Brain Injuries from Bus Accidents

In many urban cities, especially Las Vegas and Los Angeles, there are several thousand large buses driving on the road. This can include tour buses, hotel shuttles, school buses, and city buses. Although it is a safer way than driving on the road in a car, bus accidents are still very common and can end in serious injuries like permanent brain injuries. Between the years 2008 to 2017, there were about 1,600 people killed in bus accidents. 70% of those were passengers of the bus. If you find yourself in this type of accident, it is advised to seek experienced bus accident attorneys immediately. Is unfortunate to see many bus accident passengers not get the reimbursement they need for their medical care.

Brain Injuries

When a bus driver slams on the brakes, many passengers are pushed forward. Due to the sudden movement, they usually will be thrown forward or to the ground, making it more likely for their head to hit the seat in front, or fall on the floor. This results in serious brain injuries. Brain injuries could range from having effects that last a couple weeks to a couple years. It is advised that you seek medical care immediately. Signs of a brain injury may include, but are not limited to:

• Headaches
• Problems remembering things
• Nausea
• Dizziness

Damages for brain injuries can include lost wages, medical bills, and future therapy. Our attorneys advise that you hire an experienced attorney that knows the law of the location where the accident occurred. It is also advised to hire an attorney who has brought a lawsuit against this type of company before. For example, if the lawsuit is brought against a government entity, it is important that your bus accident attorney is knowledgeable about bringing such a claim to court.

Other than brain injuries, this type of abrupt movement could also lead to back injuries and spine injuries. If you experience any of these injuries, please contact us for a consultation.

Filing a Bus Accident Brain Injury

If you decide to pursue a lawsuit against the bus company, it is important to keep in mind that a lawsuit against a government entity should be brought within six months. That is why it is important to seek the advice of an experienced bus accident attorney in Los Angeles as soon as possible after the accident.

Pedestrians’ Brain Injuries

Another bus accident that can lead to brain injuries include pedestrians. A pedestrian may be walking on the street when a bus driving at fast speeds hits the Pedestrian with their side mirror. This can lead to very severe brain injuries and plaintiffs should seek medical care immediately.

Causes of Bus Accident Brain Injuries

• Fatigue: a bus driver may be fatigued from driving long hours during the day
• Speeding: the bus driver may be speeding at exceedingly high rates that are dangerous for a bus to go at
• Distracted driving: the bus driver may be looking down at their phone or distracted by another passenger
• Conditions of the road: the road may not be maintained properly or weather conditions may make it difficult to drive

Tour Bus Accidents in California

Although not that common, tour bus accidents also have major fatalities. For example, in 2016, a tour bus was in an accident with a tractor trailer near the city of Palm Springs in California. 12 passengers passed away due to the accident, and many riders of the tour bus were left injured.

The bus was returning to Los Angeles from the Palm Springs area from a casino for its tourists. The crash occurred at 5 a.m. in the morning as tourists were getting ready to return back home. The National Transportation Safety Board was responsible for investigating the cause of the accident. They had stated that a main cause of the accident was because it was in the early hours and the driver had been tired. The driver was determined to be sleep deprived. Further, he had lied on his driving records stating that he had driven minimal hours in order to be able to continue driving. Usually, bus drivers have a maximum number of hours they can drive without a break. The bus was driving at a faster speed than the tractor trailer, and so the bus ended up breaking off into several pieces. The driver was then arrested for vehicular manslaughter.

Tour Bus Accidents in Las Vegas

Tour bus accidents are most common in populated cities and states. For example, in May of 2021, a tour bus had flipped on its side on its way from Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon. The bus veered off the road and went airborne for a couple seconds until it had flipped over. Fortunately, there were no fatalities, but almost all drivers suffered some type of severe injuries. For example, many suffered bone fractures. Others even suffered force trauma to their head. After investigation, they also determined that the bus driver had fallen asleep while driving. Further, there were gusty winds that day that made it difficult to drive in that condition.

Preventing Bus Accidents

It is more difficult to prevent bus accidents than car accidents due to the lack of seat belts. Some buses may have seat belts, but not all states make bus seat belts mandatory. However, there should be some type of handlebar or strap that riders could hold onto to prevent any injuries from any sudden movements. Oftentimes, insurance companies get involved in order to downplay the injuries and minimize the cost the defendant has to pay.

Bus Accident Attorneys

Our experienced bus accident attorneys at Heidari Law Group have offices in major cities in California and Nevada. Offices include Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Sacramento, and Irvine. It is important to seek the assistance of an experienced attorney when filing a bus accident lawsuit. Our attorneys will work to make sure you receive the maximum compensation available for your head injuries. We understand this is one of our clients’ top priorities. Although not as common as car accidents, bus accidents usually end up in a more dangerous conditions, with the bus usually mangled up due to its large size.

Questions to Ask When Looking for a Bus Accident Attorney

How much experience does this attorney have in dealing with bus accidents?

How did the other cases end up?

Has this attorney brought a lawsuit against a government entity before?

How will the attorney be paid?

What type of claim will be brought against the other party?

Contact an Experienced Bus Accident Attorney Today

If you or a loved one have suffered injuries from a bus accident, contact our veteran team of bus accident attorneys today for a free consultation today. A bus accident could lead to several different legal topics, such as drunk driving, carelessness, or due to a pedestrian crossing the road. We will take a look at the elements of your claim after reviewing your case. Most likely, the legal claim will negligence. During your consultation, we will listen to your case and determine the next possible moves on how to move forward with your bus accident claim.