San Fernando Valley Bus Crash Attorney

Have You Been Hurt in a Bus Accident?

Buses are a common site throughout California. Hundreds of thousands of commuters use buses every year to get 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 citizens are boarding buses in large numbers each year and that is a trend that is expected to continue in the coming decades.

The majority of these individuals travel safely while aboard these buses but unfortunately, many suffer injuries every year in California bus accidents. Often these injuries are very severe, partially because commuters do not use seat belts while riding on most buses. With several bus companies servicing San Fernando Valley and California in its entirety, it may not be shocking that these bus crashes account for many injuries annually and unfortunately some may result in death. If you suffer an injury, make sure to speak with a San Fernando Valley bus crash attorney ASAP.

What are some of the common causes of bus crashes?

Bus drivers encounter a lot of the same challenges as any driver, plus some other unique issues. Some common reasons for bus accidents include:

• Driver distraction-- Drivers that pay more attention to their phones or various other electronic devices are much more prone to accidents. Due to the amount 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 often 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 may disregard speed limits or road conditions because of inclement weather.
• Vehicle maintenance-- An improperly maintained bus can crash due to a failing part.
• Insufficient training-- Too often, drivers do not have appropriate training on the safest methods for operating a bus. The absence of training or poor training can lead to a driver error that can cause an accident.

What injuries are common in bus crashes?

As with any kind of accident on San Fernando Valley roadways, the injuries from a bus accident may in part depend on the speed of travel and the size of the other vehicle or vehicles in the collision.

The most prevalent injuries consist of:

• Fractures (broken bones) that need 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 Crash Victim?

As a bus crash victim, the law might offer you several civil claims to pursue. The cases available will rely on the circumstances of a particular crash and who is at fault in the accident.

At Fault Third Parties

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

At Fault Bus Driver

Alternatively, if the collision is due to a negligent bus driver and you were either a bus occupant 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

Lastly, if the collision is caused by some defect in the bus itself and not through 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 hurt in a collision may 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 crash, the more complex the claim( s). This is a reason that when selecting a bus accident attorney in San Fernando Valley, you want to select one with experience prosecuting personal injury claims.

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

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

• Call 911
• Get witness information
• Seek medical care
• Get in touch with a bus accident lawyer

How much can I recover financially after a bus crash?

The amount of money you might collect after a bus crash will depend a great deal on the seriousness of your injuries. Generally, you might recover the costs of your:

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

Families that have lost a loved one in a San Fernando Valley bus accident might also collect for any treatment their loved one sustained before passing away as well as compensation for funeral and burial costs, loss of companionship, and various other damages. Talk to an experienced San Fernando Valley bus accident attorney to learn all of your options.

Have you been hurt in a San Fernando Valley Bus Accident?

The San Fernando Valley bus crash lawyers at Drake Law Firm will strive to help you obtain the financial recovery that you deserve. Bus accident damages may consist of: medical costs, disfigurement, pain and suffering, loss of normal life, loss of income, and much more. We additionally look to recuperate present and future costs when defending 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 Accident Lawyer in San Fernando Valley, 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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