Bus Accident Case Timeline

Answer:

We often get asked, “How long will it take to resolve my bus wreck claim here in Mississippi?” Bus wrecks happen all over the country. The buses are regulated by federal law, they’re large vehicles, and the people who drive them have a commercial driver’s license. On multiple levels, claims that arise from bus wrecks are complex litigation, and that affects the timing of the claims. Almost invariably, when there’s a bus accident, there are multiple claims involved. If you think about it, it makes sense because buses are made to carry people, so almost always when there’s a bus wreck, there are a lot of people on the bus. The way those vehicles are designed and laid out, if it turns over or flips, people are just prone to more serious injury or death, and the sheer number of people on board just means there’s statistically more people in play to have a serious injury or death. Because of what’s involved, both the extent of injuries and the risk and exposure that the bus company’s insurance carrier has from claims arising from bus wrecks, those claims are typically hotly litigated. That means the bus company and their insurance carrier are going to fight on liability, they’re going to fight on the value of the claims, so you have to be prepared for that. Typically, if liability is clear and the damages are clear in terms of there not being a lot of questions about future medical treatment, or the extent of the injuries are not really at question and there’s clear liability, and the bus company and their insurance carrier wants to get it resolved at a fair amount, there’s always potential, as with any personal injury case, that a bus wreck claim could resolve in three to six months of hiring counsel and do so without the need to file a lawsuit. That is not the likely scenario, though, and you need to be prepared for that going in. Oftentimes, depending on the situation, those types of claims really justify filing suit earlier and immediately for that victim. That moves the process a little bit, but it also means that litigation is almost a certainty, taking typically 12 to 18 months. Depending on the complexity of issues involved, bus wreck cases can sometimes go longer than other litigation. The most important thing in those types of cases, because there usually is so much at stake and because the injuries and the impact are so severe, is not being in a rush and getting it done quickly. It’s better to get it done right. It’s about being committed to getting fair value for those claims, and that means working up those cases and claims the right way. It means a commitment to going to trial, if you need to, because ultimately the client is only going to get fair value if the insurance company on the other side, the defense attorneys on the other side know you’re willing to try the case and know that you’re covering all the different details and checking all the boxes on working that case up the right way. To do that sometimes means not rushing to conclusion, but actually walking through the steps to get it done right and to maximize value for that client. While a normal personal injury case may be 12 to 18 months, fully litigating to verdict, a bus case can take longer. They can be done in that time period, but they can take longer, depending on the complexities of the individual case. The commitment has got to be to doing it right and to getting full value for that client. If you have any questions about bus wreck claims, if you or a family member or loved one have been involved in a bus wreck and need legal assistance with the claim, we’re here to answer your questions at the Brad Morris Law Firm. We’re available for free consults. We will try to get you pointed in the right direction and, most importantly, get you the help that you need. Call or reach out to us through the website and we’ll be glad to help.