Millions Recovered for Auto Accident Victims

Buses are a popular form of transportation used by schools, local cities, and private tour and charter companies. As statistics from the U.S. DOT show, however, buses are frequently involved in accidents that have serious consequences for those involved: 

• Buses are involved in roughly 15,000 traffic crashes annually, many of which result in serious injuries or wrongful death.
• Fatal crashes involving buses and large trucks rose by nearly 50% from 2009 to 2018.
• On average, school buses account for 40% of all buses involved in fatal crashes. Private transit buses and city buses account for 35% and 12%, respectively.

If you or someone you love has been hurt in an accident involving a school bus, charter bus, or transit system bus such as the San Joaquin RTD, you may have the right to a financial recovery of your damages. Drake Law Firm is an award-winning personal injury practice that has recovered millions of dollars for victims. We can help you learn more about your rights and options during a FREE consultation.

Drake Law Firm: A Proven Personal Injury Practice

Our attorneys, paralegals, and support staff draw from over 100 years of collective experience to help victims navigate the personal injury claim process. We only handle personal injury and wrongful death cases and have the experience to tackle event the toughest of claims.

Led by Attorney Benjamin Drake, we know how to fight back against insurance companies that care more about profits than people. In fact, our firm has recovered more than $150 million in compensation for our clients, including millions for victims injured in motor vehicle accidents.

Some of our recent results:

• $2.65 million for a pedestrian struck by a vehicle
• $2.5 million for a victim injured in a T-bone collision
• $1.23 million for a motorcycle rider struck by a vehicle
• $1 million for an injured rideshare passenger

Do you have a potential case? Contact us to speak with a Stockton bus accident lawyer about your rights and options. Consultations are FREE and confidential.

Bus Accident Risks & Victims’ Rights

Buses play an important role in local, regional, and interstate transportation, but their risks cannot be understated. Some of these include:

• Size: Buses are large and heavy motor vehicles, making them slow to stop and difficult to maneuver. Vehicle size can also hinder a bus operator’s ability to see their surroundings. 
• Rollovers: Tall motorcoaches and other passenger carriers are more prone to rollovers and serious crashes than other passenger vehicles. 
• Seatbelts: Many types of buses are exempt from seatbelt laws, which can leave passengers vulnerable to injury during collisions. This can include traumatic brain injuries and neck and back injuries.

Whatever your bus accident involved, your right to compensation will require you to prove that the at-fault party failed in some way to uphold their duty of care – or, in other words, were negligent. 

Examples of negligence that can cause bus accidents and give rise to personal injury lawsuits include:

• Driver error (i.e. unsafe speeds, failure to yield, etc.)
• Regulatory violations, including Hours-of-Service violations
• Negligent hiring / inadequately trained drivers
• Drunk driving / driving under the influence of drugs
• Failures to inspect and maintain vehicles
• Vehicle defects or faulty vehicle components

Who Do I Sue After a Bus Accident?

Generally, victims bring personal injury claims against individuals or entities whose negligent or wrongful acts caused them harm. 

While this includes bus drivers or the owners of bus companies that violated traffic laws or regulations, it can also include other parties that are not so obvious, such as:

• School districts responsible for school buses
• Drivers of other vehicles involved in a crash
• A city, county, or state agency
• Bus or vehicle part manufacturers

In some cases, it is possible that multiple parties caused or contributed to a crash, and therefore share responsibility for a victim’s damages. Under California’s law of comparative fault, it is also possible for victims who contributed to their own accidents to still recover compensation for their damages. 

At Drake Law Firm, we work with investigators and experts to carefully assess accidents, determine who can be held liable, and help our clients pursue the most appropriate path to compensation.

Pursuing Compensation After a Bus Accident

Victims injured by negligence have the right to recover monetary compensation for their losses. This can include compensation for:

• Economic damages such as medical bills, lost income, vehicle repairs, and other financial losses resulting from an accident / injury.
• Non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, psychological anguish, lost quality of life, and, in some cases, the emotional suffering of a spouse.
• Future damages, which may be available to victims who suffer serious injuries resulting in long-term or lifelong losses. This can include compensation for medical treatment a person may require in the future, lost future earnings or diminished earning capacity, and more. 
• Wrongful death damages, including expenses for burial and funeral services, lost financial support, and loss of consortium / companionship.

Request a FREE Case Evaluation: 844-513-7253

Preventable accidents can place tremendous strain on victims and their families. During these difficult times, working with the right legal representation can make all the difference in helping you navigate the process of recovering compensation for your damages.

Drake Law Firm proudly serves victims throughout Stockton and the state of California. Let us explain your rights during a FREE case evaluation.