Bus Accident Attorney in Denver, Helping Injury Victims Recover Maximum Compensation
While Colorado has one of the highest car ownership rates in America, there is still a significant number of people who utilize bus transportation. Tens of millions in and around Denver board Regional Transportation District (RTD) buses every year, and countless others use school buses and tour carriers. While this is typically safe, car accidents can still occur. If you’ve been involved in such a collision, a bus accident attorney in Denver may be able to help.
At Fuller Personal Injury Law, our legal practice is committed to helping injury victims get the compensation they deserve. RTD ridership numbers and decreasing bus collisions prove that these large vehicles are one of the safest ways to get around. However, it only takes one mistake on the part of a bus driver, carrier company, or other negligent parties to cause tragedy. If you’ve suffered injuries, you can sit down with a Denver personal injury attorney at our law firm for a free consultation.
Are You Entitled to Financial Compensation?
If you’ve been involved in a bus accident, it’s important to seek legal advice. Failure to do so could result in you leaving substantial monetary compensation on the table. However, you may be asking yourself whether you’re entitled to financial recovery at all. This is an understandable question — particularly considering how complex liability laws can be in Colorado. If you’re involved in an accident, your ability to recover compensation will come down to these factors:
- Duty of care: Any successful personal injury claim must establish that a duty of care existed. This often isn’t difficult in a bus accident case. Bus drivers, carrier companies, manufacturers, and others have a duty to avoid actions that could endanger the public.
- Violation of duty: Plaintiffs must also show that a violation of a duty of care occurred. For instance, a bus driver going faster than the speed limit would likely be considered a violation. This goes for any negligent, reckless, illegal, or other wrongful act as well.
- Injuries or losses: You’ve seen drivers speeding on the road, but as long as they cause no damages with such a violation of duty, there’s no valid personal injury case. However, violating a duty of care that results in losses can leave a party liable for damages.
You’ll hear it again throughout this guide, but you should never make assumptions about your case. The above information is basic and does not account for nuances to the law or other issues that may affect your case. Additionally, it may be unnecessary to prove all these elements when dealing with an insurance adjuster during settlement negotiations.
Whether you were harmed in a charter collision, your child was involved in one of the hundreds of yearly school bus crashes in Colorado, or some other crash affected you or a loved one, speaking to a bus accident attorney in Denver may be the right move.
What Are Common Injuries in Denver Bus Accidents?
No two bus accidents are the same. Outcomes can vary dramatically depending on whether you’re on the bus or outside of it. However, it’s also possible that two people in the same vehicle could suffer very different injuries. There’s simply no way to predict the outcome of these collisions, but there are several injuries that are common in such accidents. The following physical injuries show just how detrimental these crashes can be:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Burns and disfigurement
- Catastrophic injuries
- Temporary or permanent disability
- Organ damage and internal injuries
- Wrongful death
Each of these can lead to significant medical bills, lost time at work, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and a variety of other losses. There’s no guarantee that you’re entitled to financial compensation, but a bus accident lawyer in Denver can help you better understand what you may be eligible to receive. If you hire Fuller Personal Injury Law, we’ll work hard to get a fair settlement from the insurance company — and if this isn’t possible, we’ll go to court to fight on your behalf.
What if You’re Partially At Fault?
One fact bears repeating: liability in Denver bus accidents can be complex. For instance, a charter bus driver isn’t necessarily at fault simply because he failed to stop at a red light. It’s very possible that his brakes could have failed due to negligent maintenance by the charter company. However, there are also instances where injury victims themselves share some liability. This can make cases even more complex.
For instance, envision a scenario where a bus runs a red light and hits a biker going through the intersection. Denver motorcycle accidents are often traumatic, but they’re made even more catastrophic when a rider isn’t wearing a helmet. A jury may decide that the biker was 20% at fault for their injuries if it’s believed that wearing a helmet would’ve minimized harm. In such a situation, the motorcyclist’s compensation would be reduced by 20%.
That’s because Colorado is a modified comparative negligence state. This means that injury victims may be able to bring a successful personal injury claim even if they were partially at fault for their accident. However, anyone who is more than 50% at fault for their own injuries is barred from recovery. While this may sound straightforward, you should never make assumptions. A bus accident lawyer in Denver can help you better understand who’s at fault in your collision.
Contact a Bus Accident Attorney in Denver Today
While bus accidents have been decreasing over the years, statistics show that they’re still a major issue in Colorado. Even if such collisions were reduced by 99.9%, however, it wouldn’t change the outcome for those involved in the crashes that still occur. Whether you were a bus passenger, motorist, pedestrian, or involved in a different way altogether, such collisions can result in life-altering injuries.
At Fuller Personal Injury Law, we strive to ensure that victims who suffer such injuries are fairly compensated. Even in accidents that don’t lead to long-lasting difficulties, the financial costs can still pile up quickly. That’s why our bus accident attorney in Denver is prepared to review your case and help you better understand if you’re entitled to substantial compensation. Contact us today by calling 303-597-4500 to schedule a free consultation. We’re here to help.