If you’ve been injured in a bus accident recently, you most likely are still determining what steps you must take to recover compensation for lost wages, medical expenses, and other accident-related damages. Additionally, depending on the extent of your injuries, you may be unable to work and support yourself and your family.

It is probably a frightening and overwhelming time for your family. However, you do have legal options available that can protect your rights if you’ve been in a bus accident.

What is Sovereign Immunity in Bus Accident Lawsuits?

Depending on the type of bus accident you have been involved in, you may hear the term “sovereign immunity.” Sovereign immunity is a term used if the bus involved in the accident belongs to a governmental entity. For example, if the accident involves a public-school bus or a city transit bus, the driver is considered a government employee and has sovereign immunity against a lawsuit; however, you can still have a claim against whatever governmental entity owns the bus.

Sovereign immunity also can limit the amount of damages that an individual can receive if they choose to file a compensation claim. Additionally, the statute of limitations differs regarding how long you have to file a bus accident claim if a government entity owns the bus.

However, if your accident case involves a private company bus, the same rules apply as with any personal injury claim. Therefore, it’s always in your best interests to consult a qualified personal injury attorney who can explain your legal rights after a bus accident.

What Are the Most Common Injuries Resulting from a Bus Accident?

People involved in bus accidents typically suffer many of the same types of injuries as car accidents. Buses typically don’t have seatbelts and are not equipped with airbags that protect individuals in smaller motor vehicles. Another danger of being involved in a bus accident is the potential of having other passengers or their belongings fall into you during a collision.

Some of the most commonly reported bus accident injuries include:

What Types of Compensation Can Be Recovered in a Bus Accident Settlement?

If you’ve suffered damages related to being injured in a bus accident, you may be able to recover compensation including economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages are awarded to accident victims to reimburse them for the out-of-pocket expenses they have incurred as a result of being injured and may include:

  • Past, current, and future medical expenses.
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of earning capacity
  • Property damage

Non-economic damages are granted to accident victims to make them “whole” after an accident and are based on intangible losses such as:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Emotional trauma
  • Loss of companionship
  • Permanent disfigurement and scarring

Bus accident victims should know that not all accident settlements are identical, so financial recoveries can vary greatly.

Why Do I Need Legal Representation if I Was Injured in a Bus Accident?

Commercial Vehicle accident cases can be complex due to state liability laws and are difficult to navigate on your own. Consulting with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney can help you understand your rights and explain what legal options may be available based on the case’s unique circumstances. If you or a loved one have suffered an injury from a bus accident, contact RTRLAW today for a free, no-obligation case review with a qualified legal team member.