Reseda Bus Crash Lawyer

Buses are a common site across California. Hundreds of thousands of passengers use buses each year to travel from place to place. Some buses offer local transportation around a city and service commercial districts, while others use buses as their way to commute to and from work. Still others choose to ride on a bus as they travel out of state to see family or friends. Whatever the reason, California residents are boarding buses in large numbers every year and that is a pattern that is expected to continue in the coming decades.

The majority of these residents travel safely while aboard these buses but unfortunately, many suffer injuries each year in California bus accidents. Often these injuries are very serious, partially because commuters do not use seat belts while riding on most buses. With a number of bus companies servicing Reseda and California in its entirety, it might not be shocking that these bus crashes account for many injuries each year and unfortunately some may result in death. If you suffer an injury, make sure to talk to a Reseda bus crash lawyer ASAP.

What are some of the common reasons for bus accidents?

Bus drivers face many of the same challenges as any motorist, in addition to some other unique problems. Some common causes of bus accidents involve:

• Driver distraction-- Motorists that pay more attention to their phones or various other electronic devices are much more prone to collisions. Due to the number of passengers on buses, bus drivers also are more prone to passenger distractions than somebody operating a car.
• Driver fatigue-- Much like a truck driver, bus drivers have a schedule to meet. This frequently means they work long hours without taking adequate breaks. The loud atmosphere of a bus can also wear on a driver.
• Speeding-- To make their scheduled stops, drivers might ignore speed limits or road conditions because of inclement weather.
• Vehicle maintenance-- A poorly maintained bus can crash due to a failing part.
• Inadequate training-- Too often, drivers lack appropriate training on the safest practices for operating a bus. The lack of training or inadequate training can result in a driver error that can cause an accident.

What injuries are prevalent in bus crashes?

As with any type of collision on Reseda roads, the injuries from a bus accident might partially depend on the speed of travel and the size of the other vehicle or vehicles in the crash.

The most prevalent injuries include:

• Fractures (broken bones) that require surgical repair
• Head and brain injuries
• Back & neck injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Scars and lacerations
• Wrongful Death

What Legal Rights are Available to a Bus Accident Victim?

As a bus crash victim, the law might offer you one or more civil cases to pursue. The claims available will depend on the circumstances of a specific accident and who is at fault in the accident.

At Fault Third Parties

If another driver causes a crash with a bus while you are an occupant on that bus, you may have a claim against the other driver for your injuries. If the other driver does not have sufficient insurance coverage available for all of the injuries suffered in the crash or if the other driver has no insurance available at all, you might also have a right to bring an uninsured or underinsured claim against your own insurance company or the bus company itself, if there is UM coverage available.

At Fault Bus Driver

On the other hand, if the accident is because of a negligent bus driver and you were either a bus passenger or in another vehicle, you might have a claim against the bus driver and the bus company. This holds true even if the bus owner is a municipality, like a city bus used for public transportation.

Safety Defects on a Bus

Finally, if the collision is caused by some defect in the bus itself and not by actions of any drivers, you might have a claim against the:

• manufacturer of the bus
• seller of the bus
• owner/operator of the bus
• anybody that performed negligent maintenance while servicing the bus

Any bus driver that is injured in an accident might also have a claim for worker's compensation for their injuries.

The possibility of so many claims makes a bus crash case complicated and complex. Often the more vehicles involved in the collision, the more complicated the claim( s). This is a reason that when picking a bus accident lawyer in Reseda, you want to select one with experience prosecuting personal injury cases.

What do I do after I'm involved in a bus crash?

You may be rattled and in a state of shock after being involved in a bus crash. However there are a few important things that you need to do before leaving the scene.

• Call 911
• Get witness information
• Seek medical care
• Call a bus accident attorney

How much can I recover financially after a bus crash?

The amount of money you may collect after a bus crash will depend a lot on the severity of your injuries. Generally, you might recover the costs of your:

• medical expenses
• lost income
• pain and suffering
• loss of companionship
• lost earning capacity
• damages caused by irreversible disability or disfigurement

Families who have lost a loved one in a Reseda bus crash might also collect for any care their loved one received before passing away along with compensation for funeral and burial costs, loss of companionship, and other damages. Talk to an expert Reseda bus accident attorney to learn all of your options.

Have you been hurt in a Reseda Bus Accident?

The Reseda bus crash lawyers at Drake Law Firm will work to help you receive the financial recovery that you are entitled to. Bus crash damages might include: medical expenses, disfigurement, pain and suffering, loss of normal life, loss of income, and much more. We also aim to recover present and future costs when representing an accident victim.

At Drake Law Firm, we've assisted numerous personal injury clients to get the compensation they require to recover. We won't let you accept unfair treatment from other law firms and we will defend you from beginning to end. If you need help with Bus Accidents in Reseda, California, give us a call at (844) 513-7253 for a FREE consultation or visit our website at DrakeLawGroup.com to get started on your case today! 

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