Indiana Bus Accident Lawyer

If you ride buses in Indiana, acronyms such as TRAM, LINK, DART, BATS, and WOW represent the passenger transit systems you may use to get to where you need to go. Thousands of Hoosiers depend on safe and reliable buses every day.

All too often, newspaper headlines feature public, charter, or school bus accidents. Journalists inform the public of the number of deaths, types of injuries, and property damage costs. Yet, these articles can never fully convey the families’ misery and the devastating effects bus accidents can have on their lives.

What should you do if you or a close family member were injured in a bus accident in Indiana? Reach out to the law firm with the strength to make a difference – Hensley Legal Group. Request your free legal consultation with us by clicking “Live Chat” below or call 888-912-0631 now.

The Truth Behind Indiana Bus Accidents

Parents expect school buses to shuttle their children back and forth from their lessons and activities. Passengers on public buses might be headed to work or to see a loved one. Bus accidents, though, can turn these ordinary trips into tragedies in an instant.

Though bus accidents are unexpected, they are not always unavoidable. In some cases, a bus driver failed to exercise proper caution, and his or her negligence led to injuries or death. Research shows that driver-related factors cause many Indiana bus accidents.

Distracted driving

In 2019, distracted drivers played a role in 10,300 accidents in Indiana. Anything that takes the attention of a driver away from operating his or her vehicle can cause an accident.

The CDC defines 3 main types of distraction:

• Visual: The bus driver takes his or her eyes off the road for any reason, including reading a text, consulting a map, or looking at an accident that happened earlier

• Manual: Motorists take their hands off the wheel, perhaps to use a cell phone or enter an address into a navigation (GPS) system

• Cognitive: Cognitive distractions take the mind of a bus driver from the operation of the vehicle; daydreaming, dozing off, and experiencing road rage are some examples

Distracted drivers kill an average of 8 people in the US every day. You do not have to be a vehicle driver or a passenger to be at risk. Of those injured in distraction accidents, 1 in 5 were walking, riding bikes, or doing other everyday activities.

Our diligent Indiana legal team works to make sure these negligent motorists are held liable for their actions. Send us a message and tell us about your accident as soon as possible. We will let you know how an attorney can get you compensation for your injuries.

Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol

A blood alcohol level (BAC) is the percentage by weight of alcohol in the blood. In Indiana, driving with a BAC of 0.08 or more is a crime. Nevertheless, the CDC reports that drivers impaired by alcohol operate vehicles millions of times each year.

Drugs – prescription, over-the-counter, and illegal – can create conditions that lead to dangerous or deadly car accidents. Driving while impaired by drugs is unlawful.

Indiana law prohibits the abuse of drugs and alcohol. Yet, in 2018, 12.6 million Americans reported getting behind the wheel while under the influence of marijuana or another illicit drug.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), local law enforcement agencies, and other organizations are taking action. The number of fatal accidents has gone down since the 1980s. Still, more than 10,000 people die in the US every year in accidents involving alcohol.

A bus accident case can do more than provide compensation to victims and their families. Your claim could bring you justice and discourage others from driving impaired. Learn what an Indiana personal injury claim can do for you during your free legal consultation with Hensley Legal Group.

Reckless driving

An Indiana school bus weighing more than 26,000 pounds might carry 30 or more passengers. When a bus driver breaks a traffic law, the bus could have an accident. On the other hand, if other car drivers drive negligently, they could be responsible for severe injuries and even the deaths of dozens of bus passengers.

These examples of reckless driving often lead to accidents:

• Speeding: A bus or large passenger vehicle might have lower speed limits than those posted for cars. In Indiana, bus speed limits range from a maximum of 65 on rural interstates to 20-25 miles per hour in school zones. Driving too fast for road and weather conditions is also reckless.

• Road rage: In a 5-year study, 56 percent of fatal accidents involved aggressive driving. Drivers might get frustrated with the slower speed and frequent stops of a bus, or a bus driver might get irritated if a vehicle cuts in front of his or her path. Yet, no matter what happens on the road, Indiana bus drivers should never take actions out of anger that endanger others. 

Not every accident is the fault of a bus driver or motorist. Sometimes, mechanical failure or road conditions cause car accidents. Your personal injury attorney can help you determine the cause of your bus crash and advise you on what to do next.

Indiana traffic laws are meant to protect motorists, passengers, pedestrians, and bikers. Disregarding these regulations costs lives. At Hensley Legal Group, you can count on an experienced personal injury lawyer to assist you in getting justice after bus accidents.

Getting the Compensation You Deserve After an Indiana Bus Accident

As an injured bus driver or passenger, what kind of accident compensation might your attorney pursue on your behalf? Each accident is different, and the amount you get depends on the severity of your injury and the losses you sustained.

A bus accident attorney can investigate your injury claim to determine the compensation you deserve. Since 1998, our law firm has won millions for our clients’ accident injuries.

You could get compensation for:

• Medical expenses: A bus accident passenger might experience serious injury. A bus accident lawyer can help you get money to cover your current bills and the costs of future treatment.

• Lost wages: Injured bus drivers and other bus accident victims might miss work or even lose employment. Your competent bus accident lawyer can calculate how much you should receive for your lost income.If your injury causes permanent disability, your bus accident attorney can pursue compensation for lost earning potential.

• Property replacement or reimbursement: If your bus, vehicle, or property was damaged in a bus crash, you could file a claim for repairs or replacement. Consulting an attorney is a good idea if you want to make sure your injury claim reflects what you are owed.

• Pain and suffering: After an accident, mental and emotional pain and suffering often accompany physical injury. Indiana law allows those injured in (or by) buses to claim damages. Ask your attorney to learn more about pursuing these damages in your bus accident case.

• Wrongful death accident damages: The family of an injured driver or passenger on a public or school bus would likely qualify for damages. Families can claim funeral and burial expenses, along with damages for the loss of financial support and companionship.

It is not just about the money for bus accidents; it is about pursuing justice and restoring your peace of mind. To find out what Hensley Legal Group can do for you after an accident in Indiana, schedule your free accident law consultation as soon as possible by calling 888-912-0631.