Chandler Bus Accident Lawyer
When hiring a Chandler bus accident lawyer, understanding how you can get paid is important.
Not only that but knowing that but also how you are supposed to pay for a lawyer as well as costly medical bills payment is crucial.
Obviously, there are all kinds of things to know after a bus accident injury and knowledge is power.
Knowing what to do and how to react might be the difference of you getting a nice settlement and zero settlement.
This is why it is important to reach out to a Chandler personal injury lawyer after an accident.
Bus Accident Lawyers
Accidents can leave you feeling disoriented and unsure of what steps to take next.
Determining when to seek medical attention and what to disclose to an insurance adjuster can be particularly daunting, especially after a sudden event.
Delayed injury symptoms can add to the confusion, making legal help essential.
Injuries from accidents often entitle you to compensation, but understanding the typical settlement amount can be tricky.
A skilled attorney will have a good sense of the value and can use this information to negotiate effectively.
Whether your accident was a minor fender-bender, a serious truck collision, or has led to mental and emotional challenges, reach out to our office.
The Law Gang can help with any injury claim such as:
- Electric scooter injuries
- Electric bike accidents
- Recovering lost wages due to an accidental injury
We’ll assist with your claim and advocate on your behalf, easing the burden of dealing with insurance companies while you focus on your recovery and normal routine
Contingency Payments
Contingency payment means that you only pay your lawyer if you win your case. Instead of paying upfront, your lawyer’s fee comes from the settlement or court award.
This can make legal help accessible, even if you don’t have money to pay a lawyer right away.
Say you win your case and get a $50,000 settlement. If the agreed fee is 33%, the lawyer receives $16,500. If you don’t win, you don’t pay the lawyer’s fee.
This method helps reduce financial risks associated with hiring legal representation.
The Law Gang services all cities in Arizona (both large or small), including:
- Sedona
- Kingman
- Flagstaff
Benefits of Contingency Payments
One key benefit of contingency payment is that it allows you to pursue justice without worrying about upfront costs.
This is particularly important if you’re dealing with medical bills or lost wages after a bus accident.
Contingency payment also aligns your lawyer’s interests with yours.
Since the lawyer only gets paid if you win, they are motivated to secure the best possible outcome for your case.
Lastly, it can provide peace of mind. Knowing that you won’t be out of pocket if the case is unsuccessful can reduce stress and let you focus on recovery.
This payment structure can make legal representation more equitable, allowing more people to access justice.
Bus Accident Injuries
Bus accidents can lead to various injuries, such as broken bones, severe cuts, or head trauma.
It is essential to understand these injuries to seek appropriate care and compensation.
Broken Bones
Bus accidents often cause broken bones or fractures. The impact from a collision can be strong enough to break legs, arms, ribs, and sometimes more delicate bones like the collarbone.
These injuries can be very painful and usually require medical treatment. You might need surgery, physical therapy, or both.
Recovery times vary, but it can take weeks or even months.
Cuts and Lacerations
Sharp objects inside a bus, like broken glass or metal, can cause cuts and lacerations.
These injuries can range from minor scrapes to deep wounds requiring stitches. In severe cases, cuts can lead to infections if not treated quickly.
Always clean the wound and seek medical attention to prevent complications.
Head Injuries
Head injuries are a serious risk in bus accidents. Even a minor bump can cause a concussion.
More severe accidents might result in traumatic brain injury (TBI), which can have long-term effects on memory, cognitive function, and physical capabilities.
Symptoms might not show up immediately, so it’s crucial to get checked by a doctor as soon as possible. Look out for dizziness, headaches, or changes in behavior.
Causes of Bus Accidents
Bus accidents in Chandler can occur for several reasons, including drivers running red lights, distractions, and speeding or aggressive driving.
Running Red Lights
One of the most common causes of bus accidents in Chandler is running red lights. Buses, due to their size and weight, need more time to stop.
When a bus driver runs a red light, it often leads to severe collisions. The impact can cause multiple injuries, given the speed and force involved.
Running red lights also endangers pedestrians and other vehicles in the intersection. It’s essential for bus companies to enforce strict policies against running red lights to ensure safety.
Additionally, traffic light cameras at intersections help in capturing these violations, providing critical evidence in case of an accident.
Bus accidents usually occur on side streets (not busy highways like the Red Mountain Freeway) such as:
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is another significant cause of bus accidents in Chandler. With the availability of smartphones and other electronic devices, drivers can easily lose focus.
A momentary distraction, like checking a text message, can lead to catastrophic results.
Distracted driving includes not only phone use but also eating, drinking, or adjusting the radio.
Bus drivers have the added responsibility of ensuring passenger safety. Distractions can lead to missed signals, delayed reactions, and unsafe maneuvers.
It’s crucial to educate bus drivers about the dangers of distracted driving and enforce strict guidelines to prevent it.
Aggressive Driving
Speeding and aggressive driving are also common causes of bus accidents. Buses have higher mass and momentum, making high-speed collisions particularly dangerous.
When bus drivers exceed speed limits or drive aggressively, they increase the risk of losing control and causing accidents.
Aggressive driving includes tailgating, frequent lane changes, and failing to yield the right of way.
These behaviors can result in severe accidents, especially in congested areas or near schools.
Training programs and regular monitoring can help curtail these practices among bus drivers, ensuring safer travel for everyone involved.
Navigating Insurance
After a bus accident in Chandler, Arizona, you’ll need to navigate insurance claims and possibly pursue compensation from the city.
Understanding these steps is crucial to securing the compensation you deserve.
Engaging with Insurance
After a bus accident, notifying your insurance company promptly is important. Provide them with accurate information about the incident but avoid admitting fault.
You may receive a claim form to fill out, and it’s critical to complete it with detailed and truthful information.
Keep track of all your medical expenses and any other costs related to the accident.
Even minor injuries and expenses can accumulate quickly. Documenting these costs will support your claim.
Sometimes, insurance companies may try to offer a quick settlement.
It’s usually wise to consult with a lawyer before accepting any offers to ensure you’re getting fair compensation for your injuries and any other damages.
Pursuing Claims
If the bus involved in the accident is operated by the city of Chandler, filing a claim against the city might be necessary.
The process can be complex and time-sensitive, as there are specific procedures and deadlines. In Arizona, the statute of limitations for filing a claim against a government entity can be shorter than for other claims.
You’ll need to gather evidence, such as police reports, witness statements, and possibly even traffic camera footage. Obtaining these can strengthen your case.
Hiring a lawyer experienced in handling claims against government entities can greatly help.
They can guide you through the process, ensure all paperwork is filed correctly, and represent you in negotiations or court.
The Law Gang can provide services in any location within Arizona. These can include the following counties:
- Gila
- Pinal
- Yuma
Collecting Evidence
When pursuing a bus accident lawsuit, gathering the right evidence is essential. Key pieces of evidence include traffic camera video footage, photos, police accident reports, and witness statements.
Obtaining Video Footage
Traffic camera footage can provide a clear view of the accident. This can show how the collision happened and who is at fault.
In Chandler, Arizona, many intersections have traffic cameras installed.
To obtain this footage, you need to contact the city or the department responsible for traffic surveillance. Request the specific time and date of the accident to ensure you get the correct footage.
It is important to act quickly, as this footage may not be kept for long.
Gathering Photos
Photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and injuries are crucial. They offer a visual record that can be very compelling in court.
Police accident reports are also key pieces of evidence.
These reports include the officer’s observations, notes on weather and road conditions, and sometimes the officer’s opinion about who was at fault.
You can request a copy of this report from the Chandler Police Department. This report is often used by insurance companies and lawyers to determine liability.
Securing Witness Statements
Witnesses can provide crucial firsthand accounts of the accident. Their statements can confirm what happened and support your claims.
Make sure to get the contact information of any witnesses at the scene. Your lawyer can then reach out to them for detailed statements.
Witnesses who are not involved in the accident often provide unbiased accounts, making their statements particularly valuable in legal proceedings.
If you live in Chandler, AZ and are tired of looking “for a Chandler bus accident lawyer near me” then contact The Law Gang today.
