f you were injured in a bus accident, whether as a passenger, pedestrian, or passing motorist, you may be entitled to compensation. If the responsible party refuses to offer a fair settlement, however, you will need to file a formal lawsuit to pursue the money you deserve. And if you don’t want this suit to get dismissed, you must start the legal proceeding before the applicable statute of limitations (deadline) passes.
While Michigan generally gives injured parties three years to go to court, those who get hurt in bus accidents may have a lot less time to act. When a bus driver employed by the city causes a crash, the municipality can usually be found liable, but there are some governmental immunity hurdles to overcome. Since governmental agencies have certain immunity protections under tort law, suing a municipality often has notice requirements and sometimes short filing deadlines.
An experienced and knowledgeable personal injury attorney can evaluate the circumstances surrounding your wreck in which you were hurt to determine precisely how long you have to get this process started.
There are some limited exceptions in which the statute of limitations may extend beyond the typical deadline. When the injured party is a minor, for example, the minor has 1 year from 18th birthday to file suit. The standard deadline does not apply to mentally incompetent persons at the time of the accident.
Even if you believe an exception applies to your case, however, it’s wise to consult legal counsel as soon as possible. The reasons for tolling the statute of limitations doesn’t always extend filing deadlines for those who intend to act against the government. Government agencies are often liable for negligent acts of bus accident drivers.
At Joseph Dedvukaj Personal Injury Auto Accident Lawyers, we’re not afraid to take on large corporations, powerful insurers, or even protected government agencies. If you were seriously injured in a bus accident because of the negligence or carelessness of a government employee, rest assured we’ll use all of our knowledge and financial resources at our disposal to help you seek justice.
Call 248-352-2110 or 1-866-HIRE-JOE or complete our Contact Form to schedule a free case review with a top bus accident lawyer in Michigan.
