Studio City Bus Accident Attorney

Have You Been Hurt in a Bus Crash?

Buses are a common site across California. Hundreds of thousands of commuters use buses every year to get from place to place. Some buses provide local transit around a city and service commercial districts, while others use buses as their means 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 every year and that is a pattern that is expected to continue in the coming years.

The majority of these individuals travel safely while aboard these buses but unfortunately, many sustain injuries each year in California bus crashes. Often these injuries are very serious, in part because commuters do not wear seat belts while riding on most buses. With several bus companies servicing Studio City and California as a whole, it might not be surprising that these bus accidents account for numerous injuries each year and unfortunately some may result in death. If you sustain an injury, make sure to consult with a Studio City bus crash attorney ASAP.

What are some of the common reasons for bus crashes?

Bus drivers face a lot of the same challenges as any motorist, plus a few other unique problems. Some common causes of bus accidents include:

• Driver distraction-- Drivers that pay more attention to their phones or other electronic devices are much more prone to crashes. Due to the amount of occupants on buses, bus drivers also are more prone to passenger distractions than someone operating a car.
• Driver fatigue-- Similar to a truck driver, bus drivers have a schedule to meet. This commonly 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 because of a failing component.
• Inadequate training-- Too often, drivers do not have appropriate training on the safest methods for operating a bus. The lack of training or poor training can cause a driver error that can cause a crash.

What injuries are common in bus crashes?

Just like any kind of collision on Studio City 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 collision.

The most common injuries consist of:

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

At Fault Third Parties

If another motorist causes a collision 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 motorist does not have enough insurance coverage available for all of the injuries sustained 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

Alternatively, if the accident is due to a negligent bus driver and you were either a bus passenger or in another vehicle, you may 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 by actions of any drivers, you may have a claim against the:

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

Any bus driver who is hurt in a crash may also have a claim for worker's compensation for their injuries.

The possibility of so many claims makes a bus accident case complicated and complex. Typically the more vehicles involved in the collision, the more complicated the claim(s). This is a reason that when picking a bus accident attorney in Studio City, you want to choose one with experience prosecuting personal injury claims.

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

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

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

How much can I recoup financially after a bus crash?

The amount of money you might receive following a bus crash will depend a lot on the extent of your injuries. Generally, you might recoup the costs of your:

• medical bills
• lost wages
• pain and suffering
• loss of companionship
• lost earning capacity
• damages caused by long-term disability or disfigurement

Families that have lost a loved one in a Studio City bus accident might also collect for any treatment their loved one received before dying as well as compensation for funeral and burial expenses, loss of companionship, and other damages. Speak with an experienced Studio City bus crash lawyer to learn all of your options.

Have you been injured in a Studio City bus accident?

The Studio City bus crash attorneys at Drake Law Firm will strive to help you get the financial recovery that you deserve. Bus crash damages may consist of: medical costs, disfigurement, pain and suffering, loss of normal life, loss of income, and more. We also seek to recuperate present and future expenses when defending a crash 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 a Bus Accident in Studio City, 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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