Los Angeles Bus Accident Attorney
Bus travel plays a huge role in California's transportation system, especially in its highly populated areas. Los Angeles has the largest transit system in the state, with LA Metro buses alone carrying about 800,000 passengers each day.
Additionally, interstate carriers and charter buses regularly transport thousands of people within and across the state. While most of these trips are uneventful, a bus accident can have life-altering consequences for victims and their families.
Whether you were a passenger, a pedestrian, or another driver, being involved in a bus crash is a traumatic experience, often leaving victims with serious injuries, considerable medical expenses, and emotional scars.
Every day, people throughout Los Angeles County rely on public transportation, especially buses, to get around. Buses help relieve the congested traffic off the roads and highways and are an environmentally friendly mode of transportation.
Unfortunately, given their size, buses can cause serious devastation when involved in an accident. Although buses are designed and built with passenger safety in mind, accidents are a common occurrence on the roads and freeways.
Our law firm has a proven track record of handling cases involving bus accidents caused by distracted driving, texting while driving and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. We have successfully secured compensation for victims of defective vehicle components, including faulty brakes, windows, seats, etc.
Other bus accident cases involve unsafe road conditions, such as road defects or potholes. Reckless driving, including speeding, failing to yield, failing to check blind spots, and other traffic violations, are also a factor in bus accidents. If you or a loved one was injured in a bus accident, you may have the right to pursue compensation to help cover your losses.
Whether an accident results from driver negligence, mechanical failure, or systemic flaws, our lawyers at Injury Justice Law Firm can evaluate your case, examine the evidence, and seek compensation on your behalf from those responsible for the crash. We will guide you through the legal process, from filing a claim to negotiating with insurance companies or representing you in court if necessary.
Having a dedicated legal team on your side can provide you with the reassurance and support you need during this challenging time. We represent any party who has been injured in a bus accident in Los Angeles, including passengers, bus drivers, pedestrians, and drivers who have been struck by a bus.
From school children, senior citizens, and everyday commuters to other drivers on the roads, we are deeply committed to representing clients from all walks of life. We believe that everyone deserves the right to pursue just compensation for their injuries, and we are here to help you do just that.
What are Common Injuries in Bus Accidents?
Bus accidents can lead to a wide variety of injuries, ranging from minor to catastrophic. Unlike passenger vehicles, buses rely on safety features such as size and compartmentalization.
However, these features often need to be improved to guarantee passenger safety, especially during high-impact collisions. Some of the most common injuries include:
- Head and Brain Injuries: Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are prevalent in bus accidents due to sudden jolts or impacts. Even a mild concussion can have long-lasting effects, while severe TBIs can result in permanent disability.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Damage to the spinal cord or vertebrae is another frequent consequence. These injuries can lead to chronic pain, limited mobility, or even paralysis, profoundly impacting a victim's quality of life.
- Internal Injuries: The impact of a collision can cause internal organ damage or internal bleeding, which may not be immediately apparent but can be life-threatening if untreated.
- Bone Fractures and Dislocations: The force of a bus crash often throws passengers against seats, windows, or walls, leading to broken bones or dislocations. These injuries may require extensive treatment, including surgery and rehabilitation.
What are the Common Causes of Bus Accidents?
Understanding the reasons behind a bus accident is vital for assessing liability and building strong legal claims. Some of the most common causes of bus accidents include:
- Driver Negligence: Distracted driving, speeding, fatigue, or operating the vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol are frequent causes.
- Poor Vehicle Maintenance: Buses require regular inspections and maintenance, including brakes, tires, steering systems, and other essential components. Neglecting this upkeep can result in mechanical failure.
- Defective Parts: Sometimes, a defect in the bus's design or manufacturing contributes to an accident. Common issues include brake malfunctions or tire blowouts.
- Other Drivers: The actions of other drivers on the road, such as reckless lane changes or failing to yield, can trigger a bus accident.
In California, a bus accident victim may be entitled to both economic and non-economic damages. An attorney can help estimate the total amount of damages you should request.
Economic damages are monetary losses that can be easily verified or calculated. Medical bills, lost wages, and the cost of repairs to your vehicle are common forms of economic damage. Non-economic damages are more subjective losses that are considered non-monetary.
They include compensation for emotional distress, loss of society or companionship, and pain and suffering.
Types of Bus Accidents
- Greyhound and tour Bus accidents. Some of the worst accidents involve Greyhounds and other tour buses because they usually carry a large number of passengers and travel long distances; the results can be catastrophic. Often, the cause of the accidents is driver fatigue or exhaustion. Greyhound and tour bus operators may be required to drive overnight to arrive at their destination.
- School bus accidents. School children are particularly vulnerable to accidents because they are unrestrained in the bus. Even minor accidents can cause serious injury or death to young kids. Sometimes, school children are injured when they are loading and unloading. If your child is injured while riding a school bus, it might be the school board or another government entity that can be held responsible.
- Public transportation bus accidents. Several public bus fleets operate in LA County, including the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Metro buses, the City of Los Angeles Transportation (LADOT) Dash buses, and the Flyaway bus service. If you are involved in a public transportation bus accident, you must act quickly as you only have a limited amount of time to file a claim for damages. Whether you were a passenger, pedestrian, or another motorist injured in the accident, you should always speak to a lawyer.
Government-Owned Buses and Claims for Compensation
A significant percentage of buses in California operate under government entities. This includes public transit systems, school buses, and even intercity routes. Suing a government entity for a bus accident differs significantly from pursuing a claim against a private individual or company.
California law sets strict guidelines for filing claims against public entities. Victims must typically file a written claim within six months of the accident. The claim process involves submitting a formal notice detailing the incident, injuries, and requested damages.
Please meet this deadline to avoid forfeiting your right to compensation. Due to these procedural requirements, cases involving government-owned buses require careful navigation of complex administrative rules and adherence to tight timelines. Legal representation is often critical in ensuring your claim is properly handled.
Determining Fault in Bus Accidents
If you are involved in a bus accident, one of the first things you may ask is who can be held liable for your injuries. Depending on the situation, you might be able to hold one or more parties liable for your injuries, including the bus driver, the bus company, a government entity, or the bus manufacturer.
California is a pure comparative negligence state, meaning legal fault can be shared and assigned in percentages. Thus, identifying who is at fault in a bus accident can be extremely complex as multiple parties may be involved. These may include, but are not limited to:
- Bus Drivers: If the driver was operating the bus negligently, they might bear responsibility.
- Bus Companies: Employers are often held accountable for the actions of their drivers. If the company hired an unqualified driver, failed to enforce safety protocols or neglected maintenance, they could be found liable.
- Manufacturers: If a defective part contributed to the crash, the manufacturer could be held accountable.
- Government Entities: When the accident involves a publicly owned bus, such as those operated by a city or county transit system, government agencies may share fault if inadequate training, poor maintenance, or unsafe road conditions contributed to the accident.
- Third Parties: Depending on the specific factors involved in the collision, other drivers or entities could also share blame.
How We Can Help
Because bus accidents can be complicated, determining fault and obtaining compensation can be very challenging without the right legal team in place. At Injury Justice Law Firm, we have extensive experience with accidents involving mass transportation and a strong working knowledge of the laws pertaining to compensation.
We will work on your behalf to examine the evidence, determine fault, file timely claims against government entities, if applicable, and pursue all other measures to help you receive the full compensation allowed by law. For more information, contact our catastrophic injury lawyers based in Los Angeles, CA.
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