Bus Accident Lawyers

Bus Accident Lawyers

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 90,000 injuries occur each year from bus accidents. There are several types of buses operating in California and Nevada, including tour buses, school buses, vacation buses, and public transit buses. Around 100 fatalities result from just school bus accidents in a single year in the United States.

With so many buses on the road, the possibility of being involved in a bus accident increases greatly. But buses are more likely to operate on inner-city streets than on freeways. Bus accidents are, therefore, more likely to occur on streets near intersections. But this means the likelihood of bus-pedestrian and bus-bicycle collisions is very high. 

If you have been injured in a bus accident, contact us today to discuss your potential lawsuit. If you have lost a loved one in an accident, our wrongful death attorneys can assist you every step of the way.

Common Bus Accident Causes

Bus accidents can be caused by driver negligence, such as:

• Driver fatigue
• Negligent driving
• Driver inexperience in operating large vehicles
• Speeding or aggressive driving
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Texting and driving 
• Talking and driving
• Eating and driving 
• Not following stop signs and red lights
• Not giving the right of way to pedestrians
• Speeding 

Other factors that are not immediately thought of as a cause in a bus accident include:

• Improper vehicle maintenance
• Mechanical failure
• Defective bus parts

Who Can I File a Lawsuit Against for My Bus Accident Injuries?

The accident largely determines the party you can file a lawsuit against for your bus injuries. A highly-rated bus accident attorney will help you decide which party is mostly responsible for your injuries. In some cases, there could be multiple parties accountable for your bus accident injuries. Please speak with our lawyers one-on-one to discuss how we can identify the negligent parties.

• Bus drivers are among the most common negligent parties involved in bus accidents. If the bus driver’s negligence contributed to the bus accident, you could file a lawsuit against the driver of the bus. However, the bus driver may be an employee of a company or organization.
• Bus company: the bus company, organization, or operator may be held responsible for its employees’ negligent actions, such as texting while driving or running red lights. To hold the company accountable, you must show that the driver wasn’t an employee and was working at the time of the accident.
• Government entities: Sometimes, they may be held responsible for poor road conditions. For example, the Department of Transportation could be held accountable if one of its duties were to maintain public roads and the road’s condition contributed to the accident.
• Other pedestrians: if a pedestrian was in the bus driver’s path and the driver swerved to avoid a collision with another vehicle, the pedestrian could be held responsible.
• Other drivers: if another driver collided with the bus while the bus driver was driving safely, the other driver may be held responsible. The other driver’s insurer may step in, and you could file a claim with their insurer.

Common Injuries from Bus Accidents

Injuries sustained from bus accidents can be devastating for victims and their families. Many buses are traveling at high rates of speed and may not be equipped with seatbelts, leaving passengers with debilitating injuries or even death when a collision occurs.

Injuries from bus accidents can often include:

• Traumatic brain injuries – During an accident, it’s not uncommon for someone’s head to collide with other objects, creating the opportunity for serious brain injuries to occur. These types of injuries can produce nausea, difficulty speaking or concentrating, severe dizziness, depression, and death. Victims who suffer a brain injury may require around-the-clock care for the rest of their lives.
• Broken bones – Bus accidents can involve a lot of force. Passengers may be thrown around and may collide with various parts of the bus interior or even be thrown out of the bus. Bus crashes are often physically violent incidents that can leave victims crushed or disfigured with many broken bones that require months to heal.
• Burn injuries – In the case of some bus crashes, vehicle fires, or explosions can occur. These events can leave passengers with severe burn injuries, which may require extensive skin graft surgeries to treat. These events are rare in bus accidents but can result in some of the worst outcomes for those involved.

What Should I Do If I Have Been Involved in a Bus Accident?

If you are unfortunate enough to find yourself involved in a bus crash, the first two things that you should do are call 911 and seek medical treatment. First responders will be able to provide medical attention to those in need and provide an official account of the accident scene. As much as possible, document the crash scene by taking photos and obtaining contact information from witnesses and other people involved in the accident.

Be sure to follow the recommendations from medical professionals in this situation, as failure to do so can provide an insurer with grounds to deny your claim.

Before speaking to any insurance companies about the accident, it’s a good idea to get in contact with a personal injury lawyer who has experience with these types of accidents.

Litigation Process in Bus Accident Cases:

When pursuing litigation after a bus accident, the process typically involves several steps, beginning with an investigation to identify liable parties. This is followed by the accumulation of evidence, including medical records and witness statements. Once the liable parties are established, legal representatives may enter negotiations for a settlement. If a settlement is not reached, the case may proceed to trial, where evidence is presented and a judgment made. Throughout this process, legal representation is crucial in navigating the complexities and advocating for the victim’s best interests.

Preventative Measures for Bus Safety:

Preventing bus accidents requires a multifaceted approach: strict adherence to vehicle maintenance schedules, comprehensive training for bus drivers, and rigorous enforcement of road safety regulations. Technology, such as vehicle telematics, can help monitor and preempt potential issues. Public awareness campaigns on road safety and stricter enforcement of traffic violations could significantly reduce the risk of bus accidents, improving safety for all road users.

Commonly Asked Questions

Speak with a Bus Accident Attorney Today

A reputable personal injury lawyer can help you sort out which costs you may be entitled to recover and help you throughout the process of filing a claim. Hiring an accident lawyer can also significantly affect the size of the settlement.

The California personal injury attorneys at Heidari Law Group have handled numerous car crash cases. If you need the help of an experienced law firm, let us build the support for your accident claim. Give us a call at 1-833-225-5454 for a free consultation.