Bus Injury Attorney: Secure Your 98% Claim

Navigating the Aftermath of a Bus Accident in Philadelphia

A bus injury attorney helps accident victims secure compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. They steer complex claims involving public transit authorities like SEPTA, private bus companies, and multiple insurance policies, handling everything from filing claims within strict deadlines to fighting for fair settlements.

Why You Need a Bus Injury Attorney:

• Multiple Liable Parties – The bus driver, SEPTA, maintenance contractors, other drivers, or manufacturers may share responsibility.
• Strict Government Deadlines – Claims against SEPTA or other public entities in Pennsylvania often require notice within six months.
• Severe Injuries – Bus crashes can cause catastrophic injuries like traumatic brain injuries due to the lack of seatbelts.
• Complex Insurance Issues – Multiple policies require legal knowledge to maximize compensation.
• Higher Standard of Care – Bus companies are “common carriers” held to stricter safety standards.

Bus accidents are a serious risk in Philadelphia. SEPTA buses travel millions of miles each year on routes like Broad Street, Market Street, and highways like I-95. Passengers are vulnerable in a crash because buses often lack seatbelts and airbags. The aftermath is overwhelming, with serious injuries, mounting medical bills from hospitals like Jefferson Health or Penn Medicine, and lost wages. If a SEPTA bus was involved, you face strict deadlines that could eliminate your right to compensation if missed.

I’m Jason Fine. For over 25 years, I’ve represented Pennsylvania accident victims, securing one of the state’s top motor vehicle verdicts. As a bus injury attorney, I help clients steer the complex claims process to recover the compensation they deserve.

Essential bus injury attorney terms:

• injured in bus accident
• bus accident compensation claim
• Philadelphia injury law firm

Why Bus Accident Claims Are Different and How a Bus Injury Attorney Can Steer Them

Bus accidents are not typical motor vehicle accidents. They involve unique complexities, which is why having a dedicated bus injury attorney from our firm, J. Fine Law, is crucial for victims in Philadelphia, Cherry Hill, and Feasterville. A primary difference is the “common carrier” status of most bus operators like SEPTA. They are held to a higher standard of care for passenger safety, a powerful tool in a compensation claim. Another complexity is the number of potential parties who could be at fault, including government entities like SEPTA, which introduces strict deadlines and rules. Finally, injuries are often more severe because buses lack safety features like seatbelts, leading to catastrophic harm during a collision.

Who’s at Fault? Identifying Liable Parties in Philadelphia Bus Crashes

Determining who is at fault, or establishing liability, is a critical step in any Philadelphia bus accident claim. Our firm investigates every angle to identify all responsible parties.

Common liable parties in a bus accident case include:

• Bus Driver Error: A large percentage of bus-caused collisions are due to driver error. This includes speeding, distracted driving, fatigue, driving under the influence, or other unsafe operations on roads like Roosevelt Boulevard or the New Jersey Turnpike.
• Bus Company Negligence: The operating company is responsible for proper fleet maintenance, adequate driver training and background checks, and creating schedules that prevent driver fatigue. Negligence in any of these areas can make the company liable.
• Third-Party Drivers: Often, another car or truck causes or contributes to a bus accident. In these cases, the other driver and their insurance company could be held liable.
• Bus Manufacturer Defects: Less commonly, a defect in the bus’s design or a faulty part, like brakes or steering components, can contribute to a crash, making the manufacturer responsible.
• Government Agencies: When a public bus like a SEPTA vehicle is involved, the government entity may be liable, which adds layers of legal complexity.

The Unique Complexities of Bus Accident Claims

Bus accident claims are inherently complex, especially when public transit like SEPTA in Philadelphia or NJ Transit is involved. Claims against government bodies are subject to special laws. In Pennsylvania, a written “notice of claim” must be filed with the government entity, often within just six months of the accident. Missing this deadline can permanently bar your right to seek compensation. An experienced bus injury attorney is essential to ensure these strict deadlines are met.

Government entities may also be protected by “sovereign immunity,” which can cap the amount of compensation you can recover. Another challenge is the potential for multiple victims in a single crash, which can complicate the claims process as insurers try to limit total payouts.

The severity of injuries also adds complexity. Without seatbelts or airbags, passengers can be thrown around, leading to severe and life-altering injuries, including:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Fractures and broken bones
• Spinal cord injuries, potentially causing paralysis
• Back and neck injuries like whiplash

These severe injuries result in higher medical bills and a greater need for comprehensive compensation, making the claim more contentious.

What to Do Immediately After a Bus Accident on I-95 or City Streets

The moments after a bus accident on a Philadelphia street, I-95, or a road in Cherry Hill are chaotic. The steps you take can impact your ability to recover compensation.

1. Seek Medical Attention Immediately: Your health is the priority. Adrenaline can mask serious injuries. Go to a hospital like Jefferson Health, Penn Medicine, or Cooper University Hospital. Prompt medical records link your injuries to the accident.
2. Report the Incident: Ensure the police are called to create an official report. Also, report the incident directly to the transit authority, like SEPTA.
3. Gather Evidence at the Scene: Use your phone to take photos and videos of the scene, vehicle damage, and your injuries. Get the bus driver’s name, bus number, and company information. Collect contact details from any witnesses.
4. Do Not Admit Fault or Give Recorded Statements: Avoid apologizing or saying anything that implies fault. Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company without first speaking to a bus injury attorney.
5. Preserve Evidence: Keep damaged personal items and a journal detailing your pain, recovery, and how the injuries affect your daily life.
6. Contact a Bus Injury Attorney: As soon as you are medically stable, contact us. We can begin our investigation, preserve evidence, and ensure critical deadlines are met.

What Compensation Can a Philadelphia Bus Injury Attorney Secure?

After a bus accident in Philadelphia, fair compensation can ease the financial burden of your recovery. At J. Fine Law, we fight to secure the maximum compensation for all your damages. We help you understand how to bring an injury claim and what you can pursue.

Compensation falls into two main categories:

• Economic Damages: These are your quantifiable financial losses.
  • Medical Bills: All past, present, and future medical expenses, including hospital stays, surgery, physical therapy, and medication.
  • Lost Wages & Earning Capacity: Compensation for time missed from work and for any long-term reduction in your ability to earn a living.
  • Property Damage: Costs to repair or replace personal items damaged in the crash.
• Non-Economic Damages: These compensate for intangible, quality-of-life losses.
  • Pain and Suffering: For the physical pain and discomfort from your injuries.
  • Emotional Distress: For psychological trauma such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD.
  • Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If injuries prevent you from participating in hobbies and daily activities.
  • Disfigurement: For permanent scarring or other visible injuries.

In cases of gross negligence, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the wrongdoer. The value of your claim is unique, and our role as your bus injury attorney is to document all your losses and fight for the full compensation you deserve.

Take the Right Step: Secure Your Rights After a Bus Accident

After a bus accident in Philadelphia, Cherry Hill, or Feasterville, the path to justice is complex. You’re facing powerful bus companies and insurance adjusters aiming to minimize their payouts. Timely action is critical. Claims against government entities like SEPTA have short notice periods—often just six months—and missing them can end your right to compensation. Acting quickly also allows us to preserve crucial evidence like bus black box data and surveillance footage.

By entrusting your case to J. Fine Law, you can focus on your recovery. We handle all communications with insurance companies, protecting you from lowball settlement offers while you heal. We have a 98% success rate and have recovered over $50 million for our clients. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you pay no legal fees unless we win your case.

Don’t let the aftermath of a bus accident overwhelm you. If you or a loved one was injured, reach out to us today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your legal options. Let us put our experience to work for you.

Learn more about how we handle Pennsylvania bus accident cases and how we can help you secure your rights. Contact J. Fine Law today – we’re ready to fight for you.