Fort Lupton Bus Accident Lawyer
When we put our kids on the school bus at the beginning of the day, we expect that they will come home safely to us. Unfortunately, that does not always happen. In addition to accidents involving school buses, there are also accidents involving charter or other public transit buses. In just the law few months of 2019, Colorado experienced serious crashes involving a charter bus, school bus, and transit bus.
If you or someone in your family has been hurt, either physically or emotionally, as a result of a bus accident, a Fort Lupton bus accident lawyer may be able to help you recover damages. Please call today to see what a dedicated bus crash attorney can do to help you.
Causes of Bus Accidents
Some common contributing factors in bus crashes in Fort Lupton that may result in recoverable damages include:
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Driving more than the recommended number of work hours leading to overtired drivers
- Speeding or otherwise driving recklessly
- Distracted driving, such as texting
- Dangerous roadways
- Defects in a bus due to manufacturing or poor maintenance
In addition to the bus driver, other parties may also be held responsible for bus accidents, such as the owner of the bus company, the manufacturer of the bus at fault, or the mechanic responsible for maintaining the bus and replacing any defective or worn out parts. Even the municipal authority responsible for not adequately taking care of the roads involved, such as by failing to remove ice or snow from the affected roadways, can be found to be at fault. A Fort Lupton bus accident lawyer could help victims recover damages by helping to determine who is at fault for their injuries.
Potential Recoverable Damages from Private Bus Companies
With the assistance of a Fort Lupton bus accident lawyer, a victim of a private bus crash can pursue several different types of compensation against a private bus company and its driver. There is no cap to the amount of actual economic damages that a Colorado bus accident victim can recover. A victim could recover damages for medical costs, past and future lost wages, diminished earning capacity, travel expenses, and legal fees. In addition, according to CRS §§13-21-102.5(3)(a) and 13-21-102.5(5), a victim can also recover up to a $468,010 cap, or even up to $936,030 cap from each defendant, in non-economic pain and suffering damages.
If the victim is able to demonstrate that the bus accident resulted in permanent “physical impairment or disfigurement,” then there is no cap on pain and suffering damages. If the bus crash results in the wrongful death of a loved one, however, CRS §13-21-203 limits the total pain and suffering damages to $436,070.
Statute of Limitations
Colorado bus accident victims do not have unlimited time to file a lawsuit. If a private bus company is involved, according to Colorado Revised Statutes Sections 13-80-101 and 13-80-102, bus accident victims must file a lawsuit within three years of the date of a bus accident. If the bus accident results in a death, surviving family members must file a lawsuit within two years.
Legal Issues and Potential Recoverable Damages from a Public Bus Company
If the accident involves a public bus, the bus driver may be considered to be a government employee, in which case a victim must begin the legal process quickly, and damages may be limited to $350,000 per person, according to CRS §§24-10-114 and 24-10-109. A victim must file a detailed written notice within 182 days of the accident. An experienced Fort Lupton bus accident attorney can help you determine if this notice is required and precisely what it should include.
Make an Appointment with a Fort Lupton Bus Accident Attorney Today
If you or a family member has been injured in a bus crash, call a Fort Lupton bus accident lawyer as soon as possible to determine if you can potentially recover damages from that accident. A Fort Lupton bus accident lawyer can compassionately work with you to pursue damages against the responsible parties, either through a settlement or through a trial. Call a Fort Lupton bus crash lawyer today to schedule a consultation.
