A bus accident can turn your life upside down. One moment, you could be catching a city bus to work, enjoying a tour on a double-decker bus, or watching your child board a school bus. In the next, moment, you or a loved one may be seriously injured. Then you are facing large medical bills, a long recovery, or even the loss of a loved one.
Bus accident injuries occur in many ways. For example, a bus accident may be caused by:
- Bus driver negligence
- Negligence of another driver on the roadway
- Faulty equipment
- Poor maintenance
The injured party may be the driver of another vehicle, a passenger on the bus, or a pedestrian who was crossing the street, or a passing bicyclist. A single bus accident may result in injuries to many people. The injuries for a bus accident can range from minor cuts to fatalities.
A person involved in a bus accident should contact a personal injury attorney.
California is familiar with bus routes for transportation. Bus accidents can also involve coach and transit buses. With all these modes of transportation, California bus accidents are common.
Have you been injured in a bus crash in the State of California? Bus accident aftermaths can be frightening and confusing. During this difficult time, a trusted knowledgeable advocate can make all the difference. Call Larian Law Firm for a reliable personal injury attorney ready to take on your case.
Our personal injury attorneys understand that the aftermath of a serious bus accident can be frightening and confusing. We have years of experience in traffic accidents and want to guide you through this process. Do not hesitate. Call (310) 720-0505 or submit an online contact form today for a free zero-obligation consultation today.
If you were been injured by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to recover damages. Some of the most common damages awarded in bus accident injury cases include:
- Medical bills
- Costs of rehabilitation
- Projected future/ongoing medical costs
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
Money is not always the answer in regard to an injury. However, you are entitled to some sort of compensation from such a life-altering event. Get in contact with a personal injury attorney to learn more about your entitlement to damage costs.
Determining who is legally responsible for injuries sustained in a bus accident can be complicated. Depending on the type of bus involved, the driver may be the owner of the vehicle, may be employed by a private company that owns the bus, they may be employed by a company that supplies drivers to the owner of the bus, or may be a city employee. In each of these scenarios, one or more parties may be liable for the accident.
If the accident results from an equipment failure, the fault may lie with the manufacturer or with the company charged with maintaining the bus. In many cases, liability may be shared.
For example, a bus driver may have been speeding. They may have been breaking the speed limit, but still would have been able to avoid an accident if it weren’t for the flaw in the bus’s braking system.
In short, determining who is responsible and constructing a strong case requires time, knowledge, and resources.
Serious injuries occur as a result of a slip and fall while entering or exiting a bus. In many cases, the driver often has a duty to caution riders to watch their step when leaving the bus. This especially applies when a hazardous condition is blocking their way.
In addition to this, the driver should wait for the passengers to sit down or brace themselves before starting so that injuries can be avoided. The driver should also be careful to start and stop as smooth as possible to avoid rider injury.
When the bus driver has a passenger, who is disabled or impaired in any way, the bus driver should help ensure the rider’s safety. For instance, the bus driver should not discharge a rider at any location that would be unsafe for that passenger. In some cases, it may be safer at the next scheduled stop or a well-lit area where there are other people. Many for passenger transportation carriers have guidelines for handling disabled or impaired riders.
The driver of a bus has an obligation to make sure that the vehicle is safe for the passengers. If the driver of the bus fails to meet that obligation and in doing so, causes a personal injury, the bus driver and his employer can be held liable for the damages caused by that negligence.
The bus driver should check the passenger entry and lift area before each trip including:
- Checking that the entry doors operate smoothly and close securely from the inside;
- Checking that the handrails are secure;
- Checking that the step light(s), if any, are working;
- Checking that the entry steps are clear;
- Checking that the treads on the entry stops are not loose or worn excessively;
- Checking any handicap lift for leaks, damage, or missing parts to make sure the lift can be fully retracted and latched securely; and
- Making sure the lift control interlock(s) functions properly.
The driver of the bus also has an obligation to:
- Check the emergency exits to determine that they are operating smoothly, closing securely, and are not damaged;
- Check that the release handle can be operated properly from both inside and out of the vehicle;
- Understand how emergency exits operate; and
- Check the emergency exit warning device.
When an injury is caused by the bus driver’s failure to check the bus properly before a trip, the bus driver and his employer might be held liable for damages.
We understand that a traumatic event like a bus accident can derail your plans and throw your life into turmoil. We want to help restore your peace of mind. We’ll fight for the recovery you deserve while you focus on your recovery. The initial consultation is always free, and you aren’t responsible for any fees or cost unless we settle your case or win a verdict for you. Dial (310) 720-0505 right now or schedule an online appointment today to get started.
