Understanding Sovereign Immunity in Tennessee
Tennessee is served by several public bus systems. The Nashville MTA, for example, is an independent public authority created by State Legislation. Every year, more than 850,000 passenger trips are completed on the Nashville MTA. The Knoxville Area Transit is another bus system serving the Knoxville metro area. If you have been hurt on a public bus in Tennessee, you may be suffering from injuries and may be facing high medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and lost wages due to missed days from work. However, unlike typical personal injury law cases, individuals may have a harder time pursuing a claim against a public entity or government-run bus system. Why? Government agencies and public workers are protected from lawsuits under the legal principle of sovereign immunity. Under sovereign immunity, the government cannot be sued without its consent.
Tennessee is a state where sovereign immunity laws can make your bus accident claim more complex. Under Tennessee law, the government doesn’t automatically waive its right to claims made against the state. Instead, the Tennessee Claims Commission hears claims made against the state. Individuals injured by a public bus driver or by another driver working for the government must pursue their claim with the commission. Individuals must submit written notification to the Tennessee Claims Commission.
The process of pursuing a lawsuit for your bus accident injury can be more complicated when the state is involved. This is why you need a bus accident attorney on your side who understands Tennessee sovereign immunity. USAttorneys.com can connect you with a qualified lawyer near you.
Were Your Injuries the Direct Result of a Bus Accident in Tennessee?
In many cases, bus accidents often bring about much more destruction and damage than the average vehicular accident. With their immense size and weight, and the fact that most do not possess safety belts, there is a chance that the injuries a victim will sustain will be much more severe. There are many types of injuries a person can suffer from after being in a bus crash. Some include:
- Back or neck injuries
- Limb loss
- Brain trauma
- Concussion
- Memory loss
- Whiplash
- Burns
- Deep cuts
- Fractures
- Post-traumatic stress
- Paralysis
Many individuals who survive bus accidents suffer major disability or injury. Therefore, if you were injured in a bus accident, it is time you stand up for what you are entitled to receive. When filing a bus accident lawsuit in the state of Tennessee, it is important to understand the procedures you must follow. In many cases, if the accident was brought on by a MTA bus or any other bus transit system, the government is the entity that you will pursue. However, if you were injured in a private or charter bus crash, you may pursue a claim against the driver, or bus company, or seek a claim from the insurance company. Private bus companies may be required to hold insurance policies as high as $5 million. However, the claims process can sometimes be complex. Bus drivers are required to abide by local and federal laws. Not only must they hold proper commercial driver’s licenses, but they must also follow federal hours of service laws, and pass medical tests in order to qualify for a license. When drivers or companies cut corners or break the law, accidents can occur. You need a bus accident attorney in Tennessee who understands the claims process and who can seek damages from all stakeholders. USAttorneys.com can connect you with a qualified bus accident lawyer today to help you seek the compensation you may be entitled to receive.
There are many factors that your bus accident attorney in Tennessee must consider. It may take some time to review your claim and you may only have a limited amount of time to make a claim. You must act now. Contact USAttorneys.com to learn about how you can find a bus accident attorney who is most suitable for your case.
If you or a family member is a victim of a Tennessee bus accident, USAttorneys.com may be able to help you file a claim. Get a free, no-obligation consultation from one of our Tennessee bus accident lawyers who can answer your questions. To schedule an evaluation, call us at 1-800-672-3103.
