Bus transportation is an essential way to move around the city of Jackson. It should be safe for you to do so. In situations where you suffer an injury from an accident caused by a bus driver or another party, seek legal guidance from a Jackson bus accident attorney. At Hearn Law Firm, our Jackson personal injury lawyers brings aggressive legal representation to every case.
Determining Fault in a Bus Accident
One of the steps your Jackson bus accident attorney must take is verifying fault. If a bus strikes your vehicle, the bus driver is likely at fault. However, there are various additional parties that could play a role here. For example, whether the bus is publicly or privately owned and operated can be a factor. In Jackson, the JATRAN buses are government-owned businesses. However, there are many other buses owned by other parties, such as the hotel shuttle buses and charter buses.
Based on the evidence in your case, your attorney will create a comprehensive claim for your losses. Then, we seek out the parties responsible to make them pay for those losses.
Filing a Claim Against a Government-Owned Bus in Jackson
It is critical to speak to a Jackson bus accident attorney if you received an injury by a government-owned bus such as a JATRAN or a Jackson Public Schools bus. Governments maintain sovereign immunity. This means they are not likely to face legal action from a lawsuit you file.
However, under the Tort Claim Act in its Annotated Codes, Chapter 11, Section 46. Under Miss. Code Ann. § 11-46-11, there is a very specific set of steps that must occur in order to file a claim against a bus driver of any government-owned vehicle in Jackson.
- A Notice of Claim must be presented to the city or the clerk of courts, which announces the intention to file a lawsuit against the city or county.
- The Statute of Limitations for taking action against a government entity in this type of matter is just one year from the date of the accident. That means you must file your claim within one year.
- The compensation available to you is up to $500,000. You must document every penny of the losses you claim.
- You cannot request a jury trial.
- Punitive damages are not available in these types of cases, which means you cannot be awarded extra as a punishment toward the city.
In some situations, the court has the right to deny damages fully. This may be done in situations where there are questions about liability or concerns about your intentions. It is complicated to take these steps, but it may be possible with the help of an attorney.
Seek Out Legal Guidance from a Jackson Bus Accident Lawyer
At Hearn Law Firm, our Jackson bus accident attorney will provide you with clarity on your rights and your likely recovery of damages. Call our Jackson bus accident attorney now for a free consultation. Find out what your rights are by setting up a free consultation.