Bus Accident Lawyer Lake County
Imagine traveling on the road that you always take. Things are normal, and you expect to arrive at your destination without any trouble. Then it happens. You get into an accident with a bus. Crashing into a vehicle of such immense size can cause a variety of problems, including property damage, injury, and many more. You could find yourself with lost wages and bills mounting. You need to speak with our bus accident lawyers in Lake County, IN.
The bus accident lawyer Lake County attorneys at Theodoros & Rooth, P.C. are here to help our community after being injured in a crash. Bus accidents can leave you with catastrophic injuries. It is always best to contact a bus accident lawyer as soon as possible to handle the legal process. There are strict deadlines for filing accident claims. Don’t lose your chance to file a claim or lawsuit.
Indiana Bus Accident Trends
The state of Indiana continues to experience accidents involving large trucks and buses. According to statistics published by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, there were 322 bus accidents in the state of Indiana in 2024.
These crashes come with significant losses. In Lake County in particular, there were 16 bus crashes in 2024 that caused 23 injuries and 1 fatality. Working with our lawyers can help you maximize your monetary compensation.
Potentially Responsible Parties
Anyone sharing the road with a large vehicle, such as a bus, can be the victim of a negligent bus driver. Sometimes victims can include you, other drivers, and even pedestrians. A lawyer will help you find every potentially responsible party.
Examples of potential defendants in bus accident cases include:
- The bus driver
- The bus company and/or the owner of the bus
- Other drivers
- Pedestrians
- Cities that failed to properly maintain their city streets, which led to the accident
- Manufacturers who produced parts of the bus
- Maintenance workers who were responsible for ensuring that buses were in proper working condition
Discovering the cause of the accident and determining who is responsible for the crash can involve a comprehensive investigation. You will need a legal team to ensure that all of your bases are covered. At Theodoros & Rooth, P.C., we are on your team.
How Can a Lake County Bus Accident Lawyer Help Me?
Having an attorney after an accident is the best way to protect your legal rights. Hiring a local Lake County bus accident lawyer from our firm gives you the benefit of their knowledge.
Here are some of the biggest ways that our bus accident lawyers will help you after a crash.
Speaking To the Insurance Company
One of the most stressful parts of getting monetary recovery after an accident is dealing with the insurance company. Insurance companies are for-profit businesses that want to protect their bottom lines. Insurance companies are not your advocate, so you need an advocate of your own.
Having our bus accident attorneys on your side means that you have a knowledgeable professional who can negotiate for you, help you answer questions without revealing too much, and pursue the results that you are owed after an accident.
Gathering Evidence
Our attorneys will gather evidence that will help prove your case. Some pieces of evidence can be difficult to obtain. Still, our bus accident lawyers can investigate to obtain important proof of the cause of the collision and your losses.
Identifying Responsible Parties
It can be challenging to identify each responsible party in a typical crash between two drivers, but determining liability in accidents involving buses can be particularly difficult. Bus accident cases might involve multiple insurance companies, for example.
A lawyer can investigate the accident, identify its causes, and determine who is responsible for your injuries.
Represent You In Court
Our Lake County bus accident attorneys can take your case to court if necessary. Some cases settle, but if the insurance company is not willing to offer a satisfactory settlement amount, you might need to go to trial.
Presenting your case to a court can be intimidating. Fortunately, having our experienced attorneys by your side can help ease the anxiety of pursuing compensation after a bus accident.
What Should I Do After a Bus Accident?
The next steps that you take after a bus accident are important to the success of your claim. Consider taking the following steps after getting into a collision with a bus in Lake County.
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Seek medical attention immediately after an accident. Delaying treatment can negatively impact your case and your health. See a doctor for a complete physical examination to assess the severity of your injuries. Finish your treatment plan so the insurance company can’t dispute your injury claims.
Contact The Insurance Company
You can expect to receive correspondence from the insurance company after a bus accident. In any case, the insurance company will attempt to contact you regarding the case. It is wise to consult with an insurance company only after consulting with a lawyer.
Keep a Journal of Your Injuries
Keeping a journal of your injuries during the accident claim process can be helpful. Documenting how your injuries have affected you and the impact of the accident on your daily life is necessary for calculating your damages. This can support your claim for compensation, including pain and suffering, and possibly for punitive damages purposes.
Contact Our Lake County Bus Accident Lawyers
Having an attorney is the best way to protect your legal rights. An attorney can handle the local legal system, communicate with insurance companies on your behalf, and answer questions so you can make informed decisions about your case.
The legal team at Theodoros & Rooth, P.C. wants to come alongside you as you pursue the full and fair compensation that you deserve after a bus accident.
Potential Compensation for a Bus Accident Victim
The potential compensation available after a bus accident depends on the circumstances surrounding the accident. It is advisable to consult our experienced bus accident attorneys to discuss your potential losses following a bus crash. A bus accident attorney can help by providing a general estimate about the value of your claim.
The final monetary value of your bus accident claim can be influenced by numerous factors, including the following.
Medical Expenses
A bus accident can cause serious injuries. Serious injuries usually mean serious medical expenses. From the initial emergency department visit to the last physical therapy appointment, you deserve to be compensated for injuries caused by someone else’s negligence.
Here are just a few examples of the types of medical expenses that bus accident victims might incur:
- Cost of emergency medical care
- Surgery
- Prescription medication
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Medical devices and home modifications
- Cost of therapy to treat emotional and psychological trauma
Severity of Injuries
The severity of your injuries can influence the potential compensation you can collect after a bus accident. Generally, the more severe the injury, the longer the treatment takes to complete. Those costs increase quickly. The severity of your injuries must be considered when determining the final settlement value of your claim.
Lost Wages
Some injuries are so severe that the victim cannot return to work. Whether your unemployment is temporary or permanent, you deserve to receive financial compensation. Your losses might be immense after a bus accident, and it is highly recommended to get a bus accident attorney to ensure you obtain everything that you are owed.
Lost Earning Capacity
Lost capacity to earn refers to the inability to return to work in the same way as you worked before the accident. Lost earning capacity can present itself in a couple of ways; usually, the victim might be unable to return to work at the same rate or in the same industry they worked in before the accident. Losing the ability to work in your chosen industry is a compensable loss.
Property Damage
Based on the sheer size of buses, passenger vehicles can suffer significant damage in a crash. After an accident, you should document all of your property damage to ensure you collect full and fair compensation.
Pain and Suffering
Accident victims might be entitled to recover for their accident-related pain and suffering. Pain and suffering damages are a type of damage for the discomfort or inconvenience experienced by victims following an accident. Accident victims often minimize their pain and suffering. Be sure to clearly explain all your losses to a bus accident lawyer so they have a total picture of your losses.
The Potential for Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are sometimes recoverable in the state of Indiana, though it is rare. Punitive damages do not compensate the victim but instead punish the defendant and help deter similar behavior in the future. Our Lake County bus accident attorneys will discuss the potential for punitive damages in your case based on available evidence.
The Insurance Company’s Policy Limits
Insurance company limits might significantly impact your ability to collect compensation after an accident. Further, the insurance company’s willingness to work with you to agree to a satisfactory settlement can hold you back from full and fair compensation.
Our experienced bus accident attorneys will work on your behalf, countering arguments from insurance adjusters to get you closer to the full financial recovery that you are entitled to receive.
Common Types of Injuries After Bus Accidents
Of course, every accident is unique, and the injuries that you suffer depend on the circumstances of the crash. Bus accidents can cause serious injuries, including the following.
Fractures and Broken Bones
Being hit by a bus can cause multiple fractures and broken bones. Broken bones can take a considerable amount of time to heal. Some bones do not heal properly and leave the victim with chronic pain for years after the accident.
Sprains and Strains
Some bus accident victims suffer from minor injuries like sprains and strains. While sprains and strains may seem relatively minor, these types of injuries are compensable. Do not discount these losses. Our attorneys can help you sort out your injuries and even recommend a specialist if needed, so your injuries are fully and properly assessed.
Bruises and Abrasions
Depending on the severity of the accident, you might suffer minor soft tissue injuries, like bruises and abrasions. While these types of injuries may heal on their own, the resulting damages are still compensable. They should be considered when you pursue monetary damages.
Head Trauma
Head injuries can impact the victim for a lifetime. Head injuries can cause memory loss, cognitive issues, emotional imbalance, and a host of other issues for the victim. Treatment can last for months or years.
Burns
Burns can result from fiery bus crashes. Burn injuries can be minor or so severe that they cause permanent disability. After a burn injury, you might have serious medical expenses. Pursuing a compensation claim can help offset the financial blow.
Paralysis
Bus accidents can lead to serious injuries, like paralysis. This permanent disability can change everything in your life. Speak to an attorney to understand your rights to monetary damages after being paralyzed in a bus accident.
Death
Bus accidents can be deadly. In Northwest Indiana, there are several accidents that involve buses and coaches each year, some of which prove fatal. If you have lost a loved one in a bus accident, you need to reach out to our Lake County bus accident attorneys immediately.
What About Comparative Fault Laws?
It is important to consider comparative fault laws when pursuing a bus accident case. Comparative fault laws can reduce or bar a plaintiff’s right to recover compensation after an accident based on the percentage of fault.
In Indiana, if a plaintiff is 51 percent or greater at fault for causing the accident, the law stops them from recovering financial compensation after a bus accident. You should consult with an attorney, especially if you are accused of contributing to the accident.
Contact Our Bus Accident Lawyer Lake County, Indiana Law Firm
After a bus accident, you need experienced legal counsel. The bus accident attorneys at Theodoros & Rooth, P.C. are standing by to work with you, ensuring that you get what you deserve after a bus accident.
The attorneys at Theodoros & Rooth, P.C. are here for you 24/7 at every step of your case. To request a free consultation, contact our Northwest Indiana law firm.