When a person steps into a transit bus or puts a child onto a school bus, trust is placed in the bus driver and company with their safety and security. The last thing anyone expects when boarding a bus is to get injured in an accident. Unfortunately, traffic accidents can happen to anyone, including those who use bus transportation.
When bus accidents happen, the consequences can be substantial. People who are injured in a bus accident can experience pain and suffering from their injuries, but they can also undergo emotional and economic hardship. Fortunately, California personal injury laws permit those who have been injured the opportunity to seek financial compensation for their damages when the bus accident was caused by another’s negligence or intentional wrongdoing.
Types of Compensation Available After a Bus Accident
Depending on the facts of the bus accident case, filing a claim can provide compensation for the following damages: Loss of wages and benefits, Mounting health care bills and other medical expenses, Loss of earning potential, Vocational rehabilitation, Pain and suffering, and Loss of quality of life.
What Vehicles Can be Considered a Bus?
Vehicle standards provided by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration assert that busses are motor-powered vehicles that are capable of transporting 10 passengers or more. This type of vehicle includes large vans regularly used for public transportation, school buses, church buses, tour buses, municipal transit buses, trolleybuses, airport shuttles, and interstate carriers, like Amtrak or Greyhound buses.
A majority of these buses are considered common carriers, and will therefore be subject to state and federal licensing regulations. State law, however, will determine whether a bus company can be held accountable following a passenger’s injury.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Bus Accident?
Identifying possible liable parties after a bus accident requires an in-depth investigation of the facts surrounding the case. Based on California’s comparative negligence laws, more than one party can be held at-fault for the accident. The following parties are typically accountable following a bus accident: Government agencies, Private bus companies, School districts, Third-party drivers, and Vehicle manufacturing companies.
Contact a Proficient Bus Accident Attorney For Legal Support Today
Bus accidents are not like most traffic accidents; consequently, obtaining the support of an attorney who understands how to navigate these types of cases is imperative to a successful case. When filing a personal injury claim following a bus accident, an experienced attorney will ensure all possible sources of compensation are pursued, and all potentially liable parties are held accountable. If you or a loved one was injured in a bus accident, it is essential to seek the legal guidance of a proficient attorney right away.
SANFORD A. KASSEL, A Professional Law Corporation is well-respected in the field of traffic accident cases, including challenging bus accident cases. After you have been injured in a bus accident, obtain the support of an attorney you can depend on. The firm’s competent and reliable litigators ensure their clients obtain the highest amount of compensation available. For a free initial consultation, consider contacting SANFORD A. KASSEL, A Professional Law Corporation today.
