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Each day, people in Washington rely on buses as a means of transport for a variety of reasons.
Some of us ride them to work, and some of us send our children to school on them. We use them as tourists, we use them for shopping, or like the above example for team travel.
With so many people relying on buses and placing our safety, and the safety of our loved ones, in the hands of a bus driver, it is no wonder that bus drivers are held to higher standards of care.
If you’ve been injured in a bus accident, read on for important information and contact Steven Shaw (Seattle bus accident attorneys) at Shaw Legal Solutions. (425) 214-4946, Email
Seattle Laws About Bus Accidents
When an injured passenger or the injured driver of another car wishes to file a lawsuit seeking compensation for damages caused by a bus accident, Washington law required that the suit be filed within three years after the date of the accident. The exception to this is if the bus is operated by a governmental entity. In that case, victims must first file a notice with the Washington State Office of Risk Management.
After submitting the form, the victim must wait 60 days before filing a lawsuit, giving the office time to investigate the claim and even offer a settlement. Because the required form is complicated and the office can deny the claim completely if it is not filled out properly, those wishing to file a suit against a governmental entity offering a common carrier bus service should consult an experienced bus accident attorney.
Washington does not place a cap on compensation in personal injury lawsuits that arise from bus accidents.
Some of the potential damages that you may seek compensation for include:
- Current and future medical bills
- The cost of rehabilitative services
- The cost of accessibility adaptations to the home or vehicle
- Lost wages and the loss of future earning capacity
- Permanent injury or disability
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage or loss
- Scarring and disfigurement
If you’ve lost a loved one in a bus accident, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit to recover damages such as:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Medical bills incurred before death
- Loss of future wages and benefits
- The cost of household tasks that the decedent used to perform
- Loss of companionship and consortium
- Pain and suffering incurred by the decedent before death
Wrongful death lawsuits may be filed on behalf of the decedent’s family members, including spouses, registered domestic partners, children or stepchildren. If none of these family relationships exist with the decedent, then other family members are allowed to file the suit, including parents, sisters, or brothers who depended on the decedent for support.
In cases involving the death of a child, parents who regularly contribute to the support of a child may participate in a wrongful death action. Like personal injury lawsuits, wrongful death suits in Washington must be filed within three years.
WHAT COSTS CAN A PERSONAL INJURY CLAIM COVER?
If you are trying to determine whether you should hire a personal injury attorney, start by considering what’s at stake. Handled well, a personal injury claim could get you compensation for any of the following:
- The cost of medical treatment of your injuries
- Lost income due to your injuries (e.g. missed shifts)
- Property damage or loss (e.g. your vehicle if you were in a car accident, clothing, etc)
- Pain and suffering (usually for long-term pain attributed to the accident)
- Emotional distress (usually in cases of serious traumatic events that cause psychological damage)
- Justice (when the at-fault party is deemed outrageously careless and you want to make sure what happened to you doesn’t happen to someone else)
The above reasons for filing a personal injury claim does not cover the extent of reasons to file. You should always consult with a personal injury attorney before filing a claim to ensure you choose the best course of action for your case.
PERSONAL INJURY CLAIMS
& WHAT TO EXPECT
The first step to overcoming any legal obstacle: arm yourself with knowledge. Learn what to expect from the claims process by reviewing the information I’ve provided here. Then give me a call so we can discuss your case further.
Call A Lawyer Immediately
Personal injury cases always have at least two sides. In order to make sure you compile the right information, you’ll need counsel from an experienced attorney. With my experience, I can help you determine which information is most important.
Compiling the right information at the very beginning is important, but it’s also significant to not give any statement about the accident before consulting an attorney.
So do not waste time contacting me. I can advise you on what to say to whom and what the best strategy is moving forward.
Learn What Your Case Is Worth
Not every personal injury case is going to yield million-dollar settlements, and you should know the value of your case before making any deals with the insurance company. As your attorney, I can help you determine value with my experience and knowledge of personal injury settlements.
Through a network of expert witnesses and claims investigators, I will work with you to discover the extent of damages and the max amount of compensation attainable.
Don’t let yourself believe your case is just a number on the docket. Know what you and your lawyer are fighting for.
Decide Whether To Accept A Settlement Or File A Lawsuit
Compensation, settlement, and justice are not always the same thing. You may receive a settlement for your case that doesn’t cover the medical expenses imposed by the accident. You may receive just compensation but no justice.
If you feel there is a risk someone else will be harmed in the same way you were, and you want to make sure it doesn’t happen to anyone else, a lawsuit may be the best path.
In the end, your decision should be based on the overall outcome you want in your case. There is no wrong choice.
Renegotiate From A Position of Strength
When an accident has occurred, you are hurt, injured, and vulnerable. Unfortunately, insurance companies and responsible parties sometimes take advantage of this and try to negotiate lesser settlements to avoid large payouts.
With a personal injury lawyer on your side, you can start negotiations strong and without worry that you’ll be taken advantage of or shorted.
Put me on your side. I can help with your recovery by pursuing compensation for your wounds and lost assets.
WHY I GOT INTO PERSONAL INJURY LAW
Before attending law school, I started a career in banking. Because of that background, I thought I’d go into estate law — wills, trusts, and general financial law. But after a personal injury lawyer came to speak in my trial advocacy class, I was hooked. I was enthralled by the way personal injury law is practiced, and I saw it as an opportunity to help people who really need it.
The majority of my practice is dedicated to helping those who have been victims of serious injury and bad insurance company practices. If your insurance provider refuses to cover the extent of the damages, then seeking compensation through a personal injury claim is the logical next step toward getting the coverage you need.
If a traditional claim isn’t enough (meaning the insurance company refuses to offer you a fair payout), then filing a lawsuit against the responsible party might be the only way to cover the costs of returning back to your pre-accident life. You should not be responsible for someone else’s actions. Let me hold them accountable and fight for the compensation you deserve.
SUFFERED AN INJURY?
HOW TO DEFINE NEGLIGENCE
In order to determine whether you have a case for compensation, negligence has to be established. If your accident does not present a clear negligence party – if it is not blatant the other party is at fault – talk with an attorney and consider the legal definition of negligence in personal injury cases.
The definition of negligence typically varies depending on whether it’s being discussed in a medical or legal context. In personal injury cases, neither definition is more important than the other. What really matters is the fact that proving another party’s negligence is the key to winning a personal injury claim or lawsuit. These examples show the differences between the medical and legal definition of negligence:
Legal definition:
Negligence is the failure to behave with a level of care that someone with common sense or reasonable judgment would do in the circumstances, and not taking action when there is some duty to act (e.g. fixing faulty equipment).
Medical definition:
Negligence of practitioners is defined as the failure to provide the expected patient care. failure to perform procedures to the Medical Board standards, and medical malpractice.
Navigating the multiple definitions of negligence is vital in building a strong case for your claim. Without legal knowledge and experience, it can be difficult to establish negligence, which is why I strive to educate my clients so they can better understand their situation.
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury, reach out to me today. With my experienced in personal injury lawsuits, I can help you make the best decisions for yourself and your family.
PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER SERVING SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
Have you been hurt in an accident? Are your injuries the result of someone else’s negligence? Are you buried in medical bills and loss recovery costs? Maybe you’re not sure who to sue for negligence? Let me help guide you through the process of getting the compensation you deserve so you can focus on healing. Call me today.
I needed Steven Shaw’s services to deal with an insurance company who did not want to cover an auto accident which was of no fault of my own. Through his hard work and dedication, we were able to get them to cover all medical and auto claims.
— Client