If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a bus accident in Toms River, you deserve compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Bus accidents can cause serious injuries because of the size and weight of these vehicles. Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers helps bus accident victims throughout Toms River and Ocean County recover the compensation they need to move forward. Our team handles every aspect of your case, from investigating what happened to negotiating with insurance companies. We work on a contingency basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case. Call (973) 364-8300 today for a free consultation with our Toms River personal injury attorneys.
Why Choose Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers for Your Bus Accident Claim
When you hire Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers, you get a team of trial attorneys with decades of experience handling personal injury cases. We have recovered over $700 million for our clients across New Jersey. Our attorneys understand the complexities of bus accident cases, including how to identify all liable parties and prove negligence. We take time to get to know you and your case, and we are committed to fighting for the full compensation you deserve.
What sets us apart:
- Local presence with an office in Toms River to serve you better
- Proven track record with settlements and verdicts in the millions
- Attorneys available to come to your home or hospital if you cannot visit our office
Our lead attorneys, including Edward P. Capozzi, Alex S. Capozzi, and Corey A. Dietz, bring extensive experience in handling complex bus accident litigation. Each attorney contributes their expertise to ensure your case receives the attention it deserves.
Common Causes of Bus Accidents in Toms River
Bus accidents happen for many reasons, and understanding what caused your accident is the first step toward building a strong case. Driver fatigue is one of the leading causes of bus accidents. Bus drivers often work long hours, and tired drivers make poor decisions that put passengers at risk. Poor vehicle maintenance also causes accidents. Bus companies have a responsibility to inspect and maintain their vehicles properly. When they fail to do so, mechanical failures can occur while the bus is in motion.
Weather conditions create dangerous driving situations, especially in New Jersey where we experience snow, ice, and heavy rain. Reckless driving by the bus driver or other vehicles on the road can also cause accidents. Some accidents result from defective parts or manufacturing flaws in the bus itself. Each of these causes points to negligence by someone who should have prevented the accident. Understanding these causes helps us build a stronger case for your compensation and identify all potentially liable parties.
Types of Bus Accidents We Handle
Bus accidents take many forms, and the type of bus involved affects how liability is determined. Public transit buses carry passengers throughout Toms River and surrounding areas. Charter and tour buses transport groups on longer trips. School buses carry children to and from school. Shuttle services operate at airports, hotels, and other locations. Private bus services transport employees or customers for private companies.
Each type of bus accident involves different liability rules. Public transit buses and charter services are considered common carriers, which means they are held to a higher standard of care than regular drivers. This works in your favor because it makes it easier to prove negligence. School buses also have special liability rules. Private shuttle services may have different insurance coverage and liability limits. Understanding which type of bus was involved in your accident helps us determine who is responsible and how much compensation you can recover.
Injuries and Damages from Bus Accidents
Bus accidents cause serious injuries because passengers have little protection inside the vehicle. When a bus stops suddenly or collides with another vehicle, passengers can suffer whiplash, broken bones, spinal injuries, and traumatic brain injuries. Some injuries appear immediately, while others develop over days or weeks. Internal injuries, organ damage, and psychological trauma are also common in bus accidents.
You can recover compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include your medical bills, surgery costs, physical therapy, lost wages while you recover, and future medical expenses. Non-economic damages cover pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and permanent disfigurement. If your injuries prevent you from working, you can recover compensation for lost earning capacity. In cases where a bus accident causes death, surviving family members can recover funeral expenses, lost inheritance, and loss of companionship through wrongful death claims.
How Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers Handles Your Bus Accident Case
Our process begins with a free consultation where we listen to your story and evaluate your case. We explain your legal options and answer your questions about what to expect. Next, we conduct a thorough investigation. We gather police reports, medical records, witness statements, and video footage from the accident scene. We also obtain maintenance records from the bus company to determine if poor maintenance contributed to the accident.
Once we have all the facts, we determine liability and calculate the full value of your claim. We then negotiate with the bus company’s insurance company on your behalf. Most cases settle during this phase. If the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation, we file a lawsuit and prepare your case for trial. Throughout the process, we handle all paperwork and meet all court deadlines so you can focus on your recovery.
Bus Accident Liability and Negligence in New Jersey
In New Jersey, bus companies and drivers have a legal duty to operate their vehicles safely and protect their passengers. When they fail to meet this duty, they are negligent. To win your case, we must prove four things: the bus company or driver owed you a duty of care, they breached that duty, their breach caused your injuries, and you suffered damages.
Bus companies are common carriers, which means they are held to a higher standard of care than regular drivers. This makes it easier to prove negligence in bus accident cases. New Jersey follows a comparative negligence rule, which means you can recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for the accident. However, you cannot recover if you were more than 50% responsible. If you were 30% at fault and the bus company was 70% at fault, you can recover 70% of your damages.
The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in New Jersey is two years from the date of the accident. This means you have two years to file a lawsuit. If you wait longer, you lose your right to sue. We recommend contacting us as soon as possible after your accident so we can begin investigating and protecting your rights.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bus Accidents in Toms River
What should I do immediately after a bus accident?
First, seek medical attention if you are injured. Even if you feel fine, some injuries appear later. Tell the bus driver and other witnesses that you were injured. Take photos of the accident scene, the bus, and your injuries if possible. Get the names and phone numbers of witnesses. Do not discuss the accident with the bus company’s insurance company without speaking to an attorney first. Contact Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers for a free consultation.
How long do I have to file a bus accident claim in New Jersey?
You have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in New Jersey. However, you should contact an attorney much sooner. The sooner we begin investigating, the better we can preserve evidence and build your case. Witness memories fade, and evidence can be lost or destroyed.
Can I recover compensation if I was partially at fault?
Yes. New Jersey follows a comparative negligence rule. You can recover compensation as long as you were less than 50% at fault. If you were 25% at fault and the bus company was 75% at fault, you recover 75% of your damages. The bus company’s insurance company will try to blame you for the accident to reduce what they owe. We protect your rights and fight back against these tactics.
What is my bus accident claim worth?
The value of your claim depends on the severity of your injuries, your medical expenses, lost wages, and how much pain and suffering you experienced. Serious injuries that require surgery and long-term care are worth more than minor injuries. Permanent injuries are worth more than temporary ones. We evaluate all aspects of your case to determine the full value of your claim and fight for every dollar you deserve.
Do I need an attorney for a bus accident claim?
You have the right to handle your claim alone, but it is not advisable. Insurance companies have teams of lawyers working to minimize what they pay. Without an attorney, you are at a disadvantage. We level the playing field and ensure you receive fair compensation. Our contingency fee arrangement means you pay nothing unless we win your case.
How much does it cost to hire Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers?
There is no cost to hire us. We work on a contingency basis, which means we only get paid if we recover compensation for you. You pay nothing upfront, and you pay nothing if we do not win your case. This arrangement allows you to pursue your claim without financial risk.
Contact Brach Eichler Injury Lawyers for a Free Bus Accident Consultation
If you suffered injuries in a bus accident in Toms River, do not wait to seek legal help. Call (973) 364-8300 today to schedule your free consultation. Our attorneys are available 24 hours a day to answer your questions. If you cannot visit our office, we will come to you. We serve clients throughout Toms River, Ocean County, and all of New Jersey. Let us help you recover the compensation you deserve.
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- Why Some Personal Injury Cases Go to Trial
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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