Have You Been Hurt in a Bus Accident?

Buses are a common site across California. Hundreds of thousands of commuters use buses each year to get 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 citizens are boarding buses in large numbers each year and that is a pattern that is expected to continue in the coming years.

The majority of these residents travel safely while aboard these buses but unfortunately, many suffer injuries each year in California bus accidents. Commonly these injuries are very significant, partially because commuters do not wear seat belts while riding on most buses. With many bus companies servicing Thousand Oaks and California as a whole, it may not be surprising that these bus accidents account for numerous injuries each year and unfortunately some might result in death. If you suffer an injury, make sure to consult with a Thousand Oaks bus accident attorney ASAP.

What are some of the common causes of bus accidents?

Bus drivers experience many of the same challenges as any driver, plus some other unique problems. Some common causes of bus crashes include:

• Driver distraction-- Drivers who pay more attention to their phones or other electronic devices are much more prone to accidents. Because of the amount of occupants on buses, bus drivers also are more prone to passenger distractions than somebody operating a car.
• Driver fatigue-- Much like a truck driver, bus drivers have a schedule to meet. This frequently means they work long hours without taking sufficient breaks. The loud atmosphere of a bus can also wear on a driver.
• Speeding-- To make their scheduled stops, drivers might disregard speed limits or road conditions because of inclement weather.
• Vehicle maintenance-- An improperly maintained bus can crash due to a failing part.
• Inadequate training-- Too often, drivers lack appropriate training on the safest methods for operating a bus. The lack of training or poor training can result in a driver mistake that can result in a crash.

What injuries are common in bus crashes?

Just like any type of accident on Thousand Oaks streets, the injuries from a bus crash may partially 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 need 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 might provide you several civil cases to pursue. The claims available will rely on the circumstances of a particular accident and who is at fault in the accident.

At Fault Third Parties

If another motorist causes a collision with a bus while you are an occupant 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 sustained in the crash 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 accident 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 holds 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 accident is caused by some defect in the bus itself and not by 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 who performed negligent maintenance while servicing the bus

Any bus driver that 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. Usually the more vehicles involved in the accident, the more complicated the case( s). This is a reason that when selecting a bus accident lawyer in Thousand Oaks, you want to choose one with experience prosecuting personal injury cases.

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

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 should 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 may receive following a bus crash will depend a great deal on the severity of your injuries. Generally, you might recover the costs of your:

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

Families who have lost a loved one in a Thousand Oaks bus crash may also collect for any care their loved one sustained prior to passing away in addition to compensation for funeral and burial expenses, loss of companionship, and other damages. Speak with an expert Thousand Oaks bus accident lawyer to learn all of your options.

Have you been injured in a Thousand Oaks bus accident?

The Thousand Oaks bus accident lawyers at Drake Law Firm will strive to help you obtain the financial recovery that you are entitled to. Bus accident damages might include: medical expenses, disfigurement, pain and suffering, loss of normal life, loss of income, and much more. We also aim to recuperate present and future expenses when representing a crash victim.