Suing after a bus accident is sometimes the best way to get the compensation you need. However, there are many factors to consider, including what injuries or damage the accident caused. Arlington, TX bus accident lawyers at The Queenan Law Firm explain what factors to look at in determining whether it is worth it in your case to file a bus accident lawsuit after a crash.
Is a Lawsuit Worth it for Property Damage After a Texas Bus Accident?
If you were hit by a bus while driving a car or riding a motorcycle and you walked away without any injuries, then the main focus of any claims or lawsuits after your crash will be for property damage only. When you are in an accident, it is important to make sure that you don’t have any injuries, so you might still have some medical costs from checks by the EMTs at the scene of the crash. It is important to look at these costs alongside the property damage.
Generally speaking, if you only had property damage after a car accident or an accident with a bus, then you might be okay filing an insurance claim instead of a lawsuit. Your claim could be enough to cover vehicle repairs or help you replace your car if it was totaled.
Even if you did suffer even minor injuries, you should talk to a lawyer because an insurance claim might not be enough to cover your injuries.
Can an Insurance Claim Cover Injuries After a Bus Crash in Texas?
If you suffered injuries in a bus accident, an insurance claim might not be enough to cover your costs. Even with minor injuries, the cost of medical expenses can be higher than you think. In many cases, medical bills could be too expensive, and the payments that the insurance company offers could cover only a fraction of your expenses. Moreover, any injuries involve pain and suffering, which insurance companies usually refuse to cover in an insurance claim.
When dealing with the aftermath of a bus accident, you should speak with our Arlington and Dallas bus accident lawyer about your case. While the insurance claim might look like it pays enough, the insurance company could be leaving out damages you need without a clear explanation. Especially if your injuries were very serious or resulted in physical disabilities, the insurance claim could be far too low to cover your needs. A lawyer can help you determine how much your case is worth, then compare that to the insurance claim.
If the insurance claim is too low, it could very well be worth it to go to court instead.
How Much is My Bus Accident Case Worth in Texas?
The total value of your bus accident claim will depend heavily on the facts of your specific case and what damages you suffered. Injury lawsuits for bus accidents in Houston and other places in Texas can often cover any damages related to the crash at their full value. Insurance claims, on the other hand, often cover only medical bills and lost wages – leaving off damages for pain and suffering and other harms.
When insurance claims pay damages, they might pay only a portion of the damages instead of their full value, so it is important to understand what your case would be worth in a court case so you can compare the two and determine which is better for you.
Damages in a bus accident injury lawsuit in Texas are calculated by looking at your medical bills, pay stubs, financial records, and other records to determine how much the injury cost you. Some of these damages can also be projected into the future to determine how much the injuries will cost you going forward, and those future damages can be claimed, too. In addition to this, you can add damages for your injuries, mental and emotional distress, and other intangible harms. Your Houston bus accident lawyer can help you calculate the total damages in your case.
Is an Insurance Settlement or a Lawsuit Better for Bus Accident Injuries in Texas?
Once you know the full value of what your case could be worth, you are better equipped to figure out whether the insurance claim will cover your injuries or whether a lawsuit is better. An insurance company will usually make an offer and tell you what they think your case is worth. If this is a bit lower than the total damages you and your lawyer calculated, then you might be able to negotiate with the insurance company for higher damages and accept that settlement. However, if your injuries are far too expensive to be covered by the insurance payouts, then it is likely worth it to take your case to trial.
At trial, your damages could come out higher or lower than your calculated value, depending on how the jury values your case. However, a lawsuit opens damages to pain and suffering and other “noneconomic” damages that the insurance claim will not cover, potentially making a lawsuit worth it.
Taking a case to court can be expensive, but in many cases, it is still worth going to court. The cost of attorney’s fees, court costs, and trial expenses are often less than the money you would miss out on in an insurance settlement, so going to trial is still the best option in many cases.
Call Our Arlington Bus Accident Lawyer for Help with Your Case
The best way to determine whether it is worth it to file a lawsuit for a bus accident instead of accepting an insurance payout is to talk to a lawyer. Our Arlington, TX personal injury lawyers may be able to calculate the damages in your case and determine whether it is better for you to accept an insurance payout or to fight the case at court. Call The Queenan Law Firm today to start looking into your case and getting the compensation you need. Our number is (817) 476-1797.