Our attorneys at Tronfeld West & Durrett can manage your bus accident claim while focusing on maximizing compensation to cover the cost of your damages. We combine a thorough knowledge of Virginia’s transportation laws with over 50 years of experience in personal injury law, ensuring strong advocacy for your rights and the best possible outcome for your case in Norfolk.
Injured in a Bus Accident in Norfolk? Our Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help
In Virginia, bus accident victims can recover compensation if they prove their injuries resulted from someone else’s negligence. To do this, our experienced personal injury lawyers in Norfolk can assist you every step of the way, including:
- Investigate the accident thoroughly to determine liability and identify all responsible parties.
- Gather evidence, including witness statements, accident reports, and medical records, to build a strong case on your behalf.
- Negotiate with insurance companies and other parties to secure the maximum compensation possible without needing a trial.
- Represent you in court when negotiations don’t yield a fair result, fighting for your rights and best interests throughout the legal process.
Whether you were injured in a school bus accident, public transit bus crash, or any other type of bus-related incident, our team at Tronfeld West & Durrett can provide you with the support you need to move forward.
For answers to your questions with a bus accident serving Norfolk, call:
800-321-6741
Who Is at Fault After a Bus Accident?
Establishing liability in bus accidents is crucial for directing legal actions correctly. It determines who is legally responsible for the damages sustained by victims, a responsibility that may lie with multiple parties depending on the circumstances of the accident.
Bus Drivers
Bus drivers are at fault when their negligent actions lead to an accident. Here, negligence includes distracted driving, fatigue, impairment, or not adhering to traffic laws.
For example, if a school bus driver is texting while driving and causes a crash, they’ve endangered passengers and other road users, which constitutes grounds for a personal injury claim.
Entities Operating The Buses
Whether government agencies, private companies, or educational institutions, the fault may also lie in the entities operating the buses. They are responsible for hiring qualified drivers, maintaining the buses properly, and following all safety regulations.
For example, if an accident occurs because a bus company failed to perform routine brake checks or ignored known vehicle issues, that entity is liable for endangering lives.
Other Motorists
In multi-vehicle accidents involving buses, other drivers can contribute to bus accidents through reckless behavior, such as speeding, driving under the influence, or not yielding to a bus in traffic.
Their actions can directly cause an accident or force bus drivers to take evasive maneuvers that result in crashes. In these cases, the negligent motorists would share liability for the damages incurred by the bus passengers.
Equipment Manufacturers
Manufacturers of bus parts must produce safe, reliable components. So, if an accident was caused by a defect in the bus, such as brake failure or malfunctioning lights, the manufacturer can be held liable.
These cases are part of Virginia’s product liability laws, which hold manufacturers accountable for distributing products that fail to meet safety standards.
Government Entities
Entities responsible for the maintenance of roads and traffic control play a crucial role in ensuring the safe operation of buses on public streets. When inadequate signage, poor road conditions, or malfunctioning traffic signals contribute to accidents, these entities are liable.
How to Prove Negligence
To establish liability in a bus accident case in Virginia, the plaintiff must demonstrate the elements of negligence:
- Duty of care: The defendant (such as a bus driver or company) had a legal responsibility to ensure the plaintiff’s safety.
- Breach of duty: The defendant failed to uphold this duty by acting negligently or recklessly.
- Causation: This breach directly caused the plaintiff’s injuries.
- Damages: The plaintiff suffered actual losses as a result of negligence.
These elements form the backbone of a negligence claim and guide the evidence-gathering process and the legal arguments used to defend the case.
However, when the defendant is a government entity, the principle of sovereign immunity generally shields such entities from lawsuits. You need to prove gross negligence to overcome this principle and pursue compensation, particularly for public transportation cases.
Virginia’s laws are less protective of school boards, therefore, in cases involving school buses, if a school bus driver is found negligent it’s possible to seek compensation from the school board similar to claims against private entities.
No matter the nature of your case, it’s important to act swiftly, as legal actions for personal injuries must be initiated within two years according to Virginia Code § 8.01-243.
Common Injuries Sustained in Bus Accident Cases in Norfolk
- Whiplash and other soft tissue injuries
- Broken bones and fractures
- Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal injuries and organ damage
- Emotional trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Damages You Can Recover After a Bus Accident – We Can Evaluate Your Case in a Free Initial Consultation
Our team of lawyers at Tronfeld West & Durrett has achieved millionaire settlements for our clients during our 50+ years of service in Virginia. We promise to offer you the same level of dedication. To explore your options and discuss how we can maximize the compensation for your case, we invite you to schedule a free initial consultation.
Overall, these are the types of compensation we will consider for your claim:
Medical Expenses
This includes the costs for all medical care related to injuries sustained in the accident, including medical bills, hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, ongoing care, and future medical expenses.
Lost Wages
This compensates you for any earnings lost during recovery and also for the loss of future earning capacity if the injury impacts your ability to work in the future.
Pain and Suffering
As these are intangible damages that compensate you for the physical and emotional pain, trauma, and distress you’ve experienced as a result of the accident, they are harder to quantify. Our lawyers use a strategic approach to calculate pain and suffering effectively.
Property Damage
Claiming this damage ensures the cost of repairing or replacing your damaged vehicle or personal property is included in the final compensation amount.
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Contact Our Bus Accident Lawyers in Norfolk for Expert Representation
After being involved in a bus accident in Norfolk, don’t wait to seek the expert legal representation you need to get compensated for your injuries. Contact Tronfeld West & Durrett today to schedule a free consultation, where you’ll talk with an experienced lawyer to review your case and discuss your legal options.
Call or text 800-321-6741 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form