Albuquerque, New Mexico Bus Accident Lawyer

Who’s At Fault for Your Albuquerque Bus Accident?

Bus accident lawsuits in Albuquerque can be complex. This is because there are a lot of parties that could have contributed to the accident.

While every Bernalillo County bus accident is different, many of the entities that cause them are generally the same. They include:

• The bus driver
• The owner of the bus
• Passengers on the bus
• Safety inspectors
• Bus companies
• Auto parts producers
• Auto parts designers
• Auto parts distributors
• Maintenance technicians
• Other drivers sharing the roadways
• The New Mexico Department of Transportation
• Other government agencies

Your attorney will work tirelessly to build a case against the liable party. Some evidence that could prove helpful are:

• Photos of your injuries
• Photos of the accident
• Video of the accident
• Your medical records
• Witness statements
• Passenger statements
• Expert testimony
• Police reports
• Safety reports

Getting the Compensation You Deserve

In almost every bus accident case, you will need to file a claim with the insurance company. This is because the insurance company will be obligated to cover certain losses if the accident was caused by the bus driver or the bus company’s negligence.

Generally, this includes any property damage and medical expenses you might have incurred due to your injuries. But that’s it. The insurance company has no obligation to offer compensation for non-economic damages, like your pain and suffering.

To get the most out of your claim, you may want to consider filing a civil lawsuit. When you file a civil claim, you can seek recovery for the losses that the insurance company did not cover and your non-economic damages. Not economic damages do not have a fixed monetary value. Their value will vary person by person and accident by accident. Your attorney will need to carefully examine the various ways your life has been affected by your bus accident and resulting injuries to figure out how much these non-economic damages are worth.

Some non-economic damages that you may recover include:

• Mental anguish
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Scarring
• Worsening of prior injuries
• Loss of household services
• Loss of support and society
• Loss of guidance and advice
• Damage to your reputation

Albuquerque Bus Accident FAQ

You can’t prepare for the chance that you’ll be involved in a bus accident. But Begum & Cowen, Injury & Accident Lawyers, can answer your questions and help you make an informed decision about your next steps.

Should I file a bus accident claim?

It can be difficult to know whether you should move forward with a bus accident claim in Bernalillo County. Sadly, you do not have an unlimited amount of time to decide whether you should pursue a lawsuit.

New Mexico has a strict three-year statute of limitations in place. While three years may seem like plenty of time, every case is different, and missing a deadline could negatively affect your case. But if you answer yes to the following questions, you should speak to an Albuquerque bus accident lawyer:

• Is someone else’s negligence to blame for your accident?
• Have or will your injuries seriously affect your life?

Can I sue if I lost a loved one in an Albuquerque bus accident?

The answer to this depends on your relationship with the victim. New Mexico law requires that the personal representative of the decedent’s estate be the one to initiate a wrongful death claim. This could be virtually anyone that the decedent named in their estate plans. But if the decedent did not name anyone, the courts can appoint someone to file the claim.

Can I file a claim for being assaulted on a bus?

You may have the right to file a civil claim after being assaulted on a bus or public transit system in Albuquerque or Bernalillo County. But for your claim to be successful, your attorney will need to be able to show the court that the bus company or other relevant party’s negligence contributed to your assault. Your assailant could be ordered to pay you restitution as part of your civil claim as well. This is in addition to any criminal charges that the party might face for the assault.