Philadelphia Bus Accident Attorney

What it Means to Be Injured in a Philadelphia Bus Accident

Travelling around Philadelphia can prove to be difficult due to congested streets and the cost of maintaining a vehicle. As a result, public transportation is seen as a welcome if not necessary option for thousands of our neighbors. Children rely upon buses for transportation to and from school. Adults take the bus to buy groceries, visit relatives and get to work each day. Bus service is essential to helping maintain a strong quality of life for Philadelphians. 

As part of providing bus service in and around Philadelphia, we rely upon bus drivers to be professional, punctual and safe while operating their vehicles. This is the same standard we apply to automobile drivers. However, the responsibility of bus drivers extends beyond that of private motorists. For one, bus drivers operate a vehicle that far exceeds a car or truck in terms of size. Additionally, bus drivers have a responsibility for keeping their passengers safe from harm. 

Consider also that buses are expected to be maintained regularly. For example, suppose that a local bus missed its scheduled maintenance check. Brake pads which are worn or a fluid leak not caught can lead to an accident or other unforced error. A faulty part can place the blame for an accident square in the lap of a parts producer. Where would you turn for help if you were injured in a Philadelphia bus accident?

Before you miss out on your opportunity to advocate for your own rights please consider contacting Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C. Our office offers free of charge consultations where you can receive feedback about your particular circumstances. Don’t take a chance when it comes to your rights and receiving fair compensation. Our team knows how to guide you towards the most desirable outcome possible in your bus accident case. 

How Can a Philadelphia Bus Accident Attorney Help You After Becoming Injured?

The idea of filing a lawsuit or even an insurance claim against a bus driver or municipality is an intimidating prospect. Bus drivers must operate their vehicles with the same limitations as a private automobile driver. Deteriorating road conditions, heavy traffic, extremes in weather conditions and distractions impact bus drivers just as much as other drivers on the road. The main difference between the negligence of a bus driver and a private vehicle driver is that a bus has the potential to cause much more damage in an accident. 

When a bus driver makes a mistake in judgment or a bus breaks down causing an accident do not wait around for the bus driver to acknowledge fault or make you whole. Rather, you need to take the bull by the horns and control your own destiny as far as winning damages for your injuries. The best method to earn those damages and defend your rights is to work alongside an experienced bus accident attorney.

Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C. knows how to help you navigate the complex circumstances surrounding a bus accident insurance claim. When you are not able to successfully settle your claim, our team of legal advocates is skilled at fighting for your rights in the courtroom, as well. Diligent preparation and an eye for detail set our office apart from any other Philadelphia bus accident attorney. Contact us today for a free of charge consultation. 

What Are the Most Common Causes of Philadelphia Bus Accidents?

Our law office conducts a detailed investigation of the bus accident that injured you. It may be the case that more than one person or entity caused your injuries. Multi-vehicle accidents are common due to the large size of buses. A bus driver’s inattention behind the wheel may combine with a poorly maintained bus to cause a major accident. Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C. understands the importance of a thorough investigation into the cause of your accident. 

Once the cause(s) of your accident are determined we can begin to piece together why the accident took place. After having served injured motorists and pedestrians for years, our team of legal professionals has experienced first hand nearly every possible cause of bus accidents. Chief among those causes is driver errors. Judgment errors of bus drivers include those made when turning a bus, switching lanes or not giving riders enough time to exit the bus safely. Bus drivers operate on a schedule. When behind on a schedule bus drivers may make spur of the moment decisions geared towards making up for lost time.

A combination of poorly maintained buses, defective parts on the bus and deteriorating road conditions leads to a significant number of bus accidents each year. Philadelphia experiences very cold weather in the Winter months with relatively hot weather in the summer. These extremes in temperature wreak havoc on both roads and the buses themselves. Combining all these factors means that bus accidents may come about as a result of factors beyond the driver’s immediate control. However, that does not mean that someone or something is not responsible for your injuries. 

Does it Matter What Kind of Bus Caused the Accident?

In the Philadelphia area there are multiple services which offer transportation by bus. City buses, school buses, tour buses and charter buses are common on city streets. Even party buses, vehicles designed to help party goers move from location to location during a celebration, are increasingly common. No matter what sort of bus caused your accident, understand that bus companies, municipalities and school districts must have insurance and other resources sufficient to make injured persons whole again.

The State of Pennsylvania enacts traffic regulations as do Philadelphia and other smaller towns in and around our city. As a result, buses must follow those laws just like we as private vehicle operators do. Ultimately, if a bus driver or transportation company fails to follow these regulations or do not maintain their vehicles sufficiently then fault lies on their side if an accident occurs. This means that if you are injured and suffer damages, the bus operator, school district, municipality, or transportation company must be prepared to compensate you. 

Talk to an experienced Philadelphia bus accident attorney if you are injured in a bus accident. Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C. understands what it is like to face injuries and insurance companies simultaneously. We stand ready to assist you in recovering maximum compensation for your damages and injuries. A free of charge consultation with our experienced legal team is only a phone call away. Contact us today to learn more about your case and your options. 

What Are Common Bus Accident Injuries?

As an experienced Philadelphia bus accident attorney, Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C. has served clients who have suffered a range of injuries in accidents involving buses. Typically, when a bus is involved in an accident, there is more than one person who suffers an injury. Given that buses carry multiple persons on them nearly at all times, plus their large size, it becomes a near certainty that multiple injuries will occur when a bus becomes involved in an accident. Depending upon the speed at which the vehicles were traveling, and whether pedestrians were involved, you have a situation where injuries may be severe. 

Unfortunately, many of the safety mechanisms in place for a private vehicle are not in place within a bus. For example, seat belts are not common in buses. City, charter or school buses make seatbelts widely available. Couple that reality with how many bus passengers stand up while riding, and you have a situation where bus passengers have a heightened risk of harm simply by entering the bus and taking a ride. 

Bone fractures can occur when a bus passenger is standing during an accident. When a bus accident occurs, the standing passenger may lose their balance and fall against the floor, a seat, or a window. Depending upon the force of the fall, coupled with the area of the body involved, there is a significant risk of bone fractures, which may occur. Depending upon the severity of the fracture, the bone may need to be reset by a doctor or even operated upon. Even bone fractures which are less significant are nonetheless painful and require weeks to months of recovery- if not more. 

Place Your Trust in a Philadelphia Bus Accident Attorney

Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C. stands by his clients. We advocate for our clients inside and outside the courtroom. Being injured in a bus accident is a serious matter. As an experienced Philadelphia bus accident attorney, we know what it takes to help you heal your body and receive maximum compensation for the injuries and damages you have suffered. Contact us today for a free of charge consultation where you can learn about your options moving forward. 

When you have suffered a serious injury in a bus accident, you cannot afford to wait. The time you spend deciding whether to pursue medical care or a legal claim can impact the rest of your life. Anthony C. Gagliano, III, Esquire, P.C. is here to help you make decisions that will position you well in the short and long terms.