Topanga Bus Accident Attorney

Buses are a common site throughout California. Hundreds of thousands of commuters use buses each year to travel from place to place. Some buses offer local transit around a city and service commercial districts, while others use buses as their means to commute to and from work. Still others decide to ride on a bus as they travel out of state to see loved ones. 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 years.

The majority of these citizens travel safely while aboard these buses but unfortunately, many suffer injuries each year in California bus crashes. Often these injuries are very severe, in part because passengers do not wear seat belts while riding on most buses. With several bus companies servicing Topanga and California as a whole, it may not be shocking that these bus accidents account for numerous injuries each year and unfortunately some may result in death. If you sustain an injury, be sure to talk to a Topanga bus accident attorney ASAP.

What are some of the common causes of bus crashes?

Bus drivers encounter many of the same challenges as any driver, in addition to a few other unique issues. Some common reasons for bus crashes include:

• Driver distraction-- Motorists who pay more attention to their phones or other electronic devices are more prone to collisions. Because of the amount of occupants on buses, bus drivers also are more prone to passenger distractions than someone 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 might ignore speed limits or road conditions due to inclement weather.
• Vehicle maintenance-- An improperly maintained bus can crash because of a failing part.
• Insufficient training-- Too often, drivers lack proper training on the safest practices for operating a bus. The absence of training or inadequate training can cause a driver mistake that can cause a crash.

What injuries are prevalent in bus accidents?

As with any kind of collision on Topanga streets, the injuries from a bus crash may in part depend on the speed of travel and the size of the other vehicle or vehicles in the crash.

The most prevalent 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 may offer you several civil cases to pursue. The cases available will depend on the circumstances of a specific accident and who is at fault in the crash.

At Fault Third Parties

If another driver causes an accident with a bus while you are an occupant on that bus, you might have a claim against the other motorist for your injuries. If the other motorist does not have sufficient insurance coverage available for all of the injuries sustained in the accident or if the other driver has no insurance available at all, you may also have a right to bring an uninsured or underinsured case 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 collision is because of 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 is 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 through 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 that 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 crash case complicated and complex. Often the more vehicles involved in the collision, the more complex the case( s). This is a reason that when picking a bus accident attorney in Topanga, you want to select one with experience prosecuting personal injury cases.

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 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 lawyer

How much can I recoup financially after a bus crash?

The amount of money you may collect following a bus accident will depend a great deal on the seriousness of your injuries. In general, you may recover the costs of your:

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

Families who have lost a loved one in a Topanga bus accident may also collect for any treatment their loved one sustained prior to passing away along with compensation for funeral and burial expenses, loss of companionship, and other damages. Talk to an experienced Topanga bus accident attorney to learn all of your options.

Have you been hurt in a Topanga Bus Accident?

The Topanga bus crash attorneys at Drake Law Firm will work to help you get the financial recovery that you deserve. Bus accident damages may include: medical expenses, disfigurement, pain and suffering, loss of normal life, loss of income, and more. We additionally seek 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 Topanga, 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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