How Bus Accidents Cause Injuries
Unfortunately, bus accidents are not as rare as you might think, nor are resulting injuries. For one thing, bus passengers, except for children on school buses, are not belted into their seats. For another, many bus passengers ride standing, with nothing but a hanging strap to help them balance. To make things worse, buses have multiple metal poles that passengers may bang into if ejected from their seats or jerked off balance while standing. In such situations, passengers may also be injured by colliding with other passengers.
Who’s at fault in bus accidents?
Clearly, except in the very rarest of circumstances, it is not the passenger who is at fault. Under California law, buses are designated “common carriers,” and, as such, owe a special duty of care to those they carry. This means that if your accident was due to driver negligence or poor maintenance of the vehicle, the bus company is responsible for any personal injury or property damage that results.
Of course, there may be some instances in which another driver is at fault for a collision. There are even situations in which the city, county, or state may be sued for negligence because of road damage or debris that should have been cleared was the cause of the accident. At Compass Law, we are always on your side and will fight aggressively to hold the responsible party or entity accountable and liable for damages. In addition to being proven litigators, our bus accident attorneys are sharp negotiators, often able to win you damages without a trial.
Types of Buses on the Roads of California
There are several types of buses on our streets and highways. In addition to city buses, there are charter buses available to take their passengers to tourist destinations out of town or even to destination weddings and family reunions. There are also privately owned buses that carry members of various clubs, companies, and religious organizations on retreats or recreational outings. No matter which type of bus you were riding when the accident occurred, Compass Law Group has your back.
We are also committed to protecting your rights if you were injured by a bus while driving another vehicle, riding a bicycle, or crossing the street as a pedestrian. Whether you are suffering the trauma of extensive injuries or have been through the tragic death of a loved one, our compassionate personal injury attorneys are here to assist you.
Causes of Bus Accidents
Though a bus accident may be weather-related or caused by the sudden appearance of an animal on the roadway, most bus accidents occur because of human negligence.
The bus driver may be to blame for:
- Driving while distracted by conversation, texting, GPS navigation, eating or drinking
- Speeding or driving recklessly which is even more dangerous because of the size of the bus and its tendency to become unbalanced, especially around curves
- Driving while fatigued due to working long shifts and the monotony of driving
- Driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs
The bus company may bear most of the fault for:
- Failing to vet or train the driver properly
- Failing to mechanically maintain the bus
- Pushing the driver to meet too rigid a schedule
- Not allowing the driver sufficient time to rest
As mentioned earlier, another driver, or road maintenance agency may be liable for your injuries. It is also possible that the bus had a manufacturing defect, such as faulty brakes, in which case the bus manufacturer is liable. You can leave it up to our highly skilled bus accident attorneys to determine who is at fault — it may well be more than one party. You can be certain that we will fight vigorously to make those responsible pay.
Damages We Will Work Tirelessly to Obtain for You and Your Family
At Compass Law Group, we know all too well how much harm can come to a person hurt in a bus accident. We are dedicated to the task of winning you the amount necessary to cover your:
- Medical and rehabilitative costs
- Lost income, present, and future
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement or long-term disability
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
If your family has experienced the tragedy of wrongful death, we will use well-honed strategies to obtain damages for funeral costs, end-of-life care, and loss of emotional and financial support.
Contact Our Experience Los Angeles Bus Accident Attorneys Today
Though life is unfair, we will do everything in our power to bring you some measure of justice. When you come to Compass Law Group, you will immediately realize that you don’t have to fight this battle alone. Our supportive team is here for you and we have deep empathy for all you continue to go through. Because we realize you are being hit by financial, as well as physical and emotional costs, we will charge you no attorneys’ fees until we win you the damages you deserve.
