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While buses are a helpful mode of transportation, their sheer size means that collisions often result in fatal injuries to pedestrians, passengers, and other motorists on the road. If your loved one was killed in a Michigan fatal bus accident, a compassionate lawyer might be able to help during this difficult time.

Losing a loved one is never easy, especially when their passing is the result of another person’s careless or reckless behavior. While pursuing compensation might seem overwhelming or even insignificant, you might be facing financial trouble and unsure of how to make up for lost income.

By working with a compassionate attorney, you could understand your legal rights and determine if filing a claim is right for you. If so, a legal professional at Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. could guide you through each step.

Who is Eligible to File a Claim?

Following a fatal bus accident, it is important for surviving family members of the decedent to understand who is eligible to file a claim in Michigan. According to Michigan Compiled Law §600.2922(2), the decedent’s personal representative has the sole authority to file a lawsuit on their behalf.

In some instances, the deceased will have named a personal representative in their will. If not, however, the court may appoint a person to fill this role. Furthermore, the aforementioned statute also outlines who may be eligible to receive compensation in a claim. These parties are generally limited to:

  • Spouses
  • Children
  • Descendants
  • Parents
  • Grandparents
  • Siblings

The state places no limits on the amount of compensation available in a wrongful death claim. Instead, juries have the authorization to issue payments that they consider to be fair and equitable for each case. This might include compensation for medical and funeral bills, pain and suffering endured by the deceased, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship, among others. A knowledgeable lawyer could help to explain the nuances of how compensation is granted in deadly bus accident claims within Michigan.

Determining When to File a Deadly Bus Crash Claim

It is important for anyone seeking compensation to understand when it is appropriate to file a lawsuit after losing a loved one to a fatal bus accident in Michigan. Essentially, for a successful claim, it must be demonstrated that another person, business, or entity was at fault.

According to Mich. Comp. Law §600.2922(1), a wrongful death lawsuit is appropriate when the circumstances that led to the death would have given rise to an injury lawsuit—had the victim survived. Therefore, within the context of a bus crash, if a bus driver or bus company is to blame for a crash, there are likely legal grounds for a lawsuit.

Even when a claim is valid, it is important for any potential plaintiff to file a timely claim. According to Mich. Comp. Law §600.5805, lawsuits filed for fatal bus crashes or other accidents must file a claim within two years of the date of the incident. While exceptions might exist for this timeframe, the surviving family member’s looking to pursue a civil lawsuit might benefit from the counsel of a tenacious lawyer.

How a Michigan Fatal Bus Accident Attorney Might Help

If your loved one was killed in a deadly collision involving a bus, you are likely to be traumatized and unsure of how to proceed. However, by reaching out to a lawyer who is familiar with Michigan fatal bus accident cases, you could have help during this difficult time.

While no amount of compensation can bring them back, filing a lawsuit against a negligent bus driver or another person might help to ease your financial strain and allow you to focus on spending time with your family. To begin working on a claim, call a caring attorney at Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. whenever you feel ready.

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