If you’ve been injured in a bus accident in Clifton, you deserve compensation for your injuries and losses. Bus accidents can cause serious harm because of the size and weight of these vehicles, and victims often face mounting medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. A bus accident lawyer can help you understand your rights and recover the damages you’re entitled to. Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers has helped many injured victims in Clifton and throughout New Jersey get the compensation they need to move forward.
Why Choose Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers for Your Bus Accident Claim
Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers brings decades of experience handling bus accident cases for injured victims across New Jersey. Our team understands the unique challenges of bus accident claims, including the complex liability issues that arise when commercial carriers are involved. We work on a contingency basis, which means you pay no fees unless we recover compensation for you. Our attorneys have recovered over $700 million for clients, and we’re committed to getting you the results you deserve. We take time to understand your case, answer your questions, and keep you informed every step of the way.
Understanding Bus Accident Liability in Clifton
What Makes Bus Operators Responsible
Bus operators and the companies that employ them have a legal duty to keep passengers safe. This duty is higher than what regular drivers owe to other motorists—it’s called a “common carrier” duty. Under New Jersey transportation law, bus operators must exercise the highest degree of care to protect their passengers. When a bus operator or company fails to meet this standard, they become liable for injuries that result. This might include failing to maintain the bus properly, driving recklessly, or not following traffic laws.
Common Causes of Bus Accidents
Bus accidents happen for many reasons. Distracted driving, such as texting or using a phone, causes some accidents. Speeding or aggressive driving puts passengers at risk. Poor vehicle maintenance—like faulty brakes or worn tires—can lead to crashes. Driver fatigue is another common cause, especially on long routes. Bad weather, road hazards, and the negligence of other drivers also cause bus accidents. In some cases, multiple parties share responsibility for the accident.
Types of Injuries From Bus Accidents
Serious Injuries Victims Experience
Bus accidents often result in serious injuries because of the force involved when large vehicles collide. Whiplash is common, causing neck and shoulder pain that can last for months. Spinal injuries, including herniated discs and fractures, can lead to chronic pain and disability. Broken bones, internal injuries, and head trauma also occur frequently. Soft tissue injuries—damage to muscles, ligaments, and tendons—may not show up immediately but can cause long-term problems. Some victims suffer emotional trauma and anxiety after their accident. The severity of your injuries affects how much compensation you may recover.
How Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers Handles Bus Accident Cases
Our Investigation and Evidence Gathering Process
When you hire Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers, we begin by thoroughly investigating your accident. We gather police reports, medical records, and witness statements. We may hire accident reconstruction experts to show exactly how the crash happened and who was at fault. We review the bus company’s maintenance records and driver logs to identify negligence. We work with medical professionals to document your injuries and understand your long-term care needs. We also identify all parties who may be liable—the bus driver, the bus company, other drivers, or even the city or municipality. This comprehensive approach helps us build a strong case for maximum compensation.
Compensation You May Recover
Economic and Non-Economic Damages
If you win your bus accident case, you can recover two types of damages. Economic damages cover your actual financial losses: medical bills (both current and future), lost wages while you recover, costs of rehabilitation or therapy, and property damage. Non-economic damages compensate you for pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and permanent disability or disfigurement. The amount you recover depends on the severity of your injuries, how long your recovery takes, and how the accident has affected your life. In New Jersey, you have two years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury claim. Don’t wait—contact Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers to discuss your case.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bus Accidents in Clifton
What is the statute of limitations for a bus accident claim in New Jersey?
In New Jersey, you have two years from the date of your bus accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This deadline is important—if you miss it, you lose your right to recover compensation. However, you should contact a lawyer much sooner. The sooner we begin investigating, the better we can preserve evidence and build your case.
How much is my bus accident case worth?
The value of your case depends on many factors: the severity of your injuries, your medical expenses, how much income you lost, whether you have permanent injuries, and how the accident has affected your quality of life. We evaluate all these factors to determine what your case is worth. Many bus accident cases settle for hundreds of thousands of dollars, and some for much more. We’ll give you an honest assessment of your case’s value during your free consultation.
Do I have a case if the bus driver wasn’t at fault?
You may still have a case even if the bus driver didn’t cause the accident. The bus company can be liable if it failed to maintain the bus properly, hired an unqualified driver, or didn’t train its drivers adequately. You might also have a case against another driver whose negligence caused the accident. We investigate all possible sources of liability to maximize your recovery.
What should I do immediately after a bus accident?
First, seek medical attention for any injuries, even if you feel fine—some injuries appear later. Call the police and get a report number. Take photos of the accident scene, the bus, and your injuries if possible. Get the names and contact information of witnesses. Don’t discuss the accident with the bus company’s insurance company without a lawyer present. Contact Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers as soon as you can so we can begin protecting your rights.
Will my case go to trial or settle?
Most bus accident cases settle before trial, but we’re prepared to take your case to court if necessary. We negotiate aggressively with insurance companies to get you fair compensation. If they won’t offer a reasonable settlement, we file a lawsuit and fight for you in court. Our trial experience gives us leverage in settlement negotiations because insurance companies know we’re ready to go to trial.
How long does a bus accident case take?
The timeline depends on the complexity of your case and whether it settles or goes to trial. Simple cases may settle in a few months. More complex cases with serious injuries can take a year or longer. We keep you informed about progress and explain what to expect at each stage. Our goal is to resolve your case as quickly as possible while getting you the maximum compensation.
Contact Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers for Your Free Consultation
You don’t have to handle a bus accident claim alone. Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers is ready to help you recover the compensation you deserve. Call (973) 364-8300 today to schedule your free consultation. We’re available 24/7 to answer your questions. If you can’t come to our office, we’ll come to you—at your home or hospital room. We work on a contingency basis, so you pay nothing unless we win your case. Let us put our experience and resources to work for you.
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We are the trial attorneys with the experience and knowledge to get you the results you deserve. At Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers, we take time to get to know you, as well as your case. We are committed to excellence. It is important for our team to understand your fears, concerns and expectations. We are always available to answer any questions, and are willing to come to you if you are unable to come to us.
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