Bus Accident Attorney in Wichita, KS
If you’re struggling to find the answers you need, we’re familiar with the entire legal process. At Hollis Law Firm, our bus accident attorneys are dedicated to supporting our clients through each step of the legal process. If you want a breakdown of everything you need to know about your bus accident, please continue reading.
Statute of Limitations for a Wichita Bus Accident
In Kansas, including Wichita, the statute of limitations for a personal injury case is generally five years. Bus accident cases frequently fall into the personal injury category, as long as you’ve incurred injuries due to no fault of your own. This means, especially if you’ve incurred severe injuries, you have five years from the date of your accident to file a claim.
There are some situations where you might receive a time extension, especially if you would not have reasonably discovered your injuries immediately following your accident. If you’re unsure whether an extension applies to your circumstances, our bus accident lawyers recommend discussing your accident details with a qualified personal injury lawyer before drawing conclusions.
Who is Responsible for a Wichita Bus Accident? Calculating Fault
Kansas is a pure comparative state, meaning multiple parties might be at fault in your personal injury case. Specifically, each party in an accident receives a certain percentage of fault based on their actions. If the legal system determines that Party A’s actions contributed to the accident more than Party B’s actions, Party A will likely receive a larger percentage of the responsibility. This also means that Party A is responsible for compensating Party B for more of their damages.
Suppose Party A is a bus driver, for example, talking to one of their passengers when Party B tries to change lanes. The two vehicles might collide. Because Party A is distracted while driving, they may receive 100 percent of the fault, making them responsible for Party B’s damages.
But if Party B is texting and driving, meaning both parties are distracted, Party A might receive 30 percent of the fault while Party B takes the remainder. Therefore, Party A would only be responsible for up to 30 percent of Party B’s damages.
Many parties might be at fault for a bus accident, including the following:
- Distracting passengers
- Bus driver
- Bus company
- Bus manufacturer
- Bus parts manufacturer
- Vehicle driver
- Other drivers
- The city government
If you’ve been injured because of another party’s actions, you may want to hire a personal injury and bus accident lawyer. Your lawyer may be able to help you determine who is at fault, lower your fault percentage, and aid you in maximizing your compensation.
What Damages Can I Collect After a Wichita Bus Accident?
There are many different damages you might be entitled to collect, meaning you might be able to receive compensation for all of your damages. You may be able to receive compensation for the following:
- Medical bills, including
- Physical therapy
- Ambulance fees
- Hospital care
- Emergency room costs
- Future medical bills
- Legal fees
- Loss of wages
- Loss of wage earning potential
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of support
- Wrongful death
If you need help determining what compensation you might be entitled to collect, your lawyer may be able to help. Your lawyer may also be able to maximize the compensation you receive and hold the responsible parties accountable for their actions.
Next Steps After Your Wichita Bus Accident
If you’ve suffered because of a bus accident, our bus accident attorneys have a few suggestions for the next steps you might want to take.
Seek Medical Attention
If there is any chance you might have been injured in your bus accident, we strongly recommend seeking medical attention. A medical health professional may be able to complete an assessment to determine the full extent of your injuries, including any that might be latent. Your health is of the utmost importance.
Avoid Discussing Your Case
We also recommend you avoid discussing your case with anyone, including friends and family. Additionally, you may want to stay off social media until your case ends. This is because anything you say may be used against you, even if you think your statements have nothing to do with your accident.
Talk to a Lawyer
You may also want to discuss your case details with a lawyer. Your bus accident lawyer may be able to assist you in several ways, including the following:
- Legal knowledge
- Negotiations
- Handle insurance companies
- Strategize the best next steps
- Refer you to medical and other helpful professionals
- Provide you with valuable resources
- Maximize your potential compensation
- Lower your percentage of fault
- Collect and analyze evidence
- Lead or assist in investigations
- Reduce stress
