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Buses are an economical way to travel, whether you are boarding a Greyhound for a distant destination or your child rides a county school bus. Although buses appear to be safe, bus drivers sometimes act negligently, causing accidents that result in injuries to riders or other motorists.
If you are contemplating suing a bus driver, a company, or the government because a bus accident caused you injuries, be aware that the rules are different from other car accidents—with the time you have to bring a suit being among them. The Broomfield bus accident statute of limitations matters because if you exceed it, you are letting yourself be barred from recovering what is potentially owed to you.
Bus accident lawsuits are civil matters, often relying on the premise that a driver was negligent and caused an accident that injured you. However, other than the driver, a bus company may be vicariously liable for its employees’ bad acts. Additionally, if a defective vehicle part caused the crash, the manufacturer of the bus may also be liable.
With other personal injury lawsuits, a claim must be brought within two years of the incident. However, when a private vehicle in Broomfield is involved, the statute of limitations is three years, giving you more time to heal and get your bus accident case together.
Waiting beyond the deadline, no matter how strong a case you have, typically leads to a dismissal. The statute of limitations is put in place because evidence and witnesses’ memories fade away after accidents, and the law holds that no prospective defendant should be subject to an overly extensive period during which they wonder if they might be sued. Thus, you must act immediately and contact a skilled lawyer to preserve your rights.
Suppose you are injured on a Broomfield EasyRide or other Regional Transportation District (RTD) bus or your child is hurt on a local school bus. In that case, you might think you have no recourse because of the government’s sovereign immunity from lawsuits. However, cities, states, and counties understand that in cases of injuries caused by their employees or a lack of road maintenance, it is not fair to shirk paying for them.
Lawsuits against a government entity are more complicated because the money dispersed is from taxpayers. The procedural requirements are outlined in the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act (CGIA). While you have three years to initiate a lawsuit in Broomfield against a private bus company, you and your attorney have only 182 days from the day of the accident to meet the statute of limitations in a public transportation personal injury claim.
Within these constraints, you must first submit a written notice to the government agency that runs the bus line on which you were injured. This notice must state:
A skilled attorney should review this written notice before you submit it and any settlement offers before you accept to ensure you receive enough compensation for all your injuries. Although it is important to know that these awards are subject to caps when they involve government vehicles.
Bus accidents may be daunting because the rules that allow you to seek compensation for your losses vary for private and publicly owned vehicles. The biggest difference is the amount of time you are given to file your lawsuit. Failing to follow the Broomfield bus accident statute of limitations could mean more financial struggles as you heal from your injuries. Call our knowledgeable attorneys now to ensure you file on time to maximize the compensation you deserve.