CATS Bus Accident Attorney in Baton Rouge

Many Baton Rouge residents use the Capital Area Transit System (CATS) to reach their jobs, visit family and friends, or get around the city without worrying about parking. Even so, CATS bus accidents frequently leave people with severe injuries, expensive medical bills, and no obvious way forward. There are also particular legal issues in these cases that can make it hard for victims to recover compensation for their injuries.

If you were injured on a city bus in Baton Rouge, Attorney Omar Thibeaux and The Thibeaux Firm can help you fight for fair compensation. Our team has earned recognition throughout Louisiana for our skill and customer service, as well as the value we provide accident victims.

Across the Pelican State, Attorney Thibeaux is known as “The 25 Percent Attorney.” That’s because at our bus accident law firm, we charge a flat and fair 25 percent fee for personal injury cases. This means you keep more money from an insurance settlement or trial award than you would with other injury law firms.

Call us today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a Baton Rouge bus accident lawyer from The Thibeaux Firm. Discover the difference we can make in your case and how we can handle all the legal work while you focus on resting and healing.

Benefits of Hiring a Baton Rouge CATS Bus Accident Attorney

Hiring a Baton Rouge bus accident attorney gives you many advantages in your battle for reasonable compensation. First, experienced lawyers who handle these cases know how to deal with the complex rules that come with bus accidents. Your attorney will investigate the accident, collect evidence, and talk to witnesses to build a strong case for you.

A lawyer can also handle all the communications, paperwork, and negotiations with insurance companies. This means you don’t have to worry about making mistakes or missing deadlines. Moreover, a bus accident lawyer in Baton Rouge will fight to get you the maximum possible compensation for your injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and other losses. Having a lawyer on your side reduces your stress and lets you focus on healing.

If you don’t hire a lawyer, you might miss out on the full compensation you’re entitled to. Remember that insurance companies often try to pay less than your case is worth. Without legal help, you might not realize the fair value of your claim. You also might not understand all the legal details of your case, which can hurt your chances of winning. Hiring a lawyer means you have someone knowledgeable and dedicated fighting for your rights.

We know that the thought of hiring a lawyer may seem scary and intimidating. That’s why everyone at The Thibeaux Firm strives to create a respectful, understanding, caring environment. We want you to feel that you’re supported by a dedicated advocate who’s working hard to win your case. And, because we’re home to “The 25% Attorney,” you’ll keep more of the money we recover.

When you’re ready to get started, contact us and let an experienced Baton Rouge bus accident attorney protect your rights.

Why Are Bus Accident Injury Claims So Complex?

There are several factors that make a CATS bus crash or school bus accident more complicated than a typical auto accident claim. Some of those factors include:

• Multiple Parties Involved – Bus accidents usually involve multiple passengers, drivers, and sometimes pedestrians. This means there are more people who may have sustained injuries, more potentially liable parties, and more claims to handle.
• Government Entities – Suing a government agency like CATS involves different rules and requirements than suing a private individual or company. Without an attorney who understands these rules, you could have a hard time prevailing in your case.
• Regulations and Standards – Buses must follow strict regulations and safety standards. Determining whether the bus driver, the manufacturer, or another party broke these rules requires specific legal knowledge.
• Large Vehicles – Buses are much larger and heavier than cars. Accidents involving buses can cause more severe injuries and property damage, which leads to higher stakes in a bus accident claim.
• Insurance Policies – Buses often have larger insurance policies than private passenger vehicles, which can make settlement negotiations more complex. Insurance companies might fight harder to avoid paying large sums in a bus accident case.
• Evidence Collection – There are sometimes additional challenges with gathering evidence in a bus accident case. For example, there may be surveillance footage, multiple witness statements, and complex accident reconstructions to review to identify all the liable parties.

What To Do After a Bus Accident

After leaving the scene and seeking medical treatment, there are crucial steps to take to protect your rights following a bus accident. First, follow your doctor’s advice and keep all your medical records and bills. These documents are vital for your injury claim.

Next, report the accident to the police and CATS if you haven’t already done so. Provide them with details about the incident and your injuries. It’s essential to make a written report to ensure there’s an official record of your case.

Then, if you’re able, gather any evidence you can. This might include photos of your injuries, medical reports, and notes about or copies of any communication you’ve had with CATS or insurance companies. If you can, get contact information from witnesses who saw the accident.

It’s also a smart idea to keep a journal of how your injuries affect your daily life. Note any pain, discomfort, or limitations you experience. This personal account can help demonstrate the accident’s impact on your life.

Finally, contact a Baton Rouge CATS bus accident attorney from The Thibeaux Firm. They can guide you through the legal process, gather additional evidence, and negotiate with the insurance companies on your behalf.

Who Could Be Held Responsible for a Bus Accident?

One of the critical tasks of a bus accident lawyer is identifying everyone who might be liable for the collision. Depending on how the crash occurred, multiple parties could be responsible for your injuries, including:

• The Bus Driver – Bus driver negligence is a significant factor in many CATS accidents. Examples of driver negligence include actions like speeding, distracted driving, or violating traffic laws.
• The Bus Company – CATS or another company that operates buses could be responsible if they failed to maintain the bus properly, did not train the driver adequately, or violated safety regulations.
• Other Drivers – Another driver could be liable for a CATS bus accident if their actions caused the crash. Some potential examples of driver negligence include running a red light, making an illegal turn, or driving under the influence.
• Bus Manufacturers – The manufacturer of the bus or its parts could be liable if a defect in the bus contributed to the accident. For instance, faulty brakes, defective steering systems, or other mechanical issues can all potentially cause a bus crash.
• Government Entities – If poor road conditions, inadequate signage, or faulty traffic signals played a role in the accident, the local government responsible for road maintenance might be liable.

What Compensation Can I Expect to Recover in a Bus Accident Claim?

An attorney will need to thoroughly assess your losses before they can accurately estimate your potential bus accident compensation. Depending on your injuries and other factors, your compensation may include money for:

What If I Am Partly at Fault in a Bus Accident?

Louisiana law allows someone who is partially at fault for an accident that injured them to recover compensation from other at-fault parties. However, their compensation will be reduced by their degree of fault. For example, if the insurance company says you bear 10 percent of the blame for the crash, you would lose 10 percent of the total compensation your losses support.

Furthermore, Louisiana law lets you seek compensation for your injuries even if you bear the majority of the blame for the collision. As long as you’re not fully to blame for the crash, you likely can recover some compensation for your injuries. A capable attorney from The Thibeaux Firm can gather evidence to minimize your liability for a bus accident and maximize your potential compensation.

How Long Do I Have to File a Bus Accident Claim in Louisiana?

The standard deadline to file a vehicle accident lawsuit in Louisiana is one year from the crash date. However, there are different rules for filing claims against government agencies like CATS, which means you might have less time to act. Contacting a bus accident lawsuit lawyer from The Thibeaux Firm immediately after a bus crash is the best step you can take to protect your rights.

What Are Common Types of Bus Accidents?

Bus accidents in Baton Rouge come in many varieties, but some of the most common types we see at our firm include:

What Injuries Can Someone Sustain in a Bus Accident?

Bus accidents in Baton Rouge can lead to severe injuries with long-term side effects. Some common bus accident injuries include:

Contact a Baton Rouge CATS Bus Accident Lawyer Today

A bus injury is a significant health problem, and you have the right to fair compensation after a collision. Don’t try to handle a complicated case like this on your own. Let Attorney Thibeaux, a seasoned bus accident lawyer at The Thibeaux Firm, take on all the legal details while you focus on getting your health back and putting your life back in order.

Contact The Thibeaux Firm today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a CATS bus accident attorney.