Whether you live in a big, bustling city like Los Angeles you may have taken a vehicle in the public transit system at one point or another. From school buses to subways and anything in between, public transportation is a great way of commuting and helping to save valuable resources such as gas. Methods of public transportation, however, are not completely immune from accidents, and the effects of an accident involving a bus or other method of public transit can be catastrophic.
Some public transportation vehicles can weigh upwards of 50,000 pounds or more, so a passenger car or other motorized vehicle would not stand a chance if hit by a bus or train. An accident involving pedestrians, of course, would likely be fatal for those individuals, so it is imperative that those involved in a bus accident contact an experienced personal injury attorney to fight for compensation. Whether you were on the bus when it crashed and sustained injuries or were in another vehicle that was hit by the public transit vehicle, you deserve to fight for your legal rights. Our bus accident attorney can help you get the financial compensation that you deserve.
What Is the Timeframe after a Bus Accident to Call an Attorney?
As with any accident or other personal injury claim, it is important that you contact an experienced bus accident attorney as soon as possible. If you or a loved one sustained injuries in the accident or you lost a loved one in the accident, you deserve compensation for these losses. It takes time, however, for evidence to be collected to prove that the driver of the bus or other public transportation vehicle was at fault for the accident and the company can be held liable. Our bus accident attorneys at Era Law Firm in Los Angeles County are here to help you through this most difficult time and simply want to assist you in getting the compensation you deserve. It will be a tough legal battle, but we are ready, willing, and able to stand up for you and keep your best interests at the forefront of the fight.
Liability is an important topic when it comes to bus accidents or those involving large public transit vehicles. For an automobile accident, the liability falls on the drivers of those vehicles when injuries and losses occur. Generally, the insurance companies of the drivers will handle the claims. In the case of a bus system that is a public transit carrier, the state can be held liable for the injuries to passengers. Other major bus companies such as Amtrak or Greyhound, however, are required to carry multi-million dollar insurance policies, and their team of attorneys and insurance adjusters will attempt to settle with you for an amount that is laughable. To avoid dealing with these adjusters and to ensure you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses, it is vital that you call an experienced bus accident attorney as quickly as possible so that they can start to develop a strategy for your claim.
Our Recent Bus Accident Case Settlements
If you have been involved in a bus or public transit accident, you should try to remember the steps we recommend following any vehicle accident. The first and most important step is to check for injuries and contact medical services immediately. Following the medical services call, police should also be notified. Providing the police with your account of the accident will be integral evidence to help support your case. After that, you should start to document everything that has happened. This includes taking photographs and videos of injuries and damage to the vehicles. If possible, you should also talk to other passengers who witnessed the accident or may have seen something that you did not. Once you have been cleared to leave the scene, call our personal injury attorneys at Era Law Firm in Los Angeles County to begin discussing your case and moving forward with the fight for justice and compensation from the insurance companies. Our bus accident attorney department is well versed at handling these cases and getting a fair trial and just verdict.
Common Causes of Bus Accidents
Collisions with various types of public transit vehicles can take a variety of forms and may be caused by any number of reasons. Many of these reasons are similar to those which cause other motor vehicle accidents, but when a bus or other public transit vehicle is involved, the effects are amplified. Some of these common causes include:
- Driver fatigue
- Driver impairment (alcohol or drug use)
- Driver distraction or negligence (e.g. texting while driving)
- Driver inexperience
- Poor road conditions or construction
- Bad weather
- Vehicle or equipment defects or malfunction
- Inability to maneuver in a crowded location (urban areas with high traffic)
- Vehicle handling problems
- Stability issues caused by weight distribution problems
- Vehicle structure with no passenger protection
Regardless of the reason for the accident, those who have sustained injuries as a direct result of the accident deserve compensation for their injuries and losses. The legal battle can be challenging, especially when dealing with government agencies or corporate insurance agencies, so it is critical that you contact a bus accident attorney who understands your struggle and is willing to do whatever it takes to obtain the best possible outcome.
Contact Our Bus Accident Attorneys at Era Law Firm in Los Angeles County Today
If you or a loved one has been involved in a bus accident and sustained injuries or losses due to another driver’s negligence or recklessness, you deserve compensation. At Era Law Firm in Los Angeles County, our bus accident attorney understands how challenging it can be to handle all of the issues that arise from a bus accident. Allow our experienced personal injury attorneys to work tirelessly to protect your legal rights and get your case prosecuted as quickly as possible. You should be able to focus on recovering from your accident, not the legal issues. We put your best interests first so that you can remain focused on the most important aspects of the healing and recovery process. Contact us today for more about our personal injury firm or fill out our inquiry form for a free case evaluation.