While buses are widely accepted as a safer form of transportation than passenger vehicles, serious accidents still occur. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), large trucks and buses were involved in 119,000 injury crashes in one year alone, with 180,000 injuries and 4,464 fatalities.
If you or a loved one suffered serious injuries as a result of a public transit or tour bus accident, a Milwaukee personal injury attorney can help. A Cannon & Dunphy bus accident attorney in Milwaukee will examine the facts of your case and hold the responsible party accountable for your injuries.
Transit Buses: The Risks
While it is assumed that riding on buses is an affordable and safe method of transportation, public transit buses operated by a city or county also pose a risk to passengers or those traveling in other vehicles nearby. These buses travel in excess of 18 million miles each year, in and around the city, and the Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) has 405 buses, 59 routes, and 5,300 stops. The FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association) reports transit bus accidents resulted in almost 100 deaths in one year alone.
A bus driver who drives the same routes, day after day, may start to pay less attention to other vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians. Children and adults have been killed or seriously injured in a bus accident in Milwaukee – a horrible and tragic loss. These accidents often result in personal injury lawsuits, in which legal representation is required. Our expert Milwaukee bus accident attorneys have the experience to help you win your case.
Bus Accident Laws and Insurance Requirements
Depending upon the type of bus, the insurance requirements vary. For larger capacity tour buses operating on the interstate highways, federal law requires the operator to have at least $5,000,000 in insurance, while for smaller buses with a seating capacity of 15 or fewer passengers, $1,500,000 insurance is required under law.
For public school buses operating in Wisconsin, Wis. Stat. § 121.53 requires minimum liability insurance of $75,000 per injured person, with separate minimum per accident coverage limits depending upon the total seating capacity of the bus. For buses with a seating capacity of 37 or more passengers, the minimum per accident coverage required is $1,000,000.
With respect to injuries caused by the negligent operation of a bus operated by a city or county in Wisconsin, Wis. Stat. § 345.05 limits the amount recoverable by any one person to no more than $250,000. In addition, there are notice of injury and notice of claim procedures and requirements and strict time limits that apply to injury claims involving city or county-owned buses.
For this reason, it is very important to hire an experienced law firm like Cannon & Dunphy S.C. as soon as possible following an accident involving a city or county bus to make sure that these procedures and requirements are strictly and timely followed so that the right to bring a claim is not lost. Our Milwaukee bus accident attorneys will ensure the best possible result.
Who is Liable in a Bus Accident?
Filing a claim or lawsuit against a bus operator can be a complex legal situation, as there may be several liable parties. At Cannon & Dunphy, we ensure that every liable party is identified prior to filing a claim or lawsuit. Liability in a bus accident will depend upon whether you were hit by a bus while driving in another vehicle, or crossing the street, or suffered injuries as a passenger on the vehicle. Liability may lie with one or more of the following parties:
- Tour bus company
- Transit company
- Bus manufacturer
- Parts manufacturer
- Maintenance firm
- Bus driver
What to Do If You’re Involved in a Bus Accident
If you or a loved one has been involved in a bus accident and suffering injuries, or in the tragic case of the loss of a loved one, it is imperative that you have legal representation to help you navigate the process of seeking compensation for all damages. The damages we pursue at Cannon & Dunphy S.C. could include:
- Medical costs
- Rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of quality of life
Contact a Milwaukee Bus Accident Lawyer Today
You deserve a Milwaukee bus accident attorney that you can trust to protect your interests, and who will seek the highest possible level of compensation. At Cannon & Dunphy S.C., our trial lawyers are dedicated, effective, and have a truly impressive record of success. We take on cases on a contingency fee basis, with no fees unless we are successful – there is no risk in reaching out to us. Contact us today for help.