California Bus Accident Injury Lawyer

Bus-related accidents can be devastating for you and your family. If you were a bus passenger or were struck by a bus, we can help to get your vehicle repaired, get you a rental car, get you medical treatment, and obtain a substantial settlement for your injuries. Call us immediately after the Bus accident has occurred. 800-816-1529 today.

Accidents involving buses can result in severe injuries and total your automobile. It is imperative that you choose the right attorney to represent you. Today, we are available to you.

California Attorney for Bus Accidents

No one expects a bus accident to occur when boarding the California Metro or any other bus in California. Despite this, each year hundreds of bus accident victims end up in hospitals across the country. After accidents involving their buses, California’s public bus lines or private bus companies may be obligated to compensate victims. If you were involved in a recent bus accident in California, please contact the Law Office of Norman Gregory Fernandez & Associates for a free consultation at 800-816-1529 ext. 1. You may qualify for financial recovery.

California Bus Accident Resources

Why Should You Entrust Your Bus Accident Case to the Law Offices of Norman Gregory Fernandez & Associates?

• In 1997, when attorney Norman Gregory Fernandez began practicing law in California, our firm was founded. We have been assisting injured victims for over 25 years. Our firm focuses solely on personal injury law, so we have extensive expertise in this area. Our California bus accident lawyers believe that the law should be simple for accident victims. We offer our services on a contingency basis and have meeting locations throughout the state of California.

How can a California attorney for bus accidents help?

If you retain a California bus accident attorney with experience in bus accidents from the Law Office of Norman Gregory Fernandez & Associates, we will handle everything for you while you focus on your recovery. We can also investigate your bus accident for indications of negligence and connect you with the best local doctors.

Our bus accident attorneys provide clients with the following services and more as needed:

• Conducting an investigation into the bus accident.
• Preserving and gathering evidence of wrongdoing
• Establishing the accused (s).
• Completing and submitting claim forms; • employing qualified experts and consultants
• Negotiating a just and comprehensive insurance settlement
• Educating you about your rights and assisting you in protecting them.
• If necessary, taking your bus accident case to trial in the appropriate California County.

Your health, happiness, and well-being are our top concern following a bus accident. We have the ability to fight for a fair settlement on your behalf while you rest, recover, and spend time with your family. After a major bus accident in California, we can give you complete peace of mind.

Accident Rates by Bus

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there were 232 fatal bus accidents in 2019. This was a slight decrease from 2018’s total of 238 fatal bus accidents. From 2009 to 2019, 12 percent of all fatal bus accidents in the United States involved intercity buses. 39% were school buses, while 34% were transit buses. In 2019, 15 intercity buses were involved in fatal traffic accidents in the United States. In 2019, the total number of fatalities was 258. Thirty-five (35) bus passengers perished.

What are the various kinds of bus accidents?

Every single bus accident case is unique. When seeking fair financial compensation for a bus accident, the specifics of the case are essential. For instance, the type of bus is significant because it determines who owns the bus and who is financially responsible for an accident. When analyzing every aspect of a case, our bus accident attorneys will consider the type of accident. We have experience with numerous types of collisions, including:

• Public buses • City buses • Public and private school buses • Airport shuttles • Party buses • Tour buses • Greyhound buses • Charter buses • Metro-transit accidents • Accidents involving bicyclists or pedestrians • Accidents caused by bus driver negligence • Accidents caused by mechanical failure • Drowsy driving bus accidents • Distracted driving bus accidents • Multiple-vehicle collisions • Fatal bus accidents (wrongful death)

We have the legal expertise to handle any type of bus accident case in California, regardless of whether the accident was caused by a careless bus driver or poor road conditions. We will take steps to build your injury claim, including revisiting the bus accident scene, speaking with eyewitnesses, gathering statements, retaining experts, and locating evidence of liability. Our attorneys will assist you in determining liability and pursuing fair monetary compensation from the responsible party or parties.

Frequent Injuries Sustained in Bus Crashes

A bus accident can easily result in life-altering or catastrophic injuries for both onboard and offboard passengers. Due to the absence of seatbelts, a bus accident can be particularly hazardous for passengers. Without seat belts, passengers may be thrown or tossed inside the bus upon impact, increasing the risk of severe injuries. Due to the enormous size and weight of the average bus, other drivers, as well as bicyclists and pedestrians, can sustain the most severe injuries.

At the Law Office of Norman Gregory Fernandez & Associates, our California bus accident attorneys can assist you if you have been diagnosed with any of the following injuries: • Bone fracture • Soft-tissue injury • Muscle or ligament damage • Whiplash • Spinal cord injury or paralysis • Traumatic brain injury • Internal damage• Lacerations • Disfigurement or scarring • Burns • Amputation, and other injuries.

After a bus accident in California, we can help you find the best doctor for your injury or medical condition. Then, we can file a claim on your behalf against one or more parties to seek maximum financial compensation for your injuries. We also represent surviving family members and loved ones in wrongful death lawsuits following fatal bus accidents in California.

If you are injured in a bus collision, you or your attorney must determine the cause of the accident. To recover compensation from an insurance company as the driver of another vehicle, you will need to establish that the bus driver or company is responsible for the accident. As a passenger, you will typically not be required to prove negligence in order to be covered by the bus company’s insurer. However, in the event that you are eligible for a third-party lawsuit, such as a claim against the bus manufacturer, it can be useful to know what caused your accident.

These are some of the most frequent causes of bus accidents in California:

• Human error. Distraction or negligence on the part of bus drivers can result in collisions between buses and other vehicles or stationary objects. Texting while driving, other forms of distracted driving, bus driver fatigue, driving under the influence, speeding, violating traffic laws, and reckless driving are examples of dangerous driving behaviors.
• Bus company carelessness. Other acts of negligence, such as failing to maintain the bus or improperly training bus drivers, could also contribute to a bus accident. A bus company or entity responsible for public transportation is responsible for ensuring the safety of its fleet vehicles and drivers. This failure constitutes negligence.
• Highway conditions A bus may crash if it encounters hazardous road conditions that result in a loss of vehicle control, such as potholes, hazardous construction zones, uneven shoulders or road surfaces, faulty traffic lights, missing guardrails, and storm debris.

Depending on the circumstances, one or more parties may be financially responsible for your bus accident in California. In California, the person or party at fault for a traffic accident is responsible for compensating victims for their losses. Identifying the leading cause of your accident will be one of the initial steps in pursuing compensation. Immediately following a collision in California, consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer.

Who Is Responsible for Bus Crashes in California?

Identifying the responsible party requires an analysis of the bus accident’s cause and the parties involved. Your California bus accident lawyer will need to compile a list of all potential culpable parties, then narrow it down based on duties of care and evidence of negligence. One or more parties may be liable for your losses following a bus accident in California:

• The administration. The government will be responsible for the majority of intercity bus accidents, including those involving the LA Metro, and other public bus lines throughout Calkifornia.

A private bus service. The private company may be liable if your accident occurred on a private tour bus, party bus, or charter bus.

• A college. An accident involving a public-school bus will indicate government liability, whereas a private school will be responsible for its own buses.
• An independent driver If a third-party driver collided with your bus, the third-party driver’s insurance company may be responsible for damages.
• A vehicle manufacturer. If a defective bus component contributed to your accident, the item’s manufacturer may owe you compensation.

Most bus accident claims in California name the city where the incident occurred as the defendant responsible for causing the accidents. Typically, the City in California or the transit agency is liable for accidents involving its public buses, bus drivers, and other employees. If you are unsure of who to name as the defendant in your case, please consult with our attorneys.

Are California Bus Accidents Covered by Liability Insurance?

Buses are a form of common carrier, which means they are contracted to transport passengers from one location to another. Therefore, bus companies are responsible for paying for accidents involving their vehicles and drivers who are adequately insured. Due to this, California requires bus companies to carry a minimum amount of liability insurance to cover accidents that injure passengers and others.

The insurance coverage for buses varies based on the type of bus and its intended use. There are two primary types of liability insurance: bodily injury insurance and property damage insurance. Since a bus transports passengers, bus companies must have medical coverage to cover the hospital expenses of uninsured passengers. Optional coverages, such as collision, comprehensive, and uninsured motorist insurance, can be advantageous for a bus company in the event of an accident.

If the driver of a standard motor vehicle (or a third party) is determined to be liable for a bus accident, the driver’s liability auto insurance may pay for the accident rather than the bus company’s insurer. Typically, both companies will work together to compensate for passenger injuries. If you were not at fault for the bus accident or were a bus passenger, one or more insurance policies will cover your injuries. Our attorneys can assess your case thoroughly and locate all available insurance coverage on your behalf.

What Is the Value of a Bus Accident Case?

At the Law Office of Norman Gregory Fernandez & Associates, we understand that no amount of money can compensate for a serious or life-threatening injury sustained in a California bus accident. Nonetheless, if the accident could have been avoided, filing a lawsuit, and seeking compensation can hold a negligent party accountable, providing you and your family with a measure of justice and closure following this traumatic event. A lawsuit may also lead to institutional safety changes in your city, such as California County reevaluating the safety of its buses and drivers.

In addition, our attorneys have witnessed firsthand how a fair settlement or judgment can enhance a family’s ability to recover after a catastrophic accident. Obtaining the compensation, you are entitled to can enable you to pay for future medical expenses. It can also cover the cost of repairing your vehicle if you were not a passenger. In a bus accident lawsuit, additional compensable losses may include lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of consortium, wrongful death damages, and punitive damages.

In California, there is no such thing as an average bus accident settlement. Each case’s value is meticulously determined based on factors such as the severity of the victim’s injuries. If you suffered a catastrophic injury or lost a loved one in a bus accident in California, you can generally anticipate a higher-value case. However, you should discuss the value of your bus accident case with an attorney prior to accepting an insurance settlement.

Economic and Noneconomic Bus Accident Damages Recovery

The losses or damages sustained in a bus accident can be divided into two categories: economic and noneconomic. Economic losses refer to the financial impact of a bus accident on a victim, including medical expenses, property damage, and lost wages. The economic damages are computed by adding the bills and receipts associated with the accident and the victim’s recovery. The victim should also consider the foreseen future economic losses resulting from the accident, such as the continuing medical care required for a permanent disability.

Noneconomic damages include all other losses that are not monetary or financial. Additionally known as general or intangible damages. This monetary award can cover the victim’s physical pain and suffering, chronic pain, discomfort, inconvenience, emotional harm, anxiety, distress, mental anguish, post-traumatic stress disorder, new phobias, lost quality of life, grief over the loss of a loved one, and any other non-monetary losses incurred as a result of the bus accident.

It is more difficult to calculate noneconomic damages in a bus accident case than economic damages. Since there are no bills or receipts to value noneconomic damages, the value is determined by more arbitrary factors, such as the severity of the victim’s injuries and the extent to which they have impacted his or her life. In California, it is frequently up to the jury to determine an appropriate amount of noneconomic damages in a personal injury case.

Both economic and noneconomic losses qualify as compensatory damages. They intend to make a victim of a bus accident whole again by compensating him or her. The second type of damages is punitive. A defendant is punished for egregious acts of wrongdoing, such as those motivated by malice, fraud, or oppression. Punitive damages are awarded less frequently than compensatory damages, but you may be entitled to them if the defendant’s actions were particularly negligent or malicious.

How Much Does It Cost to Retain a Bus Accident Lawyer in California?

As the victim of a bus accident in California, you have already incurred a sufficient amount of debt or spent a sufficient amount of money on medical care, property repairs, and lost wages. It is normal to be hesitant about spending more money on a lawyer. Even after deducting attorney’s fees, you may receive less compensation if you handle your case on your own, without an attorney, than if you hire a strong legal advocate.

At the Law Office of Norman Gregory Fernandez & Associates, all bus accident clients are accepted on a contingency basis. This payment arrangement means you will incur no out-of-pocket costs to hire a California bus accident attorney, regardless of the outcome of your case. Our attorneys deduct their fees directly from any settlement or judgment they obtain on behalf of the client. If you do not prevail in court, you will owe us nothing for our services.

The amount of money required to settle a bus accident case depends on variables such as the case’s complexity, the victim’s injuries, and how the insurance company handles the claim. For instance, if a bus accident case must proceed to trial to be resolved, the cost of your legal representation will increase. Regardless of how much work your case requires, we will not charge you a dime unless we secure a monetary award for your losses.

How Long Do You Have to File a California Bus Accident Claim?

In California, the statute of limitations for filing a standard auto accident lawsuit is two years (California Code of Civil Procedure Section 335.1). This statute stipulates a strict filing deadline for personal injury claims. Generally speaking, if you miss this deadline, you will lose your right to compensation and liability for a bus accident.

If your accident involved public transportation or a public-school bus, you may have much less time to file a claim. In accordance with the Tort Claims Act, claims against the government are governed by specific laws in California. This act stipulates that a claim for bodily injury, damage to personal property, or death must be filed against the government within six months of the accident. It is crucial to contact a California bus accident attorney without delay.

What Should You Do Following a Bus Crash?

If you are injured in a bus accident, you should tell the responding officer your side of the story. While the details are still fresh in your mind, write down a description of the events, including the date, time, location, and bus number. Before you leave the scene, take photographs and/or videos for your own records. Then, immediately seek medical attention for your injuries. Before accepting an insurance settlement, discuss your recovery rights with a California attorney.

You may download our California Accident App for iTunes and Android by going to our California Accident App page by clicking here. The app will enable you to record all information related to your bus accident and transmit it to our office.

Contact a Leading California Bus Accident Lawyer Today

The Law Office of Norman Gregory Fernandez & Associates is available to assist passengers injured in severe California bus accidents. Our bus accident lawyers in California can walk you through the claims process step by step. Start with a free case evaluation at the nearest law firm. Make an appointment for a free consultation online or by calling our local law office at 800-816-1526.

Get Help Now

The Law offices of Norman Gregory Fernandez & Associates has almost 3 decades of experience handling personal injury cases all over the state of California. We have handled thousands of cases and obtained millions of dollars in settlements and judgments for our clients. Call now for a no pressure free consultation with an actual attorney. 800-816-1529 extension 1.

You can download our California Accident App for iOS and Android by clicking here and visiting our California Accident App page. This application will allow you to record and transmit all information related to your burn injury case to our office.