Facts About Indiana Bus Accident Law

Posted on December 3, 2019 by admin

Since all buses operate as a business that provide transportation services to the general public, all regulations governing bus accidents fall under an area of law known as common carrier law. A common carrier can be defined as any public or private business (or individual) that transports people, goods, or services in exchange for a fee. This includes taxi cabs, limousines, trains, trolleys, ferries, cruise ships, airplanes, and of course, buses. According to the Interstate Commerce Act, common carriers have a higher legal responsibility, or duty of care, which means they have more liability in the case of an accident. In fact, common carrier accidents come with a special set of rules in comparison to standard motor vehicle accidents.

Continue reading to learn more pertinent facts surrounding state and federal bus accident law, as well as, where to get professional and personalized advice after being negligently injured on a common carrier.

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Common Carrier Laws

Depending on where common carriers are traveling, they are governed on a local, state, and federal level. The federal government regulates common carriers that provide transportation to passengers or goods across state lines under the Interstate Commerce Act. Local and state governments regulate transportation services that take place within state lines.

The law places the highest degree of care on common carriers. If a common carrier fails to uphold their legal duty of care, and as a result, someone is injured, their actions (or non-actions) would be considered negligent. In this case, special rules for compensation would apply, especially if the victims were ill, disabled, or children. Common examples of common carrier negligence include fatigued driving, intoxicated driving, lack of proper vehicular maintenance, inadequate driver training, and speeding or similar kinds of reckless driving.

Bus Accident Victims

Anyone injured in a common carrier bus accident has a right to make a claim against the negligent party, but will require the assistance of a personal injury lawyer to obtain the best settlement outcome possible. However, many common carriers are government agencies, which means strict rules apply in terms of statutes of limitations and other limitations. It is strongly encouraged to seek professional legal advice regarding your bus accident claim as soon as possible.

Indianapolis Bus Accident Lawyers You Can Trust

Call The Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to learn the best course of action after being negligently injured on a bus or similar common carrier in Indiana. Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek are seasoned accident attorneys that can fight to recover full and fair compensation for your losses. We also offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we recover a settlement. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule your free consultation, today.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

What To Do After Being Hurt in a Public Bus Accident

Posted on March 13, 2018 by admin

Below you will find a recommended course of action to take directly after being involved in a public bus accident. It is important to follow these steps so that you may protect yourself and your rights to medical coverage and compensation.

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Bus accidents are not like your average fender bender. Such accidents pose a much higher risk of injury to all parties involved. Compared to your standard motor vehicle, buses are a lot bigger and have larger fuel quantities, making them highly dangerous munitions in a collision scenario. Furthermore, they carry more passengers, which means the probability of casualties and injuries are higher.

Regardless of fault or party, it is important to use the proper course of action directly after being involved in a bus accident. Whether you were a passenger on the bus or in another vehicle, these steps apply to everyone. If you have questions about these steps, it is best to consult a trusted Indianapolis personal injury lawyer who specializes in motor vehicle accident claims. You can also consult your car insurance carrier to confirm or review your current medical coverage benefits.

What To Do After a Bus Collision:

❶ Get Away From the Scene of the Accident

The very first thing you should do moments after a bus accident is get to a safe place away from the collision. If you are mobile, exit the bus or vehicle as soon as you can do so safely. If you are not mobile, jump to step two. Otherwise, once you exit the bus or vehicle, get yourself away from the accident scene. As mentioned, buses contain a whole lot of fuel, which can explode if ignited by a spark or fire.

❷ Get Medical Attention

Once you are at a safe distance from the accident scene, it is important to get yourself medical care right away whether you think you are injured or not. This is a critical step because it is common for injuries to not show up right away, or for victims to be in shock and not realize they are injured. Call 911 and request an ambulance or EMT’s to respond. They will arrive within minutes to assess your condition and spot treat any injuries or wounds. If you are seriously injured, they will transport you to the nearest emergency room for further treatment.

❸ Contact the Authorities and Obtain Witness Testimonies and Contact Information

Contact the local police department to report the accident. It is important to file a report so that you have records of the accident. Witness testimonies are also important because they can protect you from being accused or questioned about the circumstances of the accident and your subsequent injuries. A law enforcement officer is likely to take down some witness statements as well, but it is strongly recommended to get your own for a more in depth record. Be sure to ask for witness contact information in case you need them to verify their statements later on.

❹ Collect Evidence and Retain All Records

Aside from a police report and witness testimonies, it is important to collect as much evidence to support any potential claims you might make in the future. Types of evidence includes photos and videos of the bus, the involved vehicles, injured passengers, traffic lights, stop signs, skid marks, and anything else that could have possibly contributed to the accident. Retain all related records as well, including bills, statements, physical therapy sessions, doctor appointments, and more. Be sure to keep all of these records and evidence in a safe place; do not throw them away because you do not know when you might need them.

❺ Contact a Personal Injury Law Firm

If you were injured in a bus accident, you are likely eligible for remuneration from the bus company’s (or bus driver’s) insurance carrier. After you have completed all of the above-mentioned steps, move forward by hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer to file an accident claim. You could potentially recover compensation to help pay for your medical expenses, hospital bills, lost wages, and more. They have the knowledge and resources to make sure you do not miss out on being compensated by all possibly liable parties, such as the bus driver, the bus company, the bus manufacturer, or even the city.

Contact The Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Call The Law Office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 if you were recently injured in a bus accident in Indianapolis, Indiana. You can speak with a seasoned Indianapolis car accident lawyer about recovering compensation for your losses and damages. We offer free initial consultations to discuss your claim, and never collect lawyer fees unless we prevail for you! Get started on your bus accident injury claim by scheduling your appointment, today.

Suing the Government for Personal Injury Compensation

Posted on November 10, 2015 by admin

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There are certain rules that must be followed if you wish to file a personal injury claim against a person, company, organization, or other entity. But as for suing a governmental institution or organization for a personal injury, there are a completely separate set of meticulous guidelines and agendas. It is vitally important to hire an experienced attorney for personal injury claims against a government-operated establishment or organization.

They are the only professionals capable of protecting your rights and securing your future. The procedures and legal obligations involved in such governmental injury cases are very complex and demanding. A licensed accident attorney that concentrates on the type of injury you suffered is your best option for recovering full and fair compensation for your damages and losses. Continue reading to learn more about pursuing a lawsuit against governmental entities for personal injury they are responsible for, and who you can trust for accurate and proficient legal advice regarding your claim.

Governmental Organizations and Establishments

An injury can occur at the fault of several types of government establishments, services, and entities. Examples include government-owned buildings, city buses and trains, city subways, government officialdom’s like the post office, park, or library, and much more. Injury claims can be filed against the state, city, county, public agencies, public divisions, and federal governments. To have a valid claim against any of these parties, one must prove that their injuries and subsequent damages we caused, or partially caused, by a government entity or employ while performing their official duties. To do this, a special approach is necessary.

Suing the Government

The government has a different set of rules that decrees who can sue them and what they can be sued for. This is just another reason why hiring a licensed Indianapolis personal injury lawyer is so vital to your case. Your state has a very specific and strict set of guidelines that must be stringently followed in order to present a claim against any government entity. For example, one must formally file a written claim against the specific government employ or entity with in 30 to 60 days (or more depending on your state) of the accident. If all forms and files are not implemented properly and on time, a victim can lose their opportunity to recover compensation for good.

Valid Personal Injury Cases

One clear cut example of a valid claim against a governmental organization would be a city bus accident. If a person is injured while riding on a city bus, for reasons of negligence on the government’s behalf (i.e. intoxicated bus driver, reckless driving, bus defects, etc.), they are likely to have a strong and valid case against the city or county.

Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C.

Personal Injury Attorney Indianapolis 317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to speak with a licensed personal injury lawyer about your recent accident in Indianapolis, Indiana. Attorneys Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek have extensive trial and litigation experience practicing personal injury law. We have the drive, determination, and skill necessary to recover the full and fair compensation you deserve after sustaining a wrongful injury. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule a free initial consultation and have your case evaluated by a knowledgeable accident attorney in Indianapolis, today.

Craven, Hoover, & Blazek P.C.

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