Birmingham Attorneys for Car vs. Bus and Train Accidents
Have you been injured in an accident with a bus or a train in Birmingham? Whether you were involved in a collision with a bus or a train while driving or riding in your car, the attorneys of Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP will advocate for your interests and help you to stand up to the insurance companies to demand the fair and full compensation you need. Our firm services clients throughout Birmingham and across Alabama, standing by your side at every stage of your recovery to ensure you have the best possible outcome from a devastating collision with a bus or train. If you were injured in a bus or train accident, reach out to the Birmingham car accident attorneys of Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP for a free, no-obligation case evaluation to learn more about how we can help you secure the financial compensation you deserve for your injuries. Let us take care of all the details of preparing and pursuing your claims while you focus on your treatment and recovery.
Why Do I Need a Lawyer After a Car Crash with a Bus or Train?
You may think that you can increase your financial recovery in your bus or train accident claim by avoiding the expense of an attorney. The insurance company may even try to convince you to settle quickly so that you can “keep the lawyers out.” However, having experienced legal counsel in your corner will, in fact, give you a much better chance of maximizing your compensation. A car accident lawyer can thoroughly investigate the accident with a bus or train to prepare a strong legal argument proving the liability of the bus or train company. A lawyer can also properly value your claim and ensure that you get all the financial resources you need now and into the future.
Why Choose Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP to Help Me with My Car vs. Bus or Train Accident Case?
After a crash with a bus or train that wasn’t your fault, turn to Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP to help you demand accountability and compensation from the bus or train company. Our firm has been representing the interests of injured accident victims for over 20 years. In that time, we have compiled a track record of success that includes having recovered more than 200 million dollars for our clients. You can expect our firm to leave no stone unturned in fighting to get you maximum financial recovery for your injuries and losses. And we handle cases on a contingency fee basis, which means that you do not need to pay us unless we win compensation for you.
Types of Bus and Train Accident Cases We Handle
At Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP, our car vs. bus and train accident attorneys can help you if you have a claim arising from:
- Transit bus accidents
- School bus accidents
- Charter bus accidents
- Intercity bus accidents
- Shuttle bus accidents
- Passenger train accidents
- Cargo train accidents
What Steps Should You Take after a Car vs. Bus or Train Accident?
If you were involved in a crash with a bus or train, steps to take to preserve your legal options for seeking compensation for your injuries include:
- Take photos or video of the accident scene and any visible injuries you may have sustained
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible to document your injuries and begin treatment
- Keep copies of bills and invoices for expenses that you incur due to the accident, as well as copies of your pay stubs or income records if you need to miss time from your job, or you are disabled from working
- Speak to a car vs. bus and train accident lawyer from Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP promptly after the accident so that we can begin investigating your claim and pursuing your legal options for compensation
What Compensation Might You Be Entitled to After a Car Crash with a Bus or Train?
In a car vs. bus or train accident claim, you may have the right to receive financial compensation for losses that you have incurred due to personal injury or property damage. Our firm will pursue a financial award that provides you with compensation for:
- Medical treatment and physical rehabilitation expenses
- Costs of long-term care for permanent disabilities that result from your injuries
- Costs to repair damage to your vehicle that was involved in a crash with a bus or a train
- Loss of wages or future earning capacity if you miss time from work or if disabilities prevent you from returning to employment
- Pain and suffering
- Physical disability and disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment and quality of life
Common Catastrophic Injuries Suffered in Vehicular Accidents
Car vs. bus and train accidents often cause serious and sometimes life-threatening injuries, including:
- Lacerations, abrasions, and avulsions
- Broken bones
- Ligament, tendon, and muscle injuries and tears
- Internal injuries and internal bleeding
- Burns
- Nerve damage
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Facial injuries
- Amputation
Frequently Asked Questions about Car vs. Bus and Train Accidents
Some of the most common questions that victims of car vs. bus and train accidents have include:
Who can be held liable for an accident of this type?
If a car vs. bus or train accident is caused by the negligence of a bus driver or train operator, that individual can be held liable. The transit or transportation company operating the bus or train can also be held liable for an accident involving one of its vehicles, either through employer liability which holds the company accountable for one of its drivers’ or operators’ negligence or through direct liability if the bus or train company negligently hired or supervised the driver or train operator who caused the crash or negligently failed to maintain the bus or train if a mechanical failure led to the accident. Finally, the owner of a bus depot or train track may also be held liable for malfunctions that lead to a bus or train crash with your vehicle, such as the failure of lights or guards to activate to prevent your car from coming into the path of an oncoming bus or train.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit following a bus or train accident?
Under Alabama’s statute of limitations, you typically have two years from the date of a car, bus, or train accident to file a lawsuit against the liable parties. However, if you are bringing a claim against a local public transit agency, you may be required to file a notice of tort claim with the local government within six months of the date of the accident. Because different deadlines may apply to your claim, you should speak with a bus and train accident attorney as soon as possible to ensure that your rights are timely pursued.
Do I have a claim if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Alabama remains one of the few states that still adheres to the old contributory negligence rule. This rule states that an injured party who shares fault for causing the accident or incident that led to their injuries is barred from pursuing a claim against other at-fault parties. At Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP, we will thoroughly investigate your car vs. bus or train accident and work to prepare a strong case to show that the bus driver or bus company bears all the fault for causing the accident.
Contact a Car Accident Attorney from Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP Today
If you have sustained life-altering injuries in a car vs. bus or train accident, get the experienced legal representation you need to demand full financial recovery from a transit or transportation company. Call Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP at (205) 324-1212 today for a free initial claim review to discuss your legal options with a car accident lawyer at our firm.