Bus vs Pedestrian Collision Attorneys
Pedestrians can suffer severe and life-changing injuries in bus accidents in Oregon. These accidents are often, sadly, fatal. At Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC, we are passionate about helping individuals and families demand justice after devastating bus accidents involving pedestrians in Oregon. We realize these accidents are often the fault of a distracted or negligent bus driver failing to yield to pedestrians. Describe your recent accident to our Portland bus accident trial attorneys today. We have personal injury and wrongful death lawyers available to help. Call (503) 226-6361 24/7 for a free consultation.
What Are Your Rights After a Pedestrian/Bus Accident?
In Oregon, the civil justice system allows you to secure compensation for something such as a pedestrian/bus accident. When someone else’s negligence causes an injury, the victim can recover compensation by bringing a civil claim. Your ability to receive a monetary award, however, depends on how well you or your personal injury lawyer can prove your case and damages. Your lawyer has to establish negligence and fault before you can achieve a settlement or jury verdict. Proving a bus accident case generally requires four elements.
- The defendant, or at-fault party, owed you a duty of care. This could be the bus driver, bus company, manufacturer of the bus or a third party. The defendant must have had a responsibility to keep you safe or prevent the pedestrian accident at the time.
- Dereliction of duty. Second, the defendant must be guilty of negligence, or a breach of the duty of care. A breach can mean any mistake, act of negligence or reckless behavior that falls outside of the defendant’s responsibility of care to pedestrians.
- Direct cause. Third, the defendant’s negligence must be the direct cause (with evidence to prove it) of your pedestrian accident in Oregon. Your lawyer must establish a direct link between the defendant’s mistake and your accident.
- Fourth, your lawyer will help you demonstrate the losses, or damages, you suffered in the pedestrian/bus accident. These will be the damages for which the at-fault party is responsible for paying.
It is your right as an injured bus accident victim to bring a cause of action against the person or party who caused the pedestrian collision. With assistance from a Portland pedestrian accident lawyer at Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC, you can prove the fault of the defendant and recover compensation for your past and future losses as an injured pedestrian. These can include medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Discuss your rights as a pedestrian in more detail with one of our attorneys today.
What is the Time Limit to File An Injury Lawsuit in Oregon?
It is important to speak to a lawyer as soon as you can after getting injured in a pedestrian/bus accident in Oregon. Tight deadlines may apply to your case. These deadlines, known as statutes of limitations, are in place to keep the justice system more just for both sides. The general personal injury statute of limitations in Oregon is two years, meaning you would have two years from the date of your crash to file a lawsuit. If, however, your bus accident case involves TriMet, streetcars, WES Commuter Rail, MAX Light Rail or another public transportation system, your deadline will be shorter. Cases against the government have just 180 days for filing.
Contact Our Bus Accident Lawyers Today at No Cost
If a distracted bus driver, reckless vehicle driver or negligent bus company caused your Oregon bus accident and related injuries as a pedestrian, contact Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys PC to help you file a claim. Our local bus accident lawyers have experience litigating and winning these types of cases. We know how to collect evidence, present it to a jury, negotiate with insurance companies and take care of your pedestrian accident claim from start to finish. Talk to our attorneys for free today. Schedule a free consultation at (503) 226-6361 or by submitting our online contact form.