Who Is Liable for Bus Accident Injuries?

If you find yourself injured in a bus accident, it may seem obvious who is at fault. After all, isn’t the bus driver the one who’s responsible for caring for everyone? In reality, this isn’t always the case. For instance, imagine that a charter bus collides with another vehicle after failing to stop. Sure, this could have resulted from the bus driver being distracted. Of course, it’s also possible that the bus company failed to maintain their vehicles — and faulty brakes could have caused the accident.

Then again, maybe no one involved with the bus company is at fault. Perhaps the local government ignored dangerous road conditions for years, and their negligence finally led to a serious collision. It’s also possible that pedestrians, cyclists, or others on the roadways were the direct cause of the accident. These examples truly are the tip of the iceberg. It’s an unfortunate truth, but establishing liability in these cases can be incredibly complex.

This is why it’s so important to work with a bus accident lawyer in Baton Rouge. When you account for these considerations and the fact that you only have one year to file a lawsuit for personal injury in Louisiana, seeking legal representation may be the most important decision you ever make. Contact Walter R. Krousel Jr. & Associates, APLC today. We’re ready to advocate on your behalf.

Contact Our Bus Accident Lawyers in Baton Rouge Today

Intercity buses provide essential travel services, while a local transit bus helps our neighbors get around for daily activities. Then there’s the school bus we see on our regular commutes — and the private bus full of revelers heading toward Mardi Gras. All these vehicles have a place in our communities and our lives. However, negligence is one thing there’s no room for. If you’ve been injured in a bus accident due to reckless, negligent, or wrongful acts, you may be able to recover compensation. Contact Walter R. Krousel Jr. & Associates, APLC, at (225) 263-6194 to learn more about your case and how we can help you.