Experienced Bus Accident Lawyer Serving Allentown and the Lehigh Valley
An Allentown bus accident lawyer is here for you whenever you are ready. Across the country, Americans rely on buses to get where they need to go. According to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), Americans took 9.9 billion trips on public transportation last year. In fact, commuters take 34 million trips on buses, trains, and trolleys each workday. Allentown residents are no different. They travel by bus to work, school, appointments, and shopping centers every day. However, in the blink of an eye, a bus accident can change everything.
If you or someone you love suffered an injury caused by a catastrophic collision, we are here to help. For more than six decades, our experienced bus crash lawyers have been fighting for accident victims and their families. Time and time again, our legal professionals win big for those suffering from injuries.
We believe that everyone deserves justice, so a consultations are always free, and our policy is simple: you won’t pay us anything unless we win for you. That means it costs you nothing out of pocket. Call us today.
Why Choose Munley Law for Your Bus Accident Case in Pennsylvania?
We are proud to be a family law firm from northeastern Pennsylvania. For over 60 years, our Allentown personal injury lawyers have fought for victims and their families. We know how to take on the big insurance and transportation companies to prove liability, and we always fight to get our clients the maximum payments for their suffering. To learn more about the millions we won for our clients and what it means to have Allentown school bus accident attorney from Munley Law representing you, schedule your free consultation right away.
A city bus on foggy streets highlights the importance of hiring the best bus accident lawyer after a crash.
Understanding Your Legal Rights After a Bus Accident
How do you know if you have legal rights after being injured? Victims are often confused about the best way forward, and that’s completely understandable. It’s always best to speak to an attorney and to do so as quickly as possible. It’s sometimes hard to tell whether you may have legal recourse. Our attorneys have experience responding to these types of claims, and we can help you decide what your options are.
Oftentimes a lawyer can help you prove that someone acted negligently. Negligence is a legal concept, and has a special meaning under Philadelphia law. Typically, it just means that someone owed you a duty to act with a certain level of care, and they failed to act carefully, which caused your injury.
In Pennsylvania, there are four elements of a negligence claim: duty, breach, causation, and compensation.
- Duty: this means that the defendant, the person who did wrong, owed you a duty not to cause harm. Whether a duty exists is a complex question. But generally, a person owes you a duty to not cause foreseeable harm by their actions. That means that you can hold a bus driver, or a company, responsible, because they owed you a duty as a passenger, pedestrian, or someone else on the road.
- Breach: to prove breach, you must prove that the wrongdoer failed to act according to a specific standard of care. Generally, all people must act as a reasonably prudent person would in any given situation. If a bus driver crashes because they weren’t paying attention, or if the company fails to maintain their buses as they should, they will have often times breached a duty.
- Causation: causation is simple in theory, but often a complex factual and legal issue. You must prove that the breach of a duty, what the wrongdoer did, caused your trauma. This can sometimes be difficult when it comes to bodily harm. That’s where expert witnesses come in.
- Compensation: you must also prove that the breach of a duty caused you financial or emotional compensation. This is where we must prove the amount of money involved.
Experienced legal professionals know how to build a negligence claim. Many different parties may have been negligent in causing the wreck.
Why Hiring The Right School Bus Accident Lawyers Is Important
Why do you need a lawyer? The right lawyer is always going to work to make sure your rights are protected in the wake of a motor vehicle collision. No matter how big or small, motor vehicle accidents have consequences, and there will be many players involved. You should be able to focus on getting medical care and dealing with any damage caused by the collision. Your lawyer can focus on holding the wrongdoer accountable.
Here are just a few reasons you shouldn’t try to navigate the aftermath of an collision alone:
Bus Crashes Are Legally Complex
Bus accidents involve many players, and many times each of these players is going to react to a motor vehicle collision by trying to minimize their own financial exposure. You need a lawyer to make sure you’re not left holding the bill for the damage caused by someone else’s wrongdoing.
Passengers, the bus driver, the driver of any other vehicle involved, the operating company, policy insurers, any government agency involved in the operation of the vehicle, the company that does the maintenance, and the company that makes any parts (just to name a few) all have a vested interest in the outcome of an collision . It’s hard to know which of these parties is responsible for the trauma you suffered. An experienced legal representative can help you get to the bottom of it.
Lawyers Can Help Settle Your School Bus Accident Claim Without Going to Court
Of course, counselors are familiar with fighting cases in court. But, sometimes the best option is to resolve a dispute well before a formal lawsuit. Whether you’re fighting with your own insurance company, someone else’s, or an individual party involved in the crash, getting a lawyer involved early can help get the claim resolved faster. Sometimes, counselors can do this just by being involved in negotiations. After all, people are sometimes more forthcoming if they know that you are armed and ready to take a dispute to court.
Other times, we can help by writing a formal demand letter. This is essentially a letter explaining your claim, the reasoning behind your entitlement to money, and the underlying statutes. Sometimes, all it takes is someone who can speak the insurers language, or who can get through to the counselors representing the person who did you wrong. These letters sometimes resolve cases long before a formal court hearing could.
A Law Firm Can Give You a Comprehensive Case Evaluation
Because of the complexity of bus accidents, there can be a lot of groundwork to cover. A lawyer can identify and interview witnesses. Fellow passengers, other drivers, bystanders, and other witnesses can have invaluable information. We’ll find them, interview them, and preserve their testimony for use in court.
We’ll also gather documents and other physical evidence. This can be photographs of the vehicle, the scene of the incident, and any damage caused. Furthermore, we can track down surveillance video and other camera footage of the event; this can be used both when advocating against insurers and in court. Additionally, sometimes an collision is caused by faulty maintenance or a malfunction with a part. These cases require us to track down maintenance records and other reports. We know where to look, and have experience tracking this evidence down for our clients.
Furthermore, sometimes you will need an expert witness. This could be a medical expert who can testify to your injuries and how they will impact your life. It could also be an expert tasked with calculating the different ways the collision has cost you money. These witnesses can be the difference between winning and losing. Our team of experienced legal professionals have worked with experts across Pennsylvania, and the country, to support our clients. We know how to do it effectively and efficiently.
Interior view of a city bus emphasizing risks that require representation from an Allentown bus accident lawyer.
An Attorney Can Represent You in Court and During Negotiations
You should never have to go up against the powerful entities (organizations, insurers, and sometimes the government) who stand in your way after a coach incident alone. Sometimes, these parties will argue that you are at fault, even when you weren’t. It’s one of the oldest tricks in the book. Furthermore, sometimes there are unique challenges to recovery, for example when a school bus is involved. An experienced firm can aggressively represent your interests.
We have experience working with, and against, many of the repeat players. We can make sure these powerful entities don’t overpower your interests in any negotiations or informal discussions. And, if it comes time to fight in court, attorneys are nationally recognized for their skills in the courtroom. We’re ready to put them to work to get you the compensation you deserve.
How Long Does a Bus Accident Case Usually Take?
This, unfortunately, depends. Our legal professionals will always work to make sure your case gets resolved as quickly as possible. We know that after an collision, you often need the money owed to you to move forward. That’s why we’ll do our best to resolve your claim through early negotiations or a demand letter. Sometimes, when we present your demand up front and can explain why you’re entitled to compensation in an informal way, we can get fast results. In those cases, we can resolve your case within a few weeks to a few months.
If we have to take to proceed to formal court proceedings, things may take longer. Litigation speed is of course impacted by the court’s schedule, and we can only control so much. But we’ll never letter our opponents drag their feet. That being said, litigating in court can take up to a year, and maybe more.
How Much Compensation Can You Get After a Bus Accident?
How much compensation you receive can depend on many factors. During a free consultation, we can help you get a good idea of what your compensation might be. However, the ultimate amount you can recover will depend on: (1) the type and severity of your injuries; (2) whether your injuries are permanent; (3) whether you were forced to miss work, and for how long; (4) if you’ll be able to return to your job after you recover; (5) whether you were in any way at fault for the incident or your trauma; (6) whether any of your property was damaged or destroyed.
An experienced firm can help you recover both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damage is meant to compensate you for things like: past and future medical expenses, past and future lost wages, rehabilitation and recovery expenses, nursing care, and property damage. Expert witness are often very helpful in calculating the economic damage you’ve suffered, and we’re experts at recovering those damages. We do this not only to lessen the financial burden of an collision, but to make sure you’re taken care of in the years to come.
Noneconomic injuries are more intangible, and can include money to compensate: the pain and suffering you endured as a result of the collision, a reduced quality of life, disfigurement, and many other types of impairments a serious injury might cause.
You may have heard the term “punitive damages” before. Sometimes, punitive damages are available. These damages are meant to punish the wrongdoer(s) for their bad actions. These damages are often difficult to obtain, but in the right case, they are a powerful weapon. If you think the bus drivers actions were intentional acts, or that someone was acting recklessly (meaning they knew about a risk and acted anyway), contact us immediately.
What If You Are Partially at Fault for the Bus Accident?
Are you worried you might share some fault for an accident? That’s ok. First, it’s natural to think the worst and blame yourself after an collision. You also shouldn’t necessarily trust what a bus company, insurers, or other involved party tells you about what happened. Even still, if you’re worried that you might have in some way caused an accident, or made it worse, you should give us a call as soon as possible.
You can still recover some money. In Pennsylvania, just because you may share some blame with someone else, as long as you aren’t overwhelmingly at fault, our lawyers can likely still help get you some of the money you deserve. That being said, be sure to tell your legal representative about your concerns. It’s always best that your attorney knows everything; that’s the only way they can help you! Generally, nothing you tell your attorney can be used against you, so you can talk to us openly. Just let us know if you have any concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bus Accidents in Allentown
How Often Do Bus Accidents Happen in Allentown?
Although school and public transit buses make up a small percentage of vehicles on the road, they account for a significant percentage of crashes. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that there are about 63,000 bus collisions in the United States every year. According to the most recent NHTSA data, the number of large vehicles involved in fatal school bus accidents increased 9% to 4,889. 17,000 school-age children are rushed to the emergency room each year to be treated for school bus accident injuries.
The dangers of bus travel cannot be avoided by choosing alternate travel methods. In fact, the NHTSA reports that 72% of collision fatalities are passenger vehicle occupants, not those on the bus. If you or someone you love needs help, make sure an experienced bus accident lawyer is representing them by contacting us today.
Common Reasons a Bus Accident Will Occur in Allentown
There is no one cause of the circumstances surrounding every bus crash are different. However, certain bus features make these vehicles more likely to collide. Additionally, other aspects make trauma more likely.
1. They are larger than most other vehicles on the road: Besides certain large commercial trucks, tractor-trailers, and 18-wheelers, buses are typically the largest vehicles on Pennsylvania’s highways and public roads. Their size makes them more difficult to control, turn, speed up, slow down, and stop. These vehicles often have large blind spots that make backing up and switching lanes less safe. When a coach crashes, its large mass, and size do more damage and create more severe trauma compared to a car collision.
2. They make frequent stops: In part, buses crash more than other vehicles because they behave differently than other vehicles. They make frequent stops along designated routes for each passenger to on-board and get off. If a coach stops unexpectedly or other drivers are not paying close attention, they may collide with the bus or with a passenger. Furthermore, because of their frequent stops, busses are often changing lanes and navigating the most crowded areas of a city.
3. Passengers behave differently: An occupant of a car or SUV typically wears a seatbelt. Car airbags deploy during a car accident to prevent injury to the passenger. However, most school, commercial, coach, or public transit vehicles do not make these features available for passengers. Even when they have preventative safety measures such as seatbelts, many do not use them.
4. They operate on the busiest roads and highways: By design, these vehicles travel to the most popular destinations along the busiest streets, roads, and highways. They travel to shopping malls, commercial centers, hospitals, city centers, tourist attractions, and residential neighborhoods. Trucks, cars, SUVs, bicycles, motorcycles, and pedestrians also use these areas, and the traffic volume increases the likelihood of an accident.
Steps to Take After a Bus Accident in Allentown
If you are involved in any collision involving a school bus, commuter, coach, or another large commercial vehicle, take the following steps:
Remain calm and stay in your vehicle if possible.
The moments following any accident are chaotic. The number of passengers and vehicles involved in a typical bus collision can make an accident even more confusing. Still, in order to safely and effectively navigate the scene and get the help you require, it is important not to panic. If it is safe to do so, stay in your vehicle.
Call 9-11 and file a police report: After an accident, call 9-11 to summon police, ambulances, and firefighters. Once police responders arrive, make sure to file a police report and get a copy if possible. Write down the name and badge number of the responding officer and save this information someplace safe. Your bus accident legal representatives will need that report. Don’t let anyone talk you out of making a police report. They can be invaluable.
Take pictures: Use your cellphone to photograph the accident scene, any damage to your vehicle or property, and any signs of trauma. It is also a good idea to email these photos to yourself and/or send them to a family member to make sure they will be saved. An injury attorney will require those pictures as well to provide accurate legal advice.
Seek medical treatment: In the wake of an accident, many injured passengers do not feel pain or think they are hurt so they do not seek medical treatment. However, once the adrenaline from the crash wears off, they realize they are seriously injured and have done additional damage by not going to the hospital right away. Even if you think you are fine, seek medical treatment after an accident. Save all medical forms and records.
Do not speak to another driver’s insurance company: Never rely on another driver’s promise to file a report or claim with their insurance company. Do not speak directly to their insurance agent or the bus companies about what happened. Instead, contact your insurance provider and tell them about the accident. Make sure to give them a complete description of any damage or trauma and mention the bus companies that were involved. You should always speak to legal advisors before discussing what happened with the bus company or someone else’s insurer.
Contact our bus accident lawyers: We have spent 60 years litigating motor vehicle accident cases for the victims of a serious bus accident. We take on the insurance and transportation industry players so that you can focus on healing and getting your life back.
Our legal team is recognized not only in Pennsylvania but across the entire United States. We pride ourselves on being leaders in the field and working hard every day to win what our clients deserve. Don’t suffer any longer. Contact our Allentown office to speak to a legal professional about your bus crash for FREE today.
Contact Munley Law for a Free Bus Accident Consultation
At the end of the day, the compassionate and experienced legal professionals at Munley Law have been doing this work for decades. You aren’t just another bus accident to us; we’ll listen to what happened, explain your rights, and give you your options for moving forward.
Call us today, or fill out the form on this website. Contacting us is completely free and won’t obligate you to do anything. What’s more, you won’t pay us unless (and until) we win, and any payment we get comes out of the money we recover for you. Nothing comes out of your pocket, ever.
Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys
609 Hamilton St
Allentown, PA 18101
(610) 857-7424
