Toledo Bus Accident Lawyer

BUS ACCIDENT ATTORNEY SERVING CLIENTS IN TOLEDO, OHIO

In a matter of moments, a bus accident could turn your entire life upside down. Bus companies must ensure that their buses are operating in a safe manner. Unfortunately, major bus accidents remain far too common in Ohio and throughout the United States. According to data from the Ohio Department of Public Safety (ODPS), there were nearly 3,700 bus accidents reported in the state in 2016. Many of these crashes could have been prevented.

Bus accident victims are often left with considerable damages. From medical bills and rehabilitative care costs, to lost wages and pain and suffering, victims need full and fair compensation. While bus owners and operators can be held liable for their negligence, it is often difficult to so. Injured victims need strong legal representation.

At Groth & Associates, our experienced Toledo bus accident lawyers are committed to providing the very best legal services to our clients. We know how to hold negligent bus companies legally liable for their misconduct. If you or your family member was injured in any type of bus accident in Lucas County, Ohio, we can help. For free legal guidance, please reach out to our Toledo personal injury attorneys today.

For a free legal consultation with a bus accident lawyer serving Toledo, call (419) 930-3030

WHY DO BUS ACCIDENTS OCCUR?

Bus crashes happen for many different reasons. The single common theme of these accidents is that many of them could have been prevented if only proper care had been taken by all parties involved. In some cases, the accident is the fault of the bus driver. In other cases, the crash may be the fault of the bus company, the manufacturer of the bus, a third party driver, or even one of the passengers. Our Toledo bus accident injury lawyers handle claims involving the full range of bus accidents. Some common causes of accidents include:

• Bus driver speeding;
• Reckless driving by the bus operator;
• Inadequate training of bus drivers;
• Other traffic violations;
• Bus company negligence;
• Lack of bus inspection or maintenance;
• Slip and fall accidents on the bus;
• Dangerous overpacking of the bus; and
• Bus manufacturer negligence.

Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me (419) 930-3030

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BUS ACCIDENT LIABILITY IN OHIO

WHILE PERSONAL INJURIES ARE OFTEN REFERRED TO AS ACCIDENTS, THEY ARE OFTEN THE RESULT OF ANOTHER PERSON’S RECKLESS OR NEGLIGENT CONDUCT.

The Negligence Standard

Similar to other motor vehicle accident claims, bus accident lawsuits are generally brought under Ohio’s negligence standard (Ohio Revised Code § 2315.33). To prevail in a bus accident claim, an injured victim must be able to prove the following four things:

• The defendant (bus company) had a duty to look out for their safety;
• The bus operator failed to live up to that duty;
• There is a connection between the breach of duty and the accident; and
• The victim sustained real harm in the bus crash.

Holding a bus company legally liable for an accident requires that injured victims put forward a strong legal case. Victims must be able to prove their case. All successful personal injury claims are supported by comprehensive evidence. After a bus wreck, it is crucial that you reach out to an experienced Toledo personal injury lawyer. Your bus accident attorney can help you gather and assemble all of the evidence that is relevant to your legal claim. This could include the police report, photographs or videos, witness statement, medical evidence, and bus company records.

Buses are Common Carriers

Under Ohio law, a common carrier is defined as an entity that transports goods or passengers from one location to another location for a monetary fee. Buses are common carriers. This matters in bus accident cases because common carriers are held to higher safety standards than are other parties. Commercial entities, including buses, have a heightened duty to look out for the safety of their passengers and the general public. In other words, bus companies must take extra precautions to ensure that they are properly training drivers, caring for the bus, and keeping passengers safe. In addition, there are certain state and federal regulations that commercial bus operators must follow. If they fail to comply with the law, and an injury occurs as a result, they may be held legally liable for the victim’s damages.

SPECIAL RULES FOR ACCIDENTS INVOLVING GOVERNMENT-OPERATED BUSES

There are unique legal rules for accidents involving government owned or operated vehicles. If you or your loved one was injured in an accident with a Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA) bus or any other government operated bus, it is crucial that you consult with an experienced bus accident lawyer immediately. While financial compensation can certainly still be made available in these cases, injured victims also generally have less time to file their claim. After a government bus accident, including a school bus accident, there is no time to wait to take action: contact an experienced Toledo bus accident attorney as soon as possible.

Compensation Available to Bus Accident Victims

Under Ohio law, bus accident victims have a legal right to seek financial relief for the full value of their damages. Sadly, it can be challenging for injured victims to get the full financial recovery that they are owed. Bus companies and their insurance carriers are aggressive in defending personal injury claims. Whether you were injured as a passenger on a bus or you were in another vehicle at the time of the wreck, you need an aggressive personal injury lawyer by your side. Our bus accident lawyers in Toledo, OH can help you seek money damages for:

• Ambulance fees and emergency room care;
• All other related hospital bills and medical expenses;
• Rehabilitative treatment and physical therapy;
• Lost wages and loss of income;
• Pain and suffering;
• Disfigurement and permanent disability;
• Reduced quality of life; and
• Wrongful death.

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GET HELP FROM A TOLEDO BUS ACCIDENT ATTORNEY TODAY

At Groth & Associates, our Toledo personal injury lawyers have deep experience handling bus accident injury claims. If you or your family member was hurt in a bus accident, our legal team is standing by, ready to help.

To set up a free, no obligation personal injury consultation, please do not hesitate to contact our law firm today. From our office in Toledo, we handle bus accident claims throughout Northwest Ohio, including in Lucas County, Wood County, Fulton County, Ottawa County, and Henry County.

Call or text (419) 930-3030 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form