Buses can provide a convenient way to get around Harrisburg, PA. Still, accidents do happen. If you or a family member were injured in a bus accident, you may be entitled to compensation. An experienced Harrisburg bus accident lawyer at Marzzacco Niven & Associates can help you fight to recover money for medical bills, lost wages, and your personal pain and suffering.
As a group, our lawyers have over 120 years of experience fighting for accident victims like you. We’ve already collected tens of millions of dollars for our injured clients in Harrisburg motorcycle accidents, slip & falls, car crashes, workers’ compensation cases, wrongful death, and more.
If you were hurt in an accident, we’re ready to fight for you. Don’t hesitate to call or contact us in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to schedule a free initial consultation at (717) 231-1640.
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How Marzzacco Niven & Associates Can Help After a Bus Accident in Harrisburg
Filing a lawsuit against a public transportation agency or large bus company can be difficult. The insurance companies and defense lawyers may challenge your claim at every turn. It’s important to have an experienced Harrisburg personal injury lawyer by your side every step of the way.
At Marzzacco Niven & Associates, we know how to handle even the most complex personal injury claims. Over the years, our lawyers have been recognized by the Best Lawyers of America and Super Lawyers’ “Rising Stars.
When you trust us to protect your rights, you’ll have a team to:
- Launch an investigation to gather evidence and identify all responsible parties
- Work with leading experts and specialists
- Determine how much your personal injury claim is worth
- Handle all paperwork and legal aspects of your case
- Defend you if you’re being blamed for the accident
- Negotiate with the insurance companies on your behalf
Getting hurt is never easy. You shouldn’t have to deal with a lengthy insurance battle while you recover. Our personal injury attorneys in Harrisburg know how to help you recover the maximum compensation available. All you have to do is call to get the legal advice you deserve.
How Common Are Bus Accidents in Harrisburg?
Capital Area Transit (CAT) operates the bus system in Harrisburg, Dauphin County, and Cumberland County. While CAT buses usually reach their destinations without incident, car accidents involving these transit buses do happen in Harrisburg and across Pennsylvania.
A total of 321 accidents involving commercial buses were reported to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation in 2020. Three people were killed in those bus wrecks. Unfortunately, 156 school bus accidents were also reported.
Our lawyers handle all types of bus accident claims, including those involving:
- CAT buses
- Commuter buses
- Raider Regional Transit buses
- School buses
- Greyhound buses
- Charter buses
- Tour buses
While bus crashes are relatively common, we know that no two injuries are the same–so we give every client the personal attention they deserve. If you were injured in a bus accident, reach out to our lawyers to schedule a free case review today.
What Is My Harrisburg Bus Accident Case Worth?
The answer to this question depends on many different variables. Those variables can change dramatically from case to case. We’ll conduct a full investigation into the facts before we calculate the value of your personal injury claim.
Many different factors can influence how much your bus accident claim is worth, including:
- How severe your injuries are
- Medical costs and out-of-pocket expenses
- Whether you’ll require ongoing care or rehabilitation
- How the injury impacts your work and future work ability
- Your emotional and physical suffering
- How the injury will change your life
Buses are large and heavy. Victims often suffer severe and life-changing injuries in an accident. That makes it particularly important to make sure your settlement or verdict accounts for all of your losses.
At Marzzacco Niven & Associates, we know that the trauma of an accident can be overwhelming. That’s why we’re here to handle the fight for fair financial compensation. For more information about your case value, call our law firm in Harrisburg to schedule a free case evaluation today.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Bus Accident Victims?
Pennsylvania personal injury laws classify damages based on whether they compensate you for economic losses or non-economic losses.
Economic damages are your financial costs. You’re entitled to both your past expenses and your anticipated future costs.
Examples of economic damages include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages, income, and employment benefits
- Reduced earning potential
- Nursing care
- Permanent or temporary disability
- Physical therapy
- Property damage
- Workers’ compensation benefits if you were injured on the job
Non-economic damages are your personal losses that don’t have an obvious monetary value.
A few examples include:
- Emotional distress and PTSD
- Scarring
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement
- Anxiety
- Humiliation and embarrassment
- Loss of consortium
- Depression
In rare cases, you may be entitled to seek punitive damages. These damages are designed to punish the at-fault party for especially shocking behavior. They’re typically only available in cases involving gross negligence or intentional wrongdoing.
Can I Recover Damages If I’m Being Blamed for a Bus Accident in Pennsylvania?
Unless you were a bus passenger, it’s very possible that you’ll be blamed for contributing to the accident. These allegations may not be legitimate–but in some cases, the insurance company may be able to shift some blame to you.
It’s important to understand that compensation may be available even if you do share some blame for the accident. Pennsylvania follows modified comparative negligence laws. Victims can recover partial compensation if they share some blame. However, you lose your right to seek compensation once your percentage of fault reaches 51%.
It’s important to have an experienced lawyer in your corner if you’re being blamed for an accident. To learn more about the shared fault law in Pennsylvania, call Marzzacco Niven & Associates for a free initial consultation today.
We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Bus Accident Injuries
At Marzzacco Niven & Associates, our lawyers often represent clients who have suffered:
- Broken bones
- Soft tissue injuries
- Nerve damage
- Catastrophic injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Burns
- Wrongful death
- Whiplash
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Other head and neck injuries
- Concussions
- Back injuries
- Amputation injuries
- Paralysis
- Spinal cord injuries
Regardless of the types of injuries you’ve sustained, it’s always a good idea to speak with an experienced lawyer after an accident.
What Causes Most Bus Accidents in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania?
Bus drivers are only human. They may be responsible for dozens of passengers, but they can be negligent just like any other driver.
Some of the most common causes of bus accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Drowsy or fatigued driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs
- Dangerous turns
- Failure to account for the vehicle’s longer stopping times
- Speeding
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Failure to check the bus’s blind spots before changing lanes
- Tailgating
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Mechanical failures
- Failure to regularly inspect and maintain the bus
- Drunk driving
- Inexperienced or unqualified bus drivers
You deserve to know what caused your injuries. Our lawyers can handle the investigation and identify anything that contributed to your accident.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Bus Accident in Pennsylvania?
You’ll have to prove negligence to recover damages in most accident cases. To be successful, you must establish:
- There was a duty of care
- Breach of duty
- That breach of duty caused the accident
- You sustained damages
Buses are classified as common carriers in Pennsylvania. That means the bus driver and bus company owe a heightened duty of care to passengers and other motorists. That can work in your favor.
Still, negligence cases involving buses can be particularly complex. Even if the bus driver was responsible for the accident, someone else might ultimately be liable for your damages.
For example, responsible parties may include:
- Public transit authorities
- The company that owns the bus
- Private bus companies
- Mechanics and inspection companies
- Manufacturers of defective safety equipment
- The bus driver
- Third-party motorists, pedestrians, or bicyclists
You might not know who was responsible for your motor vehicle accident. Our car accident lawyers can find out. We’ll examine police reports, interview witnesses, and locate any evidence to support your case. Just give us a quick call for a free consultation with a Harrisburg bus accident attorney today.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Bus Accident in Pennsylvania?
The statute of limitations in a typical personal injury case is two years. However, you only have two years to file a lawsuit if the defendant is a private party. You’ll have much less time to take legal action if your claim is against a government authority.
Our lawyers are here to help. Call us as soon as possible after your injury. We’ll start investigating immediately and take steps to preserve your right to sue for damages.
Contact a Harrisburg Bus Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Help is available if you’ve been injured in a bus accident. Whether your accident involved a school bus, public transit bus, or private bus company, our team at Marzzacco Niven & Associates is here to fight for you. Just call to schedule your free consultation with an experienced Harrisburg bus accident lawyer today.
Visit Our Personal Injury Law Office in Harrisburg, PA
Marzzacco Niven & Associates
945 E Park Dr Suite 103, Harrisburg, PA 17111
(717) 231-1640
