Calabasas Bus Accident Lawyer

Buses are a common site throughout California. Hundreds of thousands of commuters use buses every year to travel from place to place. Some buses offer local transportation around a city and service commercial districts, while others use buses as their way to commute to and from work. Still others choose 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 trend that is expected to continue in the coming decades.

The majority of these citizens travel safely while aboard these buses but unfortunately, many suffer injuries every year in California bus crashes. Commonly these injuries are very significant, in part because commuters do not wear seat belts while riding on most buses. With a number of bus companies servicing Calabasas and California as a whole, it may not be surprising that these bus accidents account for numerous injuries every year and unfortunately some may result in death. If you sustain an injury, make sure to talk to a Calabasas bus crash attorney ASAP.

What are some of the common causes of bus crashes?

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

• Driver distraction-- Drivers who pay more attention to their phones or various other electronic devices are more prone to crashes. Due to the amount of occupants on buses, bus drivers also are more susceptible 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 environment of a bus can also wear on a driver.
• Speeding-- To make their scheduled stops, drivers might disregard speed limits or road conditions due to inclement weather.
• Vehicle maintenance-- An improperly maintained bus can crash due to a failing part.
• Inadequate training-- Too often, drivers do not have proper training on the safest methods for operating a bus. The absence of training or inadequate training can cause a driver error that can cause an accident.

What injuries are common in bus accidents?

Just like any kind of accident on Calabasas roads, the injuries from a bus accident might in part depend on the speed of travel and the size of the other vehicle or vehicles in the crash.

The most common injuries include:

• 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 Crash Victim?

As a bus crash victim, the law may provide you several civil claims to pursue. The claims available will depend on the circumstances of a particular accident and who is at fault in the crash.

At Fault Third Parties

If another driver causes a collision with a bus while you are a passenger on that bus, you may 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 suffered in the accident or if the other motorist has no insurance available at all, you might also have a right to bring an uninsured or underinsured claim against your own insurance provider or the bus company itself, if there is UM coverage available.

At Fault Bus Driver

Alternatively, if the collision is due to a negligent bus driver and you were either a bus passenger or in another vehicle, you might 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

Lastly, if the crash is caused by some defect in the bus itself and not through actions of any drivers, you might have a claim against the:

• manufacturer of the bus
• seller of the bus
• owner/operator of the bus
• anyone that performed negligent maintenance while servicing the bus

Any bus driver who is injured in a crash might 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. Often the more vehicles involved in the collision, the more complicated the case( s). This is a reason that when picking a bus accident attorney in Calabasas, you want to select one with experience prosecuting personal injury cases.

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

You might be rattled and in a state of shock after being involved in a bus accident. 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 crash attorney

How much can I recoup financially after a bus accident?

The amount of money you might receive after a bus accident will depend a great deal on the severity of your injuries. In general, you may recoup 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 Calabasas bus crash may also collect for any treatment their loved one sustained before dying in addition to compensation for funeral and burial costs, loss of companionship, and various other damages. Speak with a knowledgeable Calabasas bus accident lawyer to learn all of your options.

Have you been hurt in a Calabasas Bus Crash?

The Calabasas bus crash lawyers at Drake Law Firm will work to help you receive the financial recovery that you are entitled to. Bus crash damages may include: medical expenses, disfigurement, pain and suffering, loss of normal life, loss of income, and more. We additionally look to recover present and future expenses when representing a crash victim.