Bus rides in Ohio are meant to be safe and problem-free. However, accidents still occur, even with the care and professionalism that bus drivers apply. While bus crashes are rare, they can lead to catastrophic or deadly injuries for the passengers involved and other nearby road users.
If you sustained injuries as a passenger, suffered property damage, or were externally involved in a bus crash, you may be able to seek compensation for your losses with the help of an experienced personal injury attorney. Contact a Toledo bus accident lawyer at Zoll & Kranz, LLC, to explore your legal options.
Why Are Bus Accidents So Dangerous?
Bus collisions are usually mass casualty events, often with many people injured and, sometimes, multiple fatalities. The combination of the bus’s size, high occupancy rate, and lack of robust safety restraints and features common in smaller vehicles often plays a significant role in the number of casualties involved.
Additionally, the high likelihood of passenger entrapment in these crashes means that victims may not get the help they need on time, even if emergency services arrive quickly. This further increases the risk of victims suffering worse injuries, complications, or avoidable fatalities. Our Toledo attorneys have the experience to help you navigate the legal process after sustaining injuries or losses in a bus crash.
Identifying Liable Parties in a Bus Collision Injury Claim
Before identifying who is responsible for the bus crash, it is important to understand what caused it. Most accidents involving these large vehicles are due to one or more of the following:
- Running a stop sign, red light, or intersection
- Driver fatigue, inexperience, or driving under the influence of illicit substances
- Distracted, poor, or reckless driving
- Adverse weather conditions, such as black ice, leading to poor tire traction or loss of control
- Faulty vehicle parts due to defective products or poor maintenance by the bus company
- Taking left turns without adequate clearance
- Lack of safety precautions on the roadways
In addition, if a driver brakes or swerves suddenly, the bus is more likely to roll over or fishtail, putting passengers at greater risk of serious injuries.
Whether it is a single-vehicle or multiple-vehicle accident, establishing the cause of the crash can help determine the defendant. The Toledo legal team at Zoll & Kranz, LLC, could review the circumstances of your bus collision case and provide legal options that could lead to the recovery of a significant settlement amount.
Understanding the Complexities of Bus Wreck Cases
Unless a crash involves a privately owned shuttle or charter service, most bus accidents in the city involve the primary public bus transit agency, a government entity called the Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority. Filing an injury claim for compensation against such an organization means finding ways to navigate government protections, adhering to unique rules, and meeting strict filing conditions, including filing the claim within 180 days, which differs from Ohio’s standard two-year statute of limitations.
Navigating this legal process is a significant challenge best handled with the help of an attorney who has experience with Toledo bus crash cases.
Talk to a Bus Accident Attorney in Toledo Today
After a bus crash, you should speak to a Toledo bus accident lawyer as soon as possible if you were hurt, suffered property damage, or had other losses. The skilled attorneys at Zoll & Kranz, LLC, could help you navigate the specific legal process associated with bus crashes in the state, including the shorter claim-filing window.
Our legal team could help explore your legal options, provide guidance, and work to secure you a favorable settlement. Contact us today to discuss your case.