Do You Need the Legal Services of a Bus Accident Lawyer?

When we board the city bus or put our children on the school bus, we entrust the bus drivers, bus companies, school officials, and other parties involved in the operation of buses to perform their duties properly. Despite this, bus accidents are fairly common in California.

If you or a loved one have been injured in a bus crash, you may be forced to contend with physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, lost wages, and other consequences as a result of the accident. It is wrong for bus accident victims, and their families should be the ones responsible for these damages. Experienced California personal injury attorneys will help you fight for the compensation you deserve in your bus accident case.

The bus accident attorneys of our law firm are prepared to fight on your behalf in pursuit of financial recovery and justice in your case. We have represented numerous personal injury cases from our Chino Hills law offices, including complex bus accident cases involving school buses, city buses, and more.

To learn more about our legal services, we encourage prospective new clients to contact our California law office to schedule a free, no-obligation case evaluation to discuss their case in more detail.

What Should You Do After a Bus Collision?

Immediately after a bus accident, you should seek emergency medical attention. Victims of California bus accidents often fail to seek medical care because they assume that their injuries are not serious enough to warrant medical aid. However, some injuries may be latent or hidden, only announcing themselves much later. If you do not seek medical attention, your personal injury claim could be dismissed or devalued.

Ensure you take photos and videos of the accident scene as evidence for your case. These, along with medical records, police reports, eyewitness testimonies, and other accounts, will be invaluable to your bus accident claim.

While awaiting emergency services and law enforcement personnel to arrive at the bus accident scene, collect witness information and any information you can about the bus driver (including their badge number) and the bus company. Ensure that you are formally documented as a passenger on the bus or as another party involved in the bus accident.

You do not need to give statements to the bus driver, insurance company representatives, or the bus company. If they have questions for you, pass them along to your personal injury attorney instead.

If you have not done so already, now is the time to contact a bus accident lawyer to discuss your case. With the help of our highly skilled legal team, we can help you pursue full and fair settlement amounts for your bus accident claim. Schedule a free consultation with our law firm today.

What Types of Vehicles Are Considered Buses?

Several different types of motor vehicles are defined as buses in the state of California.

These include:

  • Airport shuttles.
  • Charter buses.
  • City buses.
  • Commuter buses.
  • Federal, state, and county government buses.
  • Large vans.
  • Long-haul buses.
  • Mobile homes or RVs.
  • Party buses.
  • School buses.
  • Tour buses.

What Are Common Causes for Bus Accidents in California?

Bus accidents, like all motor vehicle accidents, can occur in many ways. Causes of bus accidents in California often include the following:

  • Adverse weather conditions.
  • Bus driver negligence.
  • Dangerous lane changes.
  • Dangerous road conditions.
  • Disobeying the rules of the road or ignoring traffic signals.
  • Distracted driving.
  • Driving over the speed limit.
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
  • Drowsy driving and driver fatigue.
  • Errors made during embarking or disembarking passengers.
  • Failing to watch for pedestrians.
  • Failure to yield to the right of way.
  • Improper bus driver training.
  • Inadequate bus maintenance.
  • Negligence of third parties involved in the accident.
  • Sudden stops.
  • Tailgating and driving too close to lead vehicles.
  • Texting while driving.
  • Vehicle defects and mechanical failures.

What Are Common Bus Accident Injuries?

Bus accidents can cause many of the same injuries as car accidents. However, because of the sheer size and weight of most buses, the injuries can tend to be more severe.

Common bus accident injuries include the following:

  • Broken bones and bone fractures.
  • Complete or partial paralysis.
  • Concussions.
  • Cuts, lacerations, and bruising.
  • Dismemberment.
  • Head trauma.
  • Organ damage and internal bleeding.
  • Psychological pain and suffering.
  • Scarring or disfigurement.
  • Severe burns.
  • Soft tissue injuries.
  • Spinal cord injuries.
  • Traumatic brain injuries.
  • Vision loss or hearing loss.
  • Whiplash.

What Are the Legal Options Available to Bus Accident Victims?

Bus accident victims have two primary legal options for taking action and seeking compensation.

Either the bus accident victim could settle their claim with the bus companies or bus driver’s insurance provider, or they could opt to file a lawsuit with the courts.

If the insurance company provider offers you a settlement, you are within your rights to accept it. However, the settlement amount is often less than what you could potentially recover with a personal injury lawsuit.

Who May Be Held Liable in a California Bus Accident Case?

It is necessary to identify the liable parties involved in your bus accident case. Your California bus accident attorney can help make a list of all possible at-fault parties and then attempt to prove their negligence in order to recover compensation.

More than one party can be held legally accountable for your damages after a bus collision in California.

Possible liable parties to your bus accident case include the following:

  • A private bus company.
  • The government.
  • A private school.
  • Third-party drivers.
  • Vehicle manufacturers.
  • The bus driver.

Can You Recover Compensation in a Bus Accident Case?

With a strong bus accident case, you can recover compensation for your injuries and other losses. This settlement may include both economic and non-economic damages.

Compensatory damages you may recover in your case include the following:

  • Past medical bills and future medical expenses.
  • Lost wages and lost income earning capacity.
  • Physical therapy expenses.
  • Lost quality of life.
  • Disability, dismemberment, or disfigurement.
  • Property damage.
  • Loss of companionship or consortium.
  • Funeral expenses.
  • Emotional distress.
  • Physical pain and suffering.
  • Wrongful death.

Schedule a Free Consultation with Experienced Bus Accident Lawyers Today

The Paris firm proudly serves personal injury victims in California, including those negatively impacted by bus crashes. To learn more about your bus accident case and your potential for maximizing compensation with a personal injury claim, please get in touch with our law office to schedule your free case review today.

You may reach us at 909-325-6185.