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Thousands of Virginians use the Virginia bus system to commute to and from work every single day. While most commuters come and go without any trouble, bus accidents do happen. Virginia bus accidents can involve multiple people, including passengers, pedestrians, and other motorists. The aftermath can involve catastrophic injuries, extensive property damage, emotional trauma, and financial distress.
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If you or your loved one were involved in a bus accident in Virginia, it is in your best interest to contact a Virginia bus accident lawyer at Regan Zambri Long. Our experienced attorneys have won millions for our clients in the past and we are determined to do the same for you.
We offer a free consultation where we will discuss the details of your case and guide you through a bus accident case. Call today to get the process started.
There is no law stating that a Virginia resident needs to hire a bus accident attorney to pursue a personal injury claim. However, you have a greater chance at success if you have a legal expert advocating for your rights.
In Virginia, there are three laws that can complicate a bus accident claim for the victims: sovereign immunity and contributory negligence.
Sovereign Immunity is a doctrine practiced in Virginia that protects government agencies and employees from being sued for injuries and wrongful death. If the government official was working within the scope of his or her job duties, he or she generally cannot be sued by the victim of an accident.
Fortunately, there are exceptions to the sovereign immunity doctrine. A Virginia bus accident lawyer must prove that the government agency or employee was acting blatantly negligent or recklessly.
Virginia is one of the five states in the U.S. that still practices contributory negligence. This law states that if the victim is even partially responsible for the accident, he or she cannot collect any compensation. The other party needs to be found 100% at fault.
At Regan Zambri Long, we are used to defense lawyers quickly using contributory negligence to get their clients off the hook. However, our expert lawyers know how to prove that the other party was fully at fault for the bus accident and win you the highest amount of compensation possible.
In Virginia, a victim has two years from the day of the accident to file a personal injury claim. That may seem like a long time. However, if you miss that window, you will forfeit any compensation that may be owed to you.
In our years of serving the residents of Virginia, our bus accident lawyers at Regan Zambri Long have a highly successful method for proving your personal injury case to win a favorable settlement. Although we plan on doing the heavy lifting so that you can focus on your recovery, your bus accident attorney will keep you informed of your case every step of the way.
In any personal injury claim, the number one thing that needs to be proven is negligence. Negligence is the failure to take proper care in doing something. In personal injury law, there are four steps to proving negligence of another party:
To build a rock-solid case, our seasoned bus accident lawyers at Regan Zambri Long will work with the police, medical personnel, accident reconstruction, expert witnesses, investigative consultants, and other legal experts. We spare no expense for our clients. The best part is – we do this on our own dime. You will not pay your attorney a penny unless we win a settlement or verdict in your favor.
Call today for your free consultation where we can discuss our bus accident claim process in further detail.
There can be many different parties liable for a single bus accident. A Regan Zambri Long lawyer will do a thorough investigation of your accident so that every single party that is responsible for your injuries is held accountable.
A Regan Zambri Long bus accident attorney will investigate the following parties as possible defendants in a Virginia bus accident lawsuit:
Most accidents are just that – accidents. However, one of the most common causes of accidents in Virginia is negligence. When someone’s irresponsibility causes harm to another person, they should have to pay.
The most common causes of bus accidents (due to negligence) are:
Distracted driving: Bus drivers can get distracted for many reasons. With the high traffic volume in Virginia, accidents can easily happen when someone takes their eyes off of the road, even for a split second. Texting, calling, eating, and even simply thinking about something other than driving is considered distracted driving.
Drowsy driving: Bus drivers have demanding schedules. They drive at odd hours and for long periods. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), driving after being awake for 17 or more hours is similar to having a blood alcohol concentration of 0.05%, which is a level that some countries use for drunk driving violations. Driving while fatigued causes slower reaction times, impairs your judgment, and can cause the driver to fully fall asleep at the wheel.
Reckless driving and speeding: Speeding is one of the leading causes of accidents in Virginia and across the entire United States. In 2020, speeding was a factor in 29% of motor vehicle crash deaths. Speeding makes it harder for a driver to stop the vehicle, especially if they have to do so suddenly. It also creates a greater impact during a crash, which makes injuries worse. An average commercial bus weighs about 40,000 pounds – that’s 11 times the size of a car! The force of a speeding bus, when crashing into a smaller passenger vehicle, will cause catastrophic injuries to the occupants inside the car.
Poor road conditions: Your local and state governments in Virginia are responsible for maintaining safe road conditions for all commuters. The government is responsible for filling potholes, replacing signs, clearing snow, and much more. When roads aren’t properly maintained, buses and other vehicles can lose control and cause an accident. It is important to note that homeowners and landscaping companies can also play a role in poor road conditions for bus drivers. Grass clippings or other debris on the road can create slippery and dangerous conditions.
Poor bus maintenance: Virginia’s public transportation system is a mixture of privately and publicly owned vehicles. Whoever owns those vehicles is responsible for keeping the bus properly maintained. This includes checking the oil, engine, tires, brakes, and all other parts of the bus.
Driving under the influence: We’ve all been taught since grade school that driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol is dangerous for everyone on the road. When a driver decides to get behind the wheel after getting drunk or high, he is inherently endangering the lives of every other driver on the road. Driving under the influence slows reaction times and impairs judgment, perception, and coordination. Every day, about 32 people die in drunk driving crashes.
In personal injury cases, the victim sues another party for economic and non-economic losses.
Economic damages represent the victim’s financial losses related to their accident. They are more easily calculated and include:
Non-economic damages are more difficult to calculate because they are subjective, non-monetary losses. Non-economic damages could include:
There are many different injuries a victim can suffer from being involved in a bus accident. It is important to seek medical care right away following an accident. This will not only ensure your health and safety, but it will also help in your bus accident claim.
The most common injuries from Virginia bus accidents are:
The lawyers at Regan Zambri Long have a profound understanding of Virginia law. With over three decades of experience, our attorneys will use our knowledge of Virginia law to make sure you recover the highest settlement possible.
According to The State of Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, a commercial vehicle is a vehicle that carries sixteen people or more. Virginia bus drivers must obtain their commercial driver’s license (CDL) to legally drive.
To obtain a Virginia CDL, applicants must meet the following requirements:
In addition to Virginia laws, bus drivers must also adhere to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules and regulations. Regulations include hours of service, drug and alcohol testing, and more. Because of the additional state and federal laws they have to follow, bus operators are very different from regular passenger car drivers. This means a bus accident can get very complicated very quickly. Having an experienced legal advocate by your side will help you secure maximum compensation.
Call for a free consultation where we can discuss your story and case at length. Our compassionate lawyers understand the difficult time you and your family are facing. We are here to help lighten your load. Call today so we can take the stress of the claims process off your shoulders and you can get your life back on track.
