We know that you have many options when you need transportation around Pittsburgh. If you do not feel like using your own vehicle, using public transportation can be an affordable way to get around, including plenty of bus options. When you do get on a bus, we know you expect to be safe. Unfortunately, there are times when someone else’s negligence can cause you harm.
Do you know what to do if you are hurt and someone else is to blame?
When you need a Pittsburgh bus accident attorney, you can count on the experienced team at Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman to be by your side.
TYPES OF BUSES THAT CAN CRASH IN PITTSBURGH
Accidents involving public transportation buses happen, and when they do, they can be devastating. That is because they carry so many people at a time, they are large vehicles, and can affect many other people around them in an accident.
In Pittsburgh, we have many of the following types of buses:
- School buses
- Long-distance transportation buses
- Public transportation buses
- Airport buses
- And more
PAT is the 14th largest mass transit system in the country, so we know to expect professionalism from them. We also expect it from all the other bus companies and agencies that operate in the city.
All bus drivers should obtain the proper licenses for the vehicles they are asked to operate. Under no circumstances should a driver ever be under the influence of drugs or alcohol when they are operating. Doing so jeopardizes the lives of passengers and people surrounding the vehicles. Just as dangerous are drivers who are distracted by their phones or other devices while operating.
We know that transportation companies and agencies must regularly inspect and maintain their buses so that they can prevent vehicle failure. If part of a vehicle fails while moving at high speeds, their drivers could lose control and crash.
MOST COMMON PITTSBURGH BUS ACCIDENT INJURIES
Injuries from this type of accident can be very serious and the problem can be compounded by how many people could be affected. In a mass casualty incident, treatment may be delayed, creating a dangerous situation. In these accidents, it is not uncommon to see spinal cord injuries, head injuries, broken and dislocated bones, internal injuries, and major lacerations.
All of these injuries require immediate and expensive medical treatment. If long-term rehabilitation is necessary, do you know how you will afford the costs?
WHAT KIND OF COMPENSATION IS AVAILABLE FOR A PITTSBURGH BUS OR T LIGHT RAIL ACCIDENT CASE?
If you or somebody you care about has been injured in a bus or T light rail accident in Pittsburgh, you could be entitled to various types of compensation for your losses. At Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman, our qualified and experienced attorneys are regularly able to help clients recover the following:
- Coverage of all medical bills related to the bus crash
- Lost income if a victim is unable to work while recovering
- General household out-of-pocket expenses
- Loss of enjoyment of life damages
- Pain and suffering damages
- Property damage expenses
The total amount of compensation available in these cases will vary depending on the facts related to each particular situation. A skilled Pittsburgh bus and light rail accident attorney will be able to investigate every aspect of the case and properly calculate the compensation the client deserves.
WHAT TYPE OF EVIDENCE WILL YOU NEED AFTER A PITTSBURGH BUS ACCIDENT?
If you or somebody you love has been injured in a Pittsburgh bus accident, there are various types of evidence that will need to be gathered in order to prove liability for your claim. In general, you will not be responsible for gathering all of this evidence. Most bus accident victims in Pittsburgh do not have the resources necessary to conduct their own investigation into the incident. However, the team at Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman will be able to get to work immediately on obtaining and preserving any evidence needed to help your case.
Our attorneys have extensive experience helping with the following:
- Obtaining any video or photo surveillance from the scene of the crash.
- Getting statements from any eyewitnesses to the bus crash.
- Obtaining any police or accident reports related to the incident.
- Gathering all inspection and maintenance records for the bus.
- Gathering bus driver safety and driving records.
- Working with accident reconstruction experts who can help gain a full understanding of what happened in the incident.
SEEK MEDICAL CARE AFTER A PITTSBURGH BUS ACCIDENT
If you or somebody you care about has been injured in a Pittsburgh bus accident, you must seek medical care immediately. Even if you do not feel much pain after the incident occurs, please understand that the signs and symptoms of many bus accident injuries do not appear until hours or even days after the crash. By seeking immediate medical care, you are ensuring your own well-being while also establishing a solid link between the crash and your injuries.
Additionally, you need to continue any medical treatment recommended by your doctor. This includes going to any follow up visits, using any devices a doctor has recommended to aiding in mobility (wheelchair, walker, crutches), and attending any physical therapy or rehabilitation. If you discontinue medical treatment before you have reached maximum medical improvement, insurance carriers or at-fault parties could use this as a reason to delay or deny your Pittsburgh bus accident injury claim.
DEADLINE TO FILE A PITTSBURGH BUS ACCIDENT LAWSUIT
Victims of bus accidents in Pittsburgh need to be aware that there is a time limit in place to file these lawsuits. The Pennsylvania personal injury statute of limitations for adults is two years from the date an accident occurs. This means that adult bus crash victims have a two-year window with which to file lawsuits against the alleged negligent party in their case. Minors have until their 20th birthday to file suit. Failing to file a claim within this time frame will result in victims being unable to recover the compensation they deserve.
HOW OFTEN DO PITTSBURGH BUS ACCIDENTS OCCUR?
According to data available from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, we have the following information related to bus crashes in Pennsylvania for the latest reporting year:
- 486 commercial bus crashes
- 3 fatal commercial bus crashes
- 327 injury-causing commercial bus crashes
- 301 school bus crashes
- 4 fatal school bus crashes
- 151 injury-causing commercial bus crashes
HOW WILL AN ATTORNEY HELP A PITTSBURGH BUS ACCIDENT CASE?
A Pittsburgh bus accident attorney will be an invaluable resource in the aftermath of a serious crash. Most bus crash injury victims lack the resources to personally take on the at-fault parties and secure the compensation they are entitled to. However, an attorney will have the resources required to:
- Conduct a full investigation into the incident to obtain and preserve evidence. This can include video and photo surveillance, statements of eyewitnesses to the crash, statements from other passengers involved in the crash, bus driver and bus company records, and more.
- Work with trusted medical professionals to fully evaluate a bus accident victim and ensure that they are properly cared for.
- Work with economic and financial experts to properly calculate the victim’s total expected expenses.
- Negotiate with every party involved, including aggressive bus insurance carriers, to reach a fair settlement.
WHAT YOU CAN DO FOLLOWING A PITTSBURGH BUS ACCIDENT
We know that the last thing you expect to happen when you or a loved one use a bus is to get hurt. We know that accidents happen sometimes, but we also know that other people’s negligence can contribute to those accidents. When that happens, you can count on Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman to get the compensation you need for all of your accident-related expenses. We want to make sure you do not have to worry about how to pay your bills when someone else causes you harm. When you need a Pittsburgh bus accident attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling 888-98-TWINS(89467).