Many residents in New Rochelle and around Westchester County take advantage of Bee-Line Bus services every day. However, Bee-Line buses are commonly involved in accidents that result in injuries.
Fortunately, our Bee-Line Bus accident lawyers can help you recover a wide range of compensation that you might be entitled to. Bee-Line Bus accidents can be complex as multiple parties might be liable for your injuries. In some cases, it is necessary to sue the Westchester County government, but additional rules apply when doing so.
Our Bee-Line Bus accident lawyers can provide you with a free case evaluation by calling The Martello Law Firm, PLLC at (914) 685-6950.
Typical Injuries Caused by Bee-Line Bus Accidents in New Rochelle
Because of the size and power of a Bee-Line bus, they are capable of causing very serious injuries. Whether a bus passenger or occupant in another vehicle, you deserve to be compensated no matter if your injuries are minor or more significant. The following are the most common types of injuries victims sustain in Bee-Line Bus accidents in New Rochelle:
Broken Bones
Broken bones are among the most common injuries our Bee-Line Bus accident attorneys help victims get justice for. Fractures can be either open or closed, depending on where the break occurs. Open fractures are usually severe injuries that require surgery and can lead to an amputation if there is significant damage to the bone. Closed fractures typically heal on their own, but they can take months or even years to heal completely.
Spinal Cord Injuries
The spinal cord can be seriously damaged in a Bee-Line Bus accident since victims might have little protection if the bus flips or rolls during the accident. Spinal cord injuries can cause paralysis, loss of sensation in certain body parts, and other permanent disabilities. People who suffer from spinal cord injuries often require ongoing medical treatment for their condition throughout their lives.
Head Trauma and Brain Injuries
Head trauma occurs when blunt force trauma to the head from a severe impact. The injuries this can cause can include bleeding inside the skull or the brain, concussions, and subdural hematomas. It is critical to get medical treatment if you impact your head during an accident since these injuries can lead to further brain injuries, which can be life-altering or even death.
Internal Injuries and Bleeding
Internal injuries can include damage to the internal organs and bleeding, which can be fatal if left untreated. These injuries are especially dangerous since they can go undetected if not treated immediately. If you notice blood in the urine or pains inside your body cavity, you might have blood building up internally.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries are typically minor injuries that do not require surgery to repair them. Soft tissue injuries include sprains and strains to muscles, ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and joints. They can also include more serious injuries like torn tendons, torn tendon attachment sites, torn ligaments, and ruptured disks in your spine or neck region, like those from whiplash injuries. Soft tissue injuries are usually treated with rest and physical therapy, but some people need surgery or other treatments. For instance, several surgeries could be necessary to repair a torn ligament.
Filing a Lawsuit After a Bee-Line Bus Accident in New Rochelle
Before a lawsuit can be filed for your Bee-Line Bus accident injuries, you will need to determine who is responsible for them. This can be challenging as multiple parties could be partially to blame. If your accident was caused by a driver other than the bus driver, they could be sued for their negligence. You can also file a lawsuit against a Bee-Line bus driver if they caused your injuries. In many cases, though, evidence shows that both parties acted negligently to cause the accident so that both parties can be named in your lawsuit.
If the Bee-Line Bus driver caused your accident, it might be possible to sue their employer. In this case, the Westchester County municipal government is the entity that operates and maintains the Bee-Line Bus system and its fleet of buses. However, you will need to file a “notice of claim” with the Westchester County local government before 90 days from the date of your accident have passed. Your notice of claim should include your name, the date, the location, and the time of your accident, as well as a description of your accident and the injuries it caused. You will also need to inform them of the total amount of compensation you are seeking for your damages.
In rarer cases, a Bee-Line bus accident might have been caused by a defective or poorly designed bus part. For instance, if the bus crashed because of a defective power-steering system, the designer or manufacturer of the system could be held liable for their negligence.
Compensation You Can Pursue for Injuries Sustained in a New Rochelle Bee-Line Bus Accident
The compensation you can claim after a New Rochelle Bee-Line Bus accident can be divided into economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include financial losses like medical bills and lost wages. Non-economic damages, also known as “pain and suffering,” seek to compensate a victim for the emotional and physical impact caused by their injuries.
Economic Damages
Economic damages can be quantified in dollars and cents, including medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and other expenses related to your injuries. Economic damages can also include the cost of emergency room visits, office visits, diagnostic testing, prescriptions, and follow-up care. If you have been hospitalized at any time as a result of your accident, you would be entitled to compensation for the total cost of your hospital stay, including surgery. You can also recover damages for rehabilitation services like physical therapy and chiropractic care. If you have suffered permanent disability due to your injuries, you should also be compensated for any additional costs associated with any future treatment of your injuries.
You are entitled to your lost wages if you were forced to miss time from work due to medical treatment or rehabilitation. Victims of serious injuries can also claim loss of future earning capacity if they have lost the ability to work in the same field or capacity that they could before being injured.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are intangible losses that cannot be measured in monetary value but are nonetheless significant to the injured person. These damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of companionship, disfigurement, mental anguish, anxiety, and loss of enjoyment of life.
While non-economic damages can be challenging to prove, your testimony will often be used to illustrate how your injuries have impacted your life. Expert witnesses can also be called to testify about the long-term emotional and physical effects your injuries have caused.
Our New Rochelle Bee-Line Bus Accident Lawyers Can Help
For a free assessment of your case, contact our Bee-Line Bus accident attorneys at The Martello Law Firm, PLLC today at (914) 685-6950.
