Have You Been Injured In a Bus Crash?

Buses are a common site across California. Hundreds of thousands of passengers use buses every year to travel 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 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 individuals travel safely while aboard these buses but unfortunately, many sustain injuries each year in California bus crashes. Often these injuries are very severe, partially because commuters do not wear seat belts while riding on most buses. With many bus companies servicing Woodland Hills and California in its entirety, it might not be surprising that these bus crashes account for many injuries each year and unfortunately some may result in death. If you sustain an injury, make sure to consult with a Woodland Hills bus accident lawyer ASAP.

What are some of the common reasons for bus crashes?

Bus drivers face a lot of the same challenges as any driver, plus some other unique problems. Some common causes of bus crashes involve:

• Driver distraction-- Motorists 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 someone operating a car.
• Driver fatigue-- Much like a truck driver, bus drivers have a schedule to meet. This commonly means they work long hours without taking adequate breaks. The loud atmosphere of a bus can also wear on a driver.
• Speeding-- To make their scheduled stops, drivers might ignore speed limits or road conditions because of inclement weather.
• Vehicle maintenance-- An improperly maintained bus can crash due to a failing component.
• Insufficient training-- Too often, drivers do not have proper training on the safest practices for operating a bus. The absence of training or inadequate training can lead to a driver mistake that can cause an accident.

What injuries are prevalent in bus accidents?

Just like any kind of accident on Woodland Hills roadways, the injuries from a bus crash can in part depend on the speed of travel and the size of the other vehicle or vehicles in the collision.

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 accident victim?

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

At Fault Third Parties

If another driver causes an accident with a bus while you are a passenger on that bus, you might have a claim against the other driver for your injuries. If the other driver does not have sufficient insurance coverage available for all of the injuries suffered in the collision or if the other driver has no insurance available at all, you may 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

On the other hand, if the accident is due to a negligent bus driver and you were either a bus occupant 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 crash 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 that performed negligent maintenance while servicing the bus

Any bus driver that is hurt 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 collision, the more complex the case( s). This is a reason that when selecting a bus crash attorney in Woodland Hills, you want to choose one with experience prosecuting personal injury cases.

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

You may 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
• Consult with a bus crash lawyer

How much can I recoup financially after a bus crash?

The amount of money you may collect after a bus crash will depend a great deal on the seriousness of your injuries. Generally, you may recover 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 Woodland Hills bus accident may also collect for any treatment their loved one received before dying as well as compensation for funeral and burial costs, loss of companionship, and various other damages. Talk to an expert Woodland Hills bus crash attorney to learn all of your options.

Have you been injured in a Woodland Hills Bus Crash?

The Woodland Hills bus accident attorneys at Drake Law Firm will work to help you obtain the financial recovery that you deserve. Bus crash damages may consist of: medical expenses, disfigurement, pain and suffering, loss of normal life, loss of income, and more. We also aim to recover present and future expenses when representing an accident victim.