OUR SCHOOL BUS ACCIDENT LAWYERS HELP YOU WIN

At Kats, Jamison & Associates, we are a comprehensive law firm that cares for the client with a track record of multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. We will represent you with humanity, humility and honor, regardless of your case size.

(215) 396-9001 help@mkats.com

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Real Automobile Accident Cases Won

$10,000,000 SETTLEMENT

For a 9 year old Northeast Philadelphia boy who suffered traumatic brain injuries after being hit by a truck as he crossed the street.

$3.5 MILLION AWARD

From a Chester County jury to a nurse and mother of two after she was seriously injured when she was rear-ended by a National waste disposal truck.

$1,055,000 SETTLEMENT

Settled in 7 months for responsible party’s policy limits and under-insured motorist policy limits

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Real Car Accident Stories

Why Choose Philly Lawyers

How We Help You Win

We will review your bicycle accident case thoroughly.

We will investigate all evidence regarding the cause of the accident.

We will interview witnesses and experts if necessary.

We will work to ensure that victims and their families receive the maximum settlement.

School Bus Related Accidents In Bucks County

Have you or a loved one been injured in a school bus accident? If so, turn to the lawyers at the Bucks County law firm of Kats, Jamison & Associates for the skills and knowledge to handle your case. Our Bucks County accident lawyers understand your rights and will fight to recover any and all damages and compensation to which our clients are entitled – whether it’s medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, present or future lost earnings, physical disabilities, scarring, limb loss, brain and head injuries, emotional distress, depression, anxiety, and pain and suffering.

You can trust that our 33 years of experience as school bus injury attorneys have given us an understanding of the issues that help our clients, their friends and family, medical experts, long-term care planners, and others. Our goal is to make sure that our clients receive not only exceptional legal representation, but also first-rate support and medical care.

About School Bus Accidents In Bucks County

School buses transport 4 million children over some 5.76 billion miles in the United States annually, carrying them to school, on field trips, and more. Every day, school bus drivers carry the lives of our children in their hands, and they generally handle our most precious of cargo safely and skillfully. However, school buses are not immune to traffic accidents – whether the fault belongs to the bus driver or another vehicle’s driver.

There are many factors in play that can contribute to injuries in school bus accidents. Most of their riders are young children, who are of course smaller than adults and thus likelier to suffer injuries. Because most school buses are not equipped with seatbelts, the potential for injury in the case of an accident is higher than in other vehicles. Overcrowding can increase risk of serious injury as well, particularly if students are sitting three to a seat, sitting in the aisle, or standing.

Because school buses are such large, heavy vehicles, they carry an increased likelihood of causing serious or fatal injuries to pedestrians or passengers in other vehicles in the case of an accident. In fact, since 1990, only 9 percent of the fatalities in school bus-related accidents have been passengers in the school buses.

Potential Defendants In School Bus Accident Cases

In Pennsylvania bus accident cases, the defendant is the individual (though there can be multiple individuals or parties) whom the injured accident victim is suing – typically for negligence. Defendants may be held responsible for their role in causing the school bus accident, and thus for the resulting injuries and damages to the victim. In these cases, the defendants are most likely to be:

– Bus drivers
– Bus companies
– Local cities or counties
– School boards, superintendents or supervisors
– Drivers of other involved vehicles¹

A noteworthy proportion of bus accident cases are caused by bus drivers driving in recklessly, carelessly, negligently, or distractedly, and as a result colliding with another vehicle. In other cases, another driver may commit negligence in the course of colliding with the school bus, while the bus driver is not at fault.

Serious bus accidents can be caused by defects in products or equipment. In such cases, the bus accident victim may pursue a products liability cause of action against a repair facility or manufacturer of bus parts.

Plaintiffs And Fault In School Bus Accident Cases

In school bus accident cases, the plaintiff is usually an injured bus passenger or pedestrian. The plaintiff must prove that negligence has been committed by the defendant by demonstrating that:

– The defendant owed a legal duty of care to drive safely and carefully under the circumstances
– The defendant breached the duty of care, typically by driving carelessly or recklessly
– This breach resulted in the accident victim suffering serious injuries and damages
– The accident victim did, in fact, suffer serious injuries and damages

Compensation In Bucks County School Bus Accident Cases

An injured school bus passenger may pursue monetary recompense if any of the following types of damages were sustained in the bus accident:

– Medical bills and expenses
– Lost wages or earning ability
– Emotional or mental distress
– Pain and suffering (past, present and future)
– Inability to engage in normal events and activities

Initial Settlement Offers For School Bus Accident Cases

It is common in the case of school bus accidents for insurance adjusters to make a modest initial settlement offer to end the case quickly and cheaply. These offers are generally far less than you actually deserve, so if you receive one, consider the pros and cons carefully before accepting.

Filing a lawsuit at this time is often very effective, as the defendant’s insurer is highly likely to respond with a better settlement offer. Keep in mind, however, that filing a court complaint does not guarantee that your case will go to trial. In fact, many personal injury cases are settled prior to – or on the day of – the trial.

What Happens In A Typical Bus Accident Injury Trial?

When the bus companies or school board disputes its liability in a bus accident case, a trial may become necessary. However, going through a trial can be a stressful and time-consuming processes, which is something to consider when you are weighing a settlement offer against the potential of going to court.

Here is what you can expect to happen in a personal injury trial:

– Witness depositions and jury selection
– Opening statements
– Plaintiff’s case presented
– Defendant’s case presented
– Closing arguments
– Jury instructions
– Jury deliberations
– Verdict

Cases can be settled at any point up to (and including) the date of the jury trial, but at the point when the case has been turned over to the jury for a verdict, any pending settlement offers become null and void. There is only limited appeal ability in these cases.

What Can I Expect During A Bus Accident Trial?

If you are the plaintiff in a school bus accident jury trial, your attorney will most likely call you to the witness stand to testify. If liability or fault is in dispute, additional witnesses may be called to the stand – for instance, eyewitnesses from the accident scene or expert witnesses (such as doctors and other healthcare providers who may have treated your injuries).

Consider your testimony an opportunity to share your story with the jury – describing the problems that your accident and injuries have caused in your life.

Categories of witnesses who may be called to testify in school bus accident cases:

– The injured accident victim
– The bus driver (often called by the plaintiff’s side as an “adverse witness”)
– A representative of the city, county or school board responsible for the involved school bus
– Eyewitnesses to the accident
– Police officers and other relevant investigators
– Accident reconstruction experts
– The plaintiff’s adult family members or friends

Contact Us For A Free Consultation And Case Evaluation

A legal team that represents Bucks County school bus accident victims requires dedication, effort, expertise, and aggressive investigation. At Kats, Jamison & Associates, our highly experienced personal injury attorneys investigate every claim carefully in order to offer our clients the finest representation and the best possible outcomes.

If you or someone in your family has been injured in a school bus accident, call the premier Bucks County personal injury attorneys of Kats, Jamison & Associates at 215-593-2623 or contact us online.

CALL US: (215) 396-9001

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Frequently Asked Questions

We understand when the injury occurs, you are scared and need immediate help. Here are the answers to some of the questions we hope are helpful to you.

If you come to us, we have all the answers for when you are injured in any type of accident.

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Do I have to pay to speak with an attorney?

Philly Lawyers offers free case reviews so that you can better understand your legal options. This means you pay nothing for your first consultation. Additionally, Kats, Jamison & Associates works on a contingency fee basis meaning that if you do choose to hire us, you pay us nothing unless and until we win your case.

What should I do immediately after I’ve been involved in a car accident?

Call the police and make sure an ambulance is sent as soon as possible. Make sure everyone involved in the accident is conscious and responsive. Stay at the scene even if the accident isn’t serious, the police should be called regardless and a police report should be filed. It is important when speaking to the police that you stick to the facts, do not speculate, and most importantly do not admit any fault. Make sure you take as many pictures as you can with your cell phone. Also, we suggest taking a picture of the other person’s license plate, their drivers license, and insurance information. The pictures should document any damage that is caused by both vehicles. Seek medical attention as soon as possible if injured, even if you do not feel any pain, you may be in a state of shock and could experience medical issues later on.

What should I do before leaving the scene of an accident?

After a car accident, it is important to collect as much information as possible. Document the names, addresses, license plates of any other vehicle involved in the accident. Either document the weather conditions at the time of the accident or take pictures of the scene surrounding the accident. If you believe that road maintenance or lack thereof was a factor in the accident – it is important to document this as well. After your immediate medical injuries have been taken into account, it is then time to speak with a lawyer immediately. The sooner you contact a lawyer, the more time you will have to successfully prepare a personal injury case. The team at Kats, Jamison & Associates will analyze your car/motorcycle accident and determine whether or not you have a claim. Through this process we will make sure to protect your rights and guard you from predatory insurance company practices.

How do I know if I have a personal injury case regarding a car accident?

If you are experiencing pain, injury, or financial damages as a result of someone else’s negligence. You may have a personal injury case. If the other driver was at fault or failed to follow the legal rules of the road – our car accident attorneys may be able to prove that the other party is liable for those damages. For example, if you were rear-ended in a car accident, typically the other driver is responsible for that accident and the insurance company could be liable for any damages

What should I expect the first few days following a car accident?

Within the first few days, you will receive communications from both your insurance company and the other driver’s insurance company. You may be contacted by your health insurance company, doctors, and even attorneys. The other driver’s insurance company may request that you sign medical authorizations so they can retrieve your medical records. Before you speak to any of these people or sign any documents, it is important that you seek legal counsel.

How do I pay for medical expenses while my case is pending?

You may have a difficult time paying for your medical expenses, even if you have health insurance. Make sure to bill any treatment as you normally would through your healthcare provider. Additionally, you may have medical payment coverage under your car insurance plan. This could be used to cover your co-pays and other medical expenses that your health insurance company may not cover initially.

What type of compensation should I expect to receive for my car accident case?

This is a difficult question to answer because it depends on many factors. If we are successful in proving that the other party is liable for your injuries and damages, you could be compensated for medical bills and any other hospital costs, lost wages, costs of rehabilitation and physical therapy, disability or disfigurement, pain and suffering, wrongful death, including loss of financial support and any other out of pocket expense that was related to your accident.

How long will it take to complete my case?

Depending on the severity of your injuries and the length of time you need to heal from your injuries will determine the length of your claim. We also have to factor in the willingness of the other party to settle as they make their initial offer. If unreasonable offers are made, your claim may proceed to trial, which will increase the length of your claim.

What are the fees for representing me in a car accident case?

At Kats, Jamison & Associates all personal injury accident cases are handled on a contingency-fee-basis. This means that we will never charge you upfront for any cost and we will advance all costs and expenses. You will not have to reimburse our Firm for any costs unless we are successful. You will pay absolutely nothing for lawyers’ fees unless we win a monetary sum in your case.