Damages in Austin Bus Accident Cases

If you are injured as a result of a bus crash, your first thought should be to get the medical attention you need. In fact, many injured people do not think about calling a lawyer or beginning a civil lawsuit to pursue compensation for damages until much later.

A personal injury lawsuit is meant to alleviate the loss and pain caused by damages in Austin bus accident cases. An experienced bus crash attorney can help determine the amount of damages that could be recovered.

Recoverable Losses in a Bus Accident

In legal terms, damages are also called losses. When an injured person files a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault person or entity, the intent is to recover the total amount of losses. This does not mean that the injury can somehow be undone, but it does mean that the compensation awarded can make it easier to pay the bills and recover without worrying about where the money is going to come from.

Damages are typically divided into two categories: economic and non-economic.

Economic Damages

Keeping careful track of all medical expenses after an accident is important because medical costs could be a major aspect of the damages in an Austin bus accident claim. This includes emergency services, doctor visits, hospital stays, surgeries, medications not covered by insurance, physical therapy, and any future medical expenses related to the injury.

Injuries often keep people away from their jobs, which means they are losing wages. Some severe injuries may actually limit the person’s ability to earn wages in the future. All these losses may be recovered through a lawsuit.

Non-Economic Damages

If the injuries are severe and long-lasting, they could cause continued pain and suffering, mental and psychological distress, and a loss of enjoyment of life. Some injuries could cause disfigurement, permanent disability, and even loss of companionship. These types of damages do not have a specific dollar amount, but they can still be included as part of the total losses to be compensated following a bus accident in Austin.

Wrongful Death Damages

If the bus crash resulted in the death of a loved one, the family could collect wrongful death damages, which typically cover the cost of the funeral, lost wages, lost benefits, emotional suffering, and other losses related to the death.

Accidents Involving a Government-Owned Bus

Special laws apply to accidents involving a bus owned by the government, such as public transportation buses. These laws limit the amount of compensation that can be awarded to an injured person. Compensation for an individual person is limited to $100,000, and compensation per accident is limited to $300,000. These compensation caps apply to total damages in bus crashes in Austin, including both economic and non-economic losses.

Statute of Limitations

Injured people have up to two years to file a personal injury claim to collect damages in a bus accident case in Austin. If the accident involves a government-owned bus, there may be an earlier deadline for filing an intent to sue.

Even though there is a two-year statute of limitations, it is always best to contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible.

Schedule a Consultation to Discuss Damages in an Austin Bus Accident

Are you ready to talk to an experienced lawyer? We are ready to help you recover damages in Austin bus accident cases. We work hard to ensure you are properly compensated for your losses. Give us a call to schedule your free consultation.