Our bus accident attorneys help people who have suffered bus-related injuries. Victims in bus accident cases can include bus passengers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and people in motor vehicles that are hurt in bus crashes and car accidents. Accident victims and their family members deserve fair compensation for their injuries.
Common causes of bus accidents include bus driver fatigue, driver error or carelessness, and poor bus maintenance. Victims in these cases can suffer from a variety of injuries, including spinal cord injuries, concussions, and broken bones.
Experienced bus accident lawyers can file a bus accident lawsuit against responsible parties on behalf of injury victims. These legal claims are often based on such legal theories as:
The value of personal injury attorneys in these cases goes well beyond them filing a lawsuit and managing litigation. Lawyers can assist victims of bus accidents by:
- helping them receive medical care,
- managing their ongoing medical treatment,
- uncovering evidence to help identify a negligent party, and
- filing a bus accident claim/injury claim with the insurance companies of at-fault parties.
The Shouse Law Group is a California-based personal injury law firm that represents people in bus accidents and victims who suffer bus accident injuries. Our experienced attorneys work tirelessly for all our clients and seek to get you the biggest settlement possible. Call today to get the legal representation you deserve.
Our bus accident attorneys help injury victims maximize the compensation for their losses.
What are common causes of bus accidents and common bus accident injuries?
The unfortunate reality is that people die every year in the U.S. in bus-related accidents.1 People and children can also experience a variety of different bus injuries, including both serious injuries and catastrophic injuries.2 Common injuries include:
- traumatic brain injuries,
- spinal cord injuries,
- paralysis,
- broken bones,
- lacerations, and
- neck injuries.
There are several different types of bus accidents in the U.S. For example, some accidents may involve school buses, tour buses, charter buses, city buses, and private buses. Some common causes of bus accidents include:
- bus drivers and motorists committing traffic violations,
- passengers not wearing seat belts,
- distracted driving,
- bus driver fatigue,
- negligent hiring, and
- poor vehicle maintenance.
Who are common defendants in bus accident cases?
Depending on the facts of a case, personal injury lawyers often name the following parties as defendants in bus accident cases:
- a bus company (for example, Greyhound),
- school districts (for example, in school bus accidents),
- government entities,
- private companies and private motor vehicle drivers,
- bus manufacturers, and
- parties responsible for bus maintenance.
Liable parties in these cases must compensate injury victims for:
- medical bills and medical expenses,
- lost wages,
- lost earning capacity,
- property damage, and
- pain and suffering.
Sometimes people may die in a bus-related accident. In this event, the deceased person’s family members can likely file a wrongful death lawsuit against the party responsible for causing the accident. Damages can include (but are not limited to):
- burial and funeral expenses,
- amounts the deceased would have earned as income, and
- compensation for the loss of the deceased’s companionship and support.
Note that some bus accident victims may contribute to their injuries (for example, by not wearing a seatbelt). These parties, though, are not automatically barred from receiving compensation for their losses. They can still try to do so via their state’s comparative negligence laws.
What is the role of a personal injury lawyer in a bus accident case?
Bus accident lawyers play a vital role in these types of personal injury cases. For example, a skilled attorney can help a victim by:
- assisting in receiving immediate medical care,
- managing his/her ongoing medical treatment,
- advising the party on his/her legal rights and options,
- finding evidence to help prove liability,
- hiring experts to help explain this evidence to a judge or jury,
- filing a personal injury claim with the insurance company of an at-fault party,
- negotiating an injury claim with an insurance adjuster, and
- filing a personal injury lawsuit against a liable party.
What are the benefits of a bus accident lawyer?
Bus accident lawyers help injury victims maximize the compensation for their losses. They know how much an accident case is worth, and therefore, will not accept lowball settlement offers from insurance companies and at-fault parties.
An injury attorney can also find hidden value in a case (for example, by identifying more than one negligent party). As a result, they help increase a client’s payout.
Injured parties also benefit from a lawyer because he/she manages a case from the moment of taking it on. Victims then have the benefit of being able to focus on their health and healing.
Note that almost all personal injury lawyers provide free case reviews. This means a victim can get all of his/her legal questions answered without spending a dime.
Note, too, that the communications between a lawyer and his/her client are protected by the attorney-client relationship. The result is that a lawyer cannot disclose these communications without first getting a client’s consent.
For additional help…
Call us for additional help.
If you or a loved one was injured in a bus accident, we invite you to contact our California personal injury lawyers. Our attorneys and legal team provide both free consultations and legal advice you can trust. We work tirelessly to get you the maximum compensation available for your case.
Legal References:
- See U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics website, “Transportation Fatalities by Mode.”
- See Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website, “Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts.” For information on school bas accidents, see National Safety Council website, “School Bus Injury Facts.”