The value of your claim depends on your direct financial losses, injuries, and the number of injured claimants. The average attorney negotiated claim settles between $30,000 and $100,000, but many bus accident cases commended multi-million dollar insurance awards.
The value of your Duluth injury claim generally depends on:
- The number of claimants injured in the crash
- The nature of the accident, such as drunk driving or federal safety violations
- The claimant’s direct losses, such as medical bills and lost income
- The disabling and serious nature of the injuries
- The physical pain and emotional anguish associated with the trauma
- The amount of commercial auto and umbrella insurance coverage
- The availability and quality of evidence
Medical expenses (including doctor visits, surgeries, rehabilitation appointments, nursing care, pharmacy costs) and career-related losses make up most settlements. Employment damages might also include the value of lost medical benefits, retirement contributions, vacation time, missed promotions, and missed business opportunities. Importantly, you may recover for past damages and anticipated future needs.
Bus accident claimants might also demand non-economic pain and suffering damages. These damages compensate claimants for the frustration, lost time, physical pain, and emotional distress associated with serious injuries. They might also include lost enjoyment of life damages if the injuries impacted your normal activities. Examples include biking, dancing, cooking, exercising, or even playing with your grandchildren.
Insurers typically calculate non-economic damages by multiplying your direct damages (such as medical expenses and lost income) based on your injuries’ seriousness. Conditions including paralysis, traumatic brain injuries, burns, and multiple fractures often result in higher pain and suffering awards.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires buses carrying 15 or more passengers to maintain at least $5,000,000 in bodily injury insurance. These policies frequently provide sufficient coverage if only one claimant, such as an injured pedestrian, demands damages. However, mass casualty bus crashes could result in reduced insurance awards. Insurers may limit single event coverage. As such, adjusters might divide available insurance damages between injured claimants. Making quick and accurate claims might prevent disproportionate damage awards. Bus accident lawyers might also demand financial settlements from negligent bus drivers and fleet owners in court.
